Help with choice please...

[Gadget Man]

I flew a couple of planes for a few months last year but I got the copter bug just recently and bought a CX3 just to see what I thought to heli's and now I'm thinking of getting a CP heli (for the summer) as I would like to progress.

My intentions are to continue with my CX3 (its great fun) and I have also just got the Pheonix simulator to practice on until the summer, but I would like to buy my kit now just so I have it (more of an incentive to keep practicing) but I can't decide on which to go for.

I am very much tempted by the CopterX 450ME RTF (Trex 450 clone & TRex parts fit too) that I can buy for £159.99 (includes an aluminium case too) as I think a 450 size will be more stable than a smaller twitchy model, but am I being too ambitious in my thoughts?

Should I really be looking at a FP as my next step (Honey Bee V2?) or maybe something like the CP Belt V2/Honey Bee King 3/Honey Bee CP3?

Or should I spend more and go the route of Blade 400 or similar (around £300 ish)? ...there is a big price difference for what to me appears to be not a lot of difference in specification to a novice like me

I am new to the forum so your comments will be appreciated

[MedinaMan]

Hiya Gadget Man,
Not much further on than you but as it is not very long ago that I was at your point in learning this great sport I feel I can add my two-pennyworth.
Firstly The bigger the model the less twitchy it will be.
I found the Trex 500 a lot easier to learn on than the 450.
If the piggy bank runs to it then I reckon its the way to go.
The secret is to get an experienced pilot to help set it up and fly it before you do. He will get it trimmed and set up to be as docile as possible.
I started with helicommand added but found it was more trouble than it was worth.
Took it off and haven't looked back since.
Also you are surely doing the right thing by using Phoenix.
Keep it up and the best of luck.
John.

[Gadget Man]

Thanks for your words of encouragement John.

After finding some posive reviews I was thinkiung of getting the Thunder Tiger Innovator MD530 as it looks really stable and is great looking, however there seems to be a lots of reports on youtube about them crashing due to problems with the electronics?
There doesn't seem to be much info on them in the UK as there soesn't appear to be many owners?

That's why I'm drawn to the CopterX RTF 450ME at £160, seems to be great value or the SE at £220

[MedinaMan]

Yes the Innovator MD530 has pretty complex integrated electronics, which, if they go wrong it costs a hell of a lot to put right.
I don't know anything about the other models you mention but don't forget, you get what you pay for in this game.
As I said in my earlier post I started with a Trex 500 and a Mini Pred because I thought the small one would cost less to repair than the 500.
It turned out to a nightmare,as the links were very sloppy and the esc/motor didn't have a slow start-up. The tail slider was also very sloppy.
Cheap doesn't usually do the business with helis.
But the 500 is still brilliant. Great engineering and lovely to fly.
Cheers.
John.

[Weebl]

My first Heli was an mCX just after Christmas this year.

Since then I have also bought a DX6i, an mSR and a CX2 (now sold the CX2) and Phoenix

I also bought a Concept Copters 450 and have built that and managed to fly it yesterday. So I would say you are not being too ambitious going for a 450 size. If you are sensible and are just hovering like I was then it is definitely do-able

[Gadget Man]

This is the CopterX 450SE - Radio controlled helicopters - CopterX CX450SE V2 Rc Helicopter
It's basically a T-Rex 450 Clone but all the T-Rex parts fit and it seems to get very good reviewx on other forums (particularly in the USA)

[Weebl]

The RTF on that comes out at about £250?

I spent more than that on my CC450 for sure, roughly £300 for the almost RTF setup and then the Rx and Tx and charger on top but I am really pleased with the quality, the Gyro alone is a GY520 and retails at over a ton, and of course the Tx and Charger can then be used on other Heli's.

[tiddler]

Hiya Gadget

Well I've got an Innovator MD530 and your right, they are a fantastic beginners cp heli.

I went straight from flying an mSR to flying the Innovator and found it very forgiving and a real joy to fly
Its true that they are in a field of their own and you can only use the TT lipos with them. But its not that big a draw back when you consider just how beginner friendly the Innovator is.
I love mine

Have a look at this thread..... http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/beginn...me-heli-2.html

[moonmanflyer]

My money would go one of 3 ways.
The new Blade SR heli due out next month
The Blade 400
or if money no object, a trex 450 sport or pro

[lex7919]

HI Si ,

Fancy seeing you here just thought id say hi let you know you come to the right place for advice great people here, if you need anything mate you know im happy to help best i can.

Note: Yeah you got the heli bug now too, i can tell

Alex

[Gadget Man]

Hi Alex,

lol yes fancy meeting you on here..

What would your suggestions be in regards to my questions?
what do you think to the CopterX SE and the Innovator MD530?

Regards
Simon

[ronny p]

Why not look at a used heli, a good spec align 450 se v2 could be a good buy. Most of the ones i've seen in the for sale section have been going for about £150 with a load of spares. You would need a transmitter and reciever but would end up with a better bit of kit than a clone. Hope this helps

[flyboyace]

get a raptor 90 best stable heli about
flyboyace

[lex7919]

Hi Alex,

lol yes fancy meeting you on here..

What would your suggestions be in regards to my questions?
what do you think to the CopterX SE and the Innovator MD530?

Regards
Simon

Si,
Out of those 2 the CX simply due to the cost of the Innovator, i didn't like it when it was announced and don't now its out. Don't get me wrong by all accounts its not a bad machine, but things like the batteries can only be the special ones for that heli (there tagged like ink cartridges) and cost £££ Theres the parts availability to, there might be a few shops carry stuff for them but it only takes one or two to run out of things then they all follow suit as the guys flying them know where to go next.

Where as the CX or similar based SE V2 design you can parts anywhere in the land virtually and from mega cheap to reasonable to top end all with matching quality levels. You have an endless choice of lipos to choose from Radio Gear and Upgrades- which you WILL want.
So you can crash Monday have your parts Tuesday and fly witch at the start is the most important thing, stick time.

The only thing with the CX one you show is i would not be so keen on its radio its very similar to the ESky ones ie terrible!, its not the 2.4 part its just quality of the internals and fact you have no programmability with it,
I'd find one that at least offered you a half decent radio ( don't need go as far as DX6 etc).
Other than this point CX are ok i had one once i liked it

Your other consideration Si is size, i started on a 450 it can be done and is regularly by many but having earned my wings the hard way ie self taught if doing it again mate id get a 500. But that's another post, you need to set which you can afford to buy and maintain!! first.

Hope that helps in some way.

Alex