Beginners sub-micro recommendation

[alexthecheese]

Hi guys

New to the forums here. I’m looking at getting a little helicopter this Christmas time for a bit of a laugh after checking them out for the past few days or so. Getting a bit itchy on the old trigger finger so trying to hold back at the moment.

I’m looking at getting a sub-micro helicopter that I can whiz about in the house, or if it’s perfectly calm, a bit of outdoor action. I’ve been reading about fixed pitch vs collective, and the tail rotors types of engine vs belt-driven, contra-rotating vs the other type and so on. I think I have a reasonable understanding of what makes them tick, I just need some pointers on what to buy.

I think (think!) I want a collective pitch, sub micro chopper with a belt-driven tail rotor. Though I think that doesn’t exist in the sub-micro category!

Can anybody recommend anything up to about £150, with all the trimmings, fitting the above? I am half tempted to get a bigger one that would cope better with outdoor use, but I figure that I can get one of those later down the line.

Thanks for your time.

[Farmer Giles]

Blade mCX or a CX2 is a good start. Both contras but they are 4 channel so the throttle, rudder and cyclic controls are the same as a larger collective pitch helis which is an important learning step IMO. Many people on here have started their flying with these machines, they are super stable so you can get used to forward flight and hovering in all orientations and should you break it spares are cheap and readily available.

I would avoid the 'toy' helis and I would not buy anything less than 4 channels.

You can also get a copy of Phoenix flight simulator but you'll need a transmitter to be able to use it on your computer.

HTH

[tiddler]

I agree with Martyn on this one.
For a first time heli, the mCX for small indoor spaces and the CX2 if you've got a little more space at home. Or you could try a Blade mSR if you fancy a bit more of a challenge.
The Phoenix sim is a definite + if you think your likely to progress on to the larger collective pitch helis.
Ps The tx that comes with the CX2 RTF works well with Phoenix.

[SadSack]

Hi guys

New to the forums here. I’m looking at getting a little helicopter this Christmas time for a bit of a laugh after checking them out for the past few days or so. Getting a bit itchy on the old trigger finger so trying to hold back at the moment.

I’m looking at getting a sub-micro helicopter that I can whiz about in the house, or if it’s perfectly calm, a bit of outdoor action. I’ve been reading about fixed pitch vs collective, and the tail rotors types of engine vs belt-driven, contra-rotating vs the other type and so on. I think I have a reasonable understanding of what makes them tick, I just need some pointers on what to buy.

I think (think!) I want a collective pitch, sub micro chopper with a belt-driven tail rotor. Though I think that doesn’t exist in the sub-micro category!

Can anybody recommend anything up to about £150, with all the trimmings, fitting the above? I am half tempted to get a bigger one that would cope better with outdoor use, but I figure that I can get one of those later down the line.

Thanks for your time.

Don't get walkera 4G3 or 4G6 has CP you'll be disapointed and need rather large house ok very large. 4#3b steep learning curve. So either MSR or Walkera CB100 (he very good and cheap and fast) ....thoughts on contra-rotating .................................................. ............boring very fast. Think 2 go's not even full batterys was my lot

[zoombolt]

I have the blade Eflite cx2 with spares, charger etc & X4 lipo batteries going for £80, £85 posted, if your interested.
Comes with 2.4 ghz transmitter. Looks all shiney new in the box too. Great self gift for chrimbo. Your call....

[Hangar-7]

Welcome to this friendly and very helpful forum.
I agree ^^^.... but I think you'll be better off with a sim (Phoenix) and a Tx, preferably Spectrum 6Xi or something similar which you could use for heli. Weather is poor so you can get plenty of practice on a sim and hopefully will learn how to set up a heli, how pitch and throttle curves can effect flying of a heli.

Good Luck

[dam74]

Go MSR if you want something fun and that will challenge you. Warning, you will require spares

[Mikej]

Blade MSR defo - tried one at the weekend, I was amazed at how it will just sit there and do nothing. Just don't expect a bigger heli to be the same.

[tiddler]

The only problem with the mSR in the hands of a total novice is, although it is very docile around centre stick, it can also very quickly get outside of the docile point and take off like a bat out of hell
A first time pilot may well go through many repair jobs and possibly get a little disillusioned before they get fully to grips with it.
With the mCX, most people, young and old, are pretty much guaranteed first time success, which in turn boosts their interest and encourages them to move on to the next step.

[GravityKills]

>> take off like a bat out of hell
that very much characterizes all the small "real" helis. For example, the smaller the heli, the more you have to lean to the side to compensate the sidewash of the tail rotor. This makes even taking off an exercise that requires a lot of skill! Further, the sim isn't that good at modeling small helis.
I started out pretty much the same route (GAUI EP 200 and Walkera 4#3). Looking back, I would have learned much faster, had I bought a 450 as my first heli. You could for example buy a 450, consider it a "trainer", and come back to the sub-micro helis in 6 months.
Coaxes are IMO toys, not worth considering unless you've never owned any RC model.
BTW, a PicooZ can be a great indoor "trainer", because it forces you to concentrate for 10 minutes without any mental "glitch". Yes, you can fly it in the living room for 10 minutes!

[Lynx.1677]

I started out with a Buzzfly single rotor which is the same as the Walkera 4#3B. I found it very hard and spent a fortune on spares. It did teach me really quickly about control though and I was soon flying it nose-in indoors. I agree that the sim is probably the most valuable tool but you would need a transmitter too.

Good luck whatever you choose to get.

[dam74]

Yes the MSR with input on the cyclic stick can get out of control quick smart but if you release it, then it will return to a hover quickly aswell. We had it flying around on the responsive ball links at a velodrome and it was easy to control. Yes you will damage it if you hit things but you learn how to fix it. Which is all part of this hobby.

[newhelipilot]

I have a walkera 4#3 and a BladeMSR both great fun indoor flyer's, but and a big BUT, if this is your first heli then the learning curve on 4#3 is much to steep, they are never set up right from box(you need to read every post on this site to get to fly right) and comes with crappy TX. BladeMSR on Dx6i on the other hand can be very docile, easy to set up (good vids on you tube re trim, set up) and TX can be used for future Helli's (6 channel). I am still a learner but MSR has helped me to learn all the basic flight characteristics and now my Blade 400 is in the air (only tail in hover but its a start). I just wished i had waited and not got 4#3 first (good heli now i can set it up) and saved about £200 in spares (yes i crashed a lot but never gave up). Whatever you get try not to learn with out help, this forum is a good place to start and so is a local club. Personally i can't stand Sims but they to let you learn without repair bills and all practice is good. good luck hope you find the perfect heli for you but don't forget most people on forums can already fly and tend to think everybody can get to grips with this fantastic hobby very quick, Have fun BASIL