Help help - n00b buying 6channel for non-n00b!!

[Georgee]

Hi everyone,

So here's the thing - my other half is one of you guys but he moved country and didn't have the space to keep his helicopter. So I was thinking of getting him one for his birthday except I'm seriously lost and I don't want to make a massive mistake.

I know he wants a 6 channel - he reckons he would've got one if he hadn't moved - so a great first 6 channel would be great. If it's just a good starter and gets him back into it before going up a step that might be good too. And do I need a controller that totally throws me!!!

Any help would be appreciated, I want to spend around £150ish if that's possible?

[froghopper]

hi welcome to the forum, there isnt a simple answer to your question, it depends on a lot of things. the controller/ tx if he is likely to progress further then id look at a specktrum dx6i as a good entry level tx that he could use on other models as he progresses. heli wise thats a minefield!!! look at the "blade" range, they are good all rounders to start with and spares readily available when he crashes!!! the 200 sr is good to start with but your next problem is your budget. you wont get much for your money and are looking at 2nd hand deals to get a half decent tx and heli. im not sure about micro heli packages but someone will probably tell you on here, but you might get a deal with a tx for your money. phoenix do a flight simulator that includes a dx6i, ok its not a heli but he will get a decent tx and practice his flying skills while you save some more money for a decent heli that he will less likely crash because of practice on the sim... you might have to shop about though to get that in your budget.sorry feels like ive not helped much, the choice is vast. stay away from the cheapo toy grade helis and visit a local hobby shop if you have one.

[gobby550x]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

The first thing is he already able to fly a 6 channel helicopter?

Is he going to join a club or not?

As an example on E-bay there is a new JR Forza 450 with transmitter (6 channel) for £445 and this is a pretty good deal as the TX is £140 alone, the heli combo is £300 with a flybarless unit at £150

Then factor in batteries and to get a few will add another £40

Therefore you are looking at used, if so then you could look at a blade 300X which can be had for about £150 used on eBay, another £50 will get a DX6i transmitter (Controller) used on ebay (I would spend £110 on the new DX6 which is far superior)

Helicopter wise you could alternately look for an Align Trex 450 or maybe a blade 450X but for £150 you may struggle to find one, also note that the larger the heli the easier to fly so a 450 is more stable than a 300 - please note you should try to buy a flybarless helicopter which in the blade range is noted by the X after the numbers.

If you buy a used heli always try to see if flying as buying a bad heli can result in the spending of a small fortune in getting it flying.

Link for 300x with batteries http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/blade-300-X-Rc-Helicopter-/161537417066?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&ha sh=item259c615f6a

Link for Blade 450x - http://www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/detail.php?id=178170 - I would suggest this is the one to buy quickly before it sells.

Make sure both the heli and Tx are both 2.4GHZ, if you buy any blade heli they will work with Spektrum transmitters, if you look at Align make sure they have a Spektrum receiver.

You could get a 200SRX with transmitter for £200 new - this is 4 channel but a pretty good one and also one to use to learn to fly.

As Froghopper has said stay away from cheap hobby grade helis, they are useless and offer nothing for someone who is serious about this hobby, buying with limited knowledge is a difficult and may be costly.

Maybe the Sim is a good idea but how about giving him the cash to allow him to chose what he wants or vouchers for Fastlad or Midland helis so he can add some money and get what he wants from the stores - you could also check out there used sections.

Hope some of the above helps.

[myxiplx]

It's hard to advise without knowing his skill level. If he's flown 6 channel helicopters before then he might be good enough to get a larger model as suggested above. However if this is his first 6 channel helicopter, then really he's going to be best starting with either a very small model, or with a simulator.

A good gift and beginner model would be the Blade Nano QX quadcopter. While it's not a 6 channel helicopter, it flies just like them. It has beginner and advanced modes, so can take you from your first steps with 6 channel models, up to quite advanced flight. It's small enough to fly indoors, as well as tough enough to survive many crashes without damage (and believe me, when you come to 6 channel helicopters everybody crashes, even those of us who've been flying for years. When you first start you can crash a dozen times in a day).