Looking for some buying advise.

[Goggles Pisan]

Hello all,
I recently got into R/C helicopters, still race electric 4WD sedan. Just looking for something to do when the track is closed. I saw this item on eBay (item number 6020493133) and was wondering if this is a good helicopter package for a beginner. How is the radio, good or cheap? Are the electronics decent quality? I realize having raced R/C cars that if you can afford it, buy good stuff since you end up upgrading to the good stuff anyway. I'm not looking for top of the line equipment since R/C helicopters will be a secondary hobby. I searched on the internet for packages like this one and only found this one that seems to be all assembled for you (I think) as I'm not a really big fan of wrenching (that's why I have an XRay FK05, it requires minimal maintenance). I believe in supporting your local hobby shop, but my local shop doesn't carry helicopters (except for the Blade CX and CP). So what do people think, would this be a good purchase? I'd appreciate your opinions.

thanks,
Sal

[Fasrc]

The Trex XL is an excellent heli and we did a review on it in issue 2. The one On Ebay is at a great price. The Airtronics RD6000 super Transmitter (35/72Mhz) is a decent one to start with but make sure you get the 72 Mhz as the other one is not intended for the US.
Hope this helps. :)

[Goggles Pisan]

Thank you very much, thats just the information I needed. I have issue #2. I did read the review and that is what led me to my decision toward a Trex 450XL. Your magazine and forum are a great resource.

Thank you
Sal

[tdswan]

Goggles,
Just a little experience I have with the Telebee Gyro, setup is a nightmare! This gyro isn't what I consider to be very user friendly. I would recommend going with another gyro. This gyro (coupled with user error) caused a major crash with my T-Rex. I won't get too technical, but every time I turned the heli on, I had to trim the rudder channel in a different spot to get it to hold. I was hovering it with the trim set to hold (which was almost all the way right this time) and switched flight modes. My other flight mode had the trim 2/3 left. You can guess what heppened from there. Round & Round
http://image.rcuniverse.com/gallery/galleryimages/lg-34375.jpg

[Goggles Pisan]

WOW! That looks pretty bad! Were you able to salvage anything? The more I read the more I learn. While I would like to get a RTR package, I am learning that some of the electronics are subpar. What I would like is if someone could recommend a good set-up for the Trex xl. For comparison, here's what I have for my on-road set-up: airtronics m8, airtronics 357 servo, gtx speedo, spectrum dsm receiver. Basically, I'm looking for above-average stuff but not top of the line, and user friendly. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[tdswan]

I was able to salvage all of the electronics luckily.

I had Hitec servos in mine for cyclic and tail. Never been a fan of Hitec, but it came with them so I gave it a try. I had the collective servo go out mid-flight. Luckily it stuck in a position where it came down gently and there was no crash. Later I stripped the gears in the tail servo (Hitec HS50) so I got a JR Sport servo for the tail. This servo was much much smoother in tail response and was $2 cheaper than a Hitec. As far as servos go, I run Futabas in my Raptor and will be switching to all JR in my T-Rex. That's all just my opinion. There's lots of die-hard Hitec fans out there, too. Another is the Gyro. I blame the gyro for this crash, get a good one. I had an Align HH gyro on this one which is also a Telebee with different sticker. Some guys have luck, I did not. I pulled the JR G500T off my Raptor for the time being since I don't fly it in the winter. It's a little big for a micro, but I'm a sport flyer just making it into the realm of 3D. The JR's a pretty good gyro in my eyes. Futaba also makes the 401 gyro which also gets good reviews. It's a lot smaller and should be with you for a long time since you can always re-use it in another bird.

That's all I can think of for now. I'll keep an eye on your post though to see if you have any other questions. There's lots of others out there who have a more vast knowledge than myself, though.

[Fasrc]

The setup that we used in the testing of the Trex is what I highly recommend. Its a great setup and I still fly it just as described in the article to this day without any issues. Its not the top of the line setup but its a good one.

As far as Hitec is concerned, I have had great luck with them. I am not saying that because I am associated with the magazine just what a have seen from experience. I have had ones dead from the start but the service dept. is awsome.


For a gyro, My favorite is the Futaba Gy401. Its works great for all applications and its brainless to setup.

hope this helps.


BTW: Most of the stuff I post on this board or any other board are my personal opinion and not biased.

[Fasrc]

TdsWan,

Try not to adjust your tail via the trim on the radio as that will throw off the center. Always fix the trim mechanically by adjusting the links. Also make your adjustments in non heading lock mode.

[tdswan]

I tried and tried that per the setup instructions from trextuning.com. I was still constantly trimming it. I had mechanical center adjusted on it, tried making sure the trim was centered before turning it on, nothing helped. It ALWAYS required a different trim position before flying. I no longer have any faith in this gyro and will wrote it off as a loss. Anyone wants it? Make an offer. I'll run my G500T for the winter and look into a 401 before it gets warm.