Super Huey in action - Goosky E2
We were lucky enough to receive one of these scale models from Goosky. By now we have enough experience to share everything we know about the model, and you have a chance to see whether this model is as good as people say it is. This story is not going to be short.
When the helicopter was released all influencers filled up the net with their mandatory "this is the best model" until they received the next "best model". We didn't want to stand in line, instead we wanted to give a real review and our true impressions about the helicopter, so here we go. As I am an RC heli enthusiast; scale helicopters are my sensitive point - I like helicopters and not just performance ones, rather I like their complexity, their presence and capabilities. And before you ask; yes, the Goosky E2 can fly upside down... just as a Lamborghini can tow a caravan: it can, but it looks ridiculous. Topic closed.
Scale modelling is a different form of RC helicopter flying. It needs a ton of money, even more time to build a proper model. It requires passion and for you to put your heart into it, to build a model which looks truly realistic. Then you should learn to fly her in scale heli style. Well the Goosky E2 is a compromise from this point of view: you don't need the time - unless... but let's talk about this later. However, you can have a semi scale model, which looks close enough to satisfy your expectations of scale modelling. She flies like a real one - if you don't use the built in stabilizer, and she flies like unlike almost all other performance helicopters, as the main rotor spins counter-clockwise. This doesn't sound important, but if you were an experienced RC heli pilot, it will be: all the forces occur reversed to the ones you may be used to. You won't be able to turn nicely without practicing, and the first time lift-off will look like sh..t. This is because you will automatically compensate everything in the wrong directions. It takes a while to get used to it.
Once you get used to the helicopter, she becomes a beautifully handsome, relaxing model. The four blade rotorhead gives a very solid feeling with smooth and still very direct responses. The tail authority is extremely solid, no tail wag, no shakiness. But if you haven't had any direct drive tail heli before, the noise produced by various RPMs on the tail rotor can be strange at the beginning. This is absolutely normal. Let's not forget that, there's a modified S2 inside the fuselage, but this helicopter is almost twice as heavy as the S2, this has to be taken in consideration whilst flying: she won't react as suddenly for pitch inputs as the much lighter S2. This is a scale model, fly her that way. Even though she can fly real 3D; even tic-tocs.
This heli is really not underpowered. 60% throttle can lift up and maintain the altitude, this power is enough for slow flying and smooth manoeuvres. Around 80% gives you the power you need for even quicker flying and nice maneuvers, and 95% gives you a beast. Servos are precise; the FBL is the same in terms of knowledge as it is in the S2 (or even the S1?) so full 3D capabilities are part of the system. The bluetooth module is not part of the package, but it's neccesary for fine tuning via the mobile app. The BT module used for other Goosky models is compatible, no hacking is required. However, it has to be taken in account: connectors are only soldered on the PCB, so be really careful as it's not impossible to break them off.
The scale model is a semi scale model with a robust compromise. It's nicely done, detailed although not fully detailed. For example windows are not transparent, they are just simulated. There's a reason behind it. Firstly: no need to have a detailed interior, and more importantly: this makes the model very sturdy, so it's not that easy to break or crack it. Although there are some exterior parts which can break off. Fortunately this is not a "once in a lifetime available" model, so all spares can be purchased at the reliable model stores. And these parts are not super expensive. The whole scale fuselage including the landing skids, missile blocks, cable cutters, antennas and so on is about 65 pounds together, so it won't break bank, when these get damaged. They can even be purchased piece by piece for a few quid (bucks in the US).
What's the benefit?
You can have a nice scale model with quality electronics and proper air frame without the hassle of putting everything together. She really gives you the scale feeling. If this is not enough, it's a perfect base to make it even better - nicer. The only drawback is the size: 1:35, therefore detailing it is very fine work with a ton of patience - and many f-words (if you have never used the f-word whilst scale modelling, you are not a real scale modeler).
Our model is already customised. And this is the point when the "it takes no time" mentioned at the beginning loses its original meaning. It does take time in this case. She has got real scale lights with our light controlling system which is being developed at the moment. Because the heli is small, larger or even smaller standard LEDs could not play a role and soldering SMD LEDs onto wires is not exactly a simple job. Each of the 608 size leds took me roughly 30 minutes in preparation. But the result is very satisfying. The plastic used for the fuselage - I'm guessing - must be the same ABS material as the material used for static scale models, so it can be formed and cut with the very same tools and the very same effort as those models, it's not challenging at all - when you have static scale modelling experience. Wiring everything is also not that difficult, the back of the main fuselage is almost empty providing plenty of space for the light controller and all the connectors, wires and everything.
The real issue was the power supply and the control of the LEDs: thanks to the S.BUS compatibility of this model, getting a separate channel from the receiver wasn't a big deal, however the FBL can supply 300mA to the receiver and the light controller, so it was not an option to feed the lights from that direction. Each LED can take up to 20mA, and if we count with only 10mA per led, there's still 12 LEDs in this model, so it's a real risk to exceed the limit killing the onboard circuit, so we had to build a device which can run the lights directly from the battery whilst the lights are still controlled via the transmitter. Just this is a different story, if you are interested, let us know, we can talk about the Lightray system more.
And the customisation is still not finished: weathering is our next step.
Advertisements vs reality
It's said the Goosky E2 can fly up to 15 minutes. Well, the model comes with the Goosky 3S1P 1300mAh battery, which is roughly twice as big as the battery for the S2. And yes, it lasts. To be honest we didn't want to kill the battery, so we cannot confirm the time advertised, but it seems absolutely possible in ideal scenarios. The more realistic time is about 10-11 minutes with slow flying, smooth manoeuvres at 60%. The battery does not drop under 3.8 per cell after 10 minutes in this case - there's no telemetry for this model, consequently we don't know more real time data. When you fly on high power with huge current drawing manoeuvres, the 5-6 minutes flight time is much more realistic - unless you want to kill the battery.
There are two things to mention on the downside. The paint of the blades is very sensitive, it's easy to scratch. The other negative bit, and this is the only real thing: The carry box is not like those of other Goosky models. This helicopter does not fit without removing two blades and the tail blades. This would not be a problem, but at the field when you want to put the blades back, that step is as nerve wrecking as a new 3D manoeuvre for the first time in real life. If you drop the bolt or the nut in the grass, it's gone. Yes, the carry box is far from ideal. I've seen some hacks on how to cut the foam carry box and only one blade has to be removed, but still: this is hacky and still not an ideal solution. When I take the heli with me to the airfield I don't use the box anymore; that box is only used for travelling with the heli. And a whole procedure is established to make sure that I can't drop anything into the grass: the heli doesn't leave the car boot until it's fully re-assembled.
When it comes to flying: this heli is a well behaved one. Especially with the stabiliser. Would I recommend the Goosky E2 as a beginner model? Yes and no. Yes, because as a model she knows everything necessary to be a beginner friendly model, and no, because she is too nice to break, a first model should be a performance helicopter.
And if you crash it: seemingly there's a ton of bolts in the scale model, but the main frame is held by four on each side, the rest keep the fuselage together, and secure only the tail. Taking it apart is time consuming due to the number of bolts, but it's not difficult at all, so the maintenance is not too problematic. Links to the rotor grips are not adjustable, that won't be a problem. Spares are affordable, as I mentioned before, not even the scale parts are expensive.
What about the price?
Yes, the Goosky E2 Super Huey is not cheap, although not super expensive either. The price of the Goosky E2 is reasonable, because it should not be forgotten: this is not a budget toy, she is a real RC helicopter with quality and reliable components. There are carbon parts where it's required, many aluminium components are built in, and a proper FBL controller is used. This helicopter won't end up in the bin immediately because a servo was broken by a gust of wind or a because you breathed on it too hard, she won't fall from the sky just because a component dies - or at the very least, this is very unlikely.
Is this a toy?
Definitely not. Not in terms of her price, not in terms of her capabilies and power and not in terms of regulations either. This helicopter is a real RC helicopter. The 560 gramms take-off mass is much more than the legal limit of a toy in most of the countries, so check the legal requirements in your country before you fly. The speed of the blades is very high, they can even cause serious injuries and damage so the Goosky E2 must not be considered a toy. This is a professional RC helicopter in a scale fuselage.
And yes, the Goosky E2 should be part of your fleet if you like scale helicopters. She won't be the most exciting model in terms of 3D flying, but she will be the most interesting model among yours for outsiders and when you want to show off. Don't you believe it? Try it: put your most expensive and biggest models and the Goosky E2 out to outsiders and they all want to see the Super Huey flying and not the big ones. This is also real life experience.
