E-SKY E-Smart 600

[Trex Pilot]

Anyone have a E-Smart heli ? thinking about getting me one, soon and want to know how well it is built and how it flys?

[miket]

I have one Great Helicopter at a great price. I own several helicopters and the E Smart is one of my favorites. Its the semi-metal version but I tossed in some T Rex 600 electronics and Tail Rotor. Really stable. Mike

[broggyr]

My favorite dealer doesn't carry them. Suggestions on online dealers?

[Trex Pilot]

My favorite dealer doesn't carry them. Suggestions on online dealers?
BP hobbies and helidirect have them they are really good peps and have great customer service and they ship fast.

[broggyr]

Cool, I have purchased from BP and I agree about the service & shipping. I have heard the same about HD, but haven't ordered from them (yet)...

[Trex Pilot]

helidirect ship alttle faster but i like both the same and never had any bad deals with them

[Trickycopter]

Helidirect has a better deal on 600 motor and metal frame 199 us dollars. I debating between the Esmart and GUAI 550

[Dash C]

GAUI 550's replacement parts are insanely expensive..
I looked into them a few days ago..
stock frame is plastic and flexible.. cf frame is like $184 at rcsupersales.com
they usually have decent prices. (GAUI 550 kit there is 270 something)

what size servos does the esmart take? they wouldn't be standard sized servos would they?
(I kinda hope they are cause I have 4 digital metal servos that came with my rx/tx set... all JR)

[Sublime Snot]

I've been doing a lot of setup-research and window-shopping for the E-Smart. It's definitely going to be my next heli, moving up from the King 2.

Dash C: Yes, it does take standard servos.

There's a guy that was crazy enough to have three of these birds (nuttcaze). He was pretty big on the ES600 (as he calls it), but last time I heard from him, he sold two of them (kept one, originally was trying to sell all three) and moved onto a TRex 600 Electric. Not a bad move in my opinion.
I had to bring him up to let you know about his ES600 videos on youtube and his ES600 review on his own website. He's got really good info.

Youtube Profile
http://www.youtube.com/user/nuttcaze

His review of the ES600 on his website (+ his setup info)
http://mysite.verizon.net/bizwptdb/id12.html

Here's my planned ES600 setup so far. This list is not final, I'm having some trouble finding good standard servos for good prices and reasonable performance (I'm looking for servos with metal gears mostly, with a good amount of torque and good speed, nothing weak or slow).

ES600 Pro Kit (with motor and metal upgrades)
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=4544
550mm Wooden Blade set
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=38_235_261&products_id=4740
AR6100 Receiver (My HBK2 uses an AR6200, which I will be swapping out with an AR6100 so I can use the AR6200 for the ES600)
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=58_127_468&products_id=4288
Hobbywing 80A ESC
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=45_434&products_id=4393
Hobbywing ESC Program card
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=45_434&products_id=4406
Turnigy 6S charger
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=7028
Sport BEC 5v/6v switchable
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=4550
Zippy 4000mAh 6S 25C-35C Lipo
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6415&Product_Name=ZIPPY-H_4000mAh_6S1P_25-35C_Lipoly_Pack

(Will be using a Spektrum DX6i)

Things I'm still deciding on:
Gyros:
A Logictech 2100T or Futaba GY401
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=46_478&products_id=3348
http://www.helidirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=46_479&products_id=527 (The price has recently dropped from $150 to $130 :eek::) )

Servos:
I'm still kinda open on this one. I was looking at some SSV-9764MG servos ($18 each) from Hobbycity, but according to the reviews, it looks like some monkey business is going on (repeated reviews saying the exact same thing on more than just one product to cover up the bad reviews).
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=3880
I've read some pretty bad stuff about that place from other users, their customer satisfaction isn't the greatest, but yet I'm willing to buy a battery and a charger from there. Maybe I'm wrong about Hobbycity's reputation; I'm just putting some thoughts out there, not really taking any sides...

I'm aware that nuttcaze's setup can be attained for somewhere near $600. My setup already hits the bar at somewhere near $900 if not $1,000; but that's because I despise plastic parts, and replacing electronics with better electronics. I would spend more later on if I got a basic kit and upgraded it, so why not just pay up front for the best setup?

Anyways, servo recommendations (and comments on my predicted setup) are welcome.