Newbie looking to get into the hobby, just a few questions on first purchase

[Peteski]

Hi, yet another newbie here

I've always wanted an RC helicopter since I was a small boy and now I've grown into a big boy (46) I thought it was about time I actually got one!

So I've done a fair bit of background reading and think I'm now ready to open my wallet and take my first bold step. Having waded through countless reviews and online resources I'm pretty set on buying a Blade mCX2 for an easy indoor introduction with a view to eventually stepping up to a bigger outdoor CP heli when I'm good and ready. I may well take an intermediate step with something like an mSRX along the way. My long term goal is to fly large scale replicas of real helicopters in a lifelike manner rather than the trick 3D flying. But anyway I have a couple of questions before pulling the trigger on the humble mCX2:-

1) Could anyone recommend a really good shop to buy it from? I'm based in Northants, so a local shop would be a bonus, but don't mind buying online from a distance. The most important thing is good customer service and advice in the longer term.

2) I think I'm going to go down the RTF route on my first helicopter for convenience, but I could easily be talked into getting a higher spec transmitter for use down the line. If so what would you recommend?

3) I see mode 1 and mode 2 versions of the mCX2 RTF for sale. I can see the technical difference, but which mode would you recommend with a view to longer term progression? I'm starting from scratch, so have no experience of either stick setup. I presume I can easily change modes at will if I go down the BNF route?

4) Finally, I'd also like to invest in a decent simulator to boost up my learning curve ready for a CP. Are there any good sim recommendations specifically for use on a Mac with latest OSX? I don't have access to a pc anymore.

Thanks for reading my post and I look forward to learning from the forum.

Peteski

[gobby550x]

hi Peteski,

Typical shops are fast lads, midlands, rc heliguru etc or ebay.

Most popular is mode two all the way, higher spec is the new DX6 for BNF with blade helis.

I think for a small heli the MSRX is the one to start with, fixed pitch so slightly more difficult but an easier step to collective pitch.

Money no object get a blade 200 SRX but its outside only

[myxiplx]

I'm going to recommend something slightly different. While there's nothing wrong with any of the models mentioned here, one that gets recommended over and over on helifreak is the Blade nano QX.
Nano QX BNF with SAFE (BLH7680): Blade - #1 By Design

It's a quadcopter, but has a few advantages over any of the smaller helicopters you can start with:
- It's small enough to fly indoors, and with blade guards it'll do less damage than any heli (even a micro)
- Its extremely tough, and if you do break anything repairs are typically a couple of quid for a new prop
- It still teaches you all the core stick skills needed to transition to CP helicopters
- You can start in beginner mode, which flies very much like a FP beginner helicopter
- As your skills improve, you can switch to agility mode which is much closer to how CP helicopters react

I bought a few small helicopters when I started, and outgrew them rapidly. If at all possible you want to find one that's going to last you 6-12 months as you're learning.

[gobby550x]

Small helis can be cheap to repair, an alternative get a 500 and a buddy lead and join a club

[myxiplx]

PS. I don't think there are many sim choices on the Mac, possibly Next or Heli-X I think, they're not commonly known, but have a decent reputation.

[Peteski]

Thanks guys, so mode 2 then for the controls and I'll check out those shops. Any particular reputable sellers on ebay?
Will also look at the DX6 transmitter too as it seems like a good idea for the longer term.

Some interesting suggestions for alternatives to the mCX2. I did look very closely at the mSRX, but many people seem to think it's a bit lively for indoor use, especially for a total beginner.
Also looked at the Nano QX quad too and may well buy one of those too as it does look like a lot of fun to fly indoors and not overly expensive. But ultimately I prefer the look of helicopters. I presume a DX6 will be fine for all these options?

So could go with both an mCX2 and a Nano QX with a shared DX6 transmitter. Should keep me occupied over the winter hols and then come spring I can look at something bigger for outdoor use. So I guess that's around £250 all in. Quite a bit more than my original plan but gives me a decent transmitter for the next level.

Any ideas on a Mac based sim?

[Peteski]

an alternative get a 500 and a buddy lead and join a club

Unfortunately I don't have time to join a club in the next 12 months, so be limited to indoor flying around the house and self-taught outdoor in the summer when the evenings get lighter. I do have easy access to a large field at least.

[Peteski]

PS. I don't think there are many sim choices on the Mac, possibly Next or Heli-X I think, they're not commonly known, but have a decent reputation.

Thanks, will check those out too.

[gobby550x]

The blade 200SRX is outdoor only but has safe technology (push the button and the heli will correct itself to a hover), three settings from beginner to advanced.

DX6 is a great Tx for starting out and will fly most helis for your stage.

[Mike Sanders]

Good advice above.

There is a model shop in St Leonards Road http://www.trct.co.uk/and another in Wellingborough Road Northampton www.modelshop-northants.co.uk/
Both are rather general in what they sell so it might be worth while telephoning them to see what they stock.

[waveydavey]

RC Heliguru is based in MK Pete so not far from you. Well worth the trip to see Johnathan. As said above all the usual suspects are good reliable retailers.

As for sim take a look at Next which I believe is native MAC

neXt - CGM rc Heli Simulator

[cjcj1949]

What you need to achieve is to make the right control movements the right amount at the right time without thinking. Helis are very easy to break and the more you break them the more unreliable and difficult to diagnose the fault and fix them. Simulators are useful but doing things for real is not the same as on a sim where mistakes cost nothing. A lot depends on the individual personality. Some people like a challenge whereas others would rather make slow and sure progress.

Single rotor helis don't hover with the blades horizontal, but with a slight lean to the right. This means that take off is never that easy to begin with until you have learnt to do things fairly quickly. The heli will initially move to the left and has to be brought back to the right with the right amount of control. The tail often hits the ground in the early stages of landing.

A dual rotor like the mcx2 does not have these difficulties, but if you go the easy route you will have to relearn later. Quads have the advantage of smaller props that can also have guards and so will be more survivable and do less damage.

If you intend to fly scale models realistically then learning to fly a boring mcx2 may be the best route as that is the sort of flying you intend to do. Learning to fly an mcx2 will not be boring.

[gobby550x]

I fly all types of heli and while scale is easier than 3D, you land badly and it cost a hell of a lot more than a pod and boom. Scale are still collective pitch so not that easy to fly

Start with the 200 srx but get a few lessons on the basics may save a fortune in the long run.

[Peteski]

Thanks again everyone for your responses, looks like a great forum.

The 200 srx looks like a strong contender for my first outdoor helicopter, but that will have to wait until the summer. With the dark winter nights, dodgy weather and busy weekends I just can't see myself getting out there in the next few months. So I'm going to concentrate on the indoor options over the winter i.e. indoor flying and sim. At least then I should have gained some useful experience when I do eventually get outside. But I do want to continue flying indoors too for a bit of fun.

[SaneAdam]

RC Heliguru is based in MK Pete so not far from you. Well worth the trip to see Johnathan. As said above all the usual suspects are good reliable retailers.

As for sim take a look at Next which I believe is native MAC

neXt - CGM rc Heli Simulator

I can confirm that neXt is very good. Better than Phoenix and Accurc IMO. It feels much more realistic and dynamic. Plus it is a fairly reasonable price and you can download it straight from their website.