Just a Gimmick???

[smw5767]

Hi Guys
I've already decided for sure that i will buy a Blade Nano CPX or CPS for indoor / beginner CP practical with my Dx6i, so all sorted over the Winter.
WHEN.... I'm a good enough pilot and ready for a 'proper Heli' for outdoor use only the choices are vast!
Now to the title....Gimmick...
Originally i though of a 450 size only for the Summer, a friend of mine says that's a great size to progress with after my Nano training [He flies and SWEARS buy Align self build heli's, when i said I could by a RTF out of the box Align he said 'No way! ' It's always best to build the Heli as it will give you a better understanding of how they work!' I though...i just want to learn to fly one first!
Then on this forum I was recommended the new blade 230S as a great first CP, It has the all new technology with 3 different flight modes and a 'Panic switch for lose of control while in flight! I looks and appears to fly brilliantly from what i've seen.
But my friend who as i said is a die hard Align fan said it was all a Gimmick and i should stick to my Dx6i and learn to fly CP Helis that hard way,the way he did, he said it will make me a better pilot without a doubt and forget the EASY route to CP and the panic switch nonsense!

Any thoughts on those views Guys?

[Grumpy]

If you can fly a Nano CPX /CPS then you will be fine with a 450 size heli. You can get flybarless controller to go in the 450 that will give you almost identical 'stability mode' options that the 230S has (e.g. Spirit, Microbeast Plus Pro and others), so really that's not a factor in the decision. It's more about what size of heli you would like, your budget, and if you want to build it or get it ready built.

But if getting a 450 it doesn't have to be Align, there are plenty of choices. The main plus for Align is that their Super Combos come with all you need to build so you dont have to buy your own hardware.

[Mikej]

Some of the latest technology is very clever (and was not available when most of us leanrned to fly) - I don't know much about the Blade 230 but some of the latest Rescue systems are very good.

There have always been arguements about what size is best to learn on - some say get a big heli (600 etc.) as they are very stable (but expensive when you do crash), some say get something small (Micro / 300 / 450) as they are less intimidating (but less stable and "get small fast") others say get a Micro (possibly with rescue like the Blade 230) and onl;y upgrade once you have stopped crashing regularly.

Ultimately it depends on you and you rfeelings about crashing / costs etc. - if you buy a 230 the chances are that you won't fly it much once you have the basics mastered (though it could be a good learning tool for new moves). If you buy a 450 it will grow with you and can do any moves that the experts can - but you'll spend more on parts in the meantime.

An in-between approach could be to buy a 450 and equip it with one of the FBL units with Rescue (Spirit / MSH Brain / Neuron / Neo etc. etc)

[tomatwalden]

I don't think bailout/panic systems are a gimmick. but I do think they are misunderstood.

As to building your own heli - that's true - you do learn a lot from building a heli from a kit. However, that said, I flew ready-to-fly/bind-n-fly helis up to 450 size. As you say, I learnt to fly first, then when I felt confident enough I made the step up to a Trex 500 and bought a kit. Building that heli was almost as much fun as flying and I spent a couple of months over it - doing a little bit each night and taking my time.

The real answer is that there is no RIGHT answer. Only different ways to enjoy what is ultimately just a fun past-time! Some hate micros, some love them. Some don't rate panic systems, some find uses for them. Everyone's different! It sounds like your mate found his path into the hobby. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't take a different path!

If you personally are more interested in the flying rather than the building - by all means, get a pre-built heli. I used to recommend the Blade 450X at 450 size, but now I would say get the 360CFX instead. FWIW, whilst Align make very popular kits, I've not really been impressed with their pre-built stuff - but that's just me. I think Blade are better at that.

Coming back to panic systems. I personally think that they are useful when you're primed ready to use them. By that I mean, imagine you're about to learn a new move (maybe nose-in hover for example). You get yourself mentally ready, and have the finger ready by the switch! In that scenario, I think they work. BUT, as a general save-all, I think things tend to happen too quickly for people to get over their panic, choose to hit the switch and save the heli - things just go south too quickly generally speaking!

[Grumpy]

It's not just the 'panic rescue' that make these helis easier, in fact that's not even the main thing. The main feature that makes them easier to fly is 'stability mode' this makes the heli fly like a co-axial in that it automatically tries to self level all the time. This is no use for most experienced flyers but really does make the heli much easier to fly. You can gradually turn the stability down as you gain experience.

[smw5767]

Thanks for the replies Fella's,
especially Tom, a very knowledgeable Guy who i think speaks a lot of sense.
The Blade 450X REALLY did appeal to me as i read MANY great reviews about it and they also said it was a great 450 size for the beginner, such a shame it has been discontinued, i would of brought one in a heartbeat!
Personally, i've always been a Blade fan and not so keen on Align...just my opinion after much research, though i did own a MCPX V2 .....lol.

Having said that, i will definitely be looking seriously at the 360 CFX!

Cheers Guys.

[Grumpy]

The 360 CFX is a better heli than the 450X was.. Don't let the size designation fool you, the 360CFX is slightly larger than the 450X.

[tomatwalden]

The 360 CFX is a better heli than the 450X was.. Don't let the size designation fool you, the 360CFX is slightly larger than the 450X.

+1 on this. If you wanted a 450X, just get a 360CFX. As Grumpy says, the 450X was actually very slightly smaller! It used 325mm blades (standard for "450" helis). However the 360CFX uses the more modern convention of blade length to denote size, hence it swings 360mm blades - meaning the whole heli is a couple of cm's larger overall. Build-wise though, it's light years beyond the 450X and far, far better.

[Andy A]

I have just learnt to fly on the align 450 sport RTF,its been hard at times and Nearly given up after a couple of crashes, but you can find spares for Align almost anywhere.
This will also give you a chance to learn how to rebuild your heli.If you have not already get a sim as this will bring on confidence no end.
Since Ive got through that first barrier I have up graded the sport to nearly a 450l which has transformed the performace and enjoying the heli all over again.Good luck with either one you choose.

[smw5767]

Thanks Tom,
I just had a look at my most local shop, Kings Lynn Models...They stock a lot of Blade Heli's
Most of the new ones i have not heard of?
I saw 180 CFX...230S...270 CFX....300 CFX...AND OF COURSE THE 360 CFX
Thing is they ALL get great reviews!!...lol...especially the 180....what a nightmare to choose!!!

[tomatwalden]

The 180CFX is not a beginner heli. I love mine, but it's bonkers fast - not suitable for a beginner at all.
The 230S is designed for beginners however. As Grumpy mentions in post 5, this also has a general stability mode too - not just panic.
The 270CFX is again, not a beginner heli. It has a panic mode, but don't let this foul you, it's again designed for experienced flyers.
The 300CFX is (I believe) on its way out - the 270CFX is way too similar and I think will take the 300's place in the line up soon enough.
The 360CFX is as we have mentioned, the replacement for the 450X. Gets good reviews, very light disc loading apparently and flies well. A good heli to get if you want a 450 sized heli.

So of that list - only consider the 230S or the 360CFX I would say.

[smw5767]

Ok Tom,
much appreciated mate.

[Peteski]

For winter training in the house I found the nano QX quad better than the micro cp helis. It's more agile and precise and flies just like a cp heli. You can actually fly proper circuits and 8s in a small room where you would only be able to hover a nano CPX. I made loads of progress last winter with the nQX and I had no trouble flying cp helis a month later. In the spring I got into Blade micros and by summer I was confidently flying a 180 CFX and an OXY 3 which is a super high performance 300 class heli. A good sim is essential too.