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  • Beginners heli

    Hi to you all.
    I've been looking at getting into your exciting hobby, and have read on this and other sites about how good the Snelflight Hoverfly 2 is. I realise that its only an indoor heli, but from what I have read, it's a very good first step for a newbie, as its cheap to repair, but still handles like the real thing, although the 200 price tag seems abit high for what is really a trainer. I quite fancy the idea of being able to practise indoors especially at this time of year. Would you guys recommend it, or is there something else in the same sort of price range that I should be looking at. I've got a Futaba FP-T6NL transmitter from a dabble into fixed wing about 10 years ago, but being older and a little wiser I think I've got the patience to have another crack at it - although I don't think I can use this transmitter as it doesn't have a buddy socket on it - typical !!!
    Your opinions are appreciated.

  • #2
    Sorry I've never had experience with the hoverfly, they do look interesting for indoors. If you want to spend a good 200 then I'd seriously recommend getting Reflex or G2 sim. This way you'll get a feel for the real thing otherwise you'll learn so much on the hoverfly then start all again on the real thing.

    The other option if you've got loads of space would be to buy a used MS Hornet / Pic or Eolo they are not ideal for learning but will be cheaper.

    Hopefully other members will be able to help you out, let us know what you decide.
    Cheers
    Stuart

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks for your reply Stuartn. After reading your comments on the Hoverfly, I assume that although it behaves like a larger rc heli, it isn't controlled in the same way, so I would learn to fly the hoverfly and then relearn to fly a proper outdoor rc heli. I presume that the Reflex and G2 are just simulators, are they ??? Where can I buy one of these, and which, in your opinion is the best. Also, are the Hornet. Pic & Eolo indoor babies - although it doesn't matter if they aren't, and what other kit would I need to get crashing.....I mean airborne.

      Thanks for your time and patience

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi,

        The G2 and Reflex are sim and very good ones too, G2 is the one that I use and its extremely technicle and excellent graphics, but Reflex is out now and its a very impressive looking sim.

        G2's homesite is here:-

        http://www.realflight.com/

        Reflex's homesite is here:-

        http://www.reflex-sim.de

        You can buy either at any good online model store such as Midland Heli:-

        http://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/acatalog/m_index.htm

        Also, one of the members has a link on this site under Weblinks for Microheli's check it out.

        http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/module...viewlink&cid=2

        The Hornet and Piccolo are similar in size while the robbe Eolo is slightly larger and would be my preferred choice for a MicroHeli.

        If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
        Cheers
        Stuart

        Comment


        • #5
          Once again thanks for your response. I'll check out the links you've supplied and will be in touch in due course. I really appreciate your help.

          Comment


          • #6
            I am not sure about the snellflight, but I have flown the hirobo XRB Lama, indoor heli.

            It has 2 sets of contra rotating main blades and no tail rotor which although it may seem to be different from its larger brothers, it does in fact handle in exactly the same way.

            It is nice to fly and is very forgiving, with a positive, yet dosile feel but like anything it does take a little getting used to.

            For someone wanting to learn to hover in the comfort of their own living room it is ideal.

            It is preferable to have as large a space as possible when you first start, as it does tend to wander all over the place until you master hovering but the same can be said of any heli, large or small.

            The XRB Lama is priced at 199.99

            I hope this helps.

            Cheers,

            Pete
            Crashed and burned, or just got your fingers burnt???
            Rise from the ashes with
            Phoenix Model Aviation Ltd - For Flight training, Model setups & test flights and general advice just south of Bristol.

            Comment


            • #7
              monty123 on easy learning

              Hello Monty123 just a word of advice on your best approach to learning to fly a helli. I am sorry to disagree with some of the other comments received, for my feelings are that the Hoverfly is the first thing you must purchase.These can be bought for around a 100 second hand, do buy one that requires the use of a transmitter and not one with its own control pad as this will let you get the true feel.If the Hoverfly proves too difficult for you, if possible try to find a person to demonstrate it to you and give you a few tips.Avoid the Piccolo and Hornet and other similar models, that is unless you happen to live in a barn,these have to be jumped off the floor, and by the time you are getting control you will have hit something and setting the things up again is a frustrating excercise.A good sim as you have already been told is a must and at first you will not find these are very easy to use,but like everything else if you have the patience and grit to stick with it, the reward for you is like no other experience.Perhaps I may be disagreed on with that last statement, but to each he's own.BEST OF LUCK

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks for your comments, I'll try to get hold of a simulator first, and see what models are available secondhand. Which model of transmitter would you recommend, I might buy secondhand until I get totally hooked. My old Futaba set has the throttle on the right handside, but I suppose that doesn't matter.

                cheers

                Comment


                • #9
                  I've been flying "full size" model helis for about 18 months now and about 6 months after I started I bought a Hoverfly.
                  My idea was to get a little practice in-doors over the winter months and try to learn nose in. All I can say is that it was a complete waste of time. The Hoverfly responds to the stick inputs the same way as a full size model but it's a lot more sesitive and unstable. I found it bore little resemblance to the way a normal model handles. Even though its a small model u still need a fair size room to fly it in and the power cord can be a bit restrictive. I got much more of a real feel from the "Real Flight G2" simulator and I'd recommend this to anyone as a starting point.
                  Dont waste your money on a Hoverfly.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    In my opinion a good second hand transmitter would be a Futaba Field Force 8 Super you'll find them more often than not either on Ebay or the BMFA site, hopefully in time the classifieds section on this site will build up to a good database of quality second hand or nearly new gear.

                    I don't think there is anything wrong with starting with a micro heli only that yes you will need a good amount of space and some local clubs have managed to get sports halls for indoor flying, plus if you have near zero wind then they will fly outside too. Yes they are more sensitive for learning but if you can learn of a micro then you'll have no trouble on the .30 size heli.

                    Keep us posted.
                    Cheers
                    Stuart

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      begginers helicopter

                      Once again I feel that I must disagree with the statement from kaymo who advises against the Hoverfly as a learning aid,They are most certainly harder to fly than an i/c helli and in that are the perfect learning tool.The end line being that if you can handle a Hoverfly indoors with its touchy temperment, you will find the i/c helli supprisingly easy when you take your first pride and joy to the flying field.This advise is taken from my own experience, and it was great fun on those winter nights playing around with a simulator and the hoverfly,and this enabled me to fly unaided the first time I tried a 50 sized helli.My reasoning is that if you can do something that is bloody difficult, the hard will come easy.Go and buy another Hoverfly Kaymo, and if you stick with it, you will most certainly come out a better stick twirler and with sharper reflexes than you have now.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        hoverfly v sim

                        cant comment on the hoverfly as i never ownwd one. But i bought a reflex
                        sim along with a shuttle. Used the sim every night after work till i could hover it well. Took my shuttle out on my own and hovered that with little
                        difficulty. I would reccomend a sim, worked for me. Bought both in November 2003

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          hoverfly v sim

                          cant comment on the hoverfly as i never ownwd one. But i bought a reflex
                          sim along with a shuttle. Used the sim every night after work till i could hover it well. Took my shuttle out on my own and hovered that with little
                          difficulty. I would reccomend a sim, worked for me. Bought both in November 2003

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Bink,

                            Get some pics uploaded into your gallery if you have some and it would great if you could write a review (within Reviews) on the sim, are you able to dump screen shot's of reflex by any chance.

                            If you can dump screen shots you can upload to your gallery too.
                            Cheers
                            Stuart

                            Comment

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