Radio gear........help!!

[golddust]

Am in great need of help. New to helicopters. New to any RC models in fact!!!!
Ok, I have got a T Rex 450. It has the servos (3 x HITEC HS-55, 1 x Align tail servo). Motor Align 2800KV. And something that looks like a speed controller!!!!!
Keeping the price sensible, what radio gear, tx, rx, gyro etc would be ideal for a complete beginner. Obviously I have a million questions. Though I am in no hurry. I just want to get this together with a basic complete package. While I am doing that, join a local helicopter club and hopefully learn and enjoy.

Oh, whichever tx thats seems to be recommended by you guys will need to be able to connect to PC for a simulator. Thats another question...which!! My head spins at the moment. Though a couple paracetamol should sort that!!

Best regards
Bob

[Biggles]

Hi there and welcome

Let's start with the easy one...The sim...there are 2 main ones Reflex xtr and phoenix. the one and the only ony to use for ease of use and value for money and realism is phoenix...hands down. Before you ask I have xtr and I will be getting shot of it to buy phoenix.

with heli's the cheapy route tends to cost alot more in the long run.

2.4ghz transmitters seem to be the way forward so spectrum dx7 or JR will be releasing theirs at some point in the near future.

Gyro I would hold out for a futaba 401 with 9256 (ithink it's the 9256) Money well spent.

I believe the spektrum is connectable with phoenix.

The align tail servo is poop from what I can gather. The above will be far better and easier to learn with (in a manner of speaking).

The smaller heli's are harder to learn on than the bigger ones. The bigger they are then the more stable they tend to be.

Hope this is helping

[robgt]

On a trex450, that tail servo number would be the 9650 you are referring to.
It's supposed to be excellent, but with a price.
I happen to like the Robbe FS61BB Speed servo for approx half it's price and awesome holding power.

Aside from that (too many numbers, eh!) Biggles hits the nail on the head though
Cheers,
Rob

[Biggles]

good job I aint working for inland revenue LOL

I would be adding extra numbers in the wrong place!!!!

[golddust]

Thanks for the replies so far. Paper and pen are at the ready anyhow. Looks like this maybe some long shopping list. And obviously, a further packet of paracetamol :-)

Bob

[Biggles]

give it a month and a six pack of special brew will be needed...LOL

[moyesboy]

Can I refer you to the buyers guide at www.trextuning.co.uk which was recently updated.
The logictek gyro is a cheaper and good alternative to 401 but still hard to find in the UK at the moment.
If you only ever intend to fly helis the size of the trex450 then you could get a dx6, but you are better with the dx7. definitely go 2.4Ghz for an electric heli, particualrly a small one:
Fly it whenever, wherever without fear of interference from other r/c users out of sight somewhere near.
A lot fewer problems with noise from the power system which have traditionally caused loads of problems on small helis with 35Mhz.
Less trouble with metal to metal noise from loose/worn parts which is a lot more of a problem with helis than fixed wing.

[golddust]

Thanks for that :-)

Bob

[golddust]

I am still looking for getting radio kit together. Need to think on at least a semi-sensible budget.
Ok, don't shout at me, but, maybe a JR X378 as a transmitter?? Yes or no?? Even if i was given one!! I do need to start somewhere :-)

cheers Bob

[Boggy]

just quoting Biggles
yes spectrum does run on phoenix

[Raptorite]

I agree with the above, certainly the best tail servo and gyro to go for is the 401/9650 and the Hitec servos will work fine on the other controls, you dont mention if your model is the ccpm version or the conventional 90 degree control version.

The speed controller and motor you already have, so as they are standard Align they will be matched to each other. This just leaves the receiver, transmitter and li-po battery.

As has been mentioned before, generally speaking all the radios around now are compatible with simuators, the main two being Reflex XTR and Phoenix. As to whether you should go for 2.4Ghz now is entirely up to you, the benefits are a much less chance of picking up interference from things like the speed controller or motor as a for instance, this doesnt write off the possibilities of looking at 35Mhz stuff altogether though. Something like a Futaba R147F PPM 7 channel receiver which retails at £39.99 will fit in between the frames at the back end of the model nicely and will serve its purpose well. This coupled with a Futaba FF7C transmitter which retails at around £100.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,
Pete.

[golddust]

Now we are talking more like it. Sensible prices for a complete novice. I have no doubt though that the expensive stuff will come along. Just at the moment need to get the feel of things :-)
Thanks

[Philimon]

I am still looking for getting radio kit together. Need to think on at least a semi-sensible budget.
Ok, don't shout at me, but, maybe a JR X378 as a transmitter?? Yes or no?? Even if i was given one!! I do need to start somewhere :-)

cheers Bob

378? I've got one and I love it. Works great.

However.... if you are looking for a cheaper TX-only option look at Inwoodmodels.co.uk - they're selling the JR 2610 transmitter only for £60!!! Its pretty much the same as the 378, except the 2610 only has 6 channels and holds 10 models.

6 channels mean no remote gain for BOTH a gyro and a govenor, although this will only be an issue for larger, nitro heli's.

In my humble opinion, the 2610 will last you for a really, really long time and, when you do want to upgrade, it will make an excellent second buddy-box. Oh, I do believe you can use it as a buddy on the DX7, too!

[robgt]

6 channels mean no remote gain for BOTH a gyro and a govenor

Well, no remote gain for a govenor anyway...
Gyro remote gain goes in channel 5.
Cheers,
Rob

[Philimon]

Well, no remote gain for a govenor anyway...
Gyro remote gain goes in channel 5.
Cheers,
Rob

Well, I mean to say that on 6 channels, one could do remote gain for either a gyro or a govenor, but not both. Although, frankly, many people say the remote gain for the govenor is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have.

Personally, I like having 7 channels - perhaps look at the 2720 for £115 instead?