Your Trex 500 runs 425mm blades not 325mm Stu man!!

325's are for the 450.
On a side note I have some Radix 425mm sitting doing nothing if you want em Bud.

 

325's are 450 size mains
Simon

 

430 mm zeals I run on my 500pro they fly well revolution has them in stock $48.
I ordered another set last night

 

1. How do I understand the impact of blade length and weight on a setup?
A: Longer main blades give you more POP and makes the heli float more, ie: heli feel's lighter, as well as giving you more hang time.

2. How does the length of tail blades relate to setup?
A: Longer tails will hold the tail better and give you a more locked in feel. However, you need to make sure the mains wont hit the tail and
also that they have enough clearance from the ground.

3. Is there a rule or formula that I can apply that I can use to determine optimal or workable blade length?
A: It all comes down to personal preference, if you like more POP and float go for the biggest blades you can get.

4. What are the general reasons that one would choose different main and tail lengths to that defined in the manual?
A: As above..

5. How would shorter or longer blades effect flight characteristics..
A: Heli will drop quicker (Less float / Hang time) with smaller mains and flight characteristics will be more aggressive.

I'd say for mains, go with what @feral has said, 430 mm zeals should be a nice fit.. as for tail blades, carbon for sure.. Stay away from plastics on the tail.

 

Well explained @ the dude

 

Thanks @everyone for picking up my 100mm typo... lol..

Thanks @The Dude, very well explained... It's pop and float for me baby... Zeals here we come...

@hardsy I'll buy the radix off you for spares...

Hey suggest @heligod admin take @the dudes reply and make it a sticky in some newbie section. It's really useful for folk like me...

 

I find the zeal 430s way more stable all round than the align blades

 

Great, looking forward to trying them... Have you tried anything bigger?
I should get the ruler out before I ask that and see what would comfortably fit..

 

Ive run 430mms and they're fine

 

Nothing bigger on a 500 pro man

 

Thanks @feral and @Min