nitro reccomendations for newbie

[moyesboy]

Having had a raptor 50 v2 as my first nitro, and now I have a 600n, I would say get a 600n rather than a raptor. The raptor is not as easy to work on as its moulded frame has to be split to get at things meaning you have to keep disturbing the gyro and other electrics.
The raptor 50 clutch isn't really up to the job of handling the power and goes all sloppy after a short while needing a regular bearing change - involving splitting the frames.
The flybar head on the raptor has a lot of extra weak parts like the hoop links that go to the flybar. Not being ccpm the pitch servo needs to be strong, but even with a fast servo the twisting of the swinging arm makes the pitch a bit soggy. IT needs a a few upgrades to do any crisp 3D. However it does track better than the 600n which is a lot more responsive but doesn't quite go straight. With the elevator comes varying amounts of aileron, so the loops walk to one side - though if you go to flybarless all that is put right by the gyro.
The 600n is better built. You can fit a belt drive to it if you want if you are worried about breaking gears to begin with. They don't sell the belt drive 600n anymore it was called the 600n sport. I ruin a belt drive tail for night flying and I can't really tell much difference to be honest.
People on here remember raptors through rose coloured glasses I think. They were the best in their time.

Of course the currently available new raptors are a different thing altogether and everyone seems to rave about them. I'm talking about raptor 30/50 v2 and raptor Titans here.

[Pabs]

One other thing in the favour of the old raptors - you can drop the engine out in a matter of seconds - on the 600N you have to faff with the fan shroud etc.

[trillian]

I hear what you're saying Moyesboy about the Raptors but unless you happen to get a defective bearing it's not like the frames are having to be split all the time. They can generally run fine for years. I wouldn't call the plastic control hoops a weak point, they are sometimes a sacrificial part in a crash and there is a metal option part available but most Raptor flyers have never felt it was needed.

Anyway I know I am partly guilty of wearing the proverbial rose coloured glasses but being completely objective I also truly think the Raptor is a viable choice as a first nitro.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter to me what someone chooses and they need to make the choice that best suits themselves. The 600n is also a very logical choice.

Another really under-rated heli is the Hirobo Sceadu evo 50, if you really want excellent stability and accuracy, but it's also pretty sluggish for the aerobatic stuff without getting into changing to harder dampers etc. and parts were always very pricey. I keep thinking about resurecting mine knowing what I know now as a challenge to see if I could get more punch out of the cyclics (or convert it to FBL) but one crash and it would probably be a write-off.

[snowy]

Raptors are easy on your wallet !

[moyesboy]

Having run a raptor and a 600n, the 600n is easier on your wallet. but there isn't a vast difference. A sceadu is a lot more expensive.
A lot of the mechanical shortcomings in a raptor 50 don't apply to the raptor 30. I found with a 50 hyper trying to do 3D the clutch bearings didn't last and the pinion got chewed.

The 600n is I reckon equally good as a starter heli - you could fit aplastic canopy (the sport one) and a belt drive to make it more robust. The painted canopies soon start to look tatty unless you fly them perfectly.

A cheap raptor 30 v2 would be a good starter heli provided it comes with a decent gyro - or you fit a 401 or 720 by putting a wanted add on here - there are loads lying about cheap now. But if you want to progress to 3D manoeuvres that need a lot of power you will need a 50, and then the 600n is better for sure.
Be aware that cheap old raptor 30s are often lacking on the electrics with old slow servos and less than ideal gyros. For just a little more you might find a 600n with all the align servos in it.
There is no 50 size nitro that is significantly better for 3D than a flybarless 600n really, so the same airframe will do indefinitely - assuming it survives.

[pgkevet]

cheapskate fliers (me) buy a bunch of hobbykings cheapest 600n canopies and then find that the first one lasts almost forever. It might look a bit tatty but then so do I.... HK booms, blades and skids keep costs down too..specially when learning to auto

[moyesboy]

Worth noting that amaerang were the distributors for thunder tiger, so there could be a hiccup in spares supplies for raptors. But i'm sure someone will pick that up and keep the spares coming.

[Pabs]

Worth noting that amaerang were the distributors for thunder tiger, so there could be a hiccup in spares supplies for raptors. But i'm sure someone will pick that up and keep the spares coming.

Valid point, but with another raptor being listed on fleabay, BMFA or here almost daily, I'm sure spares will be plentiful for quite some time yet.

[Dan22]

nitro reccomendations for newbie

I used to sell raptor parts on eBay an still have a few bits and bobs. I never bought anything off Amerang!
All parts were OEM and good quality, some of them better than original as they were upgrades.
Raptors still remain a viable option for a beginner with plenty if spares available.
I still have a Raptor and love it!

Dan.

[jamiesawyer28041978]

Raptor was my first entry level. It never tracked well on loops no matter how much tinkering I spent on it. Got a Compass Knight 50 and it tracked straight away. The Raptor was an older model though so the newer titan models etc could be better.

[mr magoo]

If it was me starting out, firstly i would get myself along to a club, speak to the guys on what they have on each heli, most are all the same just about.

i would go for align

with align you get 2 booms £9 2 main shaft £9 2feathering spindle £5
thunder tiger x50 1 boom £7 1 main shaft£9 1 feathering spindle £4

it all mounts up each time you crash .

[oddsock]

hello,is this outrage velocity 50 a good deal Revolution Models :: Secondhand ??