What next?

[muddybum]

Hi all,
Well i guess this is going to be another one of those "been asked a million times before questions" but i would hate for you all to get bored so here goes anyway....

I have been flying an easicopter V2 for the last 7 months and am becoming not expert but certainly midly competent. I can achieve a steady hover, nose in hover i can do with a bit of trouble at first and flying around generally is not a problem. I have very few moments now and the repair costs have all but dissappeared completely.

Soooo......

As the title suggests, what next?

I don't want to spend thousands of pounds so I guess a reasonable price would be sub £300 total give or take a bit.

I think I would prefer electric and I presume this would help keep the cost down so which heli to buy?

Do the kits come with radio gear or would it be best to spec radio gear seperately?
Which radio gear, if that is required?
What motor choices are there, should I go brushless or is that very expensive?

I guess finally, given the superb advice I have already read on this forum, are there any local peeps near to me (Teesside, Redcar) that would be willing to let me have a look at their simulator and/or impart their knowledge on RC Helicopters?

A lot to ask I know, but I have faith!!

Thanks in advance

Simon

[Ashley Davis]

well if you has the easycopter then you don't have a proper tx yet, so I'd go Blade 400 if it was me on that budget.

[jboweruk]

Ditto. You could do a lot worse. It also depends on whether you want to build it yourself or not, Blade 400 is RTF, take her out the box, read the battery bit, charge the battery and read the instructions. And erm, don't fly unless you have somebody with you that can guide you. Budget for some training gear (My mistake, I crashed mine because it tipped) and if you don't already have one, budget for Phoenix Sim for the PC, you can plug the DX6i into that and with the latest updates it's already set up to take it. Spend hours on the sim till you can fly any and every orientation known to man (and rc helis LOL).

[muddybum]

Cheers guys,

Blade 400 huh, sounds good, know nothing about them though?

Does that have a gyro then with HH (I have been reading )?
Outdoor I presume?
3D? (not sure what that means by the way but it sounds cool)

Best to buy online or local dealer?

Oh and I will definately be having a bit of phoenix!

Cheers
Simon

[Richard H]

I have the twister storm 3d which is basically the exact same heli as the blade 400. Its a great heli for that price and will serve you well at that price point, especially if you dont have a tx.

It does come with a HH gyro as well.

I always like to support my local model shop, especially if your new as well as a lot will look over it for you if you need any advice on setup etc. Online is good if you know what your doing or its something easy to fit etc.

Flight sim is a must, especially when the weather is a bit pants and you can't go outside to fly.

Richard

[Boggy]

blade 400

great radio
cheap spares
easy to fly( easy to make easy to fly )
will do 3d (gently) in standard form!
metal upgrades available soon so it should survive crashes better!!
£269.00 from your lhs or mine:

[Aidi]

Blade 400 all the way. At your stage Simon it is by far the best option available, and once you have it under control it will put you in excellent sted for something a bit bigger.

Oh yes, you WILL end up buying another heli.. and probably another... Get the drift!!

Good luck
Rgds
Aidi

[muddybum]

Cheers guys some top advice there, looks like the blade 400 then!

Just a quick word of warning though chaps, if a lady by the name of Catherine comes on here asking questions then your reply must be as follows.......

"Ahem.....Blade 400.....oh yeah cheap as chips them.....dead easy to repair to, parts are for nothing"



Thanks again
Simon

[machasm]

Cheers guys some top advice there, looks like the blade 400 then!

Just a quick word of warning though chaps, if a lady by the name of Catherine comes on here asking questions then your reply must be as follows.......

"Ahem.....Blade 400.....oh yeah cheap as chips them.....dead easy to repair to, parts are for nothing"



Thanks again
Simon

Gotcha.
Adrian.

[muddybum]

Quick question, is there much to be saved from not buying RTF and do you think it is a good way to go, i.e. gain a good understanding of the workings from assembly?

Cheers
Si

[163phil]

You'll soon gain a good understanding of the workings from repairs!

[Aidi]

If you decide to go down the "Build" route, you will be looking at spending more money for a start. And yes, understanding "how it works" is invaluable. By knowing how it goes together, gives a good idea of how to replace parts which break when you crash. However, its inevitable that you will crash the blade if you get one, and you will then start to gain the "build" experience!!

Probably the cheapest self build you can get now is the Trex 450, and even then if i recall things like the head come pre assembled. Personally if i was you, i would stick with the Blade 400 conecpt for the time being.

Rgds
Aidi

[Boggy]

Cheers guys some top advice there, looks like the blade 400 then!

Just a quick word of warning though chaps, if a lady by the name of Catherine comes on here asking questions then your reply must be as follows.......

"Ahem.....Blade 400.....oh yeah cheap as chips them.....dead easy to repair to, parts are for nothing"



Thanks again
Simon

i have already!!! the blade does not come in kit form. tbh once you start with a kit buying individual parts becomes more expensive( people tend to buy higher spec stuff!)

[muddybum]

So the plan unfurls.....

Today is the first step........

1. Get loads of junk put on Ebay to generate required revenue
2. Go to Local Model Shop and inspect soon to be purchased item (Blade 400)
3. Start work on Wife to convince her this is NOT going to spiral out of control money wise (Might need some help with that)
4. Find out if there is a local club i can join (No doubt there will be)
5. Sweet talk the local farmer to see if he will keep letting me use his barn to practice in.

Thanks again for all the help and advise guys it is most appreciated.

[Boggy]

good luck with number three!!