Newbie here, looking for my first heli

[PsyKen]

Hi all, I'm Ken and have interested in RC helicopters for a while. Now funds are good, I'm looking into buying my first heli. I think i'll be going with an electric heli, as I own a nitro RC car, and had nothing but problems with running it.

I read the begginers thread, and checked out the lama v3, and there's one on ebay with only a few hours to go! However I find myself very tempted to buy something like the Esky 4CH single blade, as it will teach me so much more. Do you think this heli is too advanced for a begginer like me?

Appreciate any help

[russell]

Hi Ken im a newbee myself after much reading up i went for a blade CX2 i crashed it on the first flight and broke a blade. dont run before you can walk it will cost you in the long run . #Buy something that has cheap replacement parts and that are easy to get hold of . i would recomend the CX2. it will take you a long time to out grow it. Oh and of course get a simulator. i have realflight but alot of people on here are raving about phoenx.

[t4ttyt3ddy]

the general opinion on here seems to be a good purchase ,regardless of what your first heli is, would be the Phoenix Sim.
I myself am a beginner(only had my heli for 2 weeks) and I purchased a Blade CX2 and the Phoenix Sim and it was the right decision for me!
The Blade is fun to fly, but obviously is only indoor really as it has to be really calm for outdoor flight.
THe phoenix sim is excellent it allowed me to gain confidence with the CX2 and also allows me to practice on the larger more expensive models so I can get a decent grasp of single rotor cp flying before I make the next step up.

This is just the opinion of a newbie but hope it helps!

[jboweruk]

Blade CX2 and Phoenix is your best first purchase.

[PsyKen]

Is the Blade CX2 better than the lama v3? If so what makes it better?

[PsyKen]

Reason I'm asking is that i'm looking on ebay. CX2 finishes in 15 mins for anout £105, and a Lama v3 finishes a bit later for just under £50.

[robgt]

That price for the CX2 is not much lower than shop prices - make sure you consider the "warranty" side of things in your purchase...

Cheers,
Rob

[Made2Fade]

Is the Blade CX2 better than the lama v3? If so what makes it better?

#1 it is 2.4ghz technology not 35meg like the lama v3 - which means no glitches unlike 35meg on the lama.
#2 the tail holds much better on them - one on the lama is forever drifting and a pain to get right.
#3 the new blade cx2 has an ar6100 receiver on it which is seperate so if you ever smash the heli up and decide to upgrade to a bigger electric then you can use that receiver.
#4 the new blade cx2 has metal hub which wont wear like the plastic one found on the lama v3.
#5 you'll find most beginners on this forum own cx2s so information for it is easy to get hold of and if you ever have probs then just post on here.

Theres loads more reasons but i could honestly write an essay on it.
Best option is get the blade cx2 and phoenix simulator. Its what most if not all will tell you on here. Phoenix RC is the best sim on the market and you'll learn heaps on it.
Lee

[PsyKen]

Thanks Lee! Is there a prefered site to buy one of these bad boys? Or any shops in north Kent?

[brin]

as a newbee i was tempted to buy either a twister hawk or a medivac
but my friend who has nitro and electric helis insisted on me getting a cx2
he had tried some smaller electrics but the blade was by far the best for all the reasons made2fade said so far in the last three weeks all i have broken are three blades but i did bend the shafts and fly bar which didnt take to much to straighten
at the moment it flies very well
good luck on your flight
------------------------------
cx2 no phonex

[Buzzlightyear]

Here's my story of woe lol - I bought an Ikarus Eco 8 (Iknow ) off ebay and struggled for ages to get it to fly which was never sucsessfull, then i bought a V3 Hummingbird which was great as it taught me the basics and was cheap to repair.

Now I have gone onto a Century GL450 the main attraction there was an ARF kit that i could fly quickly.

My next purchase will be a Trex 500 which i will build myself and fit with the new specktrum tx and rx. I can't wait lol

I'd say go for the CX2 as it is a good starter package and progress from there as and when you feel comfortable.

[Made2Fade]

Thanks Lee! Is there a prefered site to buy one of these bad boys? Or any shops in north Kent?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Version-E-...QQcmdZViewItem
If you wanna go the ebay way. (This above link is for the newest version, so you could just purchase now if you wish to go that way).
Or try:-
http://www.fast-lad.com/
https://www.skylinemodels.co.uk/Links/xcart/home.php
http://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/acatalog/m_index.php
If ya wanna go and buy from a shop.

Either way make sure you purchase the newest version which has a blue metal hub and comes with a 3 in 1 unit plus seperate ar6100 receiver. The older models have a 4in1 unit so be sure to ask before you buy. I definately recommend phoenix RC too mate which can also be purchased from any of the places listed above. You can plug your blade cx2 transmitter into it just make sure you ask for the correct fitting for the dongle. Any probs mate then give us a shout and one of the lads or i can point you in the right direction.

Lee

[PsyKen]

I bought a blade cx2 from Avicraft (Bromley). First few goes was a bit wobbly, but I'm progressing! Found that its easier to keep stable at about 4 foot off the ground, where there are no objects deflecting the air.

On the second day of flying I snapped the body a bit, snapped the upper blade, and broke one Ski. New blade fitted, and waiting for arrival of Ski Opps, bound to happen though. I tried it outside where there is much more space, but even the slightest of a breeze and it blows away Need to use a hall somewhere

[Made2Fade]

Yeh mate i wouldnt use it outside unless its very still. There indoor helis really. Best way to fly that particular heli is to get it off the ground and into the air as quickly as possible (go through ground effect quickly). There extremely stable in the air but drop near the floor and your in ground effect which will move the heli about quite a bit. Stick with it there great fun and a sure way to learn a few basics. Before long you'll be flying it nose in and stuff. Maybe grab another flight pack or 2 then you can fly more. Next step to this is definately buy Phoenix RC though. Hammer that and the cx2 for a bit and before long you'll be wanting a bigger electric or a nitro. I prefer nitro myself as i find them far more stable and not twitchy like some small electric models can be. I still get my co-axial (which is what a blade cx2 is) heli out now and then myself as its great fun and good for practising nose in. Keep practising mate.
Lee