The story of a newcomer.

[ElRazur]

Hello there! Im the newbie in the house with a story to share. I posted this on an american forum but thought it would do some good here too.
Basically, i got myself a new Honeybee II and this is what happens after....

Get ready to flame me!!

Ok, am the type of dude who would crash first then read manuals later...Basically, i went to the park this morning and i managed to let the helicopter fly away. It went high then crashed out of view behind a block of flats and some bushes. After serveral minutes of trying to find it (while pushing the throttle up so as to make the propeller spin - Noise) i gave up. So all am left with his the controller and the packaging. Well it serves me right and it would be an experience i had to learn the bitter way.

Like you guys mentioned, i think am better off sticking to the sims for now.

I noticed that i could plug in a cable (according to the manual) at the back of the controller that goes directly into a PC so as to allow sim control. Anyone know what this cable is called?

I should be getting the mini pred soon and i vow not to fly it until am confident on the sims first.

Let this be a lesson to those who are like me - No patience and wanting to do complicated moves with a heli.

[Boggy]

lesson 1 get a sim
lesson 2 dont fly near houses or people(if you lose contol crash it!rather than let it get away)
lesson 3 mini pred????--------- read this forum
lesson 4 get lessons
lesson 5 read the manuals

but hey have fun thats what this hobby is all about
spend some time reading this forum before you buy another heli. and defo buy a sim ,yes you can buy a lead for your computer,the phoenix sim has one included in the box. to find out if it will work with your tx email phoenix herehttp://www.phoenix-sim.com/pages/support.htm

you will get loads of advice on here and a panning for been a wally, but dont take it to heart we all want to fly safe

[ElRazur]

Thanks man. Im expecting plenty of "harsh comments" lol etc.
On a different note, what is with the dislike for Mini pred on this part of the forum? I went to a heli-shop in Bromley (SElondon) and the guy behind the counter seem to be implying that it is the ideal thing for begginers. Infact the holygrail for begginers. Having said that, i know he is a sales man but he appears to be confident as he has worked in there for long and flown them as a hobby too.

I would be getting the sims shortly.

[Boggy]

to be honest i had one and did exactly the same as you. took it out and thought how hard can this be?
the minipred is ok but it dosent fly staight out of the box unless your very lucky!! it still requires alot of setting up. so unless you know what you doing youll just spend more and more!
my lhs sold me mine as the perfect beginers tool but i honestly think it is far from it, dont forget they are experienced flyers so they take it out test fly it if its not very good their skills compensate for that and they think its just because its acheap beginers tool. i may be wrong but how many experienced lhs owners use a minipred as their everyday heli?

[ElRazur]

Yeah you do have a point. What would be the idea thing to get started with after the sims? I know the new guys like me ask this all the time but you have to bear in mind that the market is flooded with "the must have heli" or "the perfect heli" etc. So to ask again, what would you recommend?

Do i just buy the MiniPred from the LHS and get them to set it up or try something else? Thanks.

[d1ver]

yep sounds about right.
nearly did the same thing.
lucky for me abyiss and ade law saved me b4 it happend.

[Kwickkwack]

if you want to practice at home indoors, then get an indoor heli, like a bell twister 47, there is a new one out that has the 2.4Ghz controller, (cant remember the name) which is even better, you can practice all the basic stuff inside your own house, or indoor hall if you have access, plus they are fairly cheap to buy, around £100 everything included, and you will learn on it, as for outdoors, only if there is ZERO wind, they do not like he breeze.
The sim is great for learning on as well, but I have to say, it is still not the same as having that model hovering in front of you.
as has been said, this place is the place to come for advice, as well as fun.
Spend your money wisely,
One more thing, unless you are an absolute natural genius, dont be expecting to do 3D after your first few flights.
above all, do it SAFELY

[Boggy]

pesonaly i wouldn't go for a minipred they are to tempramental. the radio only has two frequencies and is poor quality,theres loads of down sides i could go on and on----
i know they are cheap and get you in the air but you will soon want to upgrade and then thats £200 POUNDS GONE!
look at a trex or a mini titan theres loads of threads about each on the forum. and i know ill get panned for this but if you cant afford a trex v2(full set up can be over £500)there are cheaper versions still available which can be upgraded as you can afford it.not ideal but better than uping a minipred.and of course there is always 2nd hand radios for sale.(if you think about a2nd hand heli get somebody who knows to check it over first BE CAREFUL) .
beware of people telling you this or that heli is the dogs b%$%$£ then they just happen to have one for sale it happens on here ive seen it!!!

[Boggy]

kwikkwack has a good point the little indoor contras are an ideal start point ,but not much use outside.

[ElRazur]

Thanks guys. I just had a look at the Mini titan and it appears to be some expensive bit. Kit only cost around 110pounds. Without even checking that would not include The controller rights? I suppose this is an expensive hobby.

So how much am i looking at roughly in setting up the titan, say on a tight budget?

EDIT
Kwickwack
I live in a studio flat and space is like a luxury. Probably something i could take out on a not-too-windy day would be ideal.

[Boggy]

you could fly a medivac in a dogs kennel!!!!
ill find you a link for prices

[Boggy]

read this thread in particular richies post.he lists all the bits youll need .bear in mind his price example is for top spec kit. it can be done cheaper

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5249

[chugga-bug]

Hi ElRazur,
First thing you need to decide is how much your willing to spend to get going...
If you just want a toy helicopter and your gonna be happy with that, then there are plenty of cheap deals around...
If on the other hand you plan on progressing and staying with the hobby then spend as much as you can and buy something that will fly well and has plenty of support (spares & help).

The T-rex is by far the best of the mini helis (Mini Titan owners may disagree), but don't expect to be able to fly it out side your house! These things need a lot of room, especially when your learning.

Have a look at the online shops for good combo deals. That'll give you an idea of how much you're looking at.

Try midland helicopters, Skyline etc..

Ps. where in SE London are you?

[ElRazur]

Foresthill - SE23.

[Boggy]

heres nutz flying a litlle trex

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5145