Yesterday, I flew the new blade MQX Quad Copter with the AS3X stabilization system.
secure.hobbyzone.com/BLH7580.html The MQX copter was bound to the inexpensive 4ch controller found in all the heli, UMX's and micro rtfs from Eflite, Blade and Parkzone.
First, I flew it indoors. I found the MQX easy to get into a hover using just throttle. Once you touch the right stick it moves, and moves, very quickly. The response is superb. It also invites over controlling. This could be dampened with your computer Tx with some expo. Or, not, if you want to keep it very responsive. Either way; this is a fun little ship to fly.
The programable Rx allows you to fly the the MQX in either the X mode shown in the photo or the T mode where flight is along the axis of the motor pods.
The pilot's visual orientation to the copter is a little different than conventional helis. Something that took me a few minutes to get used to. Two sets of blades; one white and the other black help with the orientation.
The winds were 10-15, with gusts, so the trip outdoors was a good test of both the MQX's AS3X system and the power generated by the 4 brushed motors and props.
Having some experience with another AS3X equipped aircraft, the UMX Gee Bee, I had confidence in the systems ability to to stabilize the MQX in the wind. I wasn't disappointed.
While some control input was required, in the gusty conditions, to put the quad copter, right where you wanted it, it was relatively easy to control into the wind: Up wind, down wind, and in the cross wind.
Power was more than adequate. The ability to move in any direction, quickly, was impressive.
Flight time with the supplied with the 1S 500 was good. I lost track of the actual time in the air, but I'm guessing more the 5 mins. Fairly impressive running 4 motors.
During the course of the outdoor flight, I managed to crash the MQX a few times. It ended up upside down twice. Not even a hicup getting it back in the air. The only thing to suffer was the "body" which is made of very thin plastic. Appropriate for weight savings I suppose. The hobby shops and online stores will need to stock a lot of those.
Overall, I give this heli a 9. The only drawback I see is with the brushed motors that will eventually go bad. I'd want to replace all four rather than just one, if one went bad, just to keep the relative power and reliablity on par. At 10 bucks each that's a $40 investment for all.
This isn't what I'd consider a beginner's heli, because it is more difficult to fly than a coaxial. Although, in hover mode, it is extremely stable. That being said, the MQX is a nice addition to almost any micro fleet. Good, both indoors and out.
The MQX represents something a little different. Although, that difference, is quickly fading as more and more copters are going 4, plus, blades. It's part of the heli evolution. Something we are lucky to be a part of.
