Advice please - first outdoor heli choice

[adamb]

Hi,

I have always wanted to fly an RC helicopter, and recently found out through a random conversation at work, that there are sims available. So, I've bought phoenix with a spektrum dx6i and have been putting in the practice with the aim to learn on the sim before I go for a real rc heli.

I'm working though the tutorial steps, and can now do figure of 8 circuits; they are not quite as tight as the tutorial video ie mine cover a larger area, probably 2 to 3 times the size - currently practising on making the 8 shape smaller to mimic the tutorial video.

I typically use either the Blade 450 or Belt CP (v2) on the sim.

Here are my requests for advice:

- what should I be able to do in the sim before I take on a real rc heli (one for outdoor use) ? (recognising the sim is not real... )
- what would you recommend for a first outdoor heli? assuming this will be my first heli. electric pls. budget - up to a few hundred pounds is ok for the heli + a few spares (bear in mind I already have the spektrum dx6i). So, £500 would feel a bit too much, and £100 I would be wondering whether there was something that would give me a better experience/longevity for a little more money. I was thinking of going straight to a collective pitch heli, as I can fly simple circuits with one in the sim.
- I don't fancy building my first heli - mainly because of the time aspect plus I don't have the experience to set it up. But, reading the site, sounds like I'm going to be doing lots of repairs - so with that in mind, plus heli's in the kit form are cheaper - is it better to build the heli to get that intimate knowledge of how it's put together, which may help me do the inevitable repairs?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Regards

Adam

[firebrid]

get a blade 450x or blade 450 3d,though a lot of people will go for the x.

[anyw]

maybe look for a secound hand 500, be careful of ebay though, ideally someone localish that you can meet up with, look for a club near you as well to join, where you canget help with everything

[jimmyhorns]

Hi Adam, and welcome

Wow, lots of questions, and thats good because it means you are thinking things through.

I think the 450 class represents a good first step into the outdoor world. They are well established, there are plenty to choose from, parts are (relatively) cheap.

If you have the DX6 already, then the blade 450 would be a good starting point. They are 'bind and fly' which means that pretty much you can put a lipo in, bind to your transmitter and go fly. There are some caveats to this though, and you are likely to need to do a little setup, and you will probably want to do some programming of your transmitter.

There is no merit in trying to 'go cheap' in this hobby. This will lead to frustration from the outset. I would avoid any 'trex 450 clones' on ebay if you have never built and set up a heli before.

I appreciate that time is a concern for a lot of people, but you are going to need to put some significant time in, to fly, to setup your models, to build your models (where applicable) and to repair your models. Crashing is unfortunately part of this. I have always found repairs more straightforward when I have built rather than aquired a model as you understand how the bits mold together, in a way that a diagram just cannot do.

Like others have suggested I would bite the bullet and get a blade 450 in either guise. I have had the Belt CP (v2 I think but cant remember) and I wouldnt recommend this over the blade which I have flown, or a trex 450.

I would definitely find a local club, but remember, not everyone there will give you good advice. I have been given some awful setup 'guidance' in the past.

Ideally find someone to look over your model before you spool it up, and someone to help you program your radio to help you 'tone' things down. It might be appropriate for them to give it it's first hover (although that is something that I would always want to do, after all its my model). It is amazing how easy it is to have the swashplate moving the wrong way and not notice, something that will end in disaster if not checked before spool up, or spool up stopped when things dont move the right way.

Get training gear, even if you dont need in on the sim. Real life is very different from the sim, especially on the hover.

Dont bother with many spares. A spare set of main blades, main shaft and feathering shafts, flybar and flybar paddles and a boom should do it, if you are going to bother with spares at all. I dont bother, as my experience has been that I always need something that I dont have, so I end up ordering anyway.

You will get loads of help from here. I was amazed at how much help was on offer, for free, just for a thank you.

Most of all

ENJOY

[tomatwalden]

I think there's two schools of thought on this one. When I started (only at the start of this year), I found a lot of advice that said bigger is better (mainly because bigger generally equals more stable). I personally am starting to think that cheap flybarless units are challenging this view. For me, I got a Blade 450-3D (with a flybar), but found I didn't progress very quickly since I was just too intimidated by the size of the heli and speed of the blades.

Whilst waiting for the 130X to ship, I bought myself an mcpx v2 - best thing I ever did! I progressed so much quicker with the mcpx since fear was no longer a factor. The flybarless nature of this heli means that it'll fly outside even in a stiff breeze. A few weeks on that, and my skills on the 450-3D moved forwards leaps and strides too. Now having got the 130X, I'm loving that. I kinda think that flybarless helis are just better able to cope with outdoor flight (ie. wind!) because there's a computer helping you out. Certainly, I can fly my 130X far easier in wind than the (much bigger) Blade 450-3D.

Your mileage may vary, and my case is different since I don't have a sim, but you might want to consider the mcpx (v2) and/or 130X

[Pantone 186C]

+ 1 on Toms post.

I started with a Blade SR which nearly made me give up - probably because I didn't understand the mechanics of good set up.

My second mistake was purchasing an Align 450sport - the build was the best tutor I could have had, together with help from the forums. They taught me good set up,however I still could not fly successfully.

Along came Phoenix, and although I find it a false environment it taught me how to control a helicopter and improved muscle memory.

The best purchase was the recent acquisition of a Blade 130X, don't really know why but there is less 'stress' involved in flying this small bird, I feel much more relaxed, prepared to take more risk and am progressing more rapidly than before.

If you are a 'club' type then do join one the one to one with like minded persons will be invaluable.

I'm personally a loner and will continue to progress on my own, but that's personal choice.

Most of all enjoy the hobby, don't get despondent when your skill seem to go backwards for a period, I guess all have experienced that (I know I have)! Use the forums they are an invaluable resource and also populated by a great group of enthusiasts at all skill levels.

[firebrid]

hopefully i be able to convert my 450 se to flybarless,i got a logitech gryo and was looking for something newer,but reading this,would i be better to go fly barless with this model?

[tomatwalden]

hopefully i be able to convert my 450 se to flybarless,i got a logitech gryo and was looking for something newer,but reading this,would i be better to go fly barless with this model?

Difficult one. My only immediate thought would be to do your sums. I considered (at one point) a flybarless conversion for my Blade 450-3D. However, once I'd worked out the cost for the new head + beastx unit + new blades + new motor, I worked out it was cheaper to buy a new 450x! Also depends on your view of flybarred v flybarless. My personal take is that (assuming a certain level of skill), flybarless isn't necessarily better - but different. Whether it's better or not is personal I think - depending on what you want from your heli.

Or to put it another way ... no idea! ;-) Hopefully with better knowledge will chip in!

[Storrm]

Buy a second hand mcpx. You'll love the fact that it flies like a proper Heli plus it doesn't mind a few crashes either. Taught me a hell of a lot before I moved up to a trex 450 and now to a trex 550e

[firebrid]

well i take the view,that i like to be able to fly both,anyone got a opinon on the tarot helis?i like to build up a kit.

[brummycraig]

My suggestion if budget would stretch to a trex 450 super combo I'd go for it. As you say the build would really help with setup knowledge and if you find the finless build videos over on helifreak you will find the build a breeze and very enjoyable.

I started with a blade 400 but quickly changed to a flybarred trex 500 which I picked up second hand, it came with some very minor crash damage which I accepted and just took it as a new build (stripped it right back to the bare bones) Again I found this great experience in building knowledge of the setup, however with the money I've spent on parts and upgrades I prob could have gone for a new kit!

Although I haven't owned one yet it's hard to look past the 130x and the mcpx if you want simplicity and garden practice (I shall defo be acquiring one soon)

What ever you choose, enjoy the addiction!

Craig

[firebrid]

what batterys are the 500 and 600 useing?i got 4s batterys at home but there 5000mah,25c will they be any use if i go to a bigger heli?

[adamb]

Thank you for your thoughts, and the warm welcome. Lots for me to consider there and I will let you know how I get on.

Out of interest, is there much difference between the trex 450 pro and the trex 450 pro v2?

[JoeBailey]

The 450pro is fly barred the v2 is flybarless, there's a few minor bits but that's the major one.

Joe

[firebrid]

think the v2 the belt driven heli and the pro torque tube