Official RotorScale 470 Size MD-500D Magnum PI Super Scale GPS Stabilized Helicopter RTF Discussion Thread

[Helifly]

We are updating the middle flight mode, starting with the Magnum MD-500, where it uses the baro sensor to hold altitude. Doesn't use GPS for position, so it'll still drift and such with the wind, but will help manage the altitude for you. Makes it a little less of a step up from the GPS mode than before. The change will be rolled in to all of the 450/470's as new inventory replaces older stock. The older controllers can also be updated with this flight mode if you're fairly tech savvy. Happy to explain how, just shoot me a PM if you want to do something like that.

The updated flight controller just has some basic improvements over the original, and will eventually make its way into all of the 470/450's as stock is sold and replenished over time. There is some internal stuff that doesn't matter much for customers, like chip space. The biggest one most will notice is the power connector from the ESC to the FC is now redundant with 4 wires instead of the original two. This is just for better reliability with with the power supply to the FC. The new FC is backwards compatible - it has the 4 pin plug and the 2 pin plug on it.

Regarding the 5-blade main blades - the Sheriff upgrade kit is the same exact blades as the Magnum, just painted differently. They are also technically the same blade as the 450 EC-135 and BO-105 as well, though for the 5-blade setup, its much more important for the blades to be matched, so we offer the different paint choices to be more scale, but also so they are sold in an appropriately matched set.

Theres no issue with storing the blades on the helicopter in the grips. The only thing I would be concerned with that would be if storing them in a hot car or something where you could soften the epoxy, but that would also render issues to the fiberglass fuselage, among other things 😅. As long as your storage space isn't in a hot box, you'll be fine. 👌

Thanks for that information. Glad to see Roban? maintaining/improving the FC software. Interesting about the power connector to the FC. I own another 470 helicopter from a different manufacturer and it has a tiny 2 wire power connection to the FC that always seems like it is loose. I am always triple checking it is still plugged in correctly. This is very smart and a welcome upgrade! I have since installed the tail stab and am really enjoying this helicopter. Very well done!

[xviper]

Its not a big ordeal to update, but does require a software/program download and going through the menus to find the right setting to adjust. Not too bad, but everyone should know their own limits of course!

One of the tricks I use when switching is just to simply initiate a 1/4 or 1/3 stick climb in GPS mode, and while climbing, switch to angle mode. It usually works out pretty close to maintaining altitude in angle mode. To be fair though, I've flown a fair bit of 'normal' helis in my time, so I buzz around in 'Manual' all the time and its not too big of a deal for me. The spring loaded throttle is the most weird thing for me when flying in Manual like a normal heli.

I'd be worried I'd screw something up. Would hate to ruin a perfectly great heli.

That's more or less what I do when switching GPS to Angle. I'm a thumb flyer and I can flip the switch with the closest finger. I've never been any good at flying helis manually. That's a crash just waiting to happen. I can manage manual mode for a few seconds before the marble rolls off the platter.

[3D-Seth]

Very kind of you to offer. I'm a bit UNtech savy, so I'll leave it alone. Like I said before, I'm getting more confident manually doing the throttle stick (pitch) adjustment on the fly as I switch to "angle" mode, which I now do mostly while flying with some forward speed. Even when hovering in one spot, I can do the adjustment manually to avoid the "drop". As it is with the 5-blade mod, the MD500 is my favorite heli.

Its not a big ordeal to update, but does require a software/program download and going through the menus to find the right setting to adjust. Not too bad, but everyone should know their own limits of course!

One of the tricks I use when switching is just to simply initiate a 1/4 or 1/3 stick climb in GPS mode, and while climbing, switch to angle mode. It usually works out pretty close to maintaining altitude in angle mode. To be fair though, I've flown a fair bit of 'normal' helis in my time, so I buzz around in 'Manual' all the time and its not too big of a deal for me. The spring loaded throttle is the most weird thing for me when flying in Manual like a normal heli.

[bkp1300]

Just bought this heli and been having a blast. I fly all my fixed wing models with FR Sky X20 pro transmitter. Have a multiprotocol adapter slotted in for my bind and fly spektrum planes. Anybody bound this heli to their own transmitter sucessfully, is there any setup magic in the RTF transmitter?

[xviper]

The older controllers can also be updated with this flight mode if you're fairly tech savvy. Happy to explain how, just shoot me a PM if you want to do something like that.

Very kind of you to offer. I'm a bit UNtech savy, so I'll leave it alone. Like I said before, I'm getting more confident manually doing the throttle stick (pitch) adjustment on the fly as I switch to "angle" mode, which I now do mostly while flying with some forward speed. Even when hovering in one spot, I can do the adjustment manually to avoid the "drop". As it is with the 5-blade mod, the MD500 is my favorite heli.

[3D-Seth]

Wes (Motion RC) demonstrated with the Magnum PI heli, that there is no longer a drop when switching out of GPS mode. I can't say if the V2 FC on the MD500 has incorporated this change. Mine DOES drop but I automatically adjust the left stick so as to eliminate the drop. It's not a "thing" unless the pilot is a complete novice when flying these types of helis. I started with the Flywing GPS helis and most of those have the "drop". It's something that is easily managed without going into the programming.

We are updating the middle flight mode, starting with the Magnum MD-500, where it uses the baro sensor to hold altitude. Doesn't use GPS for position, so it'll still drift and such with the wind, but will help manage the altitude for you. Makes it a little less of a step up from the GPS mode than before. The change will be rolled in to all of the 450/470's as new inventory replaces older stock. The older controllers can also be updated with this flight mode if you're fairly tech savvy. Happy to explain how, just shoot me a PM if you want to do something like that.

The updated flight controller just has some basic improvements over the original, and will eventually make its way into all of the 470/450's as stock is sold and replenished over time. There is some internal stuff that doesn't matter much for customers, like chip space. The biggest one most will notice is the power connector from the ESC to the FC is now redundant with 4 wires instead of the original two. This is just for better reliability with with the power supply to the FC. The new FC is backwards compatible - it has the 4 pin plug and the 2 pin plug on it.

Regarding the 5-blade main blades - the Sheriff upgrade kit is the same exact blades as the Magnum, just painted differently. They are also technically the same blade as the 450 EC-135 and BO-105 as well, though for the 5-blade setup, its much more important for the blades to be matched, so we offer the different paint choices to be more scale, but also so they are sold in an appropriately matched set.

Theres no issue with storing the blades on the helicopter in the grips. The only thing I would be concerned with that would be if storing them in a hot car or something where you could soften the epoxy, but that would also render issues to the fiberglass fuselage, among other things 😅. As long as your storage space isn't in a hot box, you'll be fine. 👌

[WDivCV61]

Impressed that got a response from Roban pretty quick. "Check the manual". Next on the list is to figure out what that funny looking white box with the screen and two funny sticks is for.

[WDivCV61]

Wanting to make sure, but does anyone here know for sure if there are any locknuts internally? Found an "extra" loose in the box. Is exact same style and size as the 2 for the bolts holding the vert stab on which are also the same for the bolts holding the rotor blades on. The parts diagrams provided and parts list is pretty vague in regard to locknuts and that's putting it mildly. Would love to see an actual IPB listing exactly how many, location, etc. "Hardware Set" don't quite cut it. Hopefully Roban answers me but ain't holdin' me breath since didn't buy from them directly, but I reckon never know. Just hate to disassemble this thing if don't have to. Is what miss most about the old days, a detailed illustrated parts breakdown for just about anything you bought right there in the instruction manual, how many, locations, & price each if available. Good times, good times.👴

[xviper]

It seems that way. Version Control/Change logging not a strong point with any of these helicopters. It would be a nice feature to have.

BTW, I did read somewhere that a change was made to the 470 MD500D FC that eliminates (or minimizes) the sudden drop when switching from GPS to Angle mode in mid-flight. I don't know if that is implemented in the hardware or programming or both. I have not tried it yet.

Wes (Motion RC) demonstrated with the Magnum PI heli, that there is no longer a drop when switching out of GPS mode. I can't say if the V2 FC on the MD500 has incorporated this change. Mine DOES drop but I automatically adjust the left stick so as to eliminate the drop. It's not a "thing" unless the pilot is a complete novice when flying these types of helis. I started with the Flywing GPS helis and most of those have the "drop". It's something that is easily managed without going into the programming.

[Helifly]

I see that now. I think my FC is a V1, as it doesn't look quite like yours. I see that the current FC for the MD500 has the same FC as in your Magnum PI, which must be a V2 version of the FC. As I previously mentioned, my 5-blade kit did not come with a manual. It would appear that the kits now come with a manual that depicts the current FC.

It seems that way. Version Control/Change logging not a strong point with any of these helicopters. It would be a nice feature to have.

BTW, I did read somewhere that a change was made to the 470 MD500D FC that eliminates (or minimizes) the sudden drop when switching from GPS to Angle mode in mid-flight. I don't know if that is implemented in the hardware or programming or both. I have not tried it yet.

[xviper]

I have a 4 wire lead to a white mini-plug on the FC. 2 red wires and 2 black wires. There is also an empty socket for a smaller 2 wire connector right next to it.

I see that now. I think my FC is a V1, as it doesn't look quite like yours. I see that the current FC for the MD500 has the same FC as in your Magnum PI, which must be a V2 version of the FC. As I previously mentioned, my 5-blade kit did not come with a manual. It would appear that the kits now come with a manual that depicts the current FC.

[Helifly]

For anyone needing to know the parts and order inside the 5 Blade grip:

(2) MR84ZZ bearings (unknown size)
(1) F4-8G bearing and race (unknown size)
(1) JX-48-88007-4B washer

The thinnest washer on the outside of the bearing stack in my picture is not shown in the exploded parts diagram. It goes under the allen bolt that screws into the feathering shaft.

One more thing. All of my outer feathering shaft bolts were too tight. They were so tight, the blade grip bearings were binding slightly during rotation. I confirmed it by removing the DFC arms from the grips and checking each of them individually. Much smoother now.

[Helifly]

I think it might be a pixelated picture. Do you have both ESCs to look at? In my eye, both pictures show the same lead ending up in that white mini plug. It's a 2-wire red/black twin. The other 4-wire lead is all black, ending up in a 3 wire and a single wire connectors. If you're looking at your Magnum heli and you see an actual 4-wire lead ending up in that white mini plug, then it must be a change from the MD500 ESC. I would find that to be very unusual and surprising as I'm assuming the flight controller for both helis are the same, thus having the same slots for those connectors.

I have a 4 wire lead to a white mini-plug on the FC. 2 red wires and 2 black wires. There is also an empty socket for a smaller 2 wire connector right next to it.

[xviper]

There is one other difference. In the first picture, there is a 2 wire lead coming out of the ESC with a small white connector that plugs into the FC. In the other version of the ESC, there is a 4 wire lead going into the FC. I don't know the significance of that. My ESC has the 4 wire lead.

I think it might be a pixelated picture. Do you have both ESCs to look at? In my eye, both pictures show the same lead ending up in that white mini plug. It's a 2-wire red/black twin. The other 4-wire lead is all black, ending up in a 3 wire and a single wire connectors. If you're looking at your Magnum heli and you see an actual 4-wire lead ending up in that white mini plug, then it must be a change from the MD500 ESC. I would find that to be very unusual and surprising as I'm assuming the flight controller for both helis are the same, thus having the same slots for those connectors.

[Helifly]

I doubt you will find such an exploded view of the blade grips. If it were me, I would VERY carefully disassemble one of the other blade grips and take note of how the bearings are installed. Do it inside a pan with walls so the little parts don't get lost. Take a photo at every stage of the disassembly. Have a magnifying glass and a small magnet handy.

I will do that. I think if I can insert a very small hex driver into the hollow feathering shaft while I remove the blade grip, the bearings and washers will at least fall out in the proper order. I will then separate them and take pictures before removing them from the hex driver.

[Helifly]

I didn't get a manual with my 5-blade kit. They assumed that it was straight forward enough that I could figure it out on my own, which I did. This is a picture of the ESC that I got:


This is what is shown in the manual that I assume came out with kits after I got mine and I have a good guess as to why it's different:


I may have mentioned that when I put the kit into my MD500, the main motor turned the wrong way. I had to cut 2 of the ESC wires and swap them to make the motor turn the correct way.
Interesting note: Had I got the later ESC with the individual main motor bullets, I would have had to cut (or strip away) the yellow connector plug to expose the individual wires. Depending on what's inside, I may have had to solder on my own bullets to mate with the individual bullets. Either way, it would have involved some extra work. I believe Roban sent out the newer ESC with the individual bulltes so that the owner could more easily figure out what to do if the motor spun the wrong way. All the other wiring appears to be the same.

There is one other difference. In the first picture, there is a 2 wire lead coming out of the ESC with a small white connector that plugs into the FC. In the other version of the ESC, there is a 4 wire lead going into the FC. I don't know the significance of that. My ESC has the 4 wire lead.

[xviper]

Does anyone know where to obtain a full owners manual with exploded parts views specific to the 5 Blade 470 500D Magnum PI model? I was doing some maintenance on mine and dropped the bearings out of one of the 5 blade grips. Without a diagram, it is nearly impossible to put the bearings and washers back in the right order. The parts are very small and I am afraid if I take apart another one, the parts will just fall out again. The 2 Blade 470 500E model seems to have different Blade Grip internals than the 5 blade model, so it is not helpful in this instance. I searched online and could not find the manual or diagram I am looking for.

I doubt you will find such an exploded view of the blade grips. If it were me, I would VERY carefully disassemble one of the other blade grips and take note of how the bearings are installed. Do it inside a pan with walls so the little parts don't get lost. Take a photo at every stage of the disassembly. Have a magnifying glass and a small magnet handy.

[xviper]

Yes, I confirmed this with Roban. They said the Blades are the same (except for the color). Interestingly, in the 5 Blade Upgrade Kit Instruction manual, 2 different ESC's are pictured. One has the single yellow connector to the V1 Main Motor and another picture shows a different ESC that has the individual bullet connectors that are used on the V2 Main Motor. My 470 Magnum PI has the V2 individual bullet connectors. There is also a difference between the thin black and red wire that plugs into the FC. Mine has a 4 wire connector into the FC and the upgrade kit shows that version and another version with a 2 wire connector.

I didn't get a manual with my 5-blade kit. They assumed that it was straight forward enough that I could figure it out on my own, which I did. This is a picture of the ESC that I got:


This is what is shown in the manual that I assume came out with kits after I got mine and I have a good guess as to why it's different:


I may have mentioned that when I put the kit into my MD500, the main motor turned the wrong way. I had to cut 2 of the ESC wires and swap them to make the motor turn the correct way.
Interesting note: Had I got the later ESC with the individual main motor bullets, I would have had to cut (or strip away) the yellow connector plug to expose the individual wires. Depending on what's inside, I may have had to solder on my own bullets to mate with the individual bullets. Either way, it would have involved some extra work. I believe Roban sent out the newer ESC with the individual bulltes so that the owner could more easily figure out what to do if the motor spun the wrong way. All the other wiring appears to be the same.

[Helifly]

Update: I found the MD500D Manual and there is an exploded view of the 5 Blade Grip bearings. I can't tell if the 470 Bearing Set (RSH-470-SP013) contains these bearings or not.

Does anyone know where to obtain a full owners manual with exploded parts views specific to the 5 Blade 470 500D Magnum PI model? I was doing some maintenance on mine and dropped the bearings out of one of the 5 blade grips. Without a diagram, it is nearly impossible to put the bearings and washers back in the right order. The parts are very small and I am afraid if I take apart another one, the parts will just fall out again. The 2 Blade 470 500E model seems to have different Blade Grip internals than the 5 blade model, so it is not helpful in this instance. I searched online and could not find the manual or diagram I am looking for.

[Helifly]

RE: The lack of support for the "hanging" blades, I'm not concerned. IMO, those blade supports we see on 2-blade helis are there mainly to prevent the rotor head front moving around while the heli is being carried. I've had such 2-blade helis with no suport and other than the rotor head swinging around when being carried, I don't believe there are any ill effects. Any pressure due to the weight of the blades on the swash is directly transferred to the swash and cyclic pitch servos. I'm confident that those servos can take it. This would be not much different than, say, the flap servos on a fixed wing when fully deployed while the plane is moving through the air. They are designed to accept such pressure. Same goes for servos on 3D planes with very large control surfaces. When not powered up, the weight of the surfaces simply drops down and rests on the servos at their end points - not a big deal - some have been like that for years.

RE: Differences in blades MD500E conversion kit and Magnum 5-blade. I don't have the Magnum one but as per the specs, it appears that the blades are identical. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say that the 5-bl conversion kit for the MD500E is the same as what comes with the Magnum PI heli. Furthermore, I would say that the entire "internal" powertrain of the 2 are the same. The 5-bl conversion kit could very likely be used for all Roban 470 sized helis (assuming owners wanted to go that route).

Yes, I confirmed this with Roban. They said the Blades are the same (except for the color). Interestingly, in the 5 Blade Upgrade Kit Instruction manual, 2 different ESC's are pictured. One has the single yellow connector to the V1 Main Motor and another picture shows a different ESC that has the individual bullet connectors that are used on the V2 Main Motor. My 470 Magnum PI has the V2 individual bullet connectors. There is also a difference between the thin black and red wire that plugs into the FC. Mine has a 4 wire connector into the FC and the upgrade kit shows that version and another version with a 2 wire connector.