Heli Advice

[Anomie]

So I went to the hobby shop and got sucked into this helicopter madness. Got to play around with the sim at the store, Been looking at helis for a good week or so and I think its something I can really dig.

I'd like to get a machine I can upgrade for full 3D if I want to later but something I can learn on as well that isn't too rediculously expensive. I'd like to try to limit it to a grand or so, and definitely want a good radio.

This is what I've been considering -

Blade CP(to a lesser extent considering its size)

TRex 450 SE

MX 450 XS

Raptor 50

I'm more partial to electrics at the moment, seems like alot less trouble, so that is why the Raptor is the only gas heli up there. There seems to be alot of parts available for the MX 450 which I also really like the looks of. Anyway, some feedback would be killer, I'd like to get someones opinion who isn't trying to sell me something.

[cbflys]

The T-Rex and the MX are very good choices for electrics, and both can be done for under $1000.00. Keep in mind that you'll need Heli, motor, speed control, battery (or batteries), charger (and optionally a power supply), radio, and gyro. At around $1000.00, you won't be going "top-shelf", but it can be done.

If you go the nitro route - you'll need heli, engine, gyro, radio, fuel, starter, starter battery, fuel pump, and glow plug battery. I'm sure there's more (for both routes) that I'm not remembering.

I fly both small electrics (I have a Century Hummingbird CP and I fly a friends MX and T-Rex) as well as nitros (which I've been flying for 10+ years). I must say, I enjoy the nitro helis much more, however - this is a personal opinion. The nitros are larger and more stable - which I believe will help you greatly in the learning curve. The small electrics are more difficult to hover and are inherently less stable.

You can pick up a very good nitro heli that is a capable trainer as well as 3D performer in the likes of a Thunder Tiger Raptor 50 or a Kyosho Caliber 5. Both machines are under $300 and another $150 to $200 will get you a decent engine. Either the MX or T-Rex would be my choice for an electric. The CP although inexpensive is in the same category as my Hummingbird CP - it's not very precise and is very difficult to fly.

I would also highly recommend a simulator. It will pay for itself in short order.

[Helifino]

If your looking for an electric and your just starting out go with the Blade or Trex 450 XL.
In my opinion, the Trex 450 SE has too much "Bling" for a beginner. After a few crashes and there will be crashes, that could start to add up when you have to start replacing all of that metal.If you go with the 450XL, you could "upgrade as you go along".

Personally, I think you would outgrow the Blade after awhile, although it is a good machine to learn on from what I hear.

My 2 cents.....go with the Trex 450XL not SE.

[CLM]

I second the XL, that's what I purchased and am more then happy with it, though watch out, the rex is a very quick bird if you don't tame it a bit during setup. Mine was beyond my skill level on the first few flights, so I put in some exp and added some weights to calm down the flybar... (Well ok so maybe it's a bit blasphemous to put walkera parts on a t-rex, but the walkera 36 paddles with built in weights is what I had laying around ;) )

She is still very quick and apt to turn a moment of disorientation into a dirt nap, but she's working much better then stock :)

Chris

[Anomie]

Ya I'm definitely leaning toward the MX and the TRex. With the TRex, whats the deal with HDE & CDE? I'm assuming CDE would be the thing to get.

I also found a electric Raptor 50 -
http://www.mscomposit.com/raptor-50--electric-power-unit-set.html

I've got another two weeks or so to make a decision.

As far as radios, what are some good ones to look at? I'd like to buy one radio now so I don't have to upgrade.

I also found this TRex 450 XL kit, its says its complete, only bummer is 80 bucks shipping. Still, everything for about 800.

http://www.heliguy.com/Electric-RC-Helicopters/Trex%20450%20XL/Trex-450-XL-HITEC--COMPLETE-DEAL/

Check it out. Is this a good initial setup and really have everything I need? Opinions?

[CLM]

CDE is the electronic ccpm heli and HDE is the mechanical mixing heli. I got the CDE for slightly simplified setup.

Another one I have been looking at for pure size is the Ikarus Eco 8, a friend has one and it dwarfs the Rex.

Chris

[Helifino]

I also found this TRex 450 XL kit, its says its complete, only bummer is 80 bucks shipping. Still, everything for about 800.
I'm not sure where you live and I'm not familar with the gyro and servos,but you might want to check out this site.http://www.helihobby.com/html/trex_helicopter.html
It might save you a few bucks, especially in shipping. Also check out the Trex custom package and calculator to put together your own deal of what you want.
Just a thought. :)

[Motions]

You won't find many people saying good things about HeliHobby. Their service ranks really low.

If your thinking about a Trex, TechModel Products (http://www.techmodelproducts.com/products.htm) is the best place by far to get kits and parts. The service is astounding and you won't find better prices anywhere.

[tdswan]

I second the Heli Hobby rating. I'm not very pleased with them at all. They had an e-mail section on their "contact us" section, but neglect to return ANY e-mails I sent them. Found out from a friend who had called them that they hadn't been answering e-mails for a couple of months....TOLD HIM THAT RIGHT OUT! Can you believe that?¿? I got everything I ordered from them, though. Just pray you don't ever need tech support. I haven't visited their site in almost 8 months.

[Helifino]

Sorry, my mistake. I thought you were looking for a complete package,radio and all.

[Anomie]

Sorry, my mistake. I thought you were looking for a complete package,radio and all.


Ah I'd rather have a complete package, but I don't mind piecing it together. Only problem with that is I don't really know what I'm getting/should be getting. Its basically the same with any new hobby you break into though :-/.

[Helifino]

Personally, I think your better off piecing it together. If you have the time that is.
That way you can shop around and get the best deals on the items and brands you want instead of the junk they throw together in some of these packages. Most offer free shipping over a certain dollar amount also.
I wouldn't rule out Helihobby, I've been dealing with them off and on for a couple of years now and have not had any problem with them(just my personal opinon).
Here's a couple of more sites to check out, just to give you an idea.
http://www.rchover.com/home
http://www.readyheli.com/category_s/24.htm
http://www.deeteeenterprises.com/
http://www.fxaeromodels.com/index.php?cPath=49_175&osCsid=afce009a56d88eac091f3b3b480abe0e
http://www4.mailordercentral.com/heliproz/default.asp
That'll keep you busy for awhile :D

[Anomie]

Personally, I think your better off piecing it together. If you have the time that is.
That way you can shop around and get the best deals on the items and brands you want instead of the junk they throw together in some of these packages. Most offer free shipping over a certain dollar amount also.
I wouldn't rule out Helihobby, I've been dealing with them off and on for a couple of years now and have not had any problem with them(just my personal opinon).
Here's a couple of more sites to check out, just to give you an idea.
http://www.rchover.com/home
http://www.readyheli.com/category_s/24.htm
http://www.deeteeenterprises.com/
http://www.fxaeromodels.com/index.php?cPath=49_175&osCsid=afce009a56d88eac091f3b3b480abe0e
http://www4.mailordercentral.com/heliproz/default.asp
That'll keep you busy for awhile :D


I've been looking at setups on rchover yesterday and today. I decided on the TRex 450 XL with the CDE. I'm planning on the Futaba 7CHP for my radio (170 through them with just the transmitter). I also found paddles with removeable weights to make it a bit easier to learn and some other small things strictly for aesthetics.

Few questions here -

Gyro, I'm assuming heading lock is what I want. But what gyro?

Servos, I need four and from what I understand skimping on the tail rotor servo is bad news, and the other three need to be the same. So what are good servos that aren't too pricey? I was considering Hitec HS-56HBs, but can I use those for all four servos?

Do I need BEC's for servos?

Recievers, RCHover doesn't have much of a reciever selection but I can go elsewere. Again, function but not rediculously expensive. Any suggestions?

[CLM]

As for what gyro, I reccomend the gy401, very versitile, not overly expensive but not cheap in features. they have the 240 a bit cheaper, but not enough for me personally to warrent getting it over the 401.

As for servos, look at the hs-65 with the composite gears. As for the tail, mine is flying a hs50 untill I get my airtronics digital back.

Chris

[Anomie]

As for what gyro, I reccomend the gy401, very versitile, not overly expensive but not cheap in features. they have the 240 a bit cheaper, but not enough for me personally to warrent getting it over the 401.

As for servos, look at the hs-65 with the composite gears. As for the tail, mine is flying a hs50 untill I get my airtronics digital back.

Chris

Right on I'll check it out at work. Are digital servos the way to go for the tail?

Also, How's the Optic 6, I was also considering that next to the Futaba 7CH

[broke-again]

If you are going for the T-rex 400/450 size heli HS56's are good a GY401 with HS9650 for the tail is a good combo. I use these on my HDX450SE which is almost identical to the Trex's.

Radios are really a personal choice and it depends on your budget. I use the Futaba 6exh & PCM reciever (came with radio) which is very precise and easy to set up and i dont have to worry about interferrence. Only downfall is the lack of sub-trim menu, but if your mechanically set up good, you wont really need this function.

[CLM]

I went with the optic on a price vs features standpoint, it does absolutly everything I need a radio to do at this point in my flying experiance, and does not lock me into a high end radio on the possible brink of new high end DSM systems from spektrum/nomadio/others.

The optic has 5 point curves, 8 model memory, pcm capable (q-pcm recievers available from hitec) available with the hitec spectra synthisized module (that I don't reccomend with my what I have read) and comes with radio reciever and 2 hs55's for about $200 Add about another $15 and get a 3rd hs55 then get whatever you want for the tail and you are set.

The electron reciever is a nice size for the rex, the hs 55's are good cyclic servos, it's a decent package.

In fact someone here is running one with the q-pcm reciever in a Raptor 50 and liking it.

Chris

[Anomie]

After looking around for a while I decided on a setup like this. I'm still rather confused on the whole ESC/BEC thing, alot of the ESC's I'm looking at have built in BEC, but I keep hearing that built in BEC is no good. Also, It lists an amount of servos based on battery cells, I don't quite understand that. The ESC I was considering says 4 servos with 2 cells, but all the batteries I want are 3 cell. So I take it I need a seperate BEC. Also, FM or PCM? Other than that, if anyone would care to check this out and lemme know what they think of the setup.

TRex 450XL CDE type (160)

Radio - Futaba 7CHP (170 without servos)
Rec - Hitec Electron (55) or Futaba Mini R146iP (75)
Motor - Align Gold 400LF 3200 Kv (45) or Align 430L 3550 Kv (60) or AstroFlight 803T (88)
Gyro - GY240 (110) or GY401 (135), but considering Align Headlock RCE-500X (75)
Servos - S3101 (25x3)
Tail Servo - S3107 (20) or S9650 (60)
ESC ?- RCE-BL35G 35A Brushless (65)
BEC ?- MR-BEC-35020 2.0A Potencia BEC 5v (25)

This is obviously without batteries, and if I go with all the cheapest options I've chosen, its like 700 or so.

[AaronS]

go witht the PCM receiver if you can afford it, you will nevfer know the difference if you start with PCM, but if you start with FM and have glitching problems, you will wish you had started with PCM. as far as the ESC/BEC goes, the built in BEC is designed to handle the average setup, which for airplanes is usually less than the 4 servos our helis use. the BEC is a voltage regulator and the higher the voltage input, the more it has to work. The higher the voltage, the fewer the number of servos they can handle.

[Anomie]

go witht the PCM receiver if you can afford it, you will nevfer know the difference if you start with PCM, but if you start with FM and have glitching problems, you will wish you had started with PCM. as far as the ESC/BEC goes, the built in BEC is designed to handle the average setup, which for airplanes is usually less than the 4 servos our helis use. the BEC is a voltage regulator and the higher the voltage input, the more it has to work. The higher the voltage, the fewer the number of servos they can handle.


So what do I use if I want to run 4 servos at 5v?

Anyone have any thoughts on the setup yet?

[tdamore]

Anomie - sent you PM