Raptor package - advice sort

[doobeycat]

I am after a little advice on the package below which is being offered on Ebay at the moment. I am new to this hobby and could do with a little guidance before I jump in at the deep end. I would prefer to build the helicopter myself but am weary of the cost involved in putting the whole lot together from new.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Thunder-Tiger-...QQcmdZViewItem

This comes with everything I believe I would need but I am not 100% sure on the transmitter and servos.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

[Thomas]

Looks a bit expensive to me, the gyro and transmitter are ok but the servos are not very good spec - the more you spend on serovs the easier it is to fly, especially the rudder servo.

I guess it may be worth it but by the time you swap bits out you could have bought something new, and you;d be better off starteing with a 50 rather than a 30

http://www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/index.php is always a good place to keep an eye on, trouble is when you are starting out you don't know what to look for. There is a Rator 50 there that has come up a few time recently, comes with everything you need and a good spec transmitter, could be worth an offer.

[ChrisB]

Its all there more or less minus an Receiver

I think its at its maximum price already,if it is in as new condition it will be OK,,it has a metal headblock which is nice and a decent gyro..

The Tx will do the job also,,borderline really but ive seen far worse sell for more

[Steve]

But right, buy once - get a new one and forget eBay until you've learnt a bit about IC helis and you know what you're looking at.

Flown 4 or 5 times - crashed 3 times? You just don't know.

[Bigbellypopper]

BMFA Heli

There is a Rator 50 there that has come up a few time recently, comes with everything you need and a good spec transmitter, could be worth an offer

I think the link below points to the heli that Thomas is refering too

http://www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/detail.php?id=12435


The guy has had that heli and kit for sale for quite some while, so I am sure he would accept an offer for the whole lot for 50 quid or so less than the asking price.

Cheers
Russ

[doobeycat]

I guess it may be worth it but by the time you swap bits out you could have bought something new, and you;d be better off starteing with a 50 rather than a 30

I have looked at the 50 but I do not think my finances will stretch that far in the short term let alone trying to get it pass the misses! I reakon I have around £500 max to spend on getting going with this hobby but would like to try and save a little if possible so suggestions where I should purchase would be very useful.

Would there be any reason why I couldnt start off with the 30 and eventually upgrade it to the 50? As money is tight I have also thought about the Thunder Tiger TT-Pro 39 engine as it appears better value for money when bought with the kit. Any comments on this engine for a beginner?

Hopefully by the time Christmas arrives I will be up to speed and can then ask for a new upgrade!

[Bigbellypopper]

As money is tight I have also thought about the Thunder Tiger TT-Pro 39 engine as it appears better value for money when bought with the kit. Any comments on this engine for a beginner?

The TT engines are pretty good, although they can be difficult to tune, and can tend to run hot. OS engines are about the best you can buy for helicopters. They produce good power, and are the easiest to tune, which is helpful for a beginner

Cheers
Russ

[ChrisB]

Thunder Tiger engines are Ok, but i would not buy one over an OS ever,if i purchased a used heli that had a Thunder Tiger engine in i would go with it but would not buy one out of choice

[Steve]

There's only two things you need to know about engines.......



....... O




...... and .....




...... S



O.S.



Do not be tempted by the dark (cheap) side - i.e. all other makes!

[Raptormadsteve]

I think the link below points to the heli that Thomas is refering too

http://www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/detail.php?id=12435


The guy has had that heli and kit for sale for quite some while, so I am sure he would accept an offer for the whole lot for 50 quid or so less than the asking price.

Cheers
Russ

Hi The guy that is selling that heli mike something or other be very carefull he sold 90's to 2 of my mates neither were as good as stated in the add both gave a lot of aggro and one is still causing probs just be very carefull ok
Steve

[David Drew]

Def go for an OS37 heli engine. Runs well, easy to tune & runs cool. I had a SC engine to kick off with. Absolute b*****d to keep in tune. Ran hot, ate plugs Gave up.

If cost is an issue, go Raptor 30 & upgrade later.

You can try a budget Tx/Rx and standard servos, and upgrade later, but imho, go for the best gyro you can. Phil Henderson does a 401/9254 combo for £125. That is an absolute must. It keeps the tail steady & it's one less control to worry about. The OS37 & 401/9254 are the best upgrades I have bought & I REALLY REALLY wish I had had some decent advice when I bought my raptor. The dealer just wanted to shift a "kit" regardless of my needs.

Raptor 30/OS37/Futaba or Phoenix, 401/9254, decent fuel (here we go again.........................another thread......), decent exhaust say, Zimmerman

If that's not immediately affordable........wait until it is, cos you'll only spend another packet on top upgrading.

My Raptor is just about as described above and it's just fine

David

[GeordieBoyKel]

Be careful what you buy also... There are a lot of mix and matches out there. Make sure (if you buy a raptor) that the main frame is stamped with the Thunder Tiger Logo found at the rear of the mainframe. There are a lot of asian copies out there.

Do your homework also... Some people state that their rappy is a V2 when really it is a V1. Nothing wrong with a V1 (I love mine ) but a V2 would be better in the long run if your going to upgrade.

Hope this helps?

Kelvin

[ChrisB]

Various good points raised as usual

The only sensible advice is get someone experienced to go with you to see it,otherwise be very very cautious

Ideally you wanna see everything working,engine fire up and ideally hover

No more,just a hover will do


Correct also about the Raptor copies,i have one made by TZ,,they are Ok but if its stated as being a Raptor in the add then thats what you should be getting