Yet another novice

[djg]

Hallo

This is my first post here. Another nocice I'm afraid asking boring questions.

I was given a Model Heli for Christmas which has started all this, although I had been thiniking about it. It is one of Maplins 2 channel ones, about the size of a CX2. So is a bit limited since you can only go forward - not that I am complaining.

Of course I am now wanting something a bit better. I know all the advice here is to get a CX2 but that really does not appeal since the budget is limited and really want something more able to fly outside.

Looking at what is available I have come up with the Walkera 22E, but on other forums have seen that it is unreliable electronically. Those posts though are dated 2005 so wonder if they have improved it at all.

The other possibility is the Esky Honeybee but again I read that the motors on those overheat especially the tail one.

With either of those I think your advice to also get Phoenix would be possible.

I would welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.

Thanks

[David Drew]

Welcome to the hobby. Nothing with this hobby is 'limited budget' I'm afraid. It does tend to get expensive as you upgrade.

Don't know the helis you are talking about, so better wait till others respond. The Cx2 can be used outside, but only in dead calm conditions.
David

A good sim is also invaluable.

[163phil]

Hi David and welcome to the forum.

You certainly get what you pay for in this game, but I would certainly recommend the Esky over the Walkera. The motors do burn out on these, but can be made to last quite well by the addition of a heat sink, and they are only about a fiver to change. The four channel Honey Bee is a great starter heli and will survive crashes pretty well due to its low head speed. Training gear is essential, and be prepared, you WILL crash!

Certainly get a sim. We all like Phoenix on here and it will be £80 well spent. Period.

Whatever you get, have fun. That's what it's all about

[chemicalbro]

i'd steer well clear of the walkera 22E
I aquired one at the start of last year from a mate.
and lets just say it was pi**
its cheaply made and very twitchy in the air. (the tail fins are made of cardboard as an example)
the servos are jittery and as the receiver, gyro, servo and motor control amp are combined in one unit.... if one thing goes it all does.
the main motor burned out after about 3 days
it's a bitch to get set up correctly, so not great for a beginner

the transmitter is not compatible with phoenix and is also cheaply made (the trims appear to do absolutely nothing and one of the springs went on the one i had after a short time)

the only saving grace the 22e had for me is that it got me interested in helis

in saying that if i still had it no doubt i could have a good crack at setting it up to fly.

[djg]

Thanks All for the replies.

Ok so the Walkera is off the list. Have since come across the E-SKY Honeybee CP2 and the E-SKY Honeybee King 2. They look very similar except the latter is belt driven tail rotor. Is this an advantage or not?

I have also noticed that the latter can be built up in kit form. I would assume that this would be a more expensive route to go on and maybe not advisable at my level due to setup etc.?

What about the Twister series - any good?

On my current one the blades are hinged from the main shaft so that they bend out of the way when hitting anything. Are most like this or are they fixed?

Sorry for all the questions but at the moment am going round in circles and just when I think I know what I want something else pops into view

Thanks

[est1976]

how about a honeybee fp? can only be used when calm outside really thats the downer, its only £70 with the radio ... its fixed pitched so less to go wrong ... I seen some great videos on youtube.

I have had a walkera 4#3b (fixed pitch) since september, which cost me £90 to buy and £250 in parts. I then sold myself on the honeybee fp but before I got it I decided I needed something that could handle a bit of a breeze and I changed my mind for a Twister CP Gold (£129 iirc) and before I got that I changed my mind again and got a blade 400 (£265) and a copy of phoenix the reason for the change to the blade was because of the brushless motor and dx6i transmitter I know if I got the twister Id only end up getting the blade a few months later anyway ... I crashed my blade 400 on the first proper flight in a field (8 hover batteries in garden) and that cost me £50 to get it back right. I believe the twister 3d is pretty much a blade 400 other than the frame/canopy and a few other minor parts.

[djg]

how about a honeybee fp? can only be used when calm outside really thats the downer, its only £70 with the radio ... its fixed pitched so less to go wrong ... I seen some great videos on youtube.

I have had a walkera 4#3b (fixed pitch) since september, which cost me £90 to buy and £250 in parts. I then sold myself on the honeybee fp but before I got it I decided I needed something that could handle a bit of a breeze and I changed my mind for a Twister CP Gold (£129 iirc) and before I got that I changed my mind again and got a blade 400 (£265) and a copy of phoenix the reason for the change to the blade was because of the brushless motor and dx6i transmitter I know if I got the twister Id only end up getting the blade a few months later anyway ... I crashed my blade 400 on the first proper flight in a field (8 hover batteries in garden) and that cost me £50 to get it back right. I believe the twister 3d is pretty much a blade 400 other than the frame/canopy and a few other minor parts.

Thanks

Food for thought - too many alternatives at the moment Will have to rationalise my ideas.

[djg]

After a lot of dithering about I finally decided on the Esky King 2 only to discover that there are none left, at least not at a good price. The shop, which is in my area of the country, told that it is being replaced by the King 3 and due to the slump in the pound will be more expensive. So they suggested The Belt CP which is bit more. Instead of the Phoenix they suggested the Heli Master by Reality craft saying that I would learn as much about the controls as with the other. That is now what I have ordered.

Should be here later this week.

For those who might be doing something similar I came across an article on setting them up.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583229

[unwind-protect]

You can download a demo version if the Heli Master sim from the manufacturers; but I wouldn't bother, it's pretty dire. IMO, you'd be better off with the free HeliSimRC than that---though to pre-empt everyone, Phoenix really is worth the 80 pounds it costs.

[djg]

You can download a demo version if the Heli Master sim from the manufacturers; but I wouldn't bother, it's pretty dire. IMO, you'd be better off with the free HeliSimRC than that---though to pre-empt everyone, Phoenix really is worth the 80 pounds it costs.

Thanks

Having searched here and elsewhere I cannot find any bad reviews of it, also they don't seem to have a demo of it. Do you have a link for it please?

[unwind-protect]

Here's the link to the demos---it was the eXtreme 64 that I tried. You'll still need a generic tx/usb lead to try it out, though.

http://www.realitycraft.com/sims.php

[Smoothy]

I now they all say it but Phoenix is worth saving for if you can.
I landed by buzzfly on its case today after only 1 week of flying (tail on only at the moment).

I wouldn't be able to do that without the Phoenix stick training. Still got a massive hill to climb but it's fantastic fun

Enjoy

[djg]

I now they all say it but Phoenix is worth saving for if you can.
I landed by buzzfly on its case today after only 1 week of flying (tail on only at the moment).

I wouldn't be able to do that without the Phoenix stick training. Still got a massive hill to climb but it's fantastic fun

Enjoy

I accept that but too many bills to pay at the moment (income tax, car repairs, car tax & Christmas bills) I will have to make do with HeliMaster for the time being.

If you can bear with me on the HeliM. Don't know if it is easier on the Phoenix but I do find it difficult to master. I am assuming it is my lack of skill at the moment but perhaps someone could confirm if the following is typical.

On take off it tilts to the right - getting the hang of correcting that

Once in the air, say about a foot or so, to correct any forward motion or sideways I get into accelerating sew saw motion resulting in a crash.

Is this the sort of thing I can expect in reality or am I getting the wrong feeling.

Thanks

[unwind-protect]

It's called Pilot Induced Oscillation. Basically the inputs you make seem to take a while to take effect, so you overcorrect. Make smaller inputs and give them a second or two to take effect, then make another input as necessary. Eventually you'll understand intuitively how the helicopter flies, and this effect will mostly disappear.