Help a newbie out. I have a few Qs

[Hunders]

First of all hello. It is my first post here and if I take up the hobby it could well be another forum to frequent regularly.

For the last few days I have been itching to get into RC helicopters so have done a fair whack of research and looked at countless youtube videos.

Up until about 2 hours ago I was pretty certain that I was going to be buying a Blade 400 but then I went to a local Model Zone store where I was introduced to the Mini Titan. I went home and looked for some info about it on the net and from what I am reading it seems to be a very good helicopter which, due to stability, is ok for beginners too.

I have a few questions with regards to transmitters. The Blade 400 comes with a DX6i, which I believe to be a very good 2.4GHz 6 chan transmitter where as the Mini Titan will come with a 4 chan MHz transmitter(I don't know the exact brand/model).

Now here are my questions. Firstly. what can a 6 channel transmitter do that a 4 channel one cannot and as a beginner would I notice this?

Secondly, as far as I understand, transmitters with GHz frequencies are better than ones that use MHz frequencies. They have better range, use less power and I believe the DX6i has a system where by other radio signals cannot interfere with it. What I am worried about is that the transmitter that comes with the Mini Titan wont be very good because I have heard horror stories of radio interference smashing helis into the ground or making them fly off into the distance never to be seen again. Is there any truth in this?

Sorry for the possibly stupid questions but I am a noob remember.

I look forward to any responses.

Cheers.

[dandeman]

Hi, i dont know much about helis but i have heard the blade 400 is very good but not the best heli to start with! I fly planes and i use mhz and i have never had any interference but still its always better to have the 2.4g if you can! Lots of people seam to use spectrum transmitters and i dont know why, but 100's of people cant be wrong, lol
thanks,
Dan

[Boggy]

the mini titan will not fly on 4ch you need the 6. depending on your budget there will be a large difference between getting the two flying! the blade is rtf inc all radio gear the titan will need to be kitted out

[Hunders]

Cheers guys.

I was told on another forum that the Titan would need a 6 ch transmitter too but I am baffled because the guy in the shop told me that I can get the Titan RTF with a 4 ch transmitter. I checked online to see if he made a mistake and their website says the same.

Here is a link
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/mini_tian...bo-details.htm

[dandeman]

hi all
thought i might just post a little reply to help
i started out with a CX2 and to start with i had the training gear on and was sliding it around on my wood floor to get the basics. after that it was a couple of feet for a couple of seconds then i moved onto hovering at head height then in and out of door ways until i could eventually land on a DVD then CD case.
this christmas i got my new baby the blade 400 3d. it great fun but definitely not for beginners. im glad i started with the CX2 and was flying it for a year and then got a new one. along the way i got phoenix and i think getting this before my blade has helped a lot!!!

cheers all

Matt



This is what has been said on another thread so if you pm matt27 and ask him what he thought about the cx2 im sure he would be happy to tell you. When i bought my zoom 400 i never asked anyone about it befor i bought it, i just thought it was cheap and looked nice!

[David Drew]

Hi, welcome to the hobby.

Firstly. 2.4 Ghz uses a coded system that means the receiver (Rx) only listens to the correct Transmitter (Tx). In theory it does not get interfered with by other's radios, unlike 35mhz which can be interferd with by others on the same channel or adjacent ones. 35mhz is also more susceptible to electric 'noise' on the heli.

Futaba, JR or Spektrum are the ones to go for.

A blade 400 is almost ready to fly and many start with one. There are plenty on this site with them (not me though!!)

A Titan is a more advanced heli that will need a full kit out of radio, servos, gyro, batts etc.

Depends on your pocket. Basically, the bigger the heli the easier to fly, but more expensive to crash.

Two pieces of advice no-one can argue with - join a club where you can see what's what & get advice, and buy a sim like Phoenix for free crashing!!

Enjoy. Feel free to ask, everyone on this site is just great.

David

[Boggy]

it wont fly on 4 ch trust me!
throtle
pitch
elev
airl
rudd

thats 5 to get off the ground

6 will control gyro gain!!!

[Hunders]

I wasn't doubting you. I just find it weird that they are selling a heli that needs a 6 ch transmitter with one that only has 4.

I think I am swaying more to the Blade 400 now as that has put me off buying the Titan. I know that the Blade isn't regarded as a heli that is good for beginners but I want something that will challenge me rather than limit me in what I can do. I plan on taking things VERY slowly.

[machasm]

Your questions are not stupid at all.
The new kid on the block is the 2.4Ghz radio systems.
They area lot less susceptable to interference and you don't need to worry about xtal changes and free frequencies like you do with 35Mhz.
The blade 400 comes with a decent 6 channel 2.4Ghz system that you can use on other helis as you advance.
With respect to what you need extra channels for...
Well most helis require at least 5 channels
Throttle
Aeliron
Elevator
Rudder
Pitch
a 6th channel for gyro gain and some even use a 7th channel for Govenor gain.

[heli_tv_jr]

the blade 400 is a fantastic starte heli - my dad (helitv) started with it and he has had no problems . i recently got a twister cp gold for christmas . it is very good because my dad and my heli tutor set it up for me putting the dual rates in etc. the spares are readily available for the blade 400 . I have had endless trouble finding spares for my cp gold. so dont get one soon (there is a motor glitch)

[cambs flyer]

We've all been there mate, taking in loads of advise, and nearly making your head explode.

If you'd like my pennies worth go for the B400 RTF system, it's cheap to repair and maintain, plus the DX6i will be able to fly other heli's you purchase in the future, example I fly my Trex 500 with my DX6i without a care in the world as do I with my 450.

The Mini T's are bloody ace little machines as like the 450 range, but Sim time is really needed before you take flight with a 6ch machine and someone there to help you start off.

[Hunders]

Thanks for all of the info guys. Its really helped and I *think* I have made a decision.

Even though I would prefer to get the Titan, I think it would be too much hassle for a beginner such as myself due to the fact that I would have to source and order all of the accessories needed to get airborne. The B400 seems like a good choice because of the decent Tx and RTF capability out of the box.

Also, as the B400 would cost me less money it means that I would be able to pick up a copy of Phoenix to practice on. I can get both the B400 and the simulator for a slither under £357 inc delivery from here http://www.tjdmodels.com/. Has anybody got any experience with that retailer and does the price sound reasonable? If anyone knows where I can get them for cheaper then please, do tell.

Cheers.

[cambs flyer]

I think you've made a very sound judgment call, congrats.

I've personally have never heard of them, but if your happy to go ahead they seem like a good outlet, so go and bend some plastic.

Setting up Phoenix you may need a little help, but it's bark is worse then it's bite so don't concern yourself on that score, but when you've download the B400 model try to fly count how many times you lose her in the first five minutes, then imagine that could have been your spanking new 400 taking that punishment, on the "completely ****ed Off" chart from 0-10 that would score an 11+, so enjoy your sim, it's totally addictive, but take a breather every 20 mins as it can cook your brain a Little to begin with.

Plus also remember even with a Gyro a Heli on it's own will always try and get away from you, basically you've gotta be one step ahead, it will seem almost impossible to begin with then slowly you'll be keeping control that bit longer each day, but that isn't a cue to go and fly the real thing.

Slowly as you become better up the wind strength, gusts in different directions, and before too long make the weather truly terrible so it's a real fight to stay in control.

I spent months practicing this way and I didn't rush to fly for real and it paid off handsomely, I'm not saying I didn't have accidents of course I did, but until reasons out of my control grounded me for a few months I was flying sometimes eight times a day per week with the occasional "shit that was close" hic ups, but with no crash damage.

Main thing is have fun & enjoy, as unlike games consoles your learning a real skill set, and before no time at all you'll be controlling a real Helicopter, I tell yea bud, it doesn't get any better then that. best of luck.

[richieclarkie]

Personally I would try Hobby Hanger and see whether Adrian can match that deal.
http://hobby-hangar.co.uk/product/e-flite_blade_400/

The guys at Hobby Hanger are REALLY helpful and know what they are talking about and Adrain is a specialist with helis. The problem you will find with many hobby stores is they can often give you at, at best, suspect advice (like the 4ch thing).

[heliTV]

Personally I would try Hobby Hanger and see whether Adrian can match that deal.
http://hobby-hangar.co.uk/product/e-flite_blade_400/

The guys at Hobby Hanger are REALLY helpful and know what they are talking about and Adrain is a specialist with helis. The problem you will find with many hobby stores is they can often give you at, at best, suspect advice (like the 4ch thing).

Yep - I bought mine from Hobby Hangar and they're really helpful - Ade in particular (sorry Stu!) always takes the time to explain things properly and I think they're service is worth paying a little extra for - they're usually pretty competitive anyway but remember the quality and service is remembered long after the price is forgotten...

If you go with the Blade 400, get plenty of practice on the sim first, and take it easy. Also, find Boggy's settings for the transmitter. I did all this and still crashed very quickly in the first flight. the other essential (which I didn't have) was training gear....

All the best

Graham