CP Micro Heli Choice????

[smw5767]

Hi Guys
I dabbled with the Mcpx v2 and Dx6i briefly a couple of years ago, but things happened and they were sold off unfortunately.
I'm now ready to get right back into CP flying for good!!
I have always dreamed of flying a 450 size Heli but want to practice with a micro CP first. [Blade 450 X is my dream machine and have heard MANY good things about it!]
I was first looking at buying a Blade Nano, but found out they have been discontinued? I also found out they have discontinued the Mcpx v2 also


Seems strange that Blade don't make either one anymore, and i thought they were BOTH very popular micro's????
I then started researching on the Net and a Guy tells me they have made a Nano mark 2 called the wasp, but its not made by Eflight, its made by a company called SKYARTEC??? Never heard of them?
I then look a little further and discover the V977, a brushless Micro, the reviews on this are amazing with lots of praise, one Guy says its much better than the original Blade Nano AND the mcpx v2? The only thing is it comes with a controller that.s RTF and i must admit i love the idea of the dx6i which can be bound to other models.
Don't have much knowledge of the new Wasp Nano, will continue looking......
Any ideas/ info appreciated Guys.

[waveydavey]

Things have simply moved on a little. I don't fly micro helis so can't really offer much advice in choice but have you looked at the Blade 130 or Nano or even the Align Trex 150. Parts are available, not sure about Skartec

[myxiplx]

Blade are still pretty much the king of micros, but there are a lot of choices out there now.

A lot of people start with a micro quad, the Blade nQX is a good one. As normal for Blade it's a Spektrum model so you can use a proper radio with it, and it has beginner modes to help you start, and agility modes where it flies very much like a CP heli.

If you want to dive straight into CP, they now have the nCP S for indoors. It's a full CP helicopter, but has their 'Safe' mode to help beginners. For outdoor flying they now have the 230S for beginners, with the same 'safe' mode and a choice of flying styles. And for more advanced pilots, they still have the mCPX BL and also 180 CFX which are much more capable models.

There are a few good alternatives in the market now though, the v977 you mention has a great reputation, and there's also the Walkera V120d0s2.

If you're keen to move up to a larger model though the Blade range has a definite advantage in that you can pick a decent Spektrum transmitter, and use that for a micro, a sim, and larger helicopters as well. Just bear in mind that the newer transmitters are now DSMX only, and can't talk to older DSM2 receivers.

I'd also suggest that when you're ready to move up to something bigger, that there are better options out there than the Blade 450X.

[crash-test-tomo]

I agree dude. It sounds as though things have just moved on a little since you were last on the scene.
Personally I dont think a new mcpx, if you manage to find one,is worth the rrp! They are a good trainer but arent without their problems. If you could land on a good one, cheap from an auction site or something would be a much better deal. I just think you will quickly want more than the mcpx offers, its good for getting to grips with cp but not a fantastic amount else. A simulator would probably be more beneficial!
The 130x is a better heli to fly, but is much more delicate, so probably not as beginner friendly and do take alot of messing to keep flying nicely. It isnt a new heli either so id be surprised to hear that hasnt been discontinued now aswel.
Transmitters have moved on a little now also, the dx6i is a little dated now. Again could well have been discontinued by now too!
With the weather etc over the last few weeks, and that we can probably expect for the many to come, your money in my opinion would be best spent on a newer black spektrum dx6 and a flight simulator, pass the winter learning in the warmth of home then maybe even be brave and go straight for the 450x... There is a newer blade 450 size heli now too dude lol

[Euclid]

+ 1 on Tomo's suggestion that the 130x is delicate. The repair time to flight time ratio on mine is vast. I loved my mcxp for chucking about, a shame its replacement hasn't been accepted as readily. Would the 230x be too much of a handful for a first CP? I've never seen one but now the 'issues' have been sorted out it sounds like a nice little bit of kit.

duh, I keep saying mcxp when I mean Nano, must get this medication sorted out.

[Peteski]

I was first looking at buying a Blade Nano, but found out they have been discontinued?

The Blade Nano has not been discontinued, there's a new version of it called Nano CP-S. It's an improved version of the original with SAFE mode and piro compensation, so it should fly a bit better than the original.

[smw5767]

The Blade Nano has not been discontinued, there's a new version of it called Nano CP-S. It's an improved version of the original with SAFE mode and piro compensation, so it should fly a bit better than the original.

Cheers for the replies Guys, much appreciated
As i'm really looking for a trainer CP the best that seems to me is the V977, the reviews on this are amazing!
The fact that its brushless to is awesome!

Changing the subject slightly, as i want to eventually get into the 450 size and the choice i like is the Blade 450X, again had very good reviews,
apart from the Align 450 size is there any others that are as good or better than the Blade 450X?
[I like the Align and i know they are top quality, but out of my price range]
Cheers Guys

The only thing that is worrying me is the non programmable TX you get with the V977 won't be any good when it comes to learning all the aspects of CP, pitch curves, dual rates ect....the Dx6i for instance will, and i KNOW i will need this experience and understanding for my 450 size....So, i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place really!
Again the question arises...should i try to find a Blade Nano/ Dx6i combo and forget the awesome V977??????

[Peteski]

apart from the Align 450 size is there any others that are as good or better than the Blade 450X?
[I like the Align and i know they are top quality, but out of my price range]
Cheers Guys

Well there's Blade's own 360 CFX to consider. It's actually slightly bigger than the 450, despite the name. A bit more expensive too, so depends on your budget.

[smw5767]

Thanks Pete
any info or advice on the V977 dilemma that i mentioned?
Cheers mate.

[Coxy]

there are loads of align 450's to be had for the right money,, you'll pick up something decent ready to fly for about £250.00 perhaps even a dominator

[mole hunter]

Having both Nano CPX and the new CPS I would say hold on. In normal safe mode it's great - super stable and you can hover it around the lounge. But every now and again it loses bind or doesn't spool up and/or doesn't respond to throttle hold! It's not just mine, there's a lot of reading on the Freak here Nano CPS - HeliFreak

It's a shame really because it bounces well and could be a great little indoor (winter) partner to a sim. I would look at a MCPX BL.

Cheers, Marty

[myxiplx]

Yup, the v977 is a dilemma. It's great if you just want a little helicopter to fly, but you have to accept that you'll need to spend a little more later on and buy a better transmitter as you move up.

It does mean you're buying twice, but when you consider how cheap the v977 is even with a transmitter, it's probably still a good option. And the fact that you already know about dual rates, pitch curves, etc means you're already one step ahead. Buying a second transmitter and setting it up isn't a bad thing, and if you buy a v977 you can get flying straight away and take your time looking for the radio you really want, and it's worth taking some time to pick that as it'll likely be lasting you for years.

When it comes to the larger helicopter, look for any model in the 360mm blade size range. They all fly a lot better than the old 450 class which was 325mm blades. Bear in mind that while Blade are king in the micro world, and are common in hobby shops as a result, they're a relatively small player when it comes to larger sizes. My personal favourite in this size is the Gaui X3 as it flies great and is tough as nails, but you don't find many second hand and it'll definitely be more expensive than blade if you're building from a kit.

There's a ton of decent options though, Gaui X3, Align 450L, Blade 360 CFX, etc... They're all going to be pretty good. The Align is probably the most common in the UK, there's a ton of Align's out there, which means plenty of parts, and plenty of people to help you out.

[tomatwalden]

As other's have mentioned .. he 450X simply got upgraded. There was the 450X v2 which had metal gear servos, but ultimately the (very slightly larger) 360CFX is the new Blade heli at that size.

For a small trainer CP heli - I would consider the Blade nano CPS (newer version of nano CPX) or the Blade 230S (both have a panic mode).

The replacement for the DX6i is the DX6 BTW.

PS. Kings Lynn model shop seem to be doing a good deal on the 360 CFX : E-Flite Blade 360 CFX BNF Basic - Instock

PPS. The mCPX v2 was upgraded to the new mCPX/BL (brushless) BTW.

[mt3]

Been reading this thread with interest as I am also looking for a micro cp heli and had set my sights on a blade nano cps, but all the major online stores I have searched have no stock of the bnf version, is it on sale yet as a lot I'd sites say pre order?

With regards to the blade mcpx bl is this due for an upgrade as again not many sites have one available? Also will it work with the new dx7 spektrum transmitter?

Cheers Malc.

[tomatwalden]

I think the nano CPS is quite new, so you may need to wait a little while for stock to arrive.

As for the mCPX - if you put "blh3980uk" into the search box of RCFerret : Search all your favourite RC stores in one go then quite a few stores show stock. And yes, it will absolutely work fine with any >=6 channel Spektrum compatible transmitter - including the DX6, DX6i, DX7, DX8, DX9 etc.

I'm not aware of any imminent upgrade to it - but it's pretty damned good anyway. Personally I prefer the 180cfx though. Bear in mind that both the mcpxBL adn the 180cfx are not necessarily beginner helicopters. They're great micro CP helis, but if you're looking for something a little more tame, the 230S might be more appropriate.