Hi all another newby looking for advice

[ConceptR1]

Hi all i've been in about Rc for a good few years never anything that flies though have considered it alot!!!

I was handed an old nexus 30 complete with rc etc yesterday for nothing was told either take it or it goes in the bin.

I've had a look over it and the airframe etc seems fine. the blades are different story. And the rc gear is as old as the days long.

Im really wanting to get into this side of RC.
Im not a big fan of glow fuel to be honest.

I was looking on Vario site and they do a trainer for proper gas. 23-26cc ok i know it's a bit ambitious a newby going for something like that.Unless somone thinks other wise?? I've got £600 saved so far for purchasing a kit.

I've been thinking Electric. Im not into small Rc anything must be going blind or something!!!!

I narrowed my list to either T rex 600 or A raptor 50. possibly 60. class with elec conversion.

Can anyone shed some light on either of these manafacturers???

Tiger thunder and of course Align?? With regards to parts costs and quality.

And does anyone have any suggestion's as to which would be the better to go for?? Im thinking long term someting that will grow with me and i can upgrade as i become more experienced in this hobby??

Best regards

adam

[Farmer Giles]

If your looking at .50 size helis then nitro is probably the way to go TBH. I thought the same about nitro but once you get into it it's nothing like as bad as you think..

Have you flown helis before ? If not then I would suggest you get a simulator as crashes are for free. 2nd hand Phoenix sims go for about £60.

As for Align v Thunder Tiger, the Trex 600 is a more modern design and much more capable when it comes to full on 3D flight but if your only just getting started then I would say go for a Raptor. They are still capable of 3D flight just not to the same levels as the T600 due to older design and weight. However the Raptor is very stable and also quite robust in the event of a crash, that's not to say the T600 is fragile and flighty but the Raptor is just steadier IMO.

Spares availability is pretty much equal I would say with prices in the ball park with maybe Align a little cheaper but also with align you generally get 2 of everything when you buy spares.

On the electric side of things Align do make an electric Trex 600 but the cost of flight packs is prohibitive IMO, in the region of £200 to £250 each and flight times will be limited to 7 to 10 mins, dependent on flying style.

There are plenty of people who own all these helis and I am sure they will be along with their own 2 penny worth.

HTH

[Mart61]

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll get some good advice here too.

[liambaker996]

welcome to the forum i run glow fuel it is fine not as bad as evrery body says hope you getr sorted soon
liam

[dw45]

Getting a sim is a great start also going to the nearest club and chatting to the guys there, most are willing to help and give advise. Nitro is the prefered way for larger heli's and electric for smaller.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy the addiction.

[jboweruk]

Some of the electric 550's have pretty high performance. As everyone says downside of leccy is batteries, but once you have them then you have them. For a 550 you're looking around 80-100 per lipo, and the performance is on a par with a .50 class. I've been looking at the Gaui 550, but pretty sure some other 550's are similar. I've seen the Gaui in the hands of a guy who hadn't flown before, and it hovered steady as a rock, so I'm guessing it's a decent kit. I've also seen vids of it doing full on 3d, so it seems pretty capable.
Good luck whatever you choose, and welcome to the hobby.

[SadSack]

all very good advice so far! I'll only add to it...

Buy PhoenixRC, could wait for sec/hand save some money but get one now!
One thought buy 450 size trex 450 se/v2/v3 sport or beam. Sec/hand good idea here you will break it Batterys even good ones not that dear (hyperon 100% G3) But get a very good charger if eletric is where you heart is! Fly that mid week and weekends Fly nitro trex600/raptor would fit the bill. I started with trex600.

Good luck

[Brian Gifford]

Welcome to the forum. I can't really add anything to the excellent advice,just +1 get a simulator ASAP.

[andylinney]

You want a good .50 sized electric? There's a Mikado Logo 600 for sale on these forums that is an absolute steal...

They don't come much better than that to be fair. Mikado are a bit of a Marmite heli manufacturer, some people love them, others don't. However, just like the Vario stuff, they're a bit special.

[ConceptR1]

With regards to the electrical side namely batteries and there cost.

I was thinking that i could use a123 batts out of the likes of a dewalt drill unit and use the drill units charger as well.

Had a wonder to model shop near mine today.

They have an old thunder tiger raptor 60. sitting gathering dust... £350 price tag and not even a v2.

I really like the look of the trex 600 and the 700
Raptor 50se nice looking kit also.

I think my main question is how big is to big when starting off in the hobby of flight???

I always assumed that a large heli would be better for stability etc.

With regards to any clubs im kind of on my own with this 1.
I work every weekend mon & tues off only. So no way of getting to any club for advice
thats why i thought i would chip you 3d wizards......

I've got plenty of time for building something over winter and plan on buying decent enough rc components ie servo's etc.

With regards to costs is there a big difference between 50. and 60-90.???
Also is thunder T phasing out the 60 class heli? I have a copy of there 2009-10 sale cat and theres 30,50 & 90 class no mention of 60 not even in the parts upgrade...

Thanks for advice so far but please keep it coming.... Flight sim will be purchased asap.

regards

adam

[andylinney]

Adam, I'm guessing you've been into Paisley if you've seen an R.60 hanging up.

Really, the bigger the better in terms of stability but there's a trade off against repair and running costs. Not sure where you're working but drop me a PM and I'll talk you through our clubs location and running times. I'm sure you'll find a chance to pop along.

[trillian]

To answer a few questions; Yeah, these days the 60 heli has been edged out by 50's which have the power but less weight etc. So it has become mainly a division between 50's and 90's. The 30 class still being viable as a heli to learn on (but as we were discusing elsewhere, you don't see any new 30's coming out, so it is fast becoming a one horse race with the Raptor 30).

60 size helis are basically the same physical size as a 90, maybe with a bit smaller blades and slightly shorter boom, but essentially the same size, so the costs for airframe, blades, replacement parts is higher than for a .50.

These days the most economical way to get into a (new) nitro is to get a 50. Either Raptor, Trex, Ely.Q, Compass Knight etc. In just 'bang for the buck'.

[ConceptR1]

Andy

I live in aberdeen mate
model shop who has it is 16miles from mine.
Trillian thanks for the info regarding the 60.
So if i was not to worried about replactment parts and costs for say a 90 should i go that route??

As i said im looking for something that will do me for a few years
Maybe a 50. is the way to go as it will no doubt allow me to grow in experience over time which means i should be able to enjoy it and no what it can and cant do.

Also guys and gals Would the Hirobo sdx be worth considering????

adam

[ConceptR1]

Hey all.

Just wondering if it's worth considering a Align T rex 700????
that way i get a big heli which i believe can be set up for training???
And can decide if i want to go the ic or elec route once i have it

Any thoughts???

regards
adam

[trillian]

If you want a big heli that is inexpenive on parts the 700 is prob tough to beat. 'Not sure about going electric. I have heard of them but the LiPos will be very expensive and you'll need to invest in a charger than can charge them as well (like 8-10 cells).

Regarding the Raptor 60. It can be converted to a 90 and it is IMHO a truly beautiful heli. I have a Raptor 60 with changed gearing and an OS91 in it. It's big but not silly big and not near as heavy as the gassers I have.

90's will be more expensive to run in fuel costs and the shaft driven tail is more expensive to replace if you crash vs a belt driven tail.

The bigger helis have a great 'presence' in the air and are very stable, handle strong winds very well etc. But 50's are plenty capable and a bit easier on the old bank account

Hey all.

Just wondering if it's worth considering a Align T rex 700????
that way i get a big heli which i believe can be set up for training???
And can decide if i want to go the ic or elec route once i have it

Any thoughts???

regards
adam