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  • First Helicopter decision..

    Hello Everyone,

    I am a new member to your forum (and a new victim to this wonderful hobby). I have bee reading about it all over the internet and stumbled across this forum and found it to be full of great threads, so I became a member : )

    Well I don’t have a heli (at least a proper one yet) but that's why I have been reading and researching. I started with a friend’s 2-Channel PicoZ (and that was great fun) then I went and bought myself a 3-Channel Salvation 9, which started the heli fever, although it is still a toy class, it had more manuverability and hovering ability. I find it fun as it is never in a hover for an extended amount of time (the trims change constantly when the power changes as the Heli's battery is used up). I found myself having to change the trims as i fly it, hover it and do manoeuvres using the sticks most of the time (which is why I started enjoying it immensely). This got even more exciting after I crashed it a few times and for some reason never could get it to a hover without any input from me. So every flight now is a challenge to achieve take off and a hover, a couple of circuits and nice safe landing using my own input with the sticks : )

    I think I’m ready for a bigger challenge and to move up in the world of RC heli's.. The question I have is which one?!! There seem to be different opinions and recommendations but after reading up on it I think my choices could be narrowed to:

    A Coaxial 4-Channel like the Esky Lama V3/V4, or the blade CX/CX2 (though I would go for the mCX or a Walkera 5G6 instead because of the size as I would have more space to play with in my living room).

    Or

    A single rotor 4-Ch, the problem here is that there are many recommendations by traders and shops to easy to fly "beginners" single rotors. Examples are the Honey Bee Esky (that is probably too big for my living room), Walkera 52 and similar mini 4-channel single rotor Heli's (like the Walkera 4#3B) and the Walkera 4-3 (which is tiny!).

    I know that my aim is to eventually be able to fly a 6-channel and after that get to the challenge of flying outside and dealing with the elements : )

    I don't want to spend a lot of money on my first proper heli as I know I will crash it and need spares. So I think I’m capping my budget to £100-ish (plus or minus of course) and keeping some money aside for spares and repairs.

    Another point is upgrades and mods (is it important for my first heli to have this potential). Are these upgrades going to help make the heli a better experience after mastering it in its stock setup? Or when you do that you should put the money towards a higher level heli.

    I would very much appreciate it if you could give me any advice you might have, to help me make a more informed decision.

    Thank you for taking the time to read my post (I know it’s a bit long) : )

    Cheers
    Avant Aurora|Trex 700LE
    Trex 600NSP|Outrage G5
    Beam E4|Twister Storm

    Trex 250|mSR|mCX|4#3B
    DX7
    |1 EGS!

  • #2
    Hi, and a big welcome to the forum.
    I would suggest a blade mCX first, as its simply an excellent little heli, along with a sim, such as phoenix.
    If you put plenty of sim time in and learn to fly the mCX in all orientations then you will be well on your way.
    Dave

    sigpic Proud holder of 3 EGS

    Comment


    • #3
      Get the MCX and a DX6I would be the best bet, but a sim is a must really, saves you money as to crash on a sim costs nothing, mind you those mcx's are pretty tough
      James

      Sponsored by
      Align-Trex.co.uk
      Optifuel/optipower
      MKS servotech


      5 Eddie gold stars and christmas star

      Comment


      • #4
        I would agree if space is tight then northing much better than the MCX. it comes in 2 versions the one with the TX which is 90-100 and the bind and fly version which is about 55-60.

        A sim is essential but the TX you get with the mcx is not compatible, the one you get with the CX2 however is, but your talking a slightly bigger heli, to be honest it doesnt look it in the shop , but when your flying it around a living room it is definately noticable.
        All the best
        Tony.
        Thunder Tiger E700 - Align 700N - Fusion 50 - Align 600N


        Comment


        • #5
          Firstly, Welcome to a wonderful hobby.

          Secondly, I agree with the others, if you have a budget of a hundred for the first heli then spend 50 odd of that on a Blade MCX, put the remainder towards a decent TX and Phoenix, you can't go far wrong that way. Phoenix is a great help and the DX6i is a great Transmitter, couple that last with the Bind'n'fly MCX you will be looking to spend around 200 all up, but the sim for 79.99 will pay for itself many times over. The TX will give you an insight to setting up a transmitter for a heli, and will save you in the long run as you will have a nice tx for when you go bigger.

          Good luck whatever you choose, and above all, enjoy.
          John

          sigpic Proud holder of an Eddie Gold Star.


          Too many hobbies, not enough hours in a day.

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi,

            Thank you so much for your replies. I really appreciate it.

            So what about the single rotor 4-channel helis? Are they not so good? Or are they harder to fly than the stores imply?

            I have been reading the mCX thread, it seems like a really nice little Heli. However, the DX6i receiver is a £100!! This pretty much eats into my budget for the heli. (The heli would be only £55 though).

            I understand I probably won’t be able to use a Sim with the supplied mCX transmitter, but what about cheaper Sims that are supplied with a controller and a cable?

            If I invest the money in a DX6i and buy a more advanced helicopter do I have to add a different receiver in the heli to work with the 2.4GHz if the heli has a normal transmitter supplied with it?
            Avant Aurora|Trex 700LE
            Trex 600NSP|Outrage G5
            Beam E4|Twister Storm

            Trex 250|mSR|mCX|4#3B
            DX7
            |1 EGS!

            Comment


            • #7
              Single rotor heads are not so stable and if your confined to a small space your going to find your going to be hitting alot of walls

              there are cheeper sims but you trade off price and quality, what you pay for in the better sims is their realism not just in looks but how the helicopter or plane reacts to the commands given.

              with each heli youll need a Receiver, in the cheaper RTF ones you normally get the RX and Tx but as you go up in size then what RX you use is another choice you have to make.

              another option worth thinking the CX2 comes with a DX6 and its only a little over the £100 mark admitedly its slightly larger and not so agile around a living room, but they are a good heli
              All the best
              Tony.
              Thunder Tiger E700 - Align 700N - Fusion 50 - Align 600N


              Comment


              • #8
                Ive had no experience of Phoenix, being on a tight budget at the time I got a USB transmitter (pretty cack) and downloaded ClearView. The sim seems pretty good and from what I have read the models behave quite realisticly. Out of choice I would of gone the same way as everyone is saying, DX6i, BNF Mcx and phoenix!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi Mojo,

                  Welcome to the forum & welcome to RC Helicopter flying =)

                  For your budget I'd recommend the Blade MCX RTF, it comes with everything you need, ready to fly.

                  The Blade MCX is a really nice little heli & durable. You can fly it forwards, backwards, turn it left & right and do fast spinning pirouettes ( rotations ), lean left&right movements and go up&down. It's FULLY controllable & ULTRA steady in hovering. Be aware of the BIND N FLY version of this heli as this doesn't include the transmitter.

                  I had one myself & really enjoyed it =)

                  A cheap simulator I would recommend "RC Heli Master". It comes with a USB Transmitter and software cd, very easy to use and cheap and realistic, very useful with a variety of heli models. Around £20 brand new on Ebay.

                  Hope this helps,

                  Xige
                  Last edited by Xige; 26-01-2009, 11:51 PM.
                  ~JASON~
                  HELI 1 : TREX 450 SE GF
                  HELI 2 : PICOOZ HUGHES 500MD
                  HELI 3: WALKERA 1#A
                  HELI 4: WALKERA CB100
                  SIM : AEROFLY PRO DELUXE
                  sigpic

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Fair enough there are cheaper sims on the markey but phoenix is in a league of its own , i have tried FMS which is free / Reflex XTR which is an expensive (and fairly realistic) sim but none of them make you feel like your actually flying this heli HOWEVER when i tried phoenix at Made2Fade's house it was unreal , so realistic and still half the price of some sims.

                    Buy once and buy right , you will save in the long run
                    Thunder Tiger Raptor 50 V3 Titan
                    T-Rex 500CF
                    And 1 Eddie Gold Star sigpic

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Mojo View Post
                      I have been reading the mCX thread, it seems like a really nice little Heli. However, the DX6i receiver is a £100!!
                      Two suggestions here:

                      1) Watch this forum - I bought a used DX6i from here just over a week ago for £40
                      2) If you shop around you can find the DX6i in a transmitter only package for around £65 new.

                      I've not been in the hobby long myself but, having made similar "mistakes" on what to buy, given my time over again, I'd go for the Bind and Fly mCX, the DX6i and Phoenix every time.
                      Martin

                      Most of the Aligns, fair few Spektrum bits, bunch of Align & HiTec servos, OBE, VD & Bar.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hello..

                        Thank you all so much for your input and advice, you have helped me make a decision! finally!! : D

                        It seemed to me that everyone was unanimous about the mCX and the DX6i : ). I was thinking of buying a BNF mCX and an LP5DSM (so i can use it with the Sim). However, after finding out about the Tx only option (Thanks Martin!!) i ordered my mCX BNF today and will be ordering my DX6i tomorrow morning.

                        These things are like gold dust, i must have called about 6 or 7 shops and they're all out of stock. Luckily managed to find one and an extra battery as well, the DX6is are pretty scarce as well (especially as transmiter only).. So i am very excited now and can't wait for them to arrive (hopefully before the weekend) : )

                        Also looking at getting phoenix sim.. (might as well!).. and if i break my heli i can always go on the sim until the spares arrive : )

                        I decided not to get any extra spares (read it's a tough little heli), so i'll be crossing my fingers not to break it in the first 10 minutes (as i did with the Salvation 9)..

                        Thank you all so much again for your help..

                        Mojo
                        Avant Aurora|Trex 700LE
                        Trex 600NSP|Outrage G5
                        Beam E4|Twister Storm

                        Trex 250|mSR|mCX|4#3B
                        DX7
                        |1 EGS!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Give it plenty of space and take it slowly to begin with.Just a little hop to start with and get used to taking off and landing. If you think that Phoenix is expensive you can save money by buying the one now for sale on this forum. You can also use Fms for free or Clearview as a Demo or you can buy my copy. Clearview is a lot better than FMS.
                          I see you've found it before I mentioned it.

                          Chris
                          Last edited by cjcj1949; 27-01-2009, 11:02 PM.
                          Flasher 450 Sport. Assan GA250 with 520 tail servo, MKS DS450 cyclic.
                          Multiplex Cockpit Tx, DX7, DX6i
                          Blade 130-X, MSR, MSRX
                          Phoenix Sim

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I will take it slow and try to get to grips with flying a proper helicopter..

                            Hopefully i'll get the one for sale here.. and do my crashing on it : )

                            Mojo
                            Avant Aurora|Trex 700LE
                            Trex 600NSP|Outrage G5
                            Beam E4|Twister Storm

                            Trex 250|mSR|mCX|4#3B
                            DX7
                            |1 EGS!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi Mojo and welcome to the forum.

                              I've got the combination you're getting and reckon its the best choice too. Wise move to go for Phoenix straight off - once you've seen it, the cheaper ones just don't cut it. DX6i is a great transmitter for the money and the mCX is just great fun!

                              All the best

                              Graham
                              Blade 400 / DX6i / Phoenix / Blade CX2 / mCX / MSR
                              Proud Owner of 2 Eddie Gold stars

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