Choosing my 1st model...so confusing!

[dazzystar]

Hi all,

I'm sure I'm not the only person to go through this but with the amount of advice and suggestions out there it really is getting confusing as to which model I should start out with as a noob to heli's. Below I've listed my mindset as to what I should pick but I'd love someone to come up with their own feedback during their learning curve and give me and others some advice.

1. CP or FP
2. Size
3. Should be outdoor capable
4. Reliable and parts easy to source and buy
5. Newbie friendly but tunable as I advance (without having to buy another heli)
6. High quality build
7. RTF complete with 2.4Ghz TX

Would really appreciate your input here guys and girls.

TIA
Daz

[sacko]

Blade 400

[Mart61]

I agree with Paul. The Blade 400 would suit you fine I reckon.

Out of interest, what is your budget?

[derrick]

RTF. i personally would rather buy one you can build, that way you are learning, probably a 450 rex of some sort. would not be what i would buy but with so many people flying them it would be easy to get help and they do fly well.
Del

[sacko]

If you get the money, then go for a Trex 450 sport (AVA hobbies).

DX6i
AR6100
Then lipos and a charger.

[electricsceadu]

1 cp
2 you must decide this but remember the bigger the model the more it costs to purchase,kit out and repair
3 it must be capable of flying outdoors, your big room turns out very small flying a heli in it
4 see what your local model shop sells and stocks spares for
5 you can tame a 3d model to suit a beginner , so you can increase the rates to liven it up when you get better at flying
6 define quality build, everyone will have a different idea on this
7very few are rtf
i would go with a kit and build the model
as for the radio dx6i or better still dx7 (it saves you buying twice if you go for a bigger heli with more functions later on)

it does sound like you are after a small electric model
if this is the case
trex 450
thunder tiger inivator or mini titan
blade 400

[challis349]

I started life with a tiny indoor fp heli, lasted about 2 weeks before I was bored!! So I would skip fp out, if rtf is a MUST then the blade 400 ticks most boxes I think, but if you could build, go for trex 450 sport super combo and build it all up, also I recommend Phoenix flight simulator if you have never flown before, if you get blade 400 you can plug the dx6i straight in and practice on there

[dazzystar]

Great replied guys. Thanks.

People have warned me against a Blade 400 which was on my list but now I'm being drawn back to it. I've spent too many years building RC aircraft and don't want to get involved in building a heli. Not at this stage anyway so an RTF is a must.

[sacko]

What was their reason for warning you off it?

Spektrum 2.4 Tx and rx, lipo, charger, decent heli for the money, cheap spares which are readily available.

Cant go wrong imo.

[challis349]

I'd go for the blade 400 which comes with dx6i so can be tamed a bit on the tx, then you can het Phoenix and practice on there with the same tx, Phoenix is a mist for any new heli person i think, I've spent loads of time on it with many crashes that don't cost a penny!! Apart from the £80 to buy it, this is just my opinion though

[SLIPPERY STEVENS]

BLade 400 all the way.....

[Scautura]

As a newbie, I'll stick my oar in the Blade 400 camp. Even after spending a couple of weeks rebuilding it (due to time constraints, not because it's hard to rebuild - it really isn't!) I'd say the same again.

Even better, pick up Phoenix at the same time for practice when it's too windy/dark/cold or you're charging your batteries.

[dazzystar]

Phoenix looks nice. I'm an MS FSX freak so well into simulators but I'm not certain that a simulator can effectively replicate the stimulation and visual / audio input of the real thing enough.

[antquinn]

Hey

I started with the Pheonix Sim ! and used a dx6i .

Hammered it for about four weeks till i got to 70% on sim mode, bought a trex 450 se and flew for the first time monday just gone with training legs, took them off few days ago and love it !

The trex you can get bits from fast lad so quick ! 2 - days at most and they are dirt cheap to buy. Plus it looks pimp with all the blue and carbon bits. ( comes from my rc drifting days )

ant

[DaveMac]

I'm a beginner myself but for me building it myself was a must as I then know how to fix it when it breaks.