Heli begginer: Blade CP or Venom 3D?

[gbf]

Hi,

I'm trying to decide which will be my first heli to buy, and I figure the most valuable input would be the feedback of the experts in this forum!

I want an ARF or RTF that can be flown outdoors and made of quality materials, not a cheap heli that will disintegrate in 1000 pieces after the first crash. I also want to go with a collective pitch heli, so I don't have to change it in a few months when I may want to start trying some 3D. I don't really plan to buy a lot of upgrades (mayme another battery pack), just want a decent heli with a stable flight to have some fun with it, without breaking the bank.

Having said that, based on online research only, I have narrowed my choices to either the Blade CP, or the Venom Night Ranger 3D.
Both are within my budget, seems like solid aircrafts and have good availability of spare parts... The Blade CP seems to have the option of connecting the transmitter to the PC with an optional cable, and have some simulator time, so that is a plus (not sure if the Venom has the same).

What do you guys recommend? any info/suggestions would be really appreciated!

Also, if you feel I should look into other brands please let me know... I was also looking at some Walkeras DragonFly #35, #45, but couldn't find much info and they have too many models to choose from.... are they good?

Thanks

PS: I do plan to take it very slow with my first heli, get the training gear, some SIM time if possible, to get this heli to last much more than a couple of days!!! :-)

[sgtmike74]

I will first say that I dont know much about the V3D, but I do own a BCP that I bought as my first heli. This being said I will keep my comments to the BCP only.
1...The BCP is truly RTF right out of the box
2...Given time and patience in dialing it in you can maintain a rock steady hover.
3... There are a TON of support out there on the BCP via web forums and the LHS here.
4... There are many upgrades you can purchase that adds to the flight characteristics
not just for bling effect.
5... WHEN you do crash its not that expensive to buy parts ($3-$12 range)
6... You can just fold up the blades and pack it up in the box it came in and take it with
you anywhere. (joys of a parkflier)
7... It can do MILD 3D if you have the correct setup for it. (theres videos on the web)
8... Its super easy to work on.
9... Its alot of fun and for the money not a bad deal at all.

Whatever you pick just remember to take your time and look for fellow heli guys in your area. My buddies are the ones that got me hooked and they are worth their weight in gold when it comes to getting advise about things. Plus they all own BCPs and one just purchased a TREX SE and a 30 size Nitro (Im jealous!!!! :D )

Welcome to the hobby!

[SSG Scott]

Hi,

I'm trying to decide which will be my first heli to buy, and I figure the most valuable input would be the feedback of the experts in this forum!

I want an ARF or RTF that can be flown outdoors and made of quality materials, not a cheap heli that will disintegrate in 1000 pieces after the first crash. I also want to go with a collective pitch heli, so I don't have to change it in a few months when I may want to start trying some 3D. I don't really plan to buy a lot of upgrades (mayme another battery pack), just want a decent heli with a stable flight to have some fun with it, without breaking the bank.

Having said that, based on online research only, I have narrowed my choices to either the Blade CP, or the Venom Night Ranger 3D.
Both are within my budget, seems like solid aircrafts and have good availability of spare parts... The Blade CP seems to have the option of connecting the transmitter to the PC with an optional cable, and have some simulator time, so that is a plus (not sure if the Venom has the same).

What do you guys recommend? any info/suggestions would be really appreciated!

Also, if you feel I should look into other brands please let me know... I was also looking at some Walkeras DragonFly #35, #45, but couldn't find much info and they have too many models to choose from.... are they good?

Thanks

PS: I do plan to take it very slow with my first heli, get the training gear, some SIM time if possible, to get this heli to last much more than a couple of days!!! :-)


You should consider looking at the Honeybee CP2 (helidirect.com or heli-fever.com) as this helicoptor is the the upgraded version of the Blade CP and Honeybee CP. It comes with a 3 cell lipo battery, charger, and bell/hiller mixing, a nicer transmitter, fully symmetrical blades, high performance motor and all for about 180 bucks delivered. There were 14 of us that were flying them in our group over in Iraq ( a few Blade CPs too but they later upgraded their battery packs and other upgrades necessary to do 3d flight).

The venon night ranger is similar but is very twitchy so would not be a good choice for a learning to fly on heli.

-Scott

[crashmasterbob]

The only reason I would reccommend the blade, is the availability of parts, etc at hobby shops. have yet to see a Venom in stock, nor any parts for it. If you fly, you will need to find parts as things break. Also the upgrade parts will be needed etc.
Good luck

[Mini-Dub]

I would reccomend the HoneyBee CP2, I don't have mine (yet :p , it should be here monday), but that's what I chose over the Blade CP because of how cheap the parts are. The heli comes with bell hiller mixing already, and a 3c 1000mah lipo already so you don't have to upgrade those parts. The heli comes RTF with upgrades the Blade doesn't have for about $30-40 less ($188-$220) and parts are cheaper too, blades are about 7 bucks compared to araoundn $18 for the Blade. The good thing is that if you break a part that you don't have extras of from ordering online, a ton of the parts between the Blade and Cp2 are compatible (blades, motors, tail rotor, tail boom, and more) so most likely you'll be able to find a part that will fit at a local hobby shop. Those are the reasons I chose to order the CP2. Oh that and the CP2 the servos actually screw on and not just servo tape and zip tied on like on the Blade :rolleyes: .

[BIG J]

Hey there dude, I've had a VNR 3D for a couple of months now and have found it to be a good thing! They are quite durable and cheap and easy to fix when u do mash it up. Try and get plenty of sim time in before your first flight or it will quickly turn into a nightmare. GOOD LUCK CHAMP!!!!!!

[4-rc-heli]

Blade CX or ESky Lama 2 are good for beginners (flying video here (http://www.linknety.com/modevideos/demo/zoom.php?id=14))

[bladecpdude]

yes i agree with 4rcheli i bought a cp and after 2 weeks fixing it more than flying i bought a cx and its a blast to fly.