Discussion-My first heli- What should it be
03-13-2009, 11:58 PM
#26
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Cleveland, England
Posts: 337
I started with a little CX (contra rotating blades) for xmas, for my birthday I got a small Honeybee FP(fixed pitch) which I flew (almost 100% of the time indoors)
for 4 months before getting a Trex450V1 so I could venture outdoors with it. Its possible to fly this machine in 20mph winds no problem-as long as the pilot can hack it of course.
The bigger you go-the easier it becomes-BUT the repair bills wont ever get any smaller!
If I were starting out again I would be looking at 450/500 size heli's from day one.
for 4 months before getting a Trex450V1 so I could venture outdoors with it. Its possible to fly this machine in 20mph winds no problem-as long as the pilot can hack it of course.
The bigger you go-the easier it becomes-BUT the repair bills wont ever get any smaller!
If I were starting out again I would be looking at 450/500 size heli's from day one.
03-14-2009, 03:39 AM
#27
T-Rex Pilot
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lynden, WA
Posts: 1,366
I love my T-rex 450SE V2 but I would go bigger as well. Consider the 500. There is a significant size increase but I don't think the costs are that much more. Ideally, I would love to have a 600 but the costs go WAY up then.
Either way, remember to get a quality simulator. It will pay for itself in no time!
Either way, remember to get a quality simulator. It will pay for itself in no time!
06-29-2009, 03:25 AM
#29
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Wheeling,WV
Posts: 28
f you have the money i would get the trex 450 or if you think you will like it and want to fly....3d i would get trex 500 or 600
but if you dont have the money i would get the trex 450 knock off
http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store...Helicopter_Kit
its 33 dollars for the helicopter
servos are $4
ESC $9
2200mah batteries $19
motor $17plus if you crash it you can just buy a whole new helicopter for $33 dollars
but if you dont have the money i would get the trex 450 knock off
http://hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store...Helicopter_Kit
its 33 dollars for the helicopter
servos are $4
ESC $9
2200mah batteries $19
motor $17plus if you crash it you can just buy a whole new helicopter for $33 dollars
09-02-2009, 08:59 PM
#30
Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 64
Here's what I've learned after a couple of years of foolin' around, and one major crash... 
I didn't want to spend the BIG BUCKS at first, so I got a great deal on a Esky Belt CP Ready-to-fly. Or so I thought. Yep, it was all put together right outa the box. But I had insufficient knowledge and experience to verify that the running gear was properly setup, that the gyro was properly set, etc. Of course the cheap radio had no adjustments other than minor trim. My first attempt to fly it, even after many hours on the Belt-CP flight sim, was a disaster. After spooling up, it suddenly took off and headed straight for me, with those whirling Blades O' Death... scared the crap out of me, so I hit the throttle and down she went. Nose first.
The headgear being all plastic was totally wrecked. So were the tail blades and rotor blades. I sadly carried the wreckage home and decided I was going to learn how everything worked this time, and since the headgear was shot, I decided to replace it with better (aluminum) stuff. Initially, I spent some change on the purple Esky metal headgear. Big waste of time (not too much money, fortunately). Nothing fit right or went together right - total frustration. Into the garbage it went.
Then I discovered CopterX on eBay.
This is real quality stuff, almost an exact copy of the Align T-rex 450 gear, but at half the cost. I replaced everything I could on the original Belt-CP except the motor, gears, and tail hardware. Did I mention that the crash also stripped the cheap plastic gears on the Esky servos? All but one had to be replaced. I went with Hitec replacement servos from the friendly LHS. I also replaced the so-called "professional" gyro with an Esky heading-hold type.
So with new servos, new gyro and new CNC aluminum headgear, I felt I actually had a fairly nice, quality "bird" I could learn on.
First flight resulted in a stable hover, but there was a surprise - the tail wagged like a new puppy!
No amount of gyro tweaking or tail gear adjustments made the slightest difference, so I brought my hybridized "bird" to the friendly LHS for a professional evaluation. They told me that since the transmitter lacked any endpoint adjustments, there was nothing I could do about the tail-wagging problem. Bummer! 
My plan is to get a complete CopterX 450 kit, put a quality Futaba gyro and receiver in it, outfit it with quality Hitec servos, and get a Futaba 2.4 GHz radio for it all that is fully programmable.
No more cheap stuff for me!!
I didn't want to spend the BIG BUCKS at first, so I got a great deal on a Esky Belt CP Ready-to-fly. Or so I thought. Yep, it was all put together right outa the box. But I had insufficient knowledge and experience to verify that the running gear was properly setup, that the gyro was properly set, etc. Of course the cheap radio had no adjustments other than minor trim. My first attempt to fly it, even after many hours on the Belt-CP flight sim, was a disaster. After spooling up, it suddenly took off and headed straight for me, with those whirling Blades O' Death... scared the crap out of me, so I hit the throttle and down she went. Nose first.
The headgear being all plastic was totally wrecked. So were the tail blades and rotor blades. I sadly carried the wreckage home and decided I was going to learn how everything worked this time, and since the headgear was shot, I decided to replace it with better (aluminum) stuff. Initially, I spent some change on the purple Esky metal headgear. Big waste of time (not too much money, fortunately). Nothing fit right or went together right - total frustration. Into the garbage it went.
Then I discovered CopterX on eBay.
This is real quality stuff, almost an exact copy of the Align T-rex 450 gear, but at half the cost. I replaced everything I could on the original Belt-CP except the motor, gears, and tail hardware. Did I mention that the crash also stripped the cheap plastic gears on the Esky servos? All but one had to be replaced. I went with Hitec replacement servos from the friendly LHS. I also replaced the so-called "professional" gyro with an Esky heading-hold type. So with new servos, new gyro and new CNC aluminum headgear, I felt I actually had a fairly nice, quality "bird" I could learn on.
First flight resulted in a stable hover, but there was a surprise - the tail wagged like a new puppy!
No amount of gyro tweaking or tail gear adjustments made the slightest difference, so I brought my hybridized "bird" to the friendly LHS for a professional evaluation. They told me that since the transmitter lacked any endpoint adjustments, there was nothing I could do about the tail-wagging problem. Bummer! My plan is to get a complete CopterX 450 kit, put a quality Futaba gyro and receiver in it, outfit it with quality Hitec servos, and get a Futaba 2.4 GHz radio for it all that is fully programmable.
No more cheap stuff for me!!
12-01-2009, 07:38 AM
#32
Gremlin
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 641
i learned/am learning to fly on hirobo shuttle z/sxx, and now, belt cp.
i think the stability of the belt cp is plentyful.
it is touchy on the controls, but i see that as a good thing.
when you are learning to fly rc you need to learn that you cant throw the sticks around as you do on a nikko car or a lama. and the sooner you learn that the better.
the belt is cheap, its flyable and good enough by far for a beginner.
parts are cheap with good avaibility (from esky home page, you probably wont find parts in your local hobby store). lots of t-rex parts fits the belt, and belt cp upgrade parts is avaible. i think mine flies great with alloy upgrade head, and oem t-rex carbon blades (el cheapo). the t-rex blades is thinner and lighter, wich i believe is better for cyclic control response.
the shuttle was easier to fly, but its nitro. i will never ever have nitro again for a heli.
keeping all those exposed mechanics clean of oil and sand is a true nitemare.
only downside on the belt is that the idle ups softstart is a bit tricky to get right.
and WHEN you mess it up, engine goes from not to full power in about 3 revolutions, ripping the main gears to shreds. i have done this 2 times now.
there is a soft start function for idle up, but you need to get it right. otherwise.....
i think the stability of the belt cp is plentyful.
it is touchy on the controls, but i see that as a good thing.
when you are learning to fly rc you need to learn that you cant throw the sticks around as you do on a nikko car or a lama. and the sooner you learn that the better.
the belt is cheap, its flyable and good enough by far for a beginner.
parts are cheap with good avaibility (from esky home page, you probably wont find parts in your local hobby store). lots of t-rex parts fits the belt, and belt cp upgrade parts is avaible. i think mine flies great with alloy upgrade head, and oem t-rex carbon blades (el cheapo). the t-rex blades is thinner and lighter, wich i believe is better for cyclic control response.
the shuttle was easier to fly, but its nitro. i will never ever have nitro again for a heli.
keeping all those exposed mechanics clean of oil and sand is a true nitemare.
only downside on the belt is that the idle ups softstart is a bit tricky to get right.
and WHEN you mess it up, engine goes from not to full power in about 3 revolutions, ripping the main gears to shreds. i have done this 2 times now.
there is a soft start function for idle up, but you need to get it right. otherwise.....
01-31-2010, 02:47 AM
#33
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 161
I dislike it when someone asks what should I get and someone then just points to one helicopter. There are lots to think about Some things to think about when getting your first heli:
http://www.mycoolheli.com/FAQ/BeginnerHelicopter.html
I totally agree simulator time is very important!
http://www.mycoolheli.com/FAQ/BeginnerHelicopter.html
I totally agree simulator time is very important!
05-02-2010, 12:51 AM
#34
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: menomonee falls,wi
Posts: 61
Can anyone recommend a coax-heli that can be flown indoors and out in calm winds? I just want something to mount a video camera on and mess around with. I am not looking to seriously get into heli's right now. I don't have the budget. Thanks for any help.
10-17-2010, 04:17 AM
#37
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 93
I got an Axe Cp last year, or the year before that. It was big, heavy, noisy, and intimidating. I got a HB King II last year. I was too busy (or too scared) to try it. I lifted the Axe CP off the ground few times but I always felt very uncomfortable. I put the bird down and gave up.
I got an mCX2 for my son recently, hopefully he would fulfill something his father scared to do. After just few tries, the boy who never touched the sticks could hold the bird in the air until the battery ran out. I tried and found out that... weight did matter.
The mCX2 is light and robust; therefore, it lifts off more easily and can tolerate drops and hits. Trimming was also easier (on the DX5e).
I made another order to get the mSR with the DX6i. The mSR is pretty much like the mCX2: light, robust, and stable. Now I can hold the bird in the air almost like my son's mCX2
So, beginners, if you came from failing to try the intimidating "big" and "heavy" and "noisy" birds, get the mCX2 first. You will be "recovered." After gaining some confidence, get the mSR. Frankly, you can still get the mSR first because it can tolerate your mistakes. If I could do it, you definitely could
I got an mCX2 for my son recently, hopefully he would fulfill something his father scared to do. After just few tries, the boy who never touched the sticks could hold the bird in the air until the battery ran out. I tried and found out that... weight did matter.
The mCX2 is light and robust; therefore, it lifts off more easily and can tolerate drops and hits. Trimming was also easier (on the DX5e).
I made another order to get the mSR with the DX6i. The mSR is pretty much like the mCX2: light, robust, and stable. Now I can hold the bird in the air almost like my son's mCX2
So, beginners, if you came from failing to try the intimidating "big" and "heavy" and "noisy" birds, get the mCX2 first. You will be "recovered." After gaining some confidence, get the mSR. Frankly, you can still get the mSR first because it can tolerate your mistakes. If I could do it, you definitely could
02-04-2011, 11:25 AM
#38
Super Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rose City,Mi. USA
Posts: 3,797
Lately i have been seeing some almost indestructable micro heli's advertized and the
video's really are impresive. One guy even drop kicks the heli and it gets back up and
hovers and then he swats it with his hand and knocks it back to the floor and again
it hovers.
Looks like a good beginers heli for $30.00
What do ya think?
video's really are impresive. One guy even drop kicks the heli and it gets back up and
hovers and then he swats it with his hand and knocks it back to the floor and again
it hovers.
Looks like a good beginers heli for $30.00
What do ya think?
02-04-2011, 01:01 PM
#39
Super Contributor
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Ex UK Brit now in Latvia west coast - Ventspils
Posts: 12,916
Originally Posted by Crashalott
Lately i have been seeing some almost indestructable micro heli's advertized and the
video's really are impresive. One guy even drop kicks the heli and it gets back up and
hovers and then he swats it with his hand and knocks it back to the floor and again
it hovers.
Looks like a good beginers heli for $30.00
What do ya think?
video's really are impresive. One guy even drop kicks the heli and it gets back up and
hovers and then he swats it with his hand and knocks it back to the floor and again
it hovers.
Looks like a good beginers heli for $30.00
What do ya think?
Anyone drop-kick my 450 and that'll be the last thing they ever do !
02-04-2011, 11:06 PM
#40
Super Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rose City,Mi. USA
Posts: 3,797
02-15-2011, 11:13 PM
#41
Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,873
Originally Posted by Crashalott
Lately i have been seeing some almost indestructable micro heli's advertized and the
video's really are impresive. One guy even drop kicks the heli and it gets back up and
hovers and then he swats it with his hand and knocks it back to the floor and again
it hovers.
Looks like a good beginers heli for $30.00
What do ya think?
video's really are impresive. One guy even drop kicks the heli and it gets back up and
hovers and then he swats it with his hand and knocks it back to the floor and again
it hovers.
Looks like a good beginers heli for $30.00
What do ya think?
I purchased one at an RC fair for $35 after seeing it fly. I love it. If you want a low cost micro heli for indoors, this one is a great deal. Syma Gyroscope series. I have the 107 but there are others. $30 including shipping at Amazon. This shows $20, but I don’t know if shipping is included.
http://www.rc-fever.com/syma-helicopters-micro-size-c-337_180_563.html
For a first heli that you can REALLY fly, this is amazing. Note that the 107 that I have uses infrared to it may not do well outside. For me it is just fine. I think their 4 channel helis are on 2.4 GHz.
http://symahelicopter.org/category/syma-helicopter/
04-24-2012, 04:09 PM
#42
New Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
Newbie
Hi all,
The post I am following is a few years old, don't know if I'll get any answers, but here goes. I purchased my first R/C Helicopter at a flea market. All I can say now is I'm hooked. Can fly it pretty good and feel I'm ready to upgrade. I've seen on the different websites all kinds of birds. Some not so easy to find. Heard of people talking about CP Pro, or ESKY King 2. Question, on the latter, I've not seen any except something called the ESKY KING honey bee 2, is they both the same? I don't have the mega bucks to spend on one, but can probably get $150-$175 scraped up to make a purchase. Looking for 4 channel, belt drive. Any suggestions will help,
thanks,
dano
The post I am following is a few years old, don't know if I'll get any answers, but here goes. I purchased my first R/C Helicopter at a flea market. All I can say now is I'm hooked. Can fly it pretty good and feel I'm ready to upgrade. I've seen on the different websites all kinds of birds. Some not so easy to find. Heard of people talking about CP Pro, or ESKY King 2. Question, on the latter, I've not seen any except something called the ESKY KING honey bee 2, is they both the same? I don't have the mega bucks to spend on one, but can probably get $150-$175 scraped up to make a purchase. Looking for 4 channel, belt drive. Any suggestions will help,
thanks,
dano
11-01-2012, 12:16 PM
#43
Max of fun !
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Hi mate,
Actually my last purchase was a rc drone, the ladybird if you heard about it. It cost around 150-200 $ as you mentionned and has a lot of great features. You can just check out the video which is posted on the website, it just insane how you can control it easely.
It's definitely my recommandation
Max.
Actually my last purchase was a rc drone, the ladybird if you heard about it. It cost around 150-200 $ as you mentionned and has a lot of great features. You can just check out the video which is posted on the website, it just insane how you can control it easely.
It's definitely my recommandation
Max.
