2 X 500's

[Granpappy]

I scratched my nose while flying for the first time ever last week!

I have only been flying for three years.

Not quite the seven year itch, but getting close.

[pooleman]

I think you'll find flying / going it alone much harder than at a club. For me there were times when all I've wanted to do is fly and learn alone because other people made me nervous but like the first heli spool up you get used to it and it wears off... on balance the massive help, encouragement and general feel good factor outweighs any negatives so I think thats very valuable advice

[myxiplx]

Do you have any micros? I found they were a lot of fun, and they're far, far cheaper to learn on than any large model. I used to fly my mCPX BL in the workshop at work during my lunch break. I could crash it half a dozen times over lunch, and so long as I was quick enough with throttle hold I just dusted it of and flew again.

The downtime, expense, and frustration from a crash can easily get you down when you're learning, it's one of the reasons I was very glad I discovered the mCPX when I did, it kept me flying while I worked towards putting together the budget for something larger.

[wouldbeflyer]

If I continue then that is the first thing to be done, join a club

[wouldbeflyer]

Yes I'd like to think so Graham

[wouldbeflyer]

First heli I got was an MCPX BL ,gave me hours of fun and frustration , still got it though how long for I'm not sure

[Peteski]

I'd dispute the 'well priced' argument. $218 plus (based on BeastX price) about $100 for the self level 'SAFE' upgrade results in a UK price including VAT of about £250... That's close on twice the price of the Spirit and all you are getting extra is the built in receiver. You can buy a Spektrum sat receiver for £20 or a compatible for £8

I'll be surprised if it actually ends up that expensive in the UK. Not with the Microbeast Plus V4 Pro selling at £185 complete with all the bells and whistles. I expect the big UK suppliers will be selling it for around £200, but I suppose we will see soon. I would have preferred to run this integrated setup on my Oxy 3, rather than the external sat and flimsy wiring. It would have been so much neater.

Spirit is a bargain though for sure if you can actually get your hands on one.

[Grumpy]

Spirit is a bargain though for sure if you can actually get your hands on one.

In stock now if you want one: Spirit - Spirit System - Tomáš Jdrzejek

they seem to have got over the initial shortage.

I think the AR7210BX will work out at about the cost of a Microbeast Plus, but with the cost of a receiver added on (which seems fair because it is a Microbeast Plus with a receiver added on!). So I'd be surprised if it's a lot less then £250... possibly around £225?. At least until dealers start discounting.

It seems to be missing an e-governor which seems like a pretty major omission.

[Peteski]

It seems to be missing an e-governor which seems like a pretty major omission.

That's odd because the microbeast has one.

[Grumpy]

That's odd because the microbeast has one.

Could be that it does.. The buzz on helifreak was that it didn't but it says this in the manual:

The Spektrum AR7210BX features an RPM Governor system that uses this advantage to control the motor RPM. Contrary to conventional motor control systems that only monitor motor speed, the Spektrum AR7210BX can react sooner to speed changes. A separate governor system is no longer required for nitro helicopters and electric models.

As you say, it would seem odd if it didn't have the governor as it's just a Microbeast Plus with an integrated receiver.

[tomatwalden]

Microbeast has a nitro gov I believe. Wouldn't really call lack of egov a major omission anyway as most ESCs have a gov. Certainly castle, YGE, yep and kontronic.

[tomatwalden]

As you say, it would seem odd if it didn't have the governor as it's just a Microbeast Plus with an integrated receiver.

Im guessing there was a fork in the firmware code base a while back which allows the spektrum unit to integrate the SAFE functions from their AS3X controllers.

[Grumpy]

Im guessing there was a fork in the firmware code base a while back which allows the spektrum unit to integrate the SAFE functions from their AS3X controllers.

Tom

The AR7210BX simply uses the Microbeast Plus FBL controller hardware and firmware to which Spektrum added an integrated receiver and dropped into a different case. The so called 'SAFE' upgrade is in fact just the Microbeast 'Pro' upgrade under a different name. There is nothing carried over from any of their AS3X or SAFE receivers other than the SAFE name.

BTW.. the Microbeast Plus does have an e-governor, but like the AR7210BX you have to fork out for the software upgrade to get it:

V4 Pro Edition
Governor & AttitudeControl

This is an upgraded version that brings new features to the MICROBEAST PLUS/MICROBEAST PLUS HD device. In detail these are the RPM Governor for nitro and electric helis and the AttitudeControl, that can be used as a flying aid. You can also upgrade you existing MICROBEAST PLUS/MICROBEAST PLUS HD to the ProEdition software (with costs).

-= BEASTX - BE ABSOLUTE STABLE =-

[tomatwalden]

Yeah, spotted that after I posted. Never mind, I'll stick with vortex anyway :-)

[Peteski]

The so called 'SAFE' upgrade is in fact just the Microbeast 'Pro' upgrade under a different name

That's what I presumed it was too. On the Microbeast Plus it's called "Attitude Control" and it works very well too. Spektrum re-naming it as "SAFE" makes sense to keep it consistent with their current branding.