Which heli next?

[Peteski]

After now discovering that I'm comfortable flying an mCPX in basic upright forward flight I was wondering what to progress to next for outdoor only use. A big heli would not work for me this year as I simply don't have time to get to a proper club, so I'm limited to the local playing field (which is very quiet with no houses nearby and 100m x 200m at least) and possibly local farmland as I live in a rural village. So I was thinking of something in the 200-450 size range that I could fly without attracting too much unwanted attention. I've already flown my micros at the playing field a few times and not had any issues at all. Basically nobody around to even notice me, although the groundsman was there last time and didn't object but might have been a different story with a 700N! Can't see any notices banning the use of rc models anywhere either.

So what do you think would work well? Something like a 450 Trex or something smaller like a Blade 180 CFX? Or something in-between? I'm not going to be doing any hardcore 3D flying, just simple circuits.

[Crumpet]

My input would be that a 450 dfc is cheap to buy second hand, cheap on parts so you're not afraid to bump it, but big enough to work on when you do.

I still have mine and it you wont outgrow it, you'll probably just buy something big to fly along side it in the future.

Does everything I can and it can be more fun than the 700 in a way, as there is little fear flying them.
Most crashes cost £5-20, and for me, less fear means you try more and progress faster.

Its also big enough to not bother with wind like a 180 would. Its not 700 stable but it can fly in 15mph wind fine.

I paid 250quid for mine second hand with 1 battery year ago. Trex 450 pro dfc

edit: and the biggest reason i bought mine is you can buy the carry case for it, fits 4 batteries, transmitter and heli and space for some tools. It goes everywhere with me

[chrisleematt21]

My input would be that a 450 dfc is cheap to buy second hand, cheap on parts so you're not afraid to bump it, but big enough to work on when you do.

I still have mine and it you wont outgrow it, you'll probably just buy something big to fly along side it in the future.

Does everything I can and it can be more fun than the 700 in a way, as there is little fear flying them.
Most crashes cost £5-20, and for me, less fear means you try more and progress faster.

Its also big enough to not bother with wind like a 180 would. Its not 700 stable but it can fly in 15mph wind fine.

I paid 250quid for mine second hand with 1 battery year ago. Trex 450 pro dfc

edit: and the biggest reason i bought mine is you can buy the carry case for it, fits 4 batteries, transmitter and heli and space for some tools. It goes everywhere with me

+1.....

[NiceBlades]

+1..........

[tomatwalden]

Agree in a 450. Have to say though, when it comes to not attracting attention - my mate's mini-Protos 450 is amazingly quiet. Otherwise 450's can sound a little like a cat being strangled behind a megaphone at times ... It's his beater too, and it really has taken a beating and come back for more ...

[Peteski]

450 sounds like a good size then, especially as I have 2 smaller models to use as well. I'm just a bit wary of the size in a public (although very quiet) place. Actually that's the only thing making me consider anything smaller.

[tomatwalden]

Another option then is a 300. I really like my 300cfx and I have it especially for local park/field flying. With Lynx plastic blades, it's almost micro-like!

[myxiplx]

For circuit flying in a park a 450 size would be fine. If I were you I'd keep an eye on the for sale forum for a second hand 300CFX or a 450 size model. Either would be pretty good.

The newer 450 size models swing 360mm blades and 6S packs and are generally regarded as handling better, but they are a bit heavier. Older 450's more often use 3S packs and 425mm packs, they're not quite as stable in the wind, but are that little bit smaller if you don't have a large space.

When it comes to 450's, the Align 450 is one of the most common, mainly because Align are everywhere. The Gaui X3, Chase 360 and Warp 360 tend to have a better reputation, all three are generally regarded as excellent although I think the Warp can be a little more fiddly to service than the others.

[kenny d]

My input would be that a 450 dfc is cheap to buy second hand, cheap on parts so you're not afraid to bump it, but big enough to work on when you do.

I still have mine and it you wont outgrow it, you'll probably just buy something big to fly along side it in the future.

Does everything I can and it can be more fun than the 700 in a way, as there is little fear flying them.
Most crashes cost £5-20, and for me, less fear means you try more and progress faster.

Its also big enough to not bother with wind like a 180 would. Its not 700 stable but it can fly in 15mph wind fine.

I paid 250quid for mine second hand with 1 battery year ago. Trex 450 pro dfc

edit: and the biggest reason i bought mine is you can buy the carry case for it, fits 4 batteries, transmitter and heli and space for some tools. It goes everywhere with me

+1.

A Trex 450 pro dfc works for me with cheap chineese parts IE. Main gears, tail gears, feathering shaft, main shaft , blades , booms & canopy's , I use it to fly beyond my capability with little cost of repair ,an average cost of a crash for me is £8 , unlike the 180cfx !!! with little cost to repair them my flying has come on leaps & bounds , beware of The newer 450L dominator 6s as it is a handful , the 450L 3s is ok but again costs more for a crash , regards Kd

[Peteski]

Another option then is a 300. I really like my 300cfx and I have it especially for local park/field flying. With Lynx plastic blades, it's almost micro-like!

I was considering the 300 CFX as it happens. Is it close to a 450 in flight or behave more like a micro?

[Peteski]

For circuit flying in a park a 450 size would be fine. If I were you I'd keep an eye on the for sale forum for a second hand 300CFX or a 450 size model. Either would be pretty good.

The newer 450 size models swing 360mm blades and 6S packs and are generally regarded as handling better, but they are a bit heavier. Older 450's more often use 3S packs and 425mm packs, they're not quite as stable in the wind, but are that little bit smaller if you don't have a large space.

When it comes to 450's, the Align 450 is one of the most common, mainly because Align are everywhere. The Gaui X3, Chase 360 and Warp 360 tend to have a better reputation, all three are generally regarded as excellent although I think the Warp can be a little more fiddly to service than the others.

Thanks, will have to look into all those options. My local shop definitely stocks Align but not sure about the others so that would be a factor as shop support, particularly during initial setup, would be most useful.

[Peteski]

beware of The newer 450L dominator 6s as it is a handful , the 450L 3s is ok but again costs more for a crash , regards Kd

Thanks, that's very useful info. I know it's not the same as real life, but I've been playing with both the 450L Dominator and 450 Pro DFC models in the sim (neXt) and they do fly quite differently. The Dominator clearly has a lot more grunt which is great in the sim, but probably just more scary for real! I'm sure it would be overkill at my level. The 450L 3S version could be an option though.

[Peteski]

Just been comparing prices and I am a bit surprised to see that a 450L Dominator and Blade 300 CFX are more or less the same price. I know the Blade is ready built (which given my time constraints is actually a big plus - at least until I crash it!) but seems like the 450L is the better value, presuming it really is higher quality and flies better of course. I was expecting the 450L to be a fair bit more expensive or the Blade a fair bit cheaper!

[Chrisrw]

Hi,
The advice from Tom sounds good - something quiet will help not attract attention and also help a bit with nerves (Blade, Align or mini-protos all should be fine but the blade is probably the noisiest!)
I have the Blade 450x and that's pretty easy to work on and fly. If you look around for second hand ones you should find something for £150ish. I'm very glad I didn't buy new (not an issue if money isn't tight I guess) but as you most likely will crash a few times early on spending £300-£400 on something that will become second hand very quickly anyway may be hard to swallow and you may find you want something bigger pretty soon (as am I) as the next step up 500/550 become a lot more stable and actually easier to fly. Obviously if you are sticking with the Spektrum then look for second hand with either Spektrum or Orange Rx (you find quite a few people using v-bar clones (K-bar) and they are fine as long as they have a spectrum satellite). If you are buying new (in kit) then you'll need the rx gear in addition.
How are you getting on with the 130x? I still find it's my favourite to fly at the moment. Nerves with the 180 and 450 are still hampering progress but I don't have that problem at all with the 130x - I can fly it all day at the park and it can still take a (little) beating.
The 180cfx and 300cfx are not really that easy for beginners and cost as much (or more) than the 450's to repair. You can also change the gearing and put 360mm (instead of 325mm) blades on most 450's and that makes them easier and tamer to fly (more like a bigger heli).

Just been comparing prices and I am a bit surprised to see that a 450L Dominator and Blade 300 CFX are more or less the same price. I know the Blade is ready built (which given my time constraints is actually a big plus - at least until I crash it!) but seems like the 450L is the better value, presuming it really is higher quality and flies better of course. I was expecting the 450L to be a fair bit more expensive or the Blade a fair bit cheaper!

[tomatwalden]

I was considering the 300 CFX as it happens. Is it close to a 450 in flight or behave more like a micro?

Much more like a 450. This is mine ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cIiNkyNcDo

It's nice heli IMHO. I personally prefer it to my old 450x ..