new to this.... a few questions

[snapdragon]

Hi folks.

I'm considering getting a R/C electric helicopter to start with. I've not done anything like this before and am looking at a SYMA 9083 RTF kit. I'd like to know what you chaps out there think to this before I run out and buy something.

I'm also left handed and I am led to believe that the throttle is on the left of the control unit... I'd prefer it on the right with the movement controls on the left. Is there anyway to do this or am I on a really steep learning curve?

I would appreciate any advice to a total novice

James

[Aidi]

Yes you can buy Transmitters which are Throttle Left or Right. Its commonly known as

MODE 1: Throttle on the right
MODE 2: Throttle on the left

Most TX suppliers give the option to which you want to buy. Mode 2 is by far the most common which you will find people using.


If you have never flown before then you would find it just as easy learning on a Mode 2 as you would a Mode 1.

Rgds
Aidi

[murph]

Don't bother getting the Syma. Its only a 2 channel heli, so wouldn't really teach you a great deal. If you want a really good beginner heli, that will fly in your living room, get the Blade mCX. I have just got one of these, I fly it all the time round my house, its a lot of fun!! For the RTF version they retail about £80-90. Not too sure about the Mode 1 Mode 2 bit tho, can't remember if the tx is switchable or not? Maybe someone else could shed some light on this???

[snapdragon]

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking at outdoor flying rather than indoor as I've more room outside than in - and I don't want to break any china!!!!!

How about one of these honey bee helos??

James

[heliTV]

The manual suggests that Mode 1 and Mode 2 versions are available, but it doesn't say anything about switching modes so I guess it's not!
Hope this helps

[chugga-bug]

Welcome to the forum Snapdragon

As you can imagine, this is a regular question on here, the answer is always the same "how much do you want to spend"?
Tell us what your budget is and we can advise you from there.

I would definetly learn mode 2 if I was you. It's the most common by far which means more people will be able to offer test flights/buddy flights etc.

[murph]

Still don't get the Syma!!!!

The Honey Bee Kings are ok, if they are set up correctly, which is the the response you will always get about any heli!

As Chugga says, it all depends on your budget. But I dbt you will get much outdoor flying done over the next few months due to weather. Learning to fly is hard enough without the added bonus of the wind whipping it up!

I still would look at the mCX, it is extremely docile, the forward flight is very slow and this makes it easy to control if things start to go wrong. The heli itself is only about "6-7 long, so as you can imagine an average size living room is more than ample for it.

[Sesame]

Im left handed and I fly mode 2 without it causing a problem.

as has been said a HBK does need to be setup but then that can be said to be true about any 4 channel cp heli.

[Tim Procter]

One of the important things to remember when choosing is that with the majority using Mode 2, if you want to use a buddy lead it has to be like for like (mode 2 to mode 2).

Just to clarify here Aidi, That your statment is not true, I can buddy lead from my Mode 1 TX to any Mode 2 TX and visa versa.

[Boggy]

im sure ive read somewhere about mode 3 and 4 which are mirror images of 1 and 2 respectivly so you can have the controls on which ever side you like! however once you start to learn it is far more difficult to change. my son Dan is left handed and is getting on perfectly well with mode 2

[Tim Procter]

my son Dan is left handed and is getting on perfectly well with mode 2

I am also left handed Ron and must agree if I were learning from scratch I would choose Mode 2 for the simplicity of certain 3D manouvre's "ie" Chaos just rolling the cyclic on one stick.

Pretty difficult Mode 1 I can confirm.

[Aidi]

Thanks for the Correction Tim. I couldn't rememeber which way around Mode 1 and 2 were so did a quick google. I found what i was looking for and it stated that Buddy lead between 1 and 2 didnt work.. This could have been an old post refering to older TX's so i wrongly assumed it was the norm.

Cheers Tim
Aidi

[heli_tv_jr]

you could get a robins r22 , they come with mode 1 controls and alloy head as standard - aloso very quiet

[cambs flyer]

Welcome to the forum mate.

As said before this comes up many times, but it's also the most important piece of advice any new flyer can get, as this is the make or break time if guided in the wrong direction.

Firstly there's nothing like flying for real period! However if your serious about starting a smooth introduction to Heli flying the little MCX is a great starter to get accustomed with a Heli in the air, its not a golden rule you have to start with Contras, but it is a great way to learn cyclic and throttle control with a real live beast, but this'll offer no insight to flying real Heli's outdoor.

This is where it becomes a tad expensive and a huge commitment as you really don't wanna go out with a CCPM Heli with no practice or knowledge, to do so is dangerous and expensive.

You have a few good options.

1 Buy the DX6i (singularly £50ish) and the Phoenix Flight Sim, (£85ish) so to learn the TX controls and menus, and the Sim for real life experience without the cost of crashing, and when you start just count the crashes then think what it would be like had that been a real bird, then decide what Heli you want.

2, Buy the Blade 400 RTF system (£260 upwards) & Phoenix, but leave the Heli in the box!

3, Buy the DX6i complete with the AR6200 (£95ish) Phoenix Sim, then after a few months of training buy the ARTF (almost ready to fly) Twister 3D Storm, (£120ish) it's basically the same as the Blade 400 Heli, but if funds are stretched this way you have a great TX (DX6i) and the Sim to learn on and save for the Helicopter.

4, Buy either the BCX2 or MCX, as you haven't a controller (TX) the Blade MCX would be a good buy (without its stock controller) and then purchase the DX6i to fly it and use on Phoenix.

5, Just buy the complete Blade CX2 Contra RTF or Blade MCX RTF systems and just tread the water to see if this is something you'd want to take further.

These are just a few options out there, and the cheapest to start on with, of course if your funds can stretch further with this hobby the Sky's the limit, but don't purchase anything below the Blade 400 if your going to buy an outdoor machine, as there not the easiest to learn on, but an experienced flyer wouldn't have any problems with.

I'm not saying there bad, you get what you pay for, and at there prices you get a good deal, however and there's no way round this, due to there cheaper produced parts the savings you'll make buying a Honeybee system will be dwarfed ten fold with repairs due to beginner crash damage, and this may lead you to give up, which would be a great shame, as the rewards with this hobby are second to none.

Anyway I hope I've given you some food for thought, and best of luck my friend.

[heliTV]

Hi James

Good advice from Wayne as always.

I started a few months ago with a CX2 and Phoenix and was progessing well so though a CCPM (single rotor) was the next step - like you, I wanted to fly outdoors in gentle winds.

It is a BIG step to a single rotor and without experience, is very likely to lead to disaster - it did with me. that said, I fixed it and persevered!

I would be tempted to get a Blade mCX or CX2 with Phoenix. This will tell you whether this hobby is really for you, and will have some resale value if not. The mCX and CX2 both have "proper" controls exactly like the bigger ones so what you learn can be used as you progress.

I wouldn't suggest anything other than a 4 channel model for learning. Some 3 channel "models" have a horizontal tail rotor and contra-rotating blades and these really teach you nothing about flying 4 channels. In fact, the controls are sometimes completely wrong so can be more of a hindrance than a help!

Keep posting - most people here have been at the same point as you at some point! Be warned though, it is highly addictive!!

All the best