If you're offered two alternative exhausts to an OS Max PowerBoost III ($185), one for a mere 20 bucks and the other for $80 . . . would you be interested?
El cheapo
So here's the deal; the one that's just $19.99 is a genuine el cheapo. It's a 2pc cast alloy muffler (similar to mufflers supplied with model airplane engines). It looks cheap because it is cheap, yet – surprisingly – it works pretty well (under one condition).
What condition? That you operate the main rotor in the range of 1650RPM. Any faster, and it's so restrictive it strangles the engine and keeps it from delivering rated horsepower.
Thing is, maybe that's OK. Let me explain.
You see, as it happens, just like a bat has a sweet spot for hitting the ball, 1650RPM happens to be the sweet spot for a P6 delivering sport performance. It's an RPM at which hovering the P6 becomes extraordinarily easy to handle.
It's an RPM where it almost feels like it could hover all by itself. Can't, of course, but I'm saying it's where the model settles into a nice groove and the feel – if you catch my drift – is chill and relaxed.
Moreover, the engine still develops plenty of power for light aerobatics like loops and rolls (but forget 3D). And sufficient power for inverted work, too (but only because forward flight and inverted place the exact same demands upon the power system).
However, what it's not is either pretty, or sophisticated (but it has cheap going for it). Best part is, if your budget is tight, then because a muffler can be easily replaced later (maybe you win the lottery), the el cheapo gets you going and buys time to decide if you want the PowerBoost III badly enough to pony up $185 for a muffler.
ProPipe 55v3
Or maybe, you subsequently opt for the ProPipe 55v3 for a mere $79.99, instead.
So you have three choices; pony up big time, go with the 2pc to save serious money, or slip the leash by opting for the ProPipe 55v3 and get the best of both worlds.
Like the PowerBoost III, our ProPipe 55v3 is a lightweight alloy, hand-welded, chambered exhaust system. Highly polished also, its performance is outstanding and is similarly free flowing. It's a nice quality alternative to the OS product while helping keep the budget under control. Why such a great price? Simple, because we're having them made in South Korea.
Performance-wise, it's neck-and-neck with the Japanese PowerBoost. Like maybe if you're God's gift to 3D you could tell the difference, but for mere mortals? Straight up, it's allowing the engine to come up to full song at the same kind of main rotor RPM as the PowerBoost II (ranging between 2000-2300RPM).
This makes it well suited for 3D if that's your 'thang' and at the 1850RPM preferred for hotdogging? Any performance difference is the product of a fanboy's imagination!
So while you can pay more, we don't think the juice is worth the squeeze for the Japanese muffler compared to the ProPipe 55v3. Especially as both feature a high volume design using expansion chambers and sound great.
Speaking of sound, the ProPipe 55 v3 produces a raspy snarl, and the fit and finish of the highly polished exhaust takes 2nd place to no other product on Earth!
Wrapping up
If you blanch at the thought of forking over big bucks for an exhaust system, then with either our inexpensive 2-piece alloy muffler, or our highly polished multi-chamber exhaust, you can focus your spending where it matters most to you.
