What Gasser ?

[maderdog_1024]

Im looking at the Helibug kits just now and thinking of my next addition to the fleet.

I have wanted another gasser since i got rid of the predator as I never thought it ran as well as it should have.

I dont want a Century helicopter as getting spares is just not worth the hassle.

Im looking at;

TZ Frenzy 90, with 23/26 Zenoah

or

T-Rex 700/Flasher 700
with same 23/26 Zenoah

I just bought an HD camera so will use it for some video/photos, but I still want to "play" and have the most capable machine as possible.

What do you guys think ?

Mike

[trillian]

Have you considered the RJX gasser? The reason being that it uses a lighter and more compact engine than the Zenoah (but you lose the pull-start and an Align starter doesn't have the power, but if you already use a Dynatron then it wouldn't be a big deal).

For me, I just resigned myself to the idea that the gasser will be heavier and I like the convenience of the pull-start.

If I didn't already have the Predator I think I would have gone the Trex / Helibug route. I should add though, that I really like my Predator and it has been completely trouble-free, I have never had to touch the needles or anything on the engine (26cc Hanson Zenoah).

[gramey]

My limited experience say's don't touch anything from Miniature Aircraft or Century as the spares supply for both in this country is awful. I had an MA Spectra G which fleew nicely but on the couple of times I planted it in the ground I had to wait weeks for spares and eventually went direct to Ron's Helipros in the states as Motors & Rotors here are totally useless.
I then bought a T Rex 700 and the Helibug kit and while this didn't fly quite as well as the Spectra it stayed in the air without one mechanical failure and I loved. Unfortunately circumstances dictated that I sold it but I plan to replace it in the spring with a Bergen Intrepid gasser. The reason for this being that the distributor here in the UK, King Cobra, are easy to deal with and carry a wide range of spares. Also Chris Bergen personally goes on forums such as HeliFreaks and helps anybody, not just Bergen owners.
Ali who manufactures the Helibug kits is also very helpful but sadly with the demise of Concept Copters they do not have a UK distributor at the moment.
Here's the link for the Bergen and it's worth watching the video of it being flown FBL, especially bearing in mind it has no electronic FBL system.
Welcome to Bergen R/C - /Gas
Good luck with your search.

[RJX-Helicopters]

Have a look on our website - www.kingcobradistribution.co.uk click on "Store" and put X90G-SILVER in the search bar and have a look at this video of one of our customers flying his - its no slouch !! The kits comes complete with 26cc engine, 3D muffler, CDi unit, the heli is a full metal head, tail and bearing blocks and painted canopy... you just need the main blades and radio gear to fly.... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PUq9xRSJAk"]YouTube - RJX Gasser[/ame]

[pgkevet]

The RJX parts I've seen look good and I've ocassionally been tempted to the idea of an RJX gasser..indeed 'Toxic Al' (toxic marine engines) who mods gasser engines seems quite taken with it and has modded engines for the beast (PM chats)....not that the vid posted above does the heli any favours..was that a PUH or CDI engine on-board?

I'd echo Grameys comments.. the spectra G is a nicer machine than the predator but the Helibug versions with the RC engine are supposedly easier to tune and manage and stay cooler and probbaly work out more economical to build than many. I'd also agree that Chris Bergen is easy to get hold of and chat to, though not a 'cheap' machine...none of them are..just cheap to run if you can avoid the ground hurling itself up at you.

If performance and cost isn't an issue then worth looking at vario and airstar..the latter just for looks..

[RJX-Helicopters]

Some pics when it landed, in one you can make out the CRRC 26cc engine which is a very compact engine around the same size as a 0.91...!!

[gramey]

Never seen an RJX in the metal, personally I don't like the idea of the CDI unit as it means charging two batteries and it's pretty vulnerable hanging out there. You can make any metal you want look good it doesn't mean to say it's of particularly good quality, or that it isn't. I definetely wouldn't go with a belt drive on a gasser although they list a TT version.
The reason the CRRC engine is compact is due to the CDI ignition system being seperate to the engine and you have no pull start you have to use a spin start. Part of the reason I like gassers is the pull and play, a bottle of fuel and your radio and your good to go, no poncing about carrying starters around with you, but each to their own.
If Rossendale want to push the RJX for whatever reason that's fine, personally I'm still planing on going with the Bergen.