600 Radically Different New Tarot 550 And 60

[Smoggie]

I’ve not been around for a while but I needed to share this one with you guys.
Tarot have over the last few months been developing an all new and unique 550 and 600 range of helis. These new helis don’t use a canopy, instead they have a moulded polymer frame. Motor ESC and servos are all integral and wiring is all routed internal.

I worked with Minzhi (the designer and head at Tarot) on a couple of details of the new heli and was lucky enough to get a prototype for testing (the heli in the pic). It’s a great heli, the canopy free design gives good cooling to ESC and motor and battery access is excellent. No canopy to get damaged in a crash but the bright colour frame gives great visibility. In flight it’s fantastic, it’s light so very agile and great flight time.

It’s just gone up on the Tarot web site today so check it out (great price too).

www.tarot-rc.com

 

[Matt]

That’s interesting smoggie. Good you have you back. I apologize if your absence had anything to do with me. I understand I can learn a lot from you, so stick around..

 

[sheldon harrison]

Wow sweet looking Machine. It looks indestructible. Thanks for posting it Smoggie.

 

[Smoggie]

My absence wasn’t anything related to any member, no need at all for apologies.
I’ve been doing plenty of ‘heli stuff’ while I’ve been away so have a few new helis that I can share details of if there is interest.

The Tarot is one that comes out flying at every opportunity, it really is a great flying heli and tough too. Nothing is indestructible but so far no one has managed to break the polymer main frame.

Tarot have put a heap of work into this heli and it’s a big departure for them because it’s an all new design rather than being based on Align like their previous helis. Having some insight into how hard they worked on it and the price point they are selling at, they deserve to sell shed loads.

Here it is with another one of my new helis

 

[fran11784]

That is wild looking...

 

[Admiral]

Certainly looks interesting and practical not sure that it fits into my must have category yet, maybe I'm too traditional.
Looks like it would stand up to a lot of abuse, be interesting to see how well it sells Tatot should be applauded for coming up with a new concept.

 

[Smoggie]

The look does take some getting used to i must admit. Practicality wise its a great idea and Minzhi (the designer) at Tarot has put so much thought into the helis design.
The small detail I helped out with was the one way bearing which on the first prototype was a standard needle roller and ramp type, but it slipped and chewed up the main shaft. We worked out an alternative design using a 'sprag clutch' similar to found on some 700 size helis. Size for size this is good for over double the torque of a needle roller type OWB. No way the OWB will slip now.

Here's a video i shot of one of my first flights with this heli, this was with 5 year old undersized batteries (all i had that was suitable at the time) and I'm still tweaking gains etc..

 

[sheldon harrison]

great vid, nice machine, cheers!

 

[Geena]

Pretty innovative design, and the idea of not needing a canopy is also different...and it looks like it flies great. But having all the electronics and other parts captured inside like that, seems it would be a real nightmare to work on. Now....I`m just going by the posted photos, but it looks like you`d have to completely separate the frames, just to get the servos out? Cool helicopter though I would love to get a chance to fly one.

 

[Smoggie]

.....seems it would be a real nightmare to work on. Now....I`m just going by the posted photos, but it looks like you`d have to completely separate the frames, just to get the servos out? Cool helicopter though I would love to get a chance to fly one.

Geena, no the servos and all electronics can be removed very easily without disturbing the frames. The covers you see over the servo are removable, not part of the main frame. Minzhi the designer at Tarot really put a lot of thought into the frame design, there is even a removable cover so you can get access to the elevator servo arm without removing the servo.

I hope you do get a chance to fly one, I think you would be impressed.

 

[Geena]

Geena, no the servos and all electronics can be removed very easily without disturbing the frames. The covers you see over the servo are removable, not part of the main frame. Minzhi the designer at Tarot really put a lot of thought into the frame design, there is even a removable cover so you can get access to the elevator servo arm without removing the servo.

I hope you do get a chance to fly one, I think you would be impressed.

That makes sense then. In your photo, it`s too far away, and being the same colour as the frame, it looks like it`s molded in. I`m sure there will be some of these at an event that I attend in the future, so hopefully I can get a pull on one soon.

 

[Geena]

BTW... how do the battery packs go in? I see what looks to be a seam around the nose. Does that slide out with a tray, or do they go in from the back?

Also.... do they plan on a 700?

 

[Smoggie]

BTW... how do the battery packs go in? I see what looks to be a seam around the nose. Does that slide out with a tray, or do they go in from the back?

Also.... do they plan on a 700?

Geena, The batteries are tray mounted and slide in from the front. The 'nose cone' is part of the battery tray. The tray itself is retained by a quick release catch similar to that used on the plastic frame Logos. I'll post some pics later today.

Yes, Tarot are planning a 700 but it's totally different to the 550/600.. I've seen a couple of sneak peak images and it looks equally innovative, I was sworn to secrecy so cant give any more details

 

[Chris Hadley]

We looked at them at Weston Park, they look very good. Got some close ups

 

[Smoggie]

We looked at them at Weston Park, they look very good. Got some close ups

Yes, I was there as well in fact the bare airframe that can be just seen in the rear of shot is the actual heli I have. The guy you can see installing the battery is Minzhi who's the boss at Tarot and the designer of the Heli.

 

[Chris Hadley]

They told us they were working on a 700 too. Would be interesting to see if they did a super combo and how it stacked up next to an Align package price

 

[Smoggie]

They told us they were working on a 700 too. Would be interesting to see if they did a super combo and how it stacked up next to an Align package price

700 is on the drawing board, like I said in my reply to Geena, I've seen a couple of 'sneak peak' images and it looks fantastic. Hopefully now they have the 550 and 600 on sale they can focus on getting the 700 into a flying prototype. I was promised one of the first ones, which would be great it it comes off.

I have suggested a 'super combo'.. Currently the closest thing is the 'pro' package that comes with blades, plus one of the electronics combo packages that has servos and motor. That only leaves the ESC and the FBL. For me it would be nice if they could bundle in the ESC too but probably best to leave out the FBL because people have their own favourites. FWIW the reason the ESC isnt included in the electronics package is that Tarot cant get any 'special deal' off Hobbywing, so the price would have to be similar to what you can just go buy one for.

 

[Geena]

I think they would do great with a 700, especially if it flies as good as the 600 seems to fly. I won`t be able to buy one for myself, but I`m sure there will be at least one of my friends who will get one and let me take a pull on it....LOL. I have never been a big fan of super combos, personally. Back in my Align days, I bought a couple, and put the electronics on ebay right after I opened the box. But there are still lots of folks out there who dop like everything in one box, so a super combo might be a hit.

 

[Smoggie]

here's UK heli flyer Simon Hildrew putting his tarot through it's paces, this is his second flight on the heli: