Considering a helicopter

[PaulRotheram]

Hi everyone!

I have raced 1/10th off road buggies for just over ten years, I enjoy it, relatively capable achieving top 30-40 national results and in the north west was in the top 3 for some time.
However due to the recession I've had to change jobs and my normal Sunday outing has become less and less, and more of a chore when I'm able to make it due to long hours.

Over the last couple months I've become attracted to helicopters, more to the fact I can use them in my spare time and take up something new.

My girlfriend treated me to a small electric indoor helicopter which was one of them £30 infa red jobbies you see in selfrages or debinhams.
It's very basic, however good fun and I've enjoyed it, can keep it flying and manoeuvre well... However I'm sure these are easier than it actually is with bigger models.

My living room is not overly big, and has limited space, just enough for this small one I currently have, maybe enough for something slightly bigger.
I'd like to get something which can be taken outdoors, yet be good enough for someone learning to get used to.

I've read the blaze cx2 is a good starter, however Im not sure this is suited to outdoor use?

Basically needing guidence on what to do, and where to start.

[Paulice]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
The CX2 is more suited to indoor use, but will give you the needed feel of the controls.

[Mart61]

As I've commented on one or two similar threads, alas you will find here, as in life, if you ask 10 people the same questions, you'll get probably 10 different answers.

However, your best route is to look into the answers and find a common theme. I think, if you do a little homework on the forum using the search facility, you will find a common theme here. And that theme is based around:

- flying CP helis is pretty darned difficult
- get a good simulator (Phoenix is the weapon of choice in these parts)
- smaller, whilst possibly cheaper, is less stable (co-ax helis aside)
- whatever you buy, you'll want another one (bigger, better, more expensive) within a few weeks. But buy the wrong heli to begin with and you're in danger of becoming disillusioned, frustrated and skint

Here's a few links to get you started:

Newbie needing Advice

Hiya from a newbie - Phoenix Sim then Heli is my approach!

A Few Newbie Questions ?

Few beginner questions

[Disc]

Go find a local club and see what they get up to and fly

British Model Flying Association - BMFA - Search for affiliated clubs by county

[Vic.P]

Go find a local club and see what they get up to and fly

British Model Flying Association - BMFA - Search for affiliated clubs by county

, go have a look around first, it's easy to just head off to the model shop and buy a 450 for instance but whether this is the right heli to learn on is debateable.
Larger 50 size helis either nitro or electric are inherently more stable and i think, easier to learn on once set up properly.
Join a local club and ask their advice before splashing out and consider a good S/H heli as well...... one of the club members is bound to have a heli gathering dust somewhere that they are willing to part with

[Stuart]

Also on here to....

http://www.rcha-uk.com/club-locator.html

[PaulRotheram]

Thank you for the advice. I've been to a model shop who seem to do alot with helicopters and gave me a few options.

They had a rapier 450 model with brushless motors and lipo battery's, including a 2.4 handset for £239.
They also recommended the flight sim to go with it.

The next thing they suggested was a smaller helicopter for indoor use which can help to get the basics while trying the real thing which was 69 rtf

They suggested a club which is nearest to me, however they all fly the bigger nitro and petrol models.
I think I'd like to stick to electric as it's what I'm used to (plus I've never touched a nitro engine before!).

Does this seem like sound advice?

[challis349]

They sound like century helicopters? Is that right? If so you may want to rethink a little as century heli's haven't got a lit of respect on here I don't think, the model shop near me only stock century and therefore that is all they offer for people walking in, not saying all model shops are like this but...

Just my opinion

[PaulRotheram]

From what I'm aware no, it's formby models, unless they go under a different name for the helicopter side of things.

[challis349]

Sorry my mistake, I meant the helicopter, the models sounds like the brand century, like align, compass etc... a century rapier 450 is it?

[phoenixtechuk]

it's from CML

[millerman]

i used to race 1/5 scale cars at brca super national level and i can say that it only helps a tiny amount when trying to fly a cp helicopter get a sim and practice is good advise or it will cost you loads in repair bills !!

[alex]

They sound like century helicopters? Is that right? If so you may want to rethink a little as century heli's haven't got a lit of respect on here I don't think, the model shop near me only stock century and therefore that is all they offer for people walking in, not saying all model shops are like this but...

Just my opinion

I must say I was impressed with my Century Spirit Coax when I started and having flown the Eflite CX3 since i think the Century Heli flew a lot better and was also better made- just my opinion but I bought the CX3 for a mate and was expecting it to be better.

[PaulRotheram]

Sorry my mistake, I meant the helicopter, the models sounds like the brand century, like align, compass etc... a century rapier 450 is it?

Ahh sorry, I'm not familiar with different brands, there seems to be so many it's overwhelming!
As said it's the rapier 450 from cml, someone who I'm familiar with from racing - wether that's good or not I'm unsure!

[challis349]

Ah ok, yeah remember seeing them in mhw mag now