REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE KIT: Minimum 6 Channel RC Helicopter Radio Transmitter & Receiver, FBL control system, LiPo battery and charger.
In good overall condition and built to a high standard, the RC Heli comes with carbon main blades. Please refer to photos to gauge the overall cosmetic condition as they form part of the description. The last photo is a screenshot from the manual which is still available online (manualslib website).
The frame is mostly carbon fibre (including the tail boom) and precision CNC aluminium. The belt driven main and tail rotor blades results in quieter flight and an all-together forgiving design during 3D manoeuvres.
I’ve added specifications for the frame and components along with a technical review by HeliFreak. Some spare parts also included (shown in the last photo).
Recommended battery pack: Turnigy Nano-Tech 1300mAh 6S 45~90C Lipo Pack, 22.2v with XT60 Connector.
Specifications
FLYING WEIGHT: 1140g / 2.5lbs
LENGTH: 690mm
HEIGHT: 200mm
WIDTH: 95mm
ROTOR SPAN: 360mm
TAIL ROTOR DIAMETER: 62mm
MAIN BLADES: Halo 360mm
TAIL BLADES: Halo 62mm
CONTROL SYSTEM: 120-degree eCCPM
MOTOR: Scorpion HK2520-1880KV with 18T pulley
FRAME
Material: Carbon fiber with metal spacers
Type: Two piece side plates
Servo linkage type: eCCPM direct to swash servo linkage
ROTOR HEAD
Grips: Machined aluminum with thrust bearings
Head block: Machined aluminum
Links: Plastic ends with steel rods
Swashplate: Machined aluminum with steel balls
Main shaft: 8mm with 5mm spindle
Control: 120 eCCPM
TAIL
Drive system: Dual stage belt drive reduction system
Auto Capable: Yes
Tail Pitch Slider Type: Machined aluminum with brass sleeve
Tail Blade Grips: Machined aluminum with radial and thrust bearings
Tail Case: Machined aluminum
Boom Material: Carbon fiber
Boom Strut Material: Carbon fiber with plastic ends
Tail Fin: Carbon fiber
GEAR RATIOS:
Driving Gear: (18/50) (18/80)
Gear Ratio: 18T (12.34:1)
Tail Gear Ratio: 4.73:1
Scorpion HK-2520 Motor
Scorpion HK-2520 motors have been developed for the 450 class electric helicopters running on 6-cell Li-Po power such as WARP 360. This motor is designed to provide all the power that you can use, while still maintaining excellent efficiency and cool running characteristics. The 3.5mm shaft kit which is specialize for the new generation 450 class electric helicopter.
Scorpion HK-Series Brushless Motors are built from the best materials available, and are designed to provide both quality and performance at an affordable price. Scorpion starts with high quality aluminum alloy parts that are produced on the latest CNC milling machines. These parts are then gold Electro-Coated to provide a beautiful, long-lasting finish. The stators are made with 0.2mm laminations to give maximum efficiency, and minimum Eddy current losses. The stators are epoxy coated to prevent shorts, and are wound with wire that is rated at 180 degrees C (356 F). The magnets used in Scorpion Motors are custom manufactured to be able to withstand high temperatures, making a motor that is virtually impossible to burn up in normal use.
For the best overall combination of quality, performance, and value, use Scorpion Motors in your helicopter!
KDS N320S Digital Cyclic Servo
Features:
- Using the most advanced micro coreless motor
- Metal case, instant cooling and high efficiency
- Titanium gear, most reliable, durable and precise
- High voltage, high speed, high torque
Specifications:
Working Frequency: 1520us/330Hz
Dead Band: 0.001us
Gear: Chrome-Titanium Alloy
Working Voltage: DC 4.8V - 8.4V
Working Temperature: -10C to +60C
Speed: 0.065sec/60@4.8V 0.053sec/60@6.0V
Torque: 2.6Kg.cm@4.8V 3.2Kg.cm@6V
KDS N320T Digital Rudder Servo
Features:
- Using the most advanced micro coreless motor
- Metal case, instant cooling and high efficiency
- Metal gear design, most reliable action, and durable and so accurate
- High speed digital tail servo
Specifications:
Working Frequency: 760us/330Hz
Dead Band: 0.001us
Gear: Chrome-Titanium Alloy Gear
Working Voltage: DC 4.8V - 8.4V
Working Temperature: -10C to +60C
Speed: 0.046sec/60@4.8V 0.035sec/60@6.0V
Torque: 2.0Kg.cm@4.8V 2.5Kg.cm@6V
Platinum PRO V3 ESC
High-performance microprocessor with the operating frequency up to 50MHz brings excellent compatibility and high driving efficiency.
Multiple Flight Modes
Multiple flight modes: Fixed Wing Airplane/ Heli with Governor Off/ Heli with Governor (Elf) / Heli with Governor Store.
Voltage BEC Adjustable
Built-in high-efficient & high-power (switch mode) BEC can make the output voltage switched among 5.2V / 6.0V / 7.4V / 8.4V.
Max Speed
The maximum motor speed can reach 210000 RPM (for 2-poles), 70000 RPM (for 6-poles) and 35000 RPM (for 12-poles).
Governor Store Mode
Brand new governor program, easy to operate; and its excellent speed-governing effect can make big rotor blades more stable even under rapid load change.
Multi-Protection Features
Restart in auto rotation" can manually interrupt the auto rotation and quickly restart the motor to avoid crashes caused by incorrect operations.
Multiple protection features including input voltage abnormality protection/ low-voltage cutoff protection/ throttle signal loss protection effectively prolong the service life of the ESC.
KDS CHASE 360 Review, HeliFreak.
By: Chris Reibert, 02 Feb 2015
AUTHOR'S OPINION:
Whether you’re a sport pilot, just starting out in 3D or a seasoned hardcore R/C helicopter pilot the Chase 360 can cater to your flying style. The Chase 360 was designed in Australia by Glen Kimpton who was looking to offer an entirely new concept in remote control helicopters. The Chase's robust belted drive system and 360mm rotor blades make this machine a beast in the 450 class of helicopters. KDS gives you the opportunity to buy the Chase 360 in three different options from the barebones kit, kit/ESC/motor combo or super combo giving the hobbyist plenty of options to choose from. For my review I purchased the barebones kit so that I could customize the build how I like with my favorite electronics of choice.
RATING: (1-5) STARS
4 STARS
PROS
• Quick release battery system
• Two-Stage transmission
• Full CNC aluminum head and tail
• Strong carbon fiber main frame
• Red anodized parts and frame washers
• Carbon boom
CONS
• Limitations on battery size options
The KDS Chase 360 is a fun and exciting new helicopter to join the new stretched 450 class. With the Chase swinging 360mm main blades it really feels like you are flying a 500 class helicopter over the traditional 325mm sized 450 class. The Chase 360's dual stage belt drive reduction system completely eliminates gears for extremely quiet, strong, rigid and vibration free operation. Throw in a powerful motor like a Scorpion and you will have a hot rod in this mini class. The Chase 360 is targeted for intermediate to advance pilots rather than a beginner’s helicopter.
OPENING THE BOX
I was pleased to open the box and immediately see three individual boxes packed nice and tight. As I pulled them out I found one more box below and two plastic bags. The first box I opened included the canopy along with the blade holder and all the belts. The second box I opened contained all of the hardware to complete the build. The third box contained foam trays housing the main aluminum components of the helicopter such as the rotor head, main bearing blocks, tail case, pulleys, swash plate, servo mounts, pitch slider, frame supports and other important components. The final box contained the plastic landing skids, the carbon fiber tail boom, boom supports and tail pushrod. The plastic parts bags included all the carbon fiber frame sides, vertical fin, gyro tray, quick release battery tray and front ESC mounting plate. I am reviewing the basic kit so no blades or electronics were included in the kit. I thought that KDS had forgot to include the manual until I hopped on the forums to find out the kit does not include a paper manual. You have to go to a website link to download a digital copy of it. Nowhere inside or labeled on the box did it state that you had to download the instruction manual and if this was my first build I would have been lost and confused.
THE BUILD
Assembly of the airframe only took a few hours and I would compare it to a Goblin mixed with a pod and boom style helicopter. The build begins by assembling the top motor mount transmission unit. The motor mounts onto the top of the motor plate aiming up and uses a pinion pulley instead of the traditional pinion gear. I chose to use a Scorpion HK-2520-1880KV motor with the stock 18T motor pulley. I had some vertical play between the bearings and pinions so I added a shim to remedy the play. Once the belt is installed spin the motor by hand to ensure the drive belt has proper vertical alignment on the gear. If it favors high or low adjust the motor pinion pulley to split the difference. It is easier to get to the pinion now rather than later after the assembly is installed into the frame.
The tail pulley guide, gyro tray and boom clamp assemblies are also assembled before mounting them onto the frame sides. The next step has you install servo mounts onto the top bearing block and install the cyclic servos. I highly recommend you plug your cyclic servos into your FBL system and center the servos arms closest to center before installing them onto the servo mounts. Depending on the arms you use you want to get your servo horn balls closest to 15mm from center for ideal servo geometry. The Chase uses 120 degree CCPM servo geometry which provides consistent cyclic control with fast and stable 3D performance. I chose the new MKS HV93s to use for my cyclic servos in this build. The HV93s are extremely well built coreless high voltage servos in metal cases that are built with chrome titanium alloy gears that can be run at 6, 7.4 or 8.2 volts. I carefully tucked the front servo wires under the servo mounts for a clean look.
The frame assembly starts by installing the quick release clips into the side frames and building the battery tray. The Chase 360 features a quick release system for instant battery changes without having to remove the canopy which is a great feature considering winter weather tends to crack our nice fiberglass canopies during the removal and installation process between battery changes. The landing skids mount to the frame using aluminum mounts and squeeze between the frame sides and frame blocks. The lower bearing block, frame stand-offs and motor mount assembly secure to the frame with M2.5 screws and red frame washers to dress up the build. Two carbon fiber side plates install inside the front of the frames which will later allow a place for the front of the battery tray to be secured during flight.
The tail case assembly comes prebuilt but you will want to add loctite to the grub screws and install the locking collars against both bearings on each side so that there is no slop. The tail case can be slid into the boom once the belt has been looped around the case. The pitch slider bracket, vertical fin and boom hardware also get installed in these steps. The tail boom gets installed into the gyro tray boom clamps and gets secured to the side of the assembled frame. The main gears with one way bearing assembly and top bearing block with servos drops down into the lower bearing block and drive belts. The bearing block housing secures to the frame using M2.5 screws and red washers. I installed the remaining frame side once I verified everything was seated and the tail belt was going the correct direction.
The head comes 90% pre-assembled but I recommend taking it completely apart to reapply Loctite and grease in all the areas required. The machine quality and aluminum material are top notch. The ball links are bidirectional so you do not have to pop the links off to adjust the length when tracking the blades. You will also have to install the phasing arms, blade grip arms and build servo links to length. The swashplate spun free with zero slop and looked great in its silver and red anodized colors. When installing the swashplate balls apply Loctite and tighten the balls snug, but don’t over tighten. The swashplate and head are secured to the main shaft by a single jesus bolt and a carbon fiber autorotation bracket keeps the swashplate from spinning.The tail pitch slider also comes pre-assembled so give it a once over inspection. The tail hub and blade grips were broken down and completely rebuilt with Loctite and grease. The pitch slider and tail hub slide over the tail shaft and a grub screw secures the hub in place. The pitch slider fork mounts to the boom and the entire tail assembly moved very smooth though I like to add a few drops of Dry Fluid onto the shaft.
The Chase 360 gives you two tail mount locations inside the frame. You have the choice to either install a micro servo up into the top of the frame or a mini servo down in the lower rear of the frame. I chose to use the MKS HV9780 mini servo for ultimate tail authority and plenty of speed. I chose to use a HV mini servo for ultimate tail authority and holding capability. The digital manual ends by having you build the tail servo pushrod to length and installing the tail boom supports. I was let down that the manual did not go into detail for electronics location, wiring routing, or radio settings such as pitch and headspeed recommendations.
The ESC mounts onto the carbon fiber plate in the front of the frame with its motor wires aiming up to plug directly into the motor leads. I used a Castle Creations Ice Lite 50 for power distribution and headspeed governing. I ran the signal wire along the top of the frame and up under the servo mounts to the FBL system. I chose the iKON flybarless control system which Imounted on the rear upper gyro tray with the wires facing forward. The Futaba S-bus receiver was taped to the rear side of the frame and I zip tied the antennas to one of the boom supports. For power I used Pulse 6s 1350mah 45C packs that mount to carbon fiber quick release battery trays that slide up and lock into the frame making battery changes extremely quick and easy without ever having to remove the canopy!
I used the Castle Link to program the Edge Lite 50 ESC and set it up for governed mode. For sport flying the 360 really flies well at 2700rpm with zero bobble and extends your flight time. I tend to fly in Stunt 1 at 2800rpm to practice my collective management and not sacrifice my flight time. Crank her up to 3000rpm in Stunt 2 for extreme fast forward flying and hard unadulterated 3D performance. The Chase 360 really shines at this headspeed giving you about 3+ minutes of flight times.
Flight mode Throttle RPM
Normal Governed 2700
Stunt 1 Governed 2800
Stunt 2 Governed 3000
IN THE AIR
The first few flights I just flew around to adjust gain settings as well as to break in the new Pulse packs. With the three stages of drive belts the Chase 360 had a very unique sound about it. You could tell the Chase 360 really wanted me to stretch its wingsbut I gave the Pulse packs about four break in sport flights at around 2 minutes of flight time. I chose to run the new Halo 360mm main blades which had plenty of lift, yet cyclic flips and rolls were very fast. The collective authority was excellent and I had plenty of pop. For tail control I also went with Halos giving their new 62mm tail blades a try. These bright orange, black and white blades combined with a custom canopy I had made from Canomod made this 360 one sweet looking bird in the sky. I also love how bright the stock canopy was against all types of light conditions in the sky. The Chase was very stable at 2700 for sport flying but when flipped into idle 2 at 3000rpm you had unparalleled climbing ability and super fast hurricanes both forward and backwards with consistent cyclic and collective response maneuver after maneuver. Flight times averaged around 4-5 minutes with the Pulse 1350mAh battery packs. The Chase 360 is a pleasure to fly and I enjoy being able to fly it at a small park or sports complex. Hopefully I won't need anything but replacement parts are very affordable for this model.
THE LAST WORD
For a 450 class machine the Chase 360 provides the stability of larger helicopters, while maintaining portability and economical operation of a smaller helicopter. The kit is a great value considering all that is included especially if you purchase the super combo. I love the quick release battery system for instant changes without ever having to remove the canopy. If you’re a seasoned R/C pilot looking to move up to a more advanced class of 3D helicopter I recommend giving the Chase 360 a try. However if your plan is to make the Chase your first build I would steer clear or have a friend with helicopter knowledge assist in the build process. Though it is made of the highest quality parts the manual lacks and needs much more needed attention to parts identification and direction. I guess I've just been spoiled by other brand helicopters highly detailed manuals. I’ve heard KDS is working on revising a new manual which would make this build much easier for new builders. Aside from the manual the build went together very smooth with little to no issues. I feel KDS has a winner with the little Chase 360 though I can't compare it to any of KDS's other models as this is my first KDS build.