Second Hand Setup

[gmiles]

Hi All
I'm completely new to R/C helis and am about to purchase my first setup. However, I have been offered the following for £250 and wondered if this would be a better option than buying new (it is offered in good flying condition):

Robbe Ornith 46 heli
OS Max SX-50 engine
Futaba TC7P 7 channel radio with 35 mgz dual conversion receiver & 5 servos (4 Futaba coreless ballraced and 1 hi-tech high speed tail rotor servo
1800maH battery
Futaba GY190 gryo
Traing skid set
Moulded canopy
User instructions
Flight box

For new I would be looking at a Hirobo Sceadu, 2.4ghz radio etc.

Any advice greatfully received

[gmiles]

Hi
Have I missed some info that the members here need in order to post a reply? I don't have any details on the age of the equipment and can't find the models listed on the web - perhaps due to incorrect model numbers or it being old equipment. I understand that Futaba are a respected radio manufacturer - what about Robbe Ornith? Am I likely to have difficulty finding spares if and when I need them?

Many thanks

[Oli]

Whilst im sure the heli would fly all of it seems a bit dated. In my opinion you would bee better off getting something a bit more common so you can get help from people who are familiar with the heli. You cant really go wrong with a Sceadu, Raptor, Trex 600 or a Knight. With any of those you should be able to find help easyly, especially the Raptor or Trex 600. Try to buy the best you can afford, especially the gyro and tail servo (Futaba GY401 and 9254 or better) it will make the learning process much easyer and probably save you money in the long run as you wont need to upgrade after a few months!! Im sure everyone will agree, if you havent already get yourself a sim (Phoenix is highly recomended) it will teach you the basics and again will save you lots of cash in crashing. Also find a local club and see what there flying, as it will be more than likley them your turning to for help, so if you have the same heli it will make life easyer.

Oli

[gmiles]

Thanks very much for the info. I'll take your advice and buy more modern equipment, I just wanted to check if the second hand setup would be good to learn on (and crash!). I've found a local club that are accepting new members and I've been invited along to see them at their flying field next week-end - can't wait.

I've heard that the sims are good and it appears that the 3 to chose from are Phoenix, Reflex and G4?

[Oli]

Thats alright, I think spares would be a bit of a challange to find. As for the sim most people here use phoenix, its a lot cheaper than the others and suposedly better (never personally tried any other). Hope you get on well at the club, try to take the advise they give you, i know how tempting it is to buy the first thing that comes along. Good luck.

Oli

[moyesboy]

That radio has several versions, if it is the latest version then its a good transmitter.
However I agree, the heli is old enough for me not to recognise it.
Also a sceadu, while an excellent heli, is quite an expensive one to run (spares prices).

when you get to that club, ask arround and I wouldn't be suprised if you find a used raptor 30 or 50 that can be demo flown for you. Yuo should get a complete flying raptor v2 less tX for under 400, if selling mine was anything to go by .

[Jamez]

Don't disounct the sceadu, it is a lovely machine to fly, and the genral spares are not that expensive, however it does have a tendency to break sideframes in a crash resulting in a lot of work to rebuild. The Ornith is an old (ish) Robbe machine, but was not that well made, and not that well designed. I would think you will struggle for spares, as it never realy 'Took Off' so as to speak. Check the BMFA classifieds, you can normal find a good deal on there for a complete setup, but whatever you do or buy, makesure you have it checked and tested by somebody who knows what they are doing.

[steelie600]

gmiles you can get a brand new raptor 50 titan for £500 with all the starting equipment radio and fuel, and the 30 for £425 and there are other makes to be had aswell, trex 600, sceadu, shuttle, and you can get some of the more extreme helis to fly nice for a beginner too. my advice would be to get the best you can afford heli and radio and get some one with a lot of experience to set it up soft for you and grow into it. remember these helis are better than us mere moretals.