introduction

[njheliguy]

hey all, I just felt like I should introduce myself as the new newb. I have been interested in the rc heli world for awhile now but never got around to getting into it. But as of late I decided there is no time like the present. I have not gotten my first heli yet because I have been looking all over the web for insight on a heli for weeks now.

I have been to the LHS by me (an hour away) and have looked at some of the possabilities that they have. I would prefer to support my LHS than some unimpersonable web store. I looked into the coaxial ones but that does not seem to be my cup of tea. The first time on the simulator I had that thing up no problems and was able to fly around perfectly.

I still want a beginner electric that is not collective pitch. The LHS has the Heli-Max Rotofly EX and I was wondering if anyone has heard any thing about them. They have parts in stock for it which is a plus. If you have any recommendations that would be helpfull also.

Also as a shot in the dark, if there is a northern NJ heli guru that would take in a student it would be a tremendous help.

[heli-cuzz]

I never flew a fixed pitch heli. I'd start and stay with the collective pitch heli. Buy a coaxial if you're just learning, that's the only fixed pitch heli I'd recommend. Keep on the simulator, it will save you a lot of money and frustrations of the inevitable smackdown.

[phatchantz]

One of the things that I have noticed with "fixed pitch" and may not be for all, was that the batteries were ni-cad as opposed to Li-po - big difference here - better flight time, and lower charge time ( no memory probs either ) with Li-po batteries - Sim, Sim, Sim while you're deciding :)

parts availability is also another biggie ( I want it NOW ) - as always, everytime that you turn around there is another new heli to look at - maybe this year they will change the tx in the Blades to the new DX ones - now THAT would be my choice to start :D

take your time

[AaronS]

fixed pitch helis really have only one advantage, they are durable. they don't fly nearly as well as either the counter rotators or a collective pitch machine. true, a collective machine can be much more aggressive and difficult to fly if you don't take the time to dail it in and get the controls set up sedatly, but a collective machine that is well set up for a beginner will be much eisier to fly than a fixed pitch bird. fixed pitch helis tend to wobble, they don't have a locked in feel, they don't handle wind well, and they tend to "ballooon" in forward flight. they also are hard to bring down with any control if you gain much altitude.

[schwa]

wow, you said it aaron, for christmas my wife got me a ef saber and that was a very difficult to fly. last weekend i bought the axe cp and had it hovering in no time, was really surprised by the diffrence between the two birds.

[Hoomi]

I'm also a newb, having only recently purchased my first RC heli and flown it. I bought the Helimax Axe EZ, and I'm having a blast with it. If you follow their instructions on the included DVD, you should have no problems. I've flown six times now, and haven't crashed yet.

The Axe EZ is a fixed pitch, coaxial rotor electric, and the kit includes everything you need to fly except for 8 AA batteries for the transmitter. The biggest caveat I'd give on the small electrics like the Axe EZ, the Blade CX, and similar models is to find a decent indoor place to fly. My son has the Blade CX, and from trying to fly it outdoors, he's crashed almost everytime he's flown. I usually go to the local community Rec Center and fly on the indoor basketball court (when it's not being used for radical purposes like basketball). The size of the court with the stable air makes for a good environment for a newb like myself. The free-throw circles also provide a ready training circle; install the training gear on the heli, apply enough throttle to just get the gear off the ground, and work on trimming the model and keeping it in the circle. If it starts to get away, you just lower the throttle a little and it settles right back to the ground safely.

[njheliguy]

last weekend i bought the axe cp and had it hovering in no time, was really surprised by the diffrence between the two birds.

I was looking at that bird. Is it really as easy as you say? I was just worried about it beeing a cp heli. i have the patience of a saint so if it takes that I think i may be able to handle it.

[Michael121]

You can get a FP on EBAY for 4-12 bucks plus shipping. They are actually fast, and when they slam into a wall you say "Only 4 bucks plus shipping"

They take a little time to adjust the pots to keep from spinning outta control. They are actually larger than the Blade CP's.

I got 2 of them just to start out and smacked one and broke the boom. Added more power in battery, re-adjusted. Now I am setting about to rebuild a frame out of aluminum plates.

Just to see if I can use parts to put one together for the heck of it. The motors are 300's.

They are 27 - 72 mHz.

[schwa]

well, its all realtive, its still hard to fly, but compared to the saber, its alot easier. of course i say this knowing that fedex just dropped off my new parts :D

[HeliHulk]

I never flew a fixed pitch heli. I'd start and stay with the collective pitch heli. Buy a coaxial if you're just learning, that's the only fixed pitch heli I'd recommend. Keep on the simulator, it will save you a lot of money and frustrations of the inevitable smackdown.

Whats a good sim that I can use my Blade CP transmitter??

Thanks

[heli-cuzz]

Whats a good sim that I can use my Blade CP transmitter??

Thanks


I don't think you'll be able to use that Tx with any sim. You can always try. I tried using the eflite blade TX on the RealFlite G-2 last year and didn't have any luck doing so.
If you're looking to invest in a sim, everybody raves about the RealFlite G3 and G3.5.
I don't rave about my Reflex XTR, I strongly recommend it.
I flew the G2, 3, and 3.5, as well as the latest sim out, the FS-ONE.
No comparison to the Reflex

XTR stands for.... neXt To Reality. and they mean what they say. It is a professional model flight simulator for rc helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

People see my sim and think its a real video being watched as I'm the one controlling the heli. Ofcourse you need a computer capable of supporting the XTR program.

I could go on about how invaluable the Reflex XTR sim is, but I won't, enough said. :)

[mongoose]

I don't think you'll be able to use that Tx with any sim. You can always try. I tried using the eflite blade TX on the RealFlite G-2 last year and didn't have any luck doing so.
If you're looking to invest in a sim, everybody raves about the RealFlite G3 and G3.5.
I don't rave about my Reflex XTR, I strongly recommend it.
I flew the G2, 3, and 3.5, as well as the latest sim out, the FS-ONE.
No comparison to the Reflex

XTR stands for.... neXt To Reality. and they mean what they say. It is a professional model flight simulator for rc helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

People see my sim and think its a real video being watched as I'm the one controlling the heli. Ofcourse you need a computer capable of supporting the XTR program.

I could go on about how invaluable the Reflex XTR sim is, but I won't, enough said. :)


Could I use a DX6 with the Reflex sim? I saw that the sim is compatable sith JR and Futaba TXs but I saw nothing about it working with the DX6.

[heli-cuzz]

Could I use a DX6 with the Reflex sim? I saw that the sim is compatable sith JR and Futaba TXs but I saw nothing about it working with the DX6.

I think the DX-6 is more JR than Futaba. I can't say if it works with the Reflex XTR. I have a DX-6, I'll see if its compatible or not. Might need to get a different cord connector.

[mongoose]

If you happen to find out, please post. Thanks!