Need recommendations

[ronaldf]

As a beginner, I have not yet learned to control my Honey Bee CP2 . I can lift off and keep it in a 12 foot by 20 foot area, but fight it constantly. I cannot maintain a decent hover. I’m constantly fighting the tail. I’m sure that it is not set up properly but am limited in my knowledge. I’ve balanced the blades and head. I’ve tried adjusting the gain and proportional adjustment with no consistent results. The trim is constantly changing with battery discharge. Just minor adjustments to tail position causes head speed to change which in turn causes the tail to drift. It is frustrating! It could not be my fault, so it must be the heli and electronics!!!!



I do believe that I might be better off with a more stable platform to learn on. I’m looking seriously at a T-rex 450 XL CDE. I have some questions about the electronics:



I’m siding towards a Spektrum DX6 radio but am concerned with its 3 point pitch and throttle curves. My alternate would be a Airtronics RD6000 Super 6ch FM w/4-322z servos and 92777 RX. I will only be a sport flyer. I don’t intend to do any radical 3D flying. Do I need more than the 3 point curves? Both units are about the same price.



Next, I need a recommendation on a gyro. Pros and cons on Futaba GY240 vs GY401. Are there any others that I should consider? I'm posting this in several areas - be patient with me.

[Ru-Ready]

ronaldf,

Check out RCgroups.com they have the answers you are looking for.

[tdswan]

....or we can help here....

As far as pros and cons to the 401/240. The biggest pro for the 401 is the remote gain that can be adjusted from the radio. Is it necessary?..no In some cases the remote gain is a hinderance if you've got all the channels used on your radio and need to eliminate something. That's where the advantage of the 240 is. Both hold equally as well.

As far as a stable platform, yes, the T-Rex will probably hover better than what you're flying, it is larger, but setup is the key to getting any heli to fly well. To stabilize the heli you're already flying, try putting some wheel collars on the flybar inside the paddles. This will give it a more stable feel and tame the beast, so to speak. 2 on each side will make a world of difference.

I assume the honey Bee comes with a radio and I'm sure there's minimal adjustments you can make to it, so you're pretty much stuck with that aspect of it.

A new radio for a T-rex has to be a minimum 6+ channel. You've probably heard it elsewhere, but if you're going to stick with the hobby, get the best radio you can afford. It will be with you for a long time. 3-point curves on the spectrum can be used. 5-point, of course would be more precise, and you've gotta weigh that against the spectrum technology. I haven't used it, but I hear it's great.

Good luck on whatever you choose. I'd try the wheel collars on the Honey Bee first, you can get them at any hobby store. They'll know what you need. Also get a local experienced pilot to check out the setup for you. They're worth their weight in gold.

[Helifino]

As a beginner also, I can certainly understand your frustration. I don't know much about the HoneyBee other than what I have read on these forums and it doesn't sound like your alone.
I think everyone will agree that you should buy the best radio that you can possibly afford. Personally, I went with the Hitec Optic 6. I'm sure there are a hundred different opinions on that subject. I would however recomend that you look at radios with at least a 5 point or greater pitch and throttle curve as opposed to a 3 point setup. You'll be more satisfied in the long run.
As far as gyros, I recently purchased a GY240 and like it alot. I believe the GY401 requires a digital servo, but I'm not sure. If your thinking about going with a Trex and are not getting into the 3D, a GY240 is plenty.
I spent months of my time and a bloody fortune fooling around with a Hornet CP and still could not get it setup right. I finally broke down and bought a Trex HDE. I'm just beginning to put it together.
Hang in there and do your homework, it will payoff eventually...or so I'm told ;)

[tdswan]

The 401 is switchable between an analog or digital servo. It's not essential, I run analog servos on both my Raptor and T-Rex. I do have a digital combo with the 401 for my Predator gasser that's on order. I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs when the heli comes off backorder. :mad: