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**cjcj1949** · 06-01-2009, 02:37 AM

Welcome to the forum. I'd choose a model shop that will give you good advice.

For a first proper heli I'd get a mcx. Its small enough to fly properly indoors. Get the BNF version with a dx6i transmitter. Ask for a deal price. Or you could by a decent sim with the dx6i, like the Phoenix and fly about 50 aircraft.
Chris

**cambs flyer** · 06-01-2009, 05:13 AM

Greetings HRD and welcome to the forum mate.

I agree with Chris totally,the Blade MCX would be a wonderful introduction to RC Heli flying, the Honey Bee you've linked too wouldn't, to fly a machine like that you'd need Sim practice, plus I hate bad mouthing other peoples machines, but the HB's aren't the easiest of Heli's to fly for real even with say hours practicing on a Sim, but a few here have mastered them superbly so it's your call bud.

If I read between the lines (and I may be completely wrong) you've been waiting to get involved with the hobby only finances haven't allowed until now, Buddy we've all been there and then some Bro.

I agree buy the MCX without the stock TX and use the saved money on a DX6i and Phoenix.

The Foamies are great fun, and the amount that have lead people (me inc) to take this hobby up seriously is quite amazing.

The MCX will look just like a cheap toy heli, however all manufactures supply a complete rang of spares, and as small she may look she's still classed as a hobby Chopper as the larger Blade CX2 & Lama family of Contras.

While having fun you can save the dosh to purchase Phoenix and say the Blade 400 which is a RTF system complete with the DX6i controller, however the jump from Contra to CCP Heli's is always going to be fairly expensive, however E-flite has taken advantage and brought out the first trouble free single rota RTF that's way in front of the current Heli's in that field.

However this is not to say you can't go down the CCP Honey Bee road with a bit of practice on the PC, however for a few extra quid the B400 is well worth the weight, anyway you'd be having too much fun with the MCX to worry, if you've been having a ball with the 2ch foam helis the 4 ch MCX is gonna blow you away.

You can't use the TX supplied with the MCX RTF set up with Phoenix that is the downside, but depending on your funds you have a few alternatives.

But if you have the patiences go get yourself the MCX2 complete, see if the next step up from the 2ch's floats your boat then think about the next step after that.

People are always selling second had Helis and the B400 is no exception, so you may well find you'll get a bargain there, with Phoenix this tends to me an integral part of people learning different and complex moves, so you'll be very lucky to buy a second had copy and only save a tenner or fifteen quid, which if the case you'll be better buying it new

With the MCX TX there are two versions mode 1 & 2 and they work perfectly as well as each other, but mode 1 isn't used as much here in the UK as say in the States,I'm not sure if the TX can be converted from one to another, but I'd stick with mode 2 as your already used to the throttle being on the left stick, presuming you have a mode 2 TX with your little heli.

Best of luck which ever way you decide go, and welcome the the most difficult form of RC flying but the most rewarding by a long shot.

**Highrisedrifter** · 06-01-2009, 12:53 PM

Thanks for the responses and opinions, it's appreciated.

I originally discounted the MCX as it looked like another foam-style heli. I'll have a look at it again though and see if I can get the heli with the DX6i first, then see about Phoenix when I have some more spare cash. It looks like the difference in cost between the MCX RTF and the MCX with the DX6i is quite a bit, relatively speaking.

If I hadn't just poured it all out on a new car I would be in better shape but the post Christmas period is always expensive in my house.

I assume that when I decide to upgrade to something better, I can take the DX6i with me, thereby circumventing the need for a new controller? The reason I ask is that the Blade 400 for instance seems to come with a controller and if I could find one without it would keep the costs down.

Upon (reasonably uninformed) analysis, it looks like my best options are to either get the DX6i with Phoenix, or the basic RTF MCX as that will be cheaper. Then upgrade to the Blade 400 once ready as that comes with the DX6i.

Loads more questions, sorry guys.

**cambs flyer** · 06-01-2009, 02:04 PM

No please by all means fire away mate, I mean what is a Helicopter forum for.

Unfortunately until you've collected some gear it isn't cheap to start flying these machines, plus you've got to go through the starter learning pain barrier with accidental learning crashes, but trust me the crashes become less and less, (with the CCPM machines that is, the MCX wont be too much of an issue in the crash dept.)

You see at your present point you haven't many choices, and a few well earned quid has to be spent before you make any head way.

Another route is buy the BCX2, the TX with that can be used with Phoenix, but as the complete MCX RTF setup costs £30ish more then one without the TX, summarize that as the cost of an average good quality 3S Li Po Battery, and we've all burnt out one of those through shear usage, so try and absorb the extra cost in a "general expenses" POV.

OK lets look at the facts, you want to start flying something much more sophisticated then those foam helis, which technically aren't a Heli just a fan that lifts it in fixed pitch mode, and a crude rudder control system, the MCX is so much more, and flying one from what I've seen is heaps of fun, if it can amuse pilots who fly the big stuff, by that I mean 450 upward, then it'll thrill a complete novice who's just starting off.

If I was you I'd buy the MCX RTF, spare batts and blades to get you off the deck, you'll still be grinning from ear to ear months after buying one, and in the mean time save for Phoenix and the Blade 400, you don't really want to buy a separate DX6i as the price buying just the TX and not complete with the RX is around £20 less, so say you buy the DX6i & AR6200 £110+ you won't need two once you've purchased the Blade 400 system, and I doubt very much if you'll buy a second hand 400 only now, there has been sales with the B400 sold only, but with all the price hikes it seems to becoming less and less.

So you sell your first DX6i second hand at a loss, so either way an excess of money is either going to cost you more (MCX, Phoenix & Blade 400 RTF system) or (MCX only, DX6i & AR6200 & Blade 400, with a left over DX6i too sell) the only way the second choice will pay for itself is if you buy the Twister 3D Storm ARTF Heli, but do you really want to **** about wiring something up you've never done before, then program the TX to fly the TS, I would guess not?

So firstly remember it isn't going to be cheap either way, but your lucky as before the Blade 400 RTF came out the choice of RTF set ups were always questionable, (and I say this from what I've heard others say, and this isn't my own opinion) so it's a dam site cheaper now then ever to buy good kit at a budget price.

You don't need to lay out the cash all at once, enjoy your new MCX save for Phoenix & the B400 RFT then start practicing to fly your Blade as the number one rule with this hobby is don't rush, as it'll cost dearly if you do.

I was flying my first BCX2 for five months before I purchased my 450, then it was another two months before I flew it as I was cramming in huge amounts of Sim practice that really paid off in the end.

That's the best I can offer really apart from going straight for the Blade 400 RTF & Phoenix, and not purchasing the MCX, and go straight in with Sim time, but the Blade 400 RTF is £270+, Phoenix £80ish, where as you can start flying a fun machine for around £80 and save for the other two, the final choice will be down to you in the end my friend.

**Highrisedrifter** · 06-01-2009, 02:13 PM

Thanks mate, that seems logical and i'm glad my thinking wasn't too far from the mark.

**DIJ** · 06-01-2009, 02:22 PM

Another vote for the mCX, its a superb little helli and you won't be dissapointed.

**Highrisedrifter** · 06-01-2009, 04:06 PM

Right, I have just got the mCX and it's charging now.

Time to read and re-read the instruction manual and trawl the forums.

I'm quite looking forwards to this!

**Bazza** · 06-01-2009, 05:20 PM

This mCX heli looks quite small, how long is it?

My Carson Apache is 14 inches long or so, nose to tail.

I have been reading through here with interest, this is the heli a few people told me to get when I first fancied a heli.

**Mart61** · 06-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Hi HRD

I'm a newbie too! Santa bought me a Blade CX2 which, whilst it is a lovely little heli, it really really is too big to fly inside. I do fly the CX2 outside but only on the absolute stillest of days. Trust me, any wind and she's away with the fairies!

I bought an mCX and love it! Here's a vid of me flying in my study on New Years day:

[ame]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=koe9SfHznKE[/ame]

Buy one - you know it makes sense.

But be warned, two weeks or so into the sport and I just ordered a Trex 500!

**Highrisedrifter** · 06-01-2009, 06:22 PM

Now i've had my first flight on the mCX, I can see what you mean. Although it is still a micro heli it does so much more than the little polystyrene ones.

Fortunately we have a large lounge so I was able to have a go before the wife came home. It's surprisingly easy to fly, once I got to grips with the micro-adjustments needed on the throttle to get it to hover and sorting out the trim, which was a pain in the backside.

I've sorted out all the trim apart from the fact that it rotates left ever so slightly when in hover, despite full trim to the contrary. I guess that's just one of those things though.

**Brian Gifford** · 06-01-2009, 06:22 PM

Hey, Martin, impressive! Did you need to set up the mCX much, or was it that stable out of the box? (not trying to run down your flying skills, mate!)

My Dauphin grounded - I broke the flybar mounting on Sunday. Ordered an extreme replacement, but it didn't arrive today.

Brian

**cjcj1949** · 06-01-2009, 06:28 PM

MCX trims

Originally posted by Highrisedrifter View Post

Now i've had my first flight on the mCX, I can see what you mean. Although it is still a micro heli it does so much more than the little polystyrene ones.

Fortunately we have a large lounge so I was able to have a go before the wife came home. It's surprisingly easy to fly, once I got to grips with the micro-adjustments needed on the throttle to get it to hover and sorting out the trim, which was a pain in the backside.

I've sorted out all the trim apart from the fact that it rotates left ever so slightly when in hover, despite full trim to teh contrary. I guess that's just one of those things though.

Mine was dead on when it came out the box. Might be worth having a word at the LHS.

**Mart61** · 06-01-2009, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Brian Gifford View Post

Hey, Martin, impressive! Did you need to set up the mCX much, or was it that stable out of the box? (not trying to run down your flying skills, mate!)

My Dauphin grounded - I broke the flybar mounting on Sunday. Ordered an extreme replacement, but it didn't arrive today.

Brian

It was like that straight out of the box. No tinkering necessary beyond trimming from the transmitter.

And hey, my flying skills are pants...

**beerdeor** · 06-01-2009, 06:36 PM

HRD welcome to the forum and the addiction good advice has been given to you the guys on here know there onions they have helped me out no end for which i am eternally gratefull

anyway welcome in Jim

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