Blade MSR or MSR X?

[AlexEssex]

Hi All,

Would someone be kind enough to share with me some beginners information on the MSR X.

A member on here has briefly mentioned that the MSR X may be a better option than the MSR in terms of achieving CP flight one day (whether that be micro or larger).

I fully understand that the X has no fly bar, which in turn is replaced by a stabilisation device built in to the heli.

I also understand that a flybar has its job of stabilising the helicopter, making it easier to control.

Would it be sensible to purchase the MSR X instead of the MSR to aid this learning curve. Or would I need to nail the MSR first and then move on to the MSRX (which seems hassle to have to buy....'another'....helicopter).

I will be buying the RTF version of either helis because I am not in a position to be able to afford the DX6 and MSR/X just yet.

Would anyone be able to share any thoughts on the two as I am researching both models before I commit to buy.

Cheers guys!

Alex

[tomatwalden]

You're spot on. Both have a stabilisation device. The msr has a 45-deg flybar. The msrx has electronic gyros + stabilisation software.

The msr is quite basic to be honest. The 45-deg flybar has *very* aggressive stabilisation making it quite easy to fly.
The msrx is (in my view) possibly better. The electronic gyro software is the same as used in some bigger helis. Hence why it flies more like CP to some extent. Certainly it doesn't have the aggressive self-stabilisation of the msr.

The bad point about the msrx is that it does have a software bug that means rudder input levels the swashplate. It's weird behaviour, but I've never heard of it being a big issue. I've flown one and frankly found it to fly nice.

The msrx is (ironically) cheaper too!

Hence, my vote is for the msrx

[TheDarkPassenger]

+1 for the MSRX (buy a large amount of spare blade grips though)

You can abuse it and it bounces back

Plus, with the MSR, whilst initially easier to fly, it's self-stabilising tendencies mean that the heli won't grow with you as you get better, so you'd end up having to buy something else fairly soon (similar to if you'd bought a coaxial).

[cjcj1949]

I'd get the msr first and then the msr-x next when you feel you can't go any further with the msr. If you get the msr-x first you might find it too much. It is up to you. The msr-x is more of a challenge. Collective pitch isn't more difficult than fixed pitch, it's more the things you can do with collective, like flying inverted. Helis tend to be a challenge no matter how easy an approach you take. What you need is to know is what you can do and what you can't. Then it's just practice until you can do what you couldn't, and then you find there's something else that you can't do. The brushed mcpx is very good value and possibly easier than the msr-x, especially when doing 90 degree turns using rudder, as the msr-x tends to move in unexpected directions. This is very good practice though, as helis do often end up in unexpected orientations and you need to be able to recognize the orientation and get things back under control. It is all good fun though.

[owend]

I don't know the MSR or MCP X, but I've now got the MSR X, and if you can manage the MCX you should be able to cope with the MSR X. It is by all accounts is more challenging than the MSR, but you'll get more learning from it, and more fun. I also got the Nano CPX, which I found too lively, so it's in the garage temporarily; you may find the MCP X a bit of a handful as it's CP as well.

I think if I was starting again I'd go from the MCX2 I got initially, then the MSR X, then either the Nano or MCP X, then think about a 450-size. As I said, if you've got the MCX down OK, the MSR X is within your skill level. Just be prepared for a sharpish learning curve and a few bounces off the furniture!

And as cjcj1949 says, turns on rudder cause some interesting drifts!

[AlexEssex]

Hi All.

That's 3 votes for the 'X' and 1 vote for the 'non x'.......

If I am honest with you, my instinct always said the MSR non X version, its been my instinct for a while. While I thought that the MCX was the safe option, many say that the MSR is the safe version. I thought that the MSR was challenging looking at some of the beginners videos on their MSR.

But....

I think that its always good to have something with that little something extra, something that you have to achieve/accomplish that is above the norm, and it appears that the MSRX may be that helicopter and a step in the right direction.

I cant decide If I want to play it safe and fly right out the box with the MSR, but I certainly don't want something that I will lose interest in if I cant fly it!

Decisions Decisions. Go with my instinct or go with the majority recommendation from the experts? mmmmmmm

[BavarianRob]

Blade MSR or MSR X?

MSRX, the MSR is only slightly easier, this hobby is all about learning and testing yourself, if you outgrow something too quickly you'll just be fed up that you've wasted money. Go for a challenge!!

[DaveMak]

Hi, Alex,
I've got both the MSR X and the MCPX. I find the MCPX a bit of a handfull at the moment, hence the MSR X. As I understand it, the MSR X replaced the MSR, so you are probably getting a more up-to-date heli. As very much a beginner, I find the MSR X challenging to fly, but a lot of fun, and they bounce well! Good luck.
Dave

[450man]

Another vote for the X here.

I haven't owned either but I have flown both and the MSRX will be more of a challenge and get you closer to CP flying but it may be a little more frustrating at first while you are at the very early learning stage because there is little disagreement that the X is the trickier one to fly. But it isn't too difficult IMO.

[cjcj1949]

Perhaps the mcpx is the best option. I think it's easier than the msr-x. It is CP so it will teach you more. If it is too much you can give it a rest and get the msr or the msr-x depending on how you feel about challenges. It is only the next heli. For an even easier heli go for the 130-X. It is more survivable than a 450 and flies better than the mcpx. It hovers very well and can be used outdoors in up to 10mph winds. It is better to learn on than a 450.

[tomatwalden]

Honestly, I think the mcpx might be too quick a step for a complete newb. Remember, those few weeks/months are more about learning orientations and the controls rather than the subtleties of CP versus FP flight. (PS. Can't recall if there's an option on those helis - but get a "mode 2" setup rather than "mode 1" if there's a choice)

The msrx provides a good platform to learn on, and being fixed pitch, the rotor speed is significantly lower than the collective pitch birds. Less head speed = less inertia = less damage in the multitude of crashes that there will inevitably be initially.

There's no benefit to rushing in this hobby ....

[DaveMak]

Yes, I found that the MCPX was a step too far from a co-ax, and subsequently bought an MSR X. I get on so much better with this, and see it as a stepping-stone to flying the MCPX. My advice would be to buy the MSR X, take your time, and advance to other helis, once you have mastered the one you have.
Dave

[philhguk]

I bought an MSRX BNF in January after I bought the Nano CPX which at the time I found was quite a handfull. After a couple of months with the MSRX I can now fly the Nano CPX much better so I am selling my MSRX and my spare Nano CPX RTF and looking at going for either a Blade 300x or a Trex 250 next, so I would say the MSRX is a good stepping stone to the next level. The only thing I broke on the MSRX were the blade holders. I should say that I used to fly 5 years ago and I am just returning to the hobby so I am not starting from scratch.

[Ritchieme]

Re: Blade MSR or MSR X?

Hi Alex,

I only started around this time last year and I started with a blade coaxial, think its called the mcx. I had lots of other little helis including a nano sr from Heliguy, I found that quite challenging. I then went for an msrx and found it a big step up so didn't fly it for quite a while as I couldn't handle it. I flew it in the end and finally gave it to my brother. I would still suggest the msrx, its a lot more wild than the msr but as already mentioned, it will take you further in your progress.

This is a really strange hobby you may get, as I did, some (not all) people saying this and that is easy, in my experience NOTHING was easy on the way up, only when I go back. I am only just at the level of hovering the nano CPX, MCPX, and a thunder tiger 450 in any in any direction for as long as I want, including nose in but its taken me hours and hours and over a year ! My brother bought the Msrx to the club the other day and yep it was so so easy I was wondering how the hell I struggled so much the first time round. So hard while progressing, easy looking back :-)