Which heli next?

[james_2k]

I said something very similar once. Then one crash and £700 later I realise the value of a decent cheap repairable heli

[Peteski]

Ouch! Well at least it won't cost that much to repair!

[Peteski]

Still haven't made my mind up 100% yet on this, but after further research and more thought about whether I want to fly immediately or take on a build, I'm now seriously thinking about building a Gaui X3. Everything I read about this heli is very positive, right from building, to flying, to crashing! I'm also thinking I will get more experience flying my mCPX and 130X in preparation. No hurry to step up and I'm really enjoying flying the micros right now.

I'll probably start a new thread for my Gaui X3 build - already have plenty of questions - but just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their thoughts. It has helped a lot!

[myxiplx]

I've got 80 flights on the Gaui X3 now and absolutely love it. Very smooth and quiet and it's just solid, really happy with mine, and like you say the more you take your time planning what you want and preparing for the build, the more time you have on the mCPX and 130X beforehand.

I actually spent about a year on my mCPX BL before I really flew a big helicopter, wasn't really planned that way, it's just how it worked out, but in hindsight it's one of the best things I did. It forced me to learn how to fly before I put something large in the air.

[Chrisrw]

Hows the flying going? Are you still enjoying the mcpx - I miss mine, but the new radios don't support DSM2
The mcpx BL is good but my reaction times with that high headspeed are a bit rubbish (I have the same issues with the 180cfx) - I guess as I get more experience that will improve.
The X3 looks good - definitely one of the better 450's (my blade is out of action for now as I've been having brownouts or resets). I've decided to concentrate on flying the 550. Best decision I have made. That little bit of extra 'hang time' definitely suits my style of flying (everything is just easier on this size). I am mainly flying at the club but have flown in various private fields and 'quiet' open spaces and feel that the 550 is a perfect size for me (haven't felt it too large for anywhere I fly - I think a 450 can be a pretty dangerous machine too and wouldn't fly that in a park with people around etc). Anyway, just thought I'd throw that in - don't totally rule out a slightly bigger heli (I think you said you have plenty of open spaces near you) - I have been flying most days over the last two weeks even in this crappy wind (so much more stable than the 450) also the smaller helis can get very difficult to see (for orientation) very quickly. it's also helped my skills - I'm still practicing my figure 8's (messy) and circles but I'm happy to throw in a few 2 point flips, rolls and some inverted hovering on each flight without any issues.
i wonder how the 130x bull flies? I still like my 130x it's probably my esiest heli to fly although it's been a bit neglected of late!

Still haven't made my mind up 100% yet on this, but after further research and more thought about whether I want to fly immediately or take on a build, I'm now seriously thinking about building a Gaui X3. Everything I read about this heli is very positive, right from building, to flying, to crashing! I'm also thinking I will get more experience flying my mCPX and 130X in preparation. No hurry to step up and I'm really enjoying flying the micros right now.

I'll probably start a new thread for my Gaui X3 build - already have plenty of questions - but just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their thoughts. It has helped a lot!

[james_2k]

Hows the flying going? Are you still enjoying the mcpx - I miss mine, but the new radios don't support DSM2
The mcpx BL is good but my reaction times with that high headspeed are a bit rubbish (I have the same issues with the 180cfx) - I guess as I get more experience that will improve.
The X3 looks good - definitely one of the better 450's (my blade is out of action for now as I've been having brownouts or resets). I've decided to concentrate on flying the 550. Best decision I have made. That little bit of extra 'hang time' definitely suits my style of flying (everything is just easier on this size). I am mainly flying at the club but have flown in various private fields and 'quiet' open spaces and feel that the 550 is a perfect size for me (haven't felt it too large for anywhere I fly - I think a 450 can be a pretty dangerous machine too and wouldn't fly that in a park with people around etc). Anyway, just thought I'd throw that in - don't totally rule out a slightly bigger heli (I think you said you have plenty of open spaces near you) - I have been flying most days over the last two weeks even in this crappy wind (so much more stable than the 450) also the smaller helis can get very difficult to see (for orientation) very quickly. it's also helped my skills - I'm still practicing my figure 8's (messy) and circles but I'm happy to throw in a few 2 point flips, rolls and some inverted hovering on each flight without any issues.
i wonder how the 130x bull flies? I still like my 130x it's probably my esiest heli to fly although it's been a bit neglected of late!

what new radios? do any new spektrum radios not support dsm2??

[Peteski]

Hi Chris, good to hear from you. My flying is going really well considering that I'm very limited on my "field" time, maybe once a week at the moment. But I'm flying in the house and garden daily and using the sim most days too. As far as upright forward flight goes I'm pretty confident now with both the mCPX and 130X and haven't crashed either yet. My figure 8s are pretty smooth, especially when turning away from me, so have to work harder in the opposite direction. But it's all pretty good. My little nQX quad is great for practising figure 8s as it's small enough to do them in the house at pretty high speed, whereas the mCPX needs a bit more space.

The Red Bull 130X seems very stable to me and is great for flying circuits and 8s. I'd say it's easier to fly than the mCPX and makes smoother banked turns. It's clearly underpowered for 3D, but for casual sport flying it's just fine. It still has a lot more power than the mCPX anyway. Looks great in the air too, it has much more presence with the scale body, which is really nicely done. It has a great sound too with the 4 blade head and resonance from the body. I bought mine new in the Christmas sales for £95 which I think was an absolute bargain. I wouldn't want to crash it though as I imagine the body would disintegrate, but replacements do seem pretty cheap. My aim with this model is to learn to fly scale stunts like the real thing which I think it's quite capable of. This video gives an idea of the stability and sound!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-0MsNhGU1g

I've been thinking more about what size model I can safely go to and am now leaning more toward a 300 class like the new Oxy 3. Although I have the space to fly a bigger model, I'm usually with my 2 year old daughter and so I want to stick with smaller models for now. I realise they are all potentially dangerous, but I think a 300 is a reasonable compromise with a bit of common sense. She's already very good at staying at my side when I fly the 130X. I give her the Tx that came with my mCX2 to hold and she thinks she's flying When she starts nursery next year I'll probably join the local club and then get a 550 or larger. To be honest my biggest concern when flying is loose dogs. It's pretty deserted where I fly, but if anyone does appear they are pretty much guaranteed to have a dog off the lead.

[Chrisrw]

None do.
DMS2 doesn't conform to current EU regs. So if you are buying a new Spectrum TX (DX6, DX7 etc) they will not bind to DMS2. I don't know about the older models (DX9 etc - they may still be ok?)

I can not use my msrx (or mcpx before I sold it) with the DX7.

The 130x (for Pete) is DMSX so is ok.

[james_2k]

oh i see, weird! even the dx9 you can buy now is non dsm2?

[Peteski]

In that case I'm really glad I got the DX8 then, which works with both. I didn't realise the newer ones didn't support DSM2. Interestingly on the box for the mCPX it says that you need a DSM2/DSMX Tx which implies that both should work with it. But obviously in reality it actually needs a DSM2 compatible Tx!

[Chrisrw]

Never crashed! - the abuse my 130x has suffered is amazing! I guess you have used your nQX as your main trainer as I have with the 130x (I must have had to spend £40-£50 on repairs).
Sounds like a sound plan (going for the 300 - at least that really does look like a toy size to most onlookers - I would probably have done the same if my kids were a year younger) - I know how you feel with your daughter - I have a 3 and 4 yr old too - both are now at preschool one day a week at the same time so Tuesday is my day to fly (when it's not raining or too windy). They are not very tolerant of my flying anymore (too may trips to the park with a stop for a 130x flight- I have on the odd occasion taken them to the club and let them have 30mins on the iPad while I sneak a couple of flights, but I definitely prefer now to have no distraction!

The biggest mistake was me seeing 700's flying at the club (last December when I first started) - I was totally taken in and knew that I would want something bigger than my TX to fly. I think the 550 is a good compromise and will probably be the biggest I go (the 700's are simply too costly in all areas).

The only thing I will say is try the 130x and mcpx on full head speed (if you are not already) as this will give you an idea how much more lively a 180cfx/300cfx etc will be. I am not sure about the 300 (but I think its similar) the 180 is heavy and you have to run the head speed high - you can not run a low head speed (like you can on the 130/mcpx) to make it nice and docile. Obviously you can increase DR&Expo but other than in a flat hover the higher headspeeds will make it move much faster once cyclic inputs are given. It was a massive jump for me going from the 130x to a 180cfx - I still don't really fly it because it a bit fast for me!

Hi Chris, good to hear from you. My flying is going really well considering that I'm very limited on my "field" time, maybe once a week at the moment. But I'm flying in the house and garden daily and using the sim most days too. As far as upright forward flight goes I'm pretty confident now with both the mCPX and 130X and haven't crashed either yet. My figure 8s are pretty smooth, especially when turning away from me, so have to work harder in the opposite direction. But it's all pretty good. My little nQX quad is great for practising figure 8s as it's small enough to do them in the house at pretty high speed, whereas the mCPX needs a bit more space.

The Red Bull 130X seems very stable to me and is great for flying circuits and 8s. I'd say it's easier to fly than the mCPX and makes smoother banked turns. It's clearly underpowered for 3D, but for casual sport flying it's just fine. It still has a lot more power than the mCPX anyway. Looks great in the air too, it has much more presence with the scale body, which is really nicely done. It has a great sound too with the 4 blade head and resonance from the body. I bought mine new in the Christmas sales for £95 which I think was an absolute bargain. I wouldn't want to crash it though as I imagine the body would disintegrate, but replacements do seem pretty cheap. My aim with this model is to learn to fly scale stunts like the real thing which I think it's quite capable of. This video gives an idea of the stability and sound!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-0MsNhGU1g

I've been thinking more about what size model I can safely go to and am now leaning more toward a 300 class like the new Oxy 3. Although I have the space to fly a bigger model, I'm usually with my 2 year old daughter and so I want to stick with smaller models for now. I realise they are all potentially dangerous, but I think a 300 is a reasonable compromise with a bit of common sense. She's already very good at staying at my side when I fly the 130X. I give her the Tx that came with my mCX2 to hold and she thinks she's flying When she starts nursery next year I'll probably join the local club and then get a 550 or larger. To be honest my biggest concern when flying is loose dogs. It's pretty deserted where I fly, but if anyone does appear they are pretty much guaranteed to have a dog off the lead.

[Peteski]

I'm not crashing the mCPX/130X because I'm putting so much time in on the sim/nQX, only flying outside on calm days and flying within my comfort zone - especially with the fragile bodied Red Bull 130X. I'm sure the mCPX will get much more of a beating once I start dabbling with inverted flight. Remember I'm not flying outside very often either, so that's certainly a factor too. I'm already flying the 130X at 100% flat throttle - it really needs it due the extra weight of the scale body, but still only have the mCPX at around 75% for the garden and 85% at the field. I'll try 100% next time out.

Your comments on the 180CFX are very useful. I was actually thinking of getting one of those to train on, but sounds like a bit of a beast compared to the 130X. Might still give it a go though as a trial before splashing out on an Oxy 3, which I would imagine is even more fierce.

[Peteski]

Decision made, Lynx Oxy 3 kit ordered
Very expensive for a 300 class, but quality does look exceptional and most of the fiddly little sub-assemblies come pre-built which I think makes a big difference on a heli of this size. Hopefully should go together fairly quickly from what I've read.

Thanks for all the input

Pete

[myxiplx]

Damnit, stop buying all the good stuff, you're making me jealous :-p

[honwal]

well done pete, they do look nice,