I like the Nexus because it owes its lineiage to the Concept 30 series of helis (also from Kyosho). The Concept 30 was a ground breaking heli in the world of R/C. For the first time after its introduction the secrets of flying helicopters became 'de-mystified'. Another important factor is parts availibility. The parts for the Nexus are readily available through TowerHobbies and other internet based hobby supply houses.
I acquired my Nexus through a trade of a 1/4 scale Piper Cub. Through the trade I was able to get the complete heli (as a kit), an aftermart Zeal metal swashplate and a Thunder Tiger .46 engine (along with the upgraded conversion package for the .46 size motor). My feeling is that if you get a heli you should get the kit and assemble it yourself. The most important reason for this is that when you have to take it apart to repair it (and you will) is that you'll have a better understanding of putting it back together. Also because it's fun (at least for me) to put one of these mechanical flying machines together.
Since the kit I got was the standard 'S' version of the Nexus I decided to upgrade it to a complete ball bearing machine. While the stock-out-of-the-box Nexus is good, one of the most inportant things you can do to improve your heli flying experience is to have a slop-free machine. You can get the Nexus Deluxe that has all the requisite parts BUT you'll also get the full flapping rotor head, which in my opinion is not as good as the stiffer, underslung head that comes with the standard version. All the rotating parts on my Nexus have full ball bearing support as called out in the manual. The linkages on all the controls are very tight and slop-free.
The radio I'm using for the Nexus is a Futaba 9VHP heli radio. Even though It's a few years old it is one of the best computer radios that Futaba put out. The radio has more than I'll ever need for both fixed wing and heli flying. One of the keys to having slop-free controls is the use of a quality ball bearing servo. I used Futaba 9202 BB servos on all the flight controls for this heli. They have plenty of torque and almost zero play. Helis also require a gyro. I happened to have a Futaba 153 not doing anything so that's what the Nexus has installed. While not as fancy as the newer piezo gyros or the SMM types it does the job very well.
If there's one weaknes that I have found with the Nexus it the starter shaft. They are prone to breaking after a period of time. The small metal pin that couples the shaft to the keyed nylon insert that mates with the cooling fan tens to break. You can fix this yourself with a peice of 3mm drill rod but it will break again (a new one is about $10 from Tower). It's not hard to replace the starter shaft since all you need to do is drop the motor and remove the starter cone but it still gets annoying.
The Nexus has served me well and after a recent crash while 'hot dogging ' with it I decided it was time for a change. Although I was planning on putting the Nexus into a scale fuse other projects have put that on hold. For now the Nexus has been retired. Time will tell if she'll fly again.....
- Zeal full metal swashplate
- Extra stiff feathering shaft damper bushings
- Tail wire drive guide tube and bushed supports (Concept SR-X)
- Ball Bearings on all rotating parts
- Futaba S9202 BB servos
- Metal balls on all flight control linkages
- .46 Engine
- Aluminum starter cone
- Zeal all metal Hiller mixing
Click here to see the basic Nexus arrangement and
major parts labeled
- Length 41.3"
- Height 16.4"
- Main Rotor dia 48"
- Tail Rotor dia 9.6"
- Weight 6.2lbs
- Control system: Bell-Hiller w/adj pitch
- Shaft tail drive
- Main gear ratio 9.8:1
- Tail gear ratio 5:1
- No. of channels 5 w/gyro and rudder coupled
