Beginner Heli?

[Indigo]

I know this gets asked many times, but I cant seem to find a thread that tells me what I want to know!

Basically, I want a decent heli that's not too hard to fly, but I want something I can actually progress on.

I have been tempted to buy something like an Esky Lama, but these are obviously limited since they're coaxial's, although they are only £60 on eBay delivered.

Just wondering what other options there are, perhaps something which can be upgraded to a CP?

Any info would be great


Thanks

[nightstalker]

So are you looking only at elec ??
how much do you want to spend?

cost can always be a big issue, the cheaper u spend the crapper they are,
if i was to recommend a elec heli that will take you from learning to full 3D go for a Trex, parts are cheap and are easy to get

[jimbob]

you need to consider (and answer) the following, to allow you questions to be answered I think:

1) when you say progress, what are you looking to progress to?
2) what power system (electric or i/c) do you think you want, and why?
3) where do you want to fly your heli?
4) what kind of flying are you thinking about doing?
5) how much money have you got to spend?

These will help us answer your question I think...

[heliward0]

buy buy buy you will not regret it!!!!!!!!! (but start saving as the bug will soon catch and you will end up spending thousands!! yes thousands,,)

[David Drew]

A decent heli - that you can fly most times - will cost you £700 depending on spec and radio gear. (New)

Anything less (new) and you will be frusrtated by the heli's capacity to do what you want it to do & you'll always be upgrading parts to help you learn (believe me...I'm there)

So, it's an indoor trainer (Contra rotating type)(cheap, easy to fly & parts cost very little), or an outdoor one.?...now you're talking

Suggest Raptor 30. Cheapish, spares are available & cheap, it's upgradeable in 30 spec or up to 50 size. Probably the most popular beginner heli & deservedly so.

Watch this site as there are often secondhand ones going.

Trex450's are cheapish too, parts are cheap, but you WILL crash them more often. They are quite small and very hard to fly if a beginner. The bigger the heli, the easier to fly, but more expensive to repair.

Swift 16 electric. Once you have the right Lipos, chargers, blades, gyros etc - then plug in and fly! No fussing with engines. Again about £700 all in with radios/gyros.

Whatever, it's an absorbing hobby....

...absorbing your wallet that is! But great fun and really challenging.

All the above IN MY HUMBLE OPINION Others may disagree.

David

[David Drew]

Forgot to mention...the guys & gals on this site are just the best

Great advice.

Soak it up

David

[Indigo]

Thanks for the advice, the Raptor 30 looks good, but at the moment I dont think I want something like that (Yet anyway)
Just wanted something to mess about with inside and outside on calm days, do you think a coaxial will be enough to get me into it?

Thanks

[Stuart]

Here's a suggestion. Bit more of a longer road but will get you started.

1. Get Phoenix sim or similar
2. Buy as decent a tx you can get your hands on ideally a Futaba FF9 or similar spec either new or second hand will do, the higher the spec the longer your have it.
3. Once you've got to grip with the sim, to keep costs low look at the mini titan for a micro if you can't afford IC or the T-Rex. Cost is cheaper and spares are well priced....but make sure you spend on decent spec'd servo's and a good gyro they will give you longer life and a better feel for the heli.

I wouldn't normally suggest a micro for a starter but given the cost and since flying my own one for the first time last weekend I was pleased with stability even for 3D setup.

[Gaza07]

Thanks for the advice, the Raptor 30 looks good, but at the moment I dont think I want something like that (Yet anyway)
Just wanted something to mess about with inside and outside on calm days, do you think a coaxial will be enough to get me into it?

Thanks

The coaxials are excellent fun very easy to learn on and will teach you quite a bit, For the price they are a good 1st heli to see if you realy want to continue into the hobby without spending a deal of cash, But you will soon out grow it and want some thing better
The next step after that would have to be a trex or mini titan the other micro heli`s on the market are rubbish and a waste of cash

Just thought i better add this the coaxials are fine inside but only good out side if there is no wind
also look on als hobbies he has a deal on a esky robins 22 coaxial i have one they are excellent little helicopters and fly very well you get every thing you need for £70.00 plus £9.00 postage,
There are better places to get spares for them

[rombonie]

I'd have to agree the coaxial will teach you the basics very well and the sims as must IMHO.
I started on a medevac and still have it, well made and crash well which will happen , easy to fix and at a relatively low price.

I can happly fly mine outside on a breeze day and it loads of fun.

cheers Dor