What should my 2nd Heli be?

[r4robert]

Hi

I am new to this sport and this is my first post.

I have a WLtoys V911 that I have started to fly indoors doing basic moves such as a figure of 8 or circuits.

My skills as a heli pilot are developing slowly, and I have had quite a wake up call as to how difficult it is to get started and remain airborne for more than 15 seconds!

There is no doubt that I need a massive amount of further practice to develop my flying, but that rises a problem and thus this post.

I am flying in France and I have a a large field I can use, except for the fact that the V911 is not great outdoors unless it is practically windless.
.

So my question is what should I consider buying next that I can fly outdoors and still continue to improve?

I have looked at the Walker V450D03 with a view to fixing some training gear on it and turning the 6 axis gyro up to maximum! Is this madness or 'do-able'?

I have also bought a dummy transmitter and run ClearviewSE simulator. I can move a 6 ch CP heli around slowly, but its only a matter of time before the sim demonstrates one of its spectacular crashes!

The problem I have identified from lurking and reading around is that a big coaxial or a small FP heli is not suited to outdoor flying, hence me looking at a CP 450 heli.

Apart from practice, practice, practice, what should I consider buying next?

Budget-wise I'm not restrained too badly, but obviously I want to spend wisely so that I'm flying more than repairing! (Well one day, anyway!)

Thanks for your help on a common question!

Robert

[Paz26181]

A lot of people recommend a blade micro heli as a starter e.g mcpx BL or 130x and then move on to a 450 or bigger size heli.

I'd recommend a mcpx bl and trex 450L, parts are readily available and cheap.

hope this helps?

[Rob Barnes]

I would go for this new Blade 200 if it was me complete with bail out etc

BLH2000UK2 | Blade 200 SR X RTF UK Mode 2

[tomatwalden]

Agree with Paz - Blade mcpx BL or 130X. Parts readily available in the UK and France, they fly well outside even in fairly stiff breezes and can handle a crash or two.

You'll also need a DSMX capable transmitter - Spektrum DX6i is the best entry level TX.

[tomatwalden]

I would go for this new Blade 200 if it was me complete with bail out etc

BLH2000UK2 | Blade 200 SR X RTF UK Mode 2

Good call too! - Forgot about that one! - Being RTF, it comes with a DSMX transmitter unlike the helis I mentioned above.

[r4robert]

Good call too! - Forgot about that one! - Being RTF, it comes with a DSMX transmitter unlike the helis I mentioned above.

Thanks guys for the advice :-)

The Blade 200 with 'Bail Out' sounds a life saver to a beginner like me!

Too much crashing at an early stage in one's flying hobby can dampen the spirits, so a "Get out of card Jail Free" sounds great!

I appreciate its not fool proof, but as a 'Panic button' it could save a lot of damage and thus down time.

The 450 could be my THIRD heli not my second, by the sounds of it. I'm not someone who wants it all now. I'm happy to climb the skill ladder, so to speak :-)
.

SO just to be clear on a point: You guys think the Blade 200 will be OK outdoors in, say light to light/moderate winds. Ie. It can handle a bit of wind providing its not too blowy?

Thanks :-)

Robert

PS. Is it worth me buying a decent transmitter NOW, and then going the BNF route thereafter?
IF so, which transmitter would you suggest? Thanks.

[Bell47G]

Love the idea of the new Blade 200 SRX to learn on, I learnt on a Century Evo 180 fix pitch and sill got it, converted the tail to a Blade SR tail motor flys great. So that would be my choice Blade 200 SRX.

[David Drew]

I can recommend the Blade 130x.

I was flying mine last weekend in quite stiff winds and, although it bobbed around a bit it still flew really well.

Crashed it quite hard. Picked it up expecting to have to do some repairs, but nothing!. Put it down again and flew it.

I was quite anti this model until I got the tail 'screeching' thing sorted out but it's becoming quite a well flown model now. (by that I mean it gets flown a lot - not that I fly it well !!!)

[tomatwalden]

SO just to be clear on a point: You guys think the Blade 200 will be OK outdoors in, say light to light/moderate winds. Ie. It can handle a bit of wind providing its not too blowy?

It's fixed-pitch, so won't be as good as collective pitch in strong winds, but being flybarless, it will handle light/moderate winds OK. Old beginner fixed pitch helis tended to use 45-degree flybars which gave them excellent stability, but all the wind-handling capabilities of a kite. This won't be like that!

Have a look on youtube - there's a few vids of it flying outside. Looks fairly fast for a heli in its class!

[electricsceadu]

i would have a look around your local model shops to aee what they sell and support
spares wise

on the v450d03 i have flown one and it handles wind very well
the model is well mannered
a newbie is learning to fly it at my club and he copes very well with it
the only downside is it isn't very well supported in the uk so spares will take a while to get for him

[peteking3]

I v had a mcpx for long time still got now
. Then had a honey bee king 3 was a really good heli,crash it lot times bits were really cheap.
Then bought a align 450 sport which is better hbk now got a align500 just awsome good luck flying.

[fishfiend]

On the plus side if you get a devo 8 or 10, and flash with deviation software you can also fly all the blade bnf models..a lot of tx for the money...

[r4robert]

On the plus side if you get a devo 8 or 10, and flash with deviation software you can also fly all the blade bnf models..a lot of tx for the money...

I think it would be sensible to buy a quality TX now, and thus go BNF with my pending purchase, and others in the future.
.

Based on your advice, the Blade 200 SRX looks like my next purchase. After that, who knows? but that Walkera V450D03 /D01? looks attractive assuming my skill level has improved significantly.

I would even like to fly my WLtoys V911 indoors on rainy days, (Granted, the V911 already has a TX).

How many TX's would I need to cover those 3 Makes of heli? Obviously 'One TX suits all' is just pure fantasy?
.

OK, so back to reality. Just how 'individual' or 'this Make only' are the various brands of transmitters?

Let's say for arguments sake I'm buying the Blade 200 SRX -which I probably am at this point, given its 'Adjustable learning curve' or "SAFE" system. 1) Which TX do I buy for that, and 2) What's the best strategy for the future - whilst keeping my options open?

It's a tough call, particularly if you are a beginner - like myself- and one's future purchases are uncertain?

[Obviously I am not saying that I will never own 2 TX's, particularly another with, say, more channels; but right now I'm looking to the future and asking what the sensible choice would be? ]

a) TX budget is: Low-to-Medium, but not High.
b) Make and quality - I don't have a clue! Help!
c) Number of channels - Let's be sensible and I won't spend more than I need to.

Thanks again for your help with the decision making :-)

Cheers,
Robert

[Rob Barnes]

For the money I would probably buy a DX7s and buy it without the receiver option for £129.99 if you talk to Matt nicely and buy the heli from him too he may knock a little more off !
SPM7800EU | Spektrum DX7s 7 Ch w/AR8000 Tx/Rx Mode 2

[tomatwalden]

Let's say for arguments sake I'm buying the Blade 200 SRX -which I probably am at this point, given its 'Adjustable learning curve' or "SAFE" system. 1) Which TX do I buy for that, and 2) What's the best strategy for the future - whilst keeping my options open?

It's a tough call, particularly if you are a beginner - like myself- and one's future purchases are uncertain?

Looks like the RTF (inc. TX) versions of the 200SRX are going quickly - judging by the fact that Midland are already out of stock - but still have stock of the BNF (ex TX) version.
(Traditional Style - Blade - Electric Helicopters - Helicopters | Midland Helicopters Ltd)

Given that you were looking for BNF anyway - not an issue I guess! For the 200SRX however, I think you need something better than the usual beginner TX - the DX6i. The DX6i doesn't have enough switch settings I think to easily select all the flight modes on the 200SRX. You can use a DX6i, but it's not ideal ... see Blade 200SRX and the Spektrum DX6i - HeliFreak

The DX8 would seem the next logical choice (or maybe DX7s - but not sure if that has a 3-position flight mode switch).