Blade 120SR

[helipilot]

Hello..,

Im in the market for a new heli as i just cant get on with my Blade 400 ( she could be in the FOR SALE section soon ) and ive been looking at a fun heli thats a little easier to fly... The CX3 MD520 is looking favourite at the mo... Just been on the BLADE website and seen the fourth coming 120sr which is a slightly bigger Msr it would seem....

Does anyone know much about this new heli ( or seen any feedback good or bad ) as i understand they will be in the shops anytime now...

It looks good and being that bit bigger, could suit me better than the Msr which is a good little heli just too small for my liking....

Any thoughts...?

Simon

[CookieMan]

Just out of curiosity mate, what is putting you off as far as the Blade 400 is concerned? Do you get to have enough Sim time? Is it that bad? Always used to think the 400s are a good machine (if setup right)?

The 120SR looks to be promising. Slightly bigger than the standard mSR and yet smaller than the (apparently) praised Blade SR. If you can fly the mSR around, I don't suppose the 120SR should be much of a hassle.

Cheers,

[bolders]

This is the only info that I have seen on the 120SR although I havent really tried looking so there might be some more in depth info around somewhere.

The Blade 120 SR Overview - As Good As The mSR?

[stuskimac]

i wouldn't sell your blade just yet, practise, practise, practise, its a long road, somewhat seemingly impossible, but one day something will click inside, a little victory, then you'll try something else with it which might even take longer or seem harder to do, but the key to this hobby is little victories if you just stick with it, it will come ,little crashes & rebuilds, its a learning curve, very steep at times but it will come. Basically CCPM is initially hard to master but well worth it when you do ! going for other helis till u find one that fits will cost u £££'s , the blade is capable, cheap and workable ccpm heli to learn on, stick with it & you'll end up lovin it ! , then get bored and want something bigger ! lol.

Happy flying !

[C8RLS]

Several members at our club started with a Blade 400 (which was what I started on and what I always suggested if anyone asked), however, several didn't get on that well with it, they upgraded to a Trex 500 and every one of them has come on leaps and bounds within a few flying sessions. Several of them now also fly the Blade as well.

So dont 'give up on it' as others have said practice, practice and then more practice on the sim and it will all eventually click into place for you and the rewards then far outweight the dissapointments on the route.

The Blade is a great little helicopter but it is a bit twitchy and doesn't like any wind really (unless you are an expert). In my view (now) it isnt the ideal starter heli in my view and I reccommend the Trex 500 although it can be a little intimidating at first, just tame the settings a bit before you start with it.

[rider12351]

I am new to this Simon and I am now hoovering and getting to move around slightly it as been a long road to go down and it took me 6 months to get here. I changed helis and paid alot of money out on them thinking its the heli that is at fault but it was me. Save your money and keep with the blade 400 you will get there fly it till it wont fly anymore. I did find that a lesson with Jason platts was the best thing i ever did, it got me off the ground into hoovering and gave me the inspiration to move on little by little. Get the blade check by someone who really knows what they are doing and you will find that makes a world of difference. good luck Simon you will get there bit by bit.

Ivan

[helipilot]

120sr

Morning all..,

Thanks for your words of encouragement guys.....

My problem is i think mainly down to my lack of experience as i cant run a decent sim on my craptop so that doesnt help... My second problem is i have always struggled with the gyro as it will hold one minuite and drift the next... I have a mate who flys several nitro helis and knows his stuff when it comes to set ups.... He has had my heli for 3 days before to get it set up as well as he could but he said the same...New gyro ect ect.

Where im upto is im looking for a heli thats easier to fly but not too easy ( ill get bored ) that is fun to fly...

My B400 is not fun to fly its a pain in the ass and im reluctant to throw another £140 ( decent gyro and servo ) and then still struggle with it...

I have managed to make decent progress on each flight since starting and my claim to fame is ive never binned it...!! That said i just seem to be banging my head on the ceiling as i dont seem to be moving forward with it all now....

Im not saying im giving up, far from it... i just think a step back to Msr or the new 120sr would help and i will begin to enjoy flying again... i can then get back to cp helis and as some of you have said knowing what i know now i will go for something like a Trex500.

This would not be the end just a constructive step back....

[heliboy]

Ivan i always knew you were good at hoovering.....!!! ))))
You should put the hoover away freddie!!

[tiddler]

I cant help feeling you are missing out on what is probably the best heli training aid available..... Phoenix And that any money you invest into progressing in this hobby would be far better off being put into upgrading or getting a pc/laptop that will run Phoenix.
I cant stress enough what a hugely helpful and very enjoyable learning tool it is. You get to fly all manner of helis, big and small. (No matter what the weather is doing) Plus the range of available models (Helis & fixed wing) is being updated constantly (For free )
You can crash as much as you like (With no repair costs)
You can go on line and fly with other users, and even get one on one tuition from them. All this without the risk of smashing up your heli that you've just paid out good money for.
You will be surprised at the speed of your progress within the sim and then when you eventually get back to flying your B400 it will come as second nature to you
OK you may be thinking that's all well and good, but its just not going to be as much fun as flying a real model. Well it is slightly different to a degree yes. BUT it is fun Huge fun and will save you ££££'s and a fair degree of frustration in the long run.

Just my point of view you understand

[helipilot]

I cant help feeling you are missing out on what is probably the best heli training aid available..... Phoenix And that any money you invest into progressing in this hobby would be far better off being put into upgrading or getting a pc/laptop that will run Phoenix.
I cant stress enough what a hugely helpful and very enjoyable learning tool it is. You get to fly all manner of helis, big and small. (No matter what the weather is doing) Plus the range of available models (Helis & fixed wing) is being updated constantly (For free )
You can crash as much as you like (With no repair costs)
You can go on line and fly with other users, and even get one on one tuition from them. All this without the risk of smashing up your heli that you've just paid out good money for.
You will be surprised at the speed of your progress within the sim and then when you eventually get back to flying your B400 it will come as second nature to you
OK you may be thinking that's all well and good, but its just not going to be as much fun as flying a real model. Well it is slightly different to a degree yes. BUT it is fun Huge fun and will save you ££££'s and a fair degree of frustration in the long run.

Just my point of view you understand

I would totally agree with you mate... Ive spent a little time on phoenix as my frieand has got it... Fantastic and very addictive..! once i was on it he couldnt get his DX7 back... I cant justify the cost of a new laptop to run my own version on though... My new house and young family come first im affraid...

Im going to speak with my local heli shop today to see what the latest news is on the 120sr....

Simon

[amh]

I just wanted to note the weight of the new 120SR. It is not very heavy at all, so would you intend on flying this indoors? I really can't see the 120SR being very good on anything but the calmest of days outside.

At least the SR (non120) has a little more weight to it.

[helipilot]

120sr

yes mate..., im assuming it to be slightly larger MSR, which again isnt good in wind...
I spoke to the guys at Midland Helis today and they have been told the same... Basically its a bigger version that is heavier and more powerful than the msr but has the same attributes the msr has, ie good power to weight ratio, fast, nimble and ruggid. They have said the down side will be wind as with most fixed pitch helis... I have a well covered garden with lots of high trees that block out a lot of wind for low flying and also a few nice sized warehouses to use so not stuck that way....

Midlands have had no confirmation as yet to a launch date but they believe Horizon want to ensure they have a stock pile of spares before launching the heli to avoid th SR issues and the claimed launch of mid August isnt looking likely but we shall see....

I will carry on hopping the 400 around till she either hovers or the 120sr arrives....

Still not sure if to sell the 400 and go for a G5 once im ready or keep the 400 and spend out on a gyro and tail servo at a later date.....??

Simon

[Boggy]

stick with the gyro and change the tail servo. the hitec hs5084 is ideal and costs circa £30.you can then use the gyro in digital mode and its actually quite reasonable for a newby flier to potter around with. fit trex 450 8gram paddles and two brass 2mm wheel collets to each side and the blade becomes a very docile/stable little heli not unlike the SR

another tip with the gyro is set the heli down at the take off point and then connect the battery and allow the electrics to initialize without moving the orientation of the heli,rather than plugging in and the carrying the heli to the take off point.

[helipilot]

120sr

Cheers Ron....

Would this mod help gyro wandering....? I only ask as i have a nightmare with mine... I would get it locked in fine for learning, then it will just wander and the heli starts floating off and turning round needing corrective which whilst trying to master the cyclic isnt much fun.... I also seem to have to always change the gyro rate in the dx6i as well.... Some days its fine at 74 - 75 pc other days for some reason it needs 80+ pc to hold... Problem being anything over 70pc ln spool up and the tail wags that bloody hard im surprised it hadnt flew off...?

I have tried altering the rudder control rod and moving it down the servo arm.., great tail wag massively reduced but then the servo binds and the tail rotors make a funny noise like they are on full lock....?

The tail servo creeps as well it seems to forever on the move and i often have to waggle the rudder control a fair bit to get the damn thing to settle....?

You can start to see why im loosing the will with her now....

[Boggy]

the ball for the servo arm needs to be at 12mm out from center with a stock servo and gyro. you should see no wag at about 74% any less and you will see the wandering tail as you describe. it really is a matter of patience and changing it at 1% at a time to find the sweet spot(always start with a wag and reduce the gain,not increase till it wags!)so maybe start at 80% and work down from there

i found if you change over the servo use two metal twister storm boom mounts and the storm control rod. this gives you the luxury of being able to actualy slide the servo along the boom to get it set up just right