considering the hobby

[5hane]

I think Blade's distinction between beginner/expert is 4-channel/fixed-pitch versus 6-channel/collective pitch.

4-channel/fixed pitch is more beginner friendly for a number of reasons. For example ... no need to worry about pitch and throttle curves. Much lower head speed = safer and calmer. Generally speaking, many 4-channel helis also have 45-degree flybars or some other feature that makes them inherently stable.

6-channel/collective pitch is more involved. The pilot has to learn a little bit extra about computerised transmitters. Being collective pitch, the head speeds are significantly higher, meaning risk to humans and inanimate objects (Eg. the wife's favourite vase) is increased. Almost all collective pitch helicopter are inherently UNSTABLE, meaning the pilots needs to give constant minor corrections to keep the thing flying level.

It is perfectly possible to learn from scratch with 6-channel/collective pitch. But 4-channel/fixed pitch will be easier in the beginning.

The 200SRX has the advantage of being fixed pitch, but uses electrickery to be stable (in beginner mode), but flies pretty much exactly like a collective pitch heli (unstable) in expert mode ... meaning one heli can take you through both stages.

HTH

Ok thanks. In that case I will do as suggested: Get the 200srx rtr and a second hand DX6i for sim practice. Perhaps I later I could even bind it to the 200srx.

[French Paul]

Hi again. As a follow-up to my last reply to your message; the mcpx v2 seems to be advertised as an expert heli. The reason I mention that is because being a smaller model, perhaps the mcpx would be nice to have as indoor practice with the addition of the dx6i for sim use, but the whole "expert" thing is perhaps the only reason why I should still be looking at the srx.

I must have been an expert from the beginning then :-)
I guess it depends how much the hobby interests you from the start.
When I do something I like to start somewhere i know I can go on from, knowing that I've learnt the essential basics to what I'm trying to achieve. With the mcpx I did just that and didn't have to make any transitions through models that behave totally different and work under different sciences.
as for programming the transmitter, every blade bnf heli comes with settings in the manual that you just copy in then bind and fly. It really is very simple if you just read manual.
Plus I'm not afraid to crash my mcpx, the safe button on the 200srx sadly won't stop a newbie crashing, I learnt very early on the benifit of hitting throttle hold before entering the dirt, that will save you more £££ than the safe button in my opinion

[5hane]

I must have been an expert from the beginning then :-)
I guess it depends how much the hobby interests you from the start.
When I do something I like to start somewhere i know I can go on from, knowing that I've learnt the essential basics to what I'm trying to achieve. With the mcpx I did just that and didn't have to make any transitions through models that behave totally different and work under different sciences.
as for programming the transmitter, every blade bnf heli comes with settings in the manual that you just copy in then bind and fly. It really is very simple if you just read manual.
Plus I'm not afraid to crash my mcpx, the safe button on the 200srx sadly won't stop a newbie crashing, I learnt very early on the benifit of hitting throttle hold before entering the dirt, that will save you more £££ than the safe button in my opinion

Hi Paul. Thanks for getting back. Did you start indoors with the mcpx, as it is smaller than the srx?
If the stock srx transmitter worked with the HeliX sim I'd perhaps not bother with the DX6i to start off wit.

[dannybgoode]

The advantage of the DX6i is that it is fully programmable so will help you learn that aspect of the hobby. Plus it will work with all Blade heli's and will allow more tinkering on the setups.

If pennies will stretch (and I know it is easy to spend more and more) then the new 2014 DX6 is a considerably better radio and will stand you in good stead for years to come. The resale value on them is pretty good as well so you would lose very little if you decided to move on.

If your aim is to keep the cost as low as possible then yes, the stock transmitter would work fine but bear in mind you will not be able to tweak the setup on your heli's which may give a false sense that they are not doing what you expect.

[5hane]

The advantage of the DX6i is that it is fully programmable so will help you learn that aspect of the hobby. Plus it will work with all Blade heli's and will allow more tinkering on the setups.

If pennies will stretch (and I know it is easy to spend more and more) then the new 2014 DX6 is a considerably better radio and will stand you in good stead for years to come. The resale value on them is pretty good as well so you would lose very little if you decided to move on.

If your aim is to keep the cost as low as possible then yes, the stock transmitter would work fine but bear in mind you will not be able to tweak the setup on your heli's which may give a false sense that they are not doing what you expect.

Hi. I think while im just dipping my toe in the water id like to get something for around the 200 mark. So it seems I can either get a new blade 200 srx bnf plus an old dx6i from ebay, or a new mcpx and hopefully new dx6i

[dannybgoode]

Blade Nano CPX BnF for £90, the new Gen 2 DX6 (not the DX6i) + free receiver for £140 (Spektrum DX6 6 Channel Transmitter Only + Free Receiver) and flog the Rx for £25 / 30 and you are in budget.

Great little heli tool around with and learn and a smashing radio or get the radio and something secondhand off eBay.

If you are going to be learning outside as I am then personally I would look for a decent secondhand 450 sized bird, inside the Nano is more manageable than the mCPX

[gurnster75]

I still haven't purchased my first heli yet, I'm still weighing up the merits of the 200srx and the Mcpx as well. I'm still plodding on (slowly) with phoenix and a d6xi, there seems to be an even split from experienced people on here between which of these 2 to start with, you pay your money you take your chance I suppose. As mentioned the only thing guaranteed is that we're both going to crash, haha, good luck with whatever you decide to buy mate.

[French Paul]

Hi. I think while im just dipping my toe in the water id like to get something for around the 200 mark. So it seems I can either get a new blade 200 srx bnf plus an old dx6i from ebay, or a new mcpx and hopefully new dx6i

If your really set on the 200 the 120sr isn't really that bad for less than half the cost and still fixed pitch, I think you will learn a lot more from the mcpx than a bigger heli as building them is a bit of a Job with no experience, the 450's are the best next step up but are a heck of a lot more dangerous and any crash will see something broken and will be needing a rebuild plus setup.
If you smash the mcpx hard, you've probably cracked the canopy,at worst the skids,maybe a tail rotor.
ive smashed various mcpx's hundreds of times learning new tricks/orientations and spent no more than £40 in spares such as the above and a couple of tail booms, I've probably spent that in batteries though so I can have a few hours of fun!
yes they are a bit quicker than a 200srx but I found that I learnt quicker for it.
if you really want a go for not much, the nano cpx as mentioned is 79.99 at tjd models with batteries,charger and a dx4 you could sell on later for £30, a new dx6i is £70 so you could swap transmitters and still buy an mcpx all for less than £200.
See, it doesn't have to be expensive

[5hane]

If your really set on the 200 the 120sr isn't really that bad for less than half the cost and still fixed pitch, I think you will learn a lot more from the mcpx than a bigger heli as building them is a bit of a Job with no experience, the 450's are the best next step up but are a heck of a lot more dangerous and any crash will see something broken and will be needing a rebuild plus setup.
If you smash the mcpx hard, you've probably cracked the canopy,at worst the skids,maybe a tail rotor.
ive smashed various mcpx's hundreds of times learning new tricks/orientations and spent no more than £40 in spares such as the above and a couple of tail booms, I've probably spent that in batteries though so I can have a few hours of fun!
yes they are a bit quicker than a 200srx but I found that I learnt quicker for it.
if you really want a go for not much, the nano cpx as mentioned is 79.99 at tjd models with batteries,charger and a dx4 you could sell on later for £30, a new dx6i is £70 so you could swap transmitters and still buy an mcpx all for less than £200.
See, it doesn't have to be expensive

So glad I came here before buying. So much knowledge here. I will lookout for the best mcpx bnf and dx6i deal I can find, then go for it.i like the idea of the smaller model for indoor practice on rainy days, plus I have a flat and no garden, so hopefully that makes the mcpx perfect

[5hane]

Sounds good.Prices look a little differant to what you qouted, but how about getting these two then:


Spektrum DX6i DSMX (Mode2) 6 Ch Tx only [DX6ITXONLY] - £84.99 : TJD Models


Blade Nano CP X BNF [BLH3380] - £67.99 : TJD Models

If your really set on the 200 the 120sr isn't really that bad for less than half the cost and still fixed pitch, I think you will learn a lot more from the mcpx than a bigger heli as building them is a bit of a Job with no experience, the 450's are the best next step up but are a heck of a lot more dangerous and any crash will see something broken and will be needing a rebuild plus setup.
If you smash the mcpx hard, you've probably cracked the canopy,at worst the skids,maybe a tail rotor.
ive smashed various mcpx's hundreds of times learning new tricks/orientations and spent no more than £40 in spares such as the above and a couple of tail booms, I've probably spent that in batteries though so I can have a few hours of fun!
yes they are a bit quicker than a 200srx but I found that I learnt quicker for it.
if you really want a go for not much, the nano cpx as mentioned is 79.99 at tjd models with batteries,charger and a dx4 you could sell on later for £30, a new dx6i is £70 so you could swap transmitters and still buy an mcpx all for less than £200.
See, it doesn't have to be expensive

[tomatwalden]

Sounds good.Prices look a little differant to what you qouted, but how about getting these two then:


Spektrum DX6i DSMX (Mode2) 6 Ch Tx only [DX6ITXONLY] - £84.99 : TJD Models


Blade Nano CP X BNF [BLH3380] - £67.99 : TJD Models

The nano-CPX (ncpx) is different and smaller to the micro-CPX (mcpx). Smaller again. Possibly too small and twitchy.

[5hane]

The nano-CPX (ncpx) is different and smaller to the micro-CPX (mcpx). Smaller again. Possibly too small and twitchy.

So I've been reading, but the plus points for me might be the indoor practice (flat without garden) and the mentions of its durability and that if u can master it, it will stand you in goodstead for the next level. Buf then what do I know lol. Perhaps everyones now is thinking I need to just make a choice and stick with it!

[Holst]

I would be wary of a mcpx indoors unless you have lots of space.

Although they are not "dangerous" they can cause damage, easily smash your TV, cut wallpaper or worse.
You will also do a lot of damage to the heli if you fly it into a wall.

Although I could fly mine inside I won't take the risk.
Mcpx is really for small outdoor spaces

I learnt on a walkera 43b which was an awful heli bbut brilliant for learning basic hovering and orientation in a small indoor space .
Is there anything available that's like a 43b but not crap?

[tomatwalden]

..

I learnt on a walkera 43b which was an awful heli bbut brilliant for learning basic hovering and orientation in a small indoor space .
Is there anything available that's like a 43b but not crap?

Blade mSR or mSR-X

[5hane]

I would be wary of a mcpx indoors unless you have lots of space.

Although they are not "dangerous" they can cause damage, easily smash your TV, cut wallpaper or worse.
You will also do a lot of damage to the heli if you fly it into a wall.

Although I could fly mine inside I won't take the risk.
Mcpx is really for small outdoor spaces

I learnt on a walkera 43b which was an awful heli bbut brilliant for learning basic hovering and orientation in a small indoor space .
Is there anything available that's like a 43b but not crap?

Makes you wonder why they made it so small if its not suggested for flying in the living room.