Next 'step up' Heli

[chally3]

Hi all, just after some advice & am confident I wil, get the right advice on here rather than what the local model shops will say/try to sell me!

I've been flying constantly the last 3-4 months after mastering the basics of hovering, getting airborne & safely to ground (about twice a week I go through 5 lipos) Whilst I appreciate any 3D flight is a a way off yet, I'm quite happy with what you'd call sport flying, just circuits etc etc. But I keep thinking about the next step heli wise.

I have my blade400, Trex 450 but would really welcome what would be the next step up in Heli for me. There seems so much to choose from I would welcome any suggestions. Being a newbie I am relying on the experienced for suggestions, things to avoid etc etc.

Thanks all
Mark

[happychopper]

Chally,
I found myself in a similar situation to yourself, a friend of mine had a B400 and i had a 450SE clone which we both learned on. He upgraded to a BeamE4 and hasn't looked back, i opted for a Hurricane 550. (still building!) purely because the parts are just as cheap as a 450 and i could use my existing 3s Lipos. Not to mention it has a good repertoire.
good reading: TrexTuning - Hurricane EP550

Thats my input!!

regards

[cupracing]

By a step up I assume you mean a bigger heli or nitro as there's nothing to hold you back with the 450s you have at the moment as they are quite capable of 3d

[wildc4rd]

If you are looking at 600 size, the T-Rex 600 is hard to beat for value. Electric or nitro flavours available, though I am nitro bias on anything over a 500.

[Helimadlarry]

I will second what wildc4rd said. A trex 600e was my first ever proper heli and i learnt so much on it. After just a few days on the sim i was doing circuits with it. It is a brilliant 50 size machine in terms of value and capability.

[chally3]

Yes, perfectly happy with my 450, just thinking whats next..size was I guess & there seems a wealth to choose from. The problem started as I went to Sussex model centre & saw a Rappy 90 & 50 - never seen heli'a that size before(nothing in or around Portsmouth really) & thought wow!!!. I know there are lots of posts on Nitro v Electric, as I'm electric only at the moment I'm reading the pro's & cons of both & really need to understand 'Nitro powered' more before making the jump that way
I know there's a wealth of experience & advice on the forum that.

I just fell into the mistake when starting this insane hobby & listened to a model shop, which said the Blade 400 'RTF' was a good all in package for the beginner!! now I know different!! as I'm sure thats a familiar story of newbies!

cheerz for the replies, I have looked the Beam & Hurricane, the Beam looks nice!

[happychopper]

Your only limit here is ££££ !!!!

[GravityKills]

Yes, it depends on how much you would like to spend. Keep in mind that crashes can get much more expensive.
For me, an electric 550 is the best trade-off between size and cost. I'd tend to say it feels much more like a 700 than a 450.

[chally3]

well £££, just got my work bonus coming of 2 weeks salary & thats my treat time!!