First build heli for an enthusiastic noob

[King Daddy]

I'm very new to helis and I only have two little micros to play with, to my surprise I'm finding the repair time almost as enjoyable as the flying time (when I have the parts).

So I'm thinking I'll start a build project that will hopefully teach me more about the actual mechanics that goes in to one of these intriguing little flying machines.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good build, I've had a look at the HK250 but I'm wondering if I should aim a little higher or is this enough to being with?

I would rate myself as beginner/intermediate as I can successfully fly/hover my little cp in all orientations (except inverted) these days with relative ease.

All recommendations welcome.

[paulsouthport]

I'd go for a 450 Pro. Far more space to work with than a 250, and even then it's still quite tight.
What's your budget including heli, tools, batteries, charger, radio etc.?

[Delarado]

agreed with paul, the 250 has all of the mechanics that a micro doesnt all shoehorned into a tiny space.

its fiddly, tricky to setup and very sensitive.

bigger is better but then cost becomes a factor

[King Daddy]

I'd go for a 450 Pro. Far more space to work with than a 250, and even then it's still quite tight.
What's your budget including heli, tools, batteries, charger, radio etc.?

Well I don't really have one but I'd like to keep it as tight as possible. I already have a walkera devo 8s tx (*ducks for cover) and a decent charger so I'm really looking at the tools, heli, electrics and batteries. I would like to keep it well under £500 and if possible closer to £300.

[Jez N]

450 sport or pro would be my suggestion. As Paul says the 250 is very small and fiddly.

[paulsouthport]

Well, if you can use that radio, you'll need a compatible RX to go with it if you don't have a spare.
So you could go for a genuine Align Trex 450 Sport combo deal and still have some change from £300. You will need batteries though.
Or a HK450GT, or Tarot 450 Pro, or even CopterX 450 Pro. OF those I've build one CopterX and 3 of the HKs. CopterX used to have the edge on quality but now I think HK have upped their game quite conciderably and the price difference outweighs any other benefits. Others say Tarot are almost as good as Align - I don't know.

If you go for a clone then don't get a combo deal, choose your own electronics. A HK450 and all electronics will come in way under budget. Personally though, if I had that cash I'd go for the Align combo deal.

[DanWright]

As above, the align trex 450 is very good and ticks all boxes. Good value for money, cheap and easily available spares, not too too big, but not too small either. A great heli to have.
I know they've just released a rtf trex 450 that comes with everything you need including a nice futaba transmitter, but I don't think much building is required if any, and it's within your budget.

[Boomer]

I agree with the above, the 450 will do you well, easy to build, and although a steep learning curve, if you enjoy the build process you will learn so much from it, so look around, just get the best you can afford.

[Guest]

With your budget there you could get either the T-Rex 450 Sport V2 super combo at about £290 or the T-Rex 450 Pro Super Combo at about £330.

[Rich23]

+1 on the 450. A great size heli. I would recommend the align trex 450. I built my pro with no previous experience and I learnt a lot from the build.

My 450 pro build thread

Hope this helps

Rich

[Brunty]

I would reccomend a dx6i for a first transmitter if you can afford it, maybe look at a blade 450 or 450 x? I hear good things about them.

[Sburv]

I've just bought a DX8 so will have a spare DX6i for sale in the next few days.

Like the guys have already said a 450 would be a good move for you at this stage, that's where I started anyway.

I maybe selling one of my 450's soon (Blade 450 3d) give me a shout if your interested?

[cjcj1949]

There isn't really all that much to a build these days as most of the work is done for you. The head on a flybarred heli is the most difficult, but is usually ready built. I'm not sure what you want to learn. I can put a heli together but I haven't a clue how it works, it's far too complicated. You just follow the manual and connect the bits. On a flybarless heli the head is much simpler without the flybar mixing, but the controller is just a black box with instructions that you follow. You don't need to understand them to fly them, as you've already proved.

Enjoying the repairing is the right way to look at it though. I like to think of a crash as the start of another upgrade. You also get sympathy from the other half when your toy is destroyed. Either that or she thinks about the prospect of you spending more time at home.

[BenScoobert]

You also get sympathy from the other half when your toy is destroyed.

Really? My wife howls with laughter liked a kicked hyena when I go nose 1st!

[King Daddy]

I would reccomend a dx6i for a first transmitter if you can afford it, maybe look at a blade 450 or 450 x? I hear good things about them.

Thanks but I've already got a devo 8s (8 channel with telemetry) which I can get a receiver for. I only got it recently and it cost a small fortune so I'm going to have to stick with it for the mean time.

I've just bought a DX8 so will have a spare DX6i for sale in the next few days.

Thanks for the offer, it's appreciated but I'll stick it out with the devo for now.