considering the hobby

[dannybgoode]

To be honest I would but a second hand Spektrum DX6i of eBay for around £50 and use the demo version of Heli X. If youth think you'll continue and but a helicopter the DX6i will be an excellent first Tx to use with it and you can also then upgrade Heli X. The very cheap transmitters that come with the fought sim packages from Amazon and ebay are not very good and may prove a hindrance and put you off.

If you decide that it's not going to be the hobby for you you'll be able to sell the DX6i for what you paid for it.

I have a DX6i and have enjoyed Heli X and now my Forza 450 so much I have invested in DX9 as my main flight Tx and will use the DX6i as my Heli X controller/back up but out was the DX6i that helped me learn the basics.

The other thing you can't do with a cheapo sim only Tx is learn to program it which is useful both when you fly real heli's and when using a sim.

[5hane]

Try Heli X for a sim. They have a free demo that has 5 decent models to try and you do have to put up with a nag screen every so often but its great to get started with.

The full version is only £40 odd and both the demo and full version can be downloaded from HELI-X - Professional Helicopter Flight Simulator



I have used it for a few hours now and like it very much.

Don't I need a gutted out transmitter and whatnot? If it's not important then I'm sure I can run to 40 quid

[dannybgoode]

Try Heli X for a sim. They have a free demo that has 5 decent models to try and you do have to put up with a nag screen every so often but its great to get started with.

The full version is only £40 odd and both the demo and full version can be downloaded from HELI-X - Professional Helicopter Flight Simulator

I have used it for a few hours now and like it very much.

[5hane]

Definitely not a powerful pc. I might have to wait a while if if has to be a pricey one then. Im nog hard up, but a vital new laptop plus expensive sim is pushing it with all the prezzies!

[tomatwalden]

Thanks, im convinced this is the model for me then.As Im splashing out on a laltop this month, I might start with a sim thats low priced. I'll be buying the heli soon as well.
Any thoughts on this sim, which is a lot cheaper than the recommended ones: http://goo.gl/R0Mlyr

Never heard of it! I would only seriously consider Phoenix, RealFlight or Heli-X. And of those three, I'd honestly say Phoenix and RealFlight are the ones to really consider. AccuRC is good too, but it needs a very powerful PC, and I think you have to supply your own transmitter.

[5hane]

Thanks, im convinced this is the model for me then.As Im splashing out on a laltop this month, I might start with a sim thats low priced. I'll be buying the heli soon as well.
Any thoughts on this sim, which is a lot cheaper than the recommended ones: http://goo.gl/R0Mlyr

I agree with Tom here.
I use my 200srx with a DX6I Tx and for starters it's a faf to setup! Especially if you not sure what your doing!! (Like me)
It works, but I have no idea how.. Lol.
You also have to assign the panic switch to the gyro switch, which isn't the easiest thing to hit in a panic! So unless you go down the route of fitting a separate switch in series with the gyro switch it's not great, and really not something you want to doing with a new Tx..
My only other word of warning would be as great as the panic switch sounds it will not stop the helicopter traveling in the direction it is when you flick it, it will level it out but if your srx it's fast disappearing into the distance it will keep going!!

I'm not sure about the height either! Does it return to a set height? I'm not sure it has anything in it to control the height! But worst case you can land it level..
The only time I crashed mine I hit the D/R switch instead of the Gyro so made no difference at all..
The modes work great though, there is a huge difference between the intermediate and the expert modes.

[Smarty]

I agree with Tom here.
I use my 200srx with a DX6I Tx and for starters it's a faf to setup! Especially if you not sure what your doing!! (Like me)
It works, but I have no idea how.. Lol.
You also have to assign the panic switch to the gyro switch, which isn't the easiest thing to hit in a panic! So unless you go down the route of fitting a separate switch in series with the gyro switch it's not great, and really not something you want to doing with a new Tx..
My only other word of warning would be as great as the panic switch sounds it will not stop the helicopter traveling in the direction it is when you flick it, it will level it out but if your srx it's fast disappearing into the distance it will keep going!!
I'm not sure about the height either! Does it return to a set height? I'm not sure it has anything in it to control the height! But worst case you can land it level..
The only time I crashed mine I hit the D/R switch instead of the Gyro so made no difference at all..
The modes work great though, there is a huge difference between the intermediate and the expert modes.

[5hane]

All things being equal, I would agree with this sentiment .. but in this case I'm going to say seriously consider going with the RTF package including the transmitter.

The reason being is that the 200SRX has a neat trick! It has 3 different flight modes, from self-stabilising beginner mode through to expert mode that flies like a collective pitch helicopter. Also, it has a "panic switch" that will save the heli if you get into trouble - it rights the heli, and climbs to a safe height.

The RTF transmitter is pre-setup with the switches correctly assigned to enable these flight modes, and has the panic switch all tested. If you get a separate transmitter, there is a chance that you'll get this setup wrong, or worse, the setup won't work properly. For example, the most common "first proper TX" is the DX6i. This transmitter cannot fully use the 200SRX flight modes and panic switch - or at least, not without a bit of a bodge.

So in this case (200SRX) - get the RTF package so you can concentrate on learning to fly - not worrying about transmitter setups.

The "panic switch" should help limit the accidents - although not fully eradicate them unfortunately! But, fly somewhere sensible - eg. over long grass - not concrete! with lots of space, take it gently - don't walk before you can run and you should be good!

Perhaps check out the flight school vids on RC Helicopters - A Super Fun & Rewarding Hobby

Awesome suggestions, I think I’m RTG (ready to go)!
Appreciate all of your advice as well Holst.

To think that years ago I was considering the Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 as my first heli, even before I got the Honey Bee. I think that would have been a bloody mess!

[5hane]

Hi all,
i actually started out with a blade mcpx v2 I bought second hand from evilBay,a dx6i transmitter and some extra batteries.
i also bought a Phoenix simulator and within a week I could hover around.
i read a lot of reviews tips and tricks on forums,videos on YouTube and learnt a lot from others experience.
ive had a blade 120sr but I felt that the collective pitch mcpx was far more stable and a heli of a lot more durable than the fixed pitch 120sr.
Parts are cheaper on the mcpx plus it's as easy as flick idle up and the next stage awaits.
i personally never tried to hover indoors until I gained some expererience,plus a breeze actually helped me learn to correct faster as I had to do it more!
Now an mcpx v2 rtf On evilbay is around £75,a dx6i transmitter around £70 new on evilBay and a Phoenix sim on evilBay for £35-£40
I beleive that's similar cost to the 200srx rtf but your getting much more useful kit to learn from and also the dx6i is good for anything apart from a nitro running an rpm governor.
from my own experience learning alone this is the route I would suggest but I will say that the 200srx is a great learner heli and I couldn't say a bad thing about it as it is currently the top fixed pitch heli to buy.
The Phoenix sim will be the best learning tool you will ever use and you will gain lots more confidence to try new things with your helicopter.
i hope you enjoy whatever you end up with

Lots of good advice there TYVM. The problem is I am very indecisive, so if I am faced with too many heli choices to start out with I’ll end up never buying one lol.
It certainly would be nice to have a transmitter I can use with other models, although for the moment I am really just testing the water, not that I won’t consider it.
Sadly I am without a computer after my desktop died of old age, and by the time I buy a replacement I would have probably brought my heli. I am trying out a sim on my android tablet, but I doubt it’s as a good as using a keyboard as the controller.

[5hane]

I buy all my spares from Fast Lad Performance there prices seem pretty reasonable and the service is usually really good.
I have only crashed mine once in a grass field and the damage was Tail boom, Tail boom support, Replacement servo gears and tail rotor.
The tail rotor is really fragile! i must have got through 5 or 6, it only has to touch the ground and it breaks, the spares are all pretty cheap though.

A word of warning if you buy new, They had a habbit of supply this heli with the tail rotor on the wrong way round, its worth checking when it arrives that the shinny side of the rotor if facing outwards, if its the wrong way round the tail will not hold and the tail motor will get very hot..

Strange, I already replied to this so sorry if a duplicate message appears. It looks like I need to stock up on lots of spares then.... How does a servo break? Must have been a hard crash?

[tomatwalden]

I would also consider buying it without the included transmitter.

I would look at getting a slightly better transmitter that will allow you to expand intommore models in the future.
You may be able to pick one up second hand for close to the supplied transmitter.

You will crash, 100% guarantee.

...

All things being equal, I would agree with this sentiment .. but in this case I'm going to say seriously consider going with the RTF package including the transmitter.

The reason being is that the 200SRX has a neat trick! It has 3 different flight modes, from self-stabilising beginner mode through to expert mode that flies like a collective pitch helicopter. Also, it has a "panic switch" that will save the heli if you get into trouble - it rights the heli, and climbs to a safe height.

The RTF transmitter is pre-setup with the switches correctly assigned to enable these flight modes, and has the panic switch all tested. If you get a separate transmitter, there is a chance that you'll get this setup wrong, or worse, the setup won't work properly. For example, the most common "first proper TX" is the DX6i. This transmitter cannot fully use the 200SRX flight modes and panic switch - or at least, not without a bit of a bodge.

So in this case (200SRX) - get the RTF package so you can concentrate on learning to fly - not worrying about transmitter setups.

The "panic switch" should help limit the accidents - although not fully eradicate them unfortunately! But, fly somewhere sensible - eg. over long grass - not concrete! with lots of space, take it gently - don't walk before you can run and you should be good!

Perhaps check out the flight school vids on RC Helicopters - A Super Fun & Rewarding Hobby

[electricsceadu]

Mr David Drew
as you sound an expert please can you knit me some very warm gloves,hat and scarf for winter flying
and then sort my garden out in the summer so that i can have more flying time



to the op
you have made the best first steps by seeking advice
the next step is to decide what model you wish to own
and then enjoy
learning to fly is not easy but it can be very rewarding once you have mastered it

[Holst]

I would also consider buying it without the included transmitter.

I would look at getting a slightly better transmitter that will allow you to expand intommore models in the future.
You may be able to pick one up second hand for close to the supplied transmitter.

You will crash, 100% guarantee.

I would still recommend a simulator before you start.
Getting some basics down on the computer in advance will make things much easier.

Fastlad always get me parts next day so don't buy loads of spares, just order what you break.

[French Paul]

Hi all,
i actually started out with a blade mcpx v2 I bought second hand from evilBay,a dx6i transmitter and some extra batteries.
i also bought a Phoenix simulator and within a week I could hover around.
i read a lot of reviews tips and tricks on forums,videos on YouTube and learnt a lot from others experience.
ive had a blade 120sr but I felt that the collective pitch mcpx was far more stable and a heli of a lot more durable than the fixed pitch 120sr.
Parts are cheaper on the mcpx plus it's as easy as flick idle up and the next stage awaits.
i personally never tried to hover indoors until I gained some expererience,plus a breeze actually helped me learn to correct faster as I had to do it more!
Now an mcpx v2 rtf On evilbay is around £75,a dx6i transmitter around £70 new on evilBay and a Phoenix sim on evilBay for £35-£40
I beleive that's similar cost to the 200srx rtf but your getting much more useful kit to learn from and also the dx6i is good for anything apart from a nitro running an rpm governor.
from my own experience learning alone this is the route I would suggest but I will say that the 200srx is a great learner heli and I couldn't say a bad thing about it as it is currently the top fixed pitch heli to buy.
The Phoenix sim will be the best learning tool you will ever use and you will gain lots more confidence to try new things with your helicopter.
i hope you enjoy whatever you end up with

[tomatwalden]

Hil
..... Instead it mainly bounced off of my furniture and usualy suffered ground effect issue. ....

PS. Start outside! The 200SRX for a beginner is realistically speaking an outdoor machine. Indoors if a village or sports hall, but your lounge will be a recipe for a crash!