RTF Helicopters

[Jonty]

Given the broad cross section of people on here I though someone may be able to help on this one. I am getting into RC helicopters after a year or so (trying) to fly fixed wing (in between rides up the takas of course!!). I am going to try helis as due to the lack of space in Wellington the plane came to grief on one cricket sitescreen and the Kelburn croquet clubroom exterior wall :shutup:

Anyway, after doing some research it looks like the E-Flite Blade CP is the best bet for a novice although it is not the easiest to fly. Anyone have any experience with helis or even better, fly them in Wellington (and can show me how?)

[erik]

Have you checked to see where the local club flies?
It'd be a safer place to fly both planes and helicopters.
Looks like there are two wellington clubs:

http://www.wmac.org.nz/
http://www.wrf.wellington.net.nz/ (something wrong with this webpage...)

[SimJen]

I have had heaps of planes, gliders and a gas chopper but got out of it all a few years back.
Recently I bought a RTF cheapie, and had great fun with it. Its a non collective version but flies pretty well. Heaps of fun and with a decent sim which helps you to learn the instinct of control before you smash it up.
Mine was $200 but was definately worth it. Some of the cheap ones can have electrical probs, but if you buy from a good dealer then you'll be covered. Mine fried a servo and I almost took out the side of the house....easy fix and the chopper is pretty strong. I bought stronger landing gear and a few better batteries for longer flights.
Try www.rcuniverse.com for good forums.....

[Jonty]

Thanks

I have the sim already with my old plane. Will check out the local clubs and see if someone can help (would prefer to crash someone elses before mine =))

[bobsmith]

I once had a fixed pitch heli RTF, etc... didn't like it. It is a novelty for more experienced pilots (I have since flown one and it's damn fun) but most RTF fixed pitch helis are bitch to fly and most likely story is it will break by the time you get the hang of it...

If you can, find a heli pilot to help you out... if you can't invest a lot of time on sim.

If you can afford it, a decent sized gas heli can help you learn very easily (relatively speaking of course) I learnt on a raptor 30 V2, and it was a very good choice... When you crash, the parts are fairly cheap and it's easy to repair and fly. After I totalled the raptor due to stupidity/radio failure (great fun seeing a heli going nose first into the ground at 90 degrees with the throttle full and no pitch control (ie. 0 degree pitch)... not) I converted to electric and got a Trex CCPM...

Trex CCPM is a bit harder to fly than a 30 size machine (due to smaller size) but heck a lot easier to fly and is more stable than similar size machines available. Also parts are plentiful and is capable of 3D manouvers from stock. If you really want a slightly cheaper electric option, I would highly recommend TREX. If you have the cash, go for raptor 30 or better raptor 50 (you would need a large wallet) it's much easier....

Oh remember, if you're figuring out if you can afford a heli get a price including all the things you'd need for it (ie, gyros, batteries, etc...) than double it, and ask yourself if you can afford it..... If you're REALLY KEEN though... don't bother asking yourself that question because you'll be much happier if you didn't know... It's amazing how much you can spend you never know that you had though.... (I'm a poor student...) Sure I've spent literally thousands on helis that I never knew I had, and I would be much better off if I didn't spend all that money, but after a few years, I don't regret a bit of it. If you want any more info about helis just PM me. If you get into it, you'll definately enjoy it...

PS by the way, I don't have a working heli at the moment, some new parts for Trex was on order but this motorbike thing happened and all my spare cash is going to bikes instead at the moment... still enjoy flying electric park planks at the local park time to time though...

[bobsmith]

If you're in wellington, why not try your hand at slope soaring!

It's great fun! and I enjoyed it even more than powered planes!!!

Suck I haven't been able to find any slopes around palmy to fly though...

[bobsmith]

Hey Jonty I put this here so that if anyone follows this thread, they can access the information without me having to write this again. I'll update more info in the future when I have time.

I'm afraid I don't have any first hand experience with blade but I know that trex is one of the best electric helis in terms of part availability and reliability.

Also, trex can be upgraded with better parts later on and it can take you all the way to full 3d capable heli. Most people I've talked to prefer trex to blade. have a look at this website:

http://www.wattsuprc.com.au/

They have very good deals there and the best part is shipping to NZ is only AU$6 for anything (the last time I checked) I buy most of my trex parts from there and I'm very happy with them. It usually comes within a week of ordering.

Have a look at this combo:

http://www.wattsuprc.com.au/product_detail.asp?pid=Combo07

That combo comes with the heli, couple of sets of different rotor blades, very powerful brushless motor, and 35A brushless control with governer function. I have the same motor and speed control combo and the power from that is phenominal. I of course paid a lot more since I got it all seperately before they had combos.

At AU330, that is a very very good price. All you'll need besides that is servos, a gyro and a lipo and of course ccpm capable radio gear. I could tell you all about servos and gyros but I better get going...

What kind of radio do you have. If you think you'll be in the hobby for a while, it is good to invest in a decent computer radio. Hitec Eclipse 7 is a pretty good entry level radio, if you think you'll be staying with park fliers only, the new Spectrum radio is pretty good. it operates on 2.4Ghz band and I hear it has really good resistance to electrical noise (which is a problem in electric models). It also comes with micro servos but the servos are probably not too great for helis, it will be great for park planks though.

I'll upload more info another time but as others have suggested have a look at all the heli forums. Especially places like runryder is very good. I've suggested what I think is best but you might get different ideas from others. Also search on google for ""450TH trex" to find some amazing clips of trex with 450th installed, the climb performance is truely amazing.

[bobsmith]

there are a couple of cheaper combos on wattsuprc but their power system is way underpowered in my opinion if you want to have real fun later on. I originally had Align 430 something motor with 25A controller but soon upgraded to the 450TH with align 35A governer controller.

[Marmoot]

I owned a Kyosho Caliber30 for a year. Still regret selling it.
Great heli, and easy to learn with.

[Jonty]

I owned a Kyosho Caliber30 for a year. Still regret selling it.
Great heli, and easy to learn with.

Thanks guys. Marmoot, that is one I have been recommended. Aparently they are extremely hard to get in NZ>

[bobsmith]

I have also heard that caliber is a good heli, but remember, when you're starting out... being able to get parts is very very important...

seriously if you're thinking about nitro heli, have a look at raptor 30 too, very good heli and parts are fairly cheap...

[edit - sorry I just realised I've said the above before....]

[Marmoot]

Thanks guys. Marmoot, that is one I have been recommended. Aparently they are extremely hard to get in NZ>

Either Caliber30 or Raptor 30.
Very easy to get in Auckland (Quay Street Hobby Shop stocks them).

I can also hook you up with a guy called 'Chopper Mike' in Auckland (penrose area) if you are keen to buy them. He also stocks the spare parts.
Kind of doing the hobby as a full time job, I reckon. What a beautiful life.
Let me know and I'll try to PM you the details

Caliber30 is easier to learn on, but Raptor30 has cheaper parts.

Good luck learning in Welly, though. Those things are a bastard to fly smoothly in windy conditions. :wait:

[Marmoot]

Btw, I have a Caliber M24 electric helicopter sitting around gathering dust. Anyone want to buy it?

I'd be happy with $350 (o.n.o)

[bobsmith]

what are you including for $350??? I might be interested...

[bobsmith]

Chopper mike is a very good guy to deal with. I picked up a 4ltr bottle of fuel from him once... it was only a few cents per litre more expensive than what I was mixing myself and much more consistant quality...

He also ships his fuel for $5 which is a pretty good deal...

Unless of course I'm thinking about someone else.... is this right Marmoot??? he also stocks reflex XTR from what I remember...

[bobsmith]

oh and if you're thinking about raptor, www.toprc.co.nz sells them for good price... fairly good shipping around NZ and they are the cheapest people I've found for parts.

[Marmoot]

what are you including for $350??? I might be interested...

whatever I got in the box when I bought it. Plus, the controller has been switched to throttle/yaw on the left and pitch/roll on the right.
And a spare battery.

I just don't have anywhere to fly that damn thing at my house (too small) and the thing is a b*tch to fly outdoor.

Oh, and the rottor is a bit scratched on the tip due to them scratching (duh) the floor when the heli was tipped over by the wind.
Small pinnion gear got stripped in the same incident (as they are meant to be), but Chopper Mike (yes, the same dude) can supply replacement.......I think it is $3 for a couple of spares.

[bobsmith]

Sorry never mind, my gf just told me she's not lending me anymore money towards helis and bikes...... oh well fair enough, I still owe her way too much money...

It's good to see that there are others that fly mode 2 in this strange country.... I just don't get people that fly mode 1, it's so un-natural....

[Marmoot]

LOL....that was the reason I sold my Caliber too.
I found Heli and gf don't mix :(

Mode 1 is so unnatural, I agree.

That's a hint for people wanting to start on this hobby. Most of the controllers are sold as Mode-1 and if you are used to radio controlled cars in your younger days (gas on the left, steering on the right) you might need to ask an expert to do a surgery on the controller and swap left and right functions.

Btw, Reflex XTR is great simulation to learn how to fly.

[bobsmith]

For anyone with an Eclipse 7, I can change between your mode 1 and mode 2. (can't change the switches on top around though...) It requires rearranging of a few jumpers in the controller.