so, need help on heli descision

[pbostrom]

so, heres is the deal i got this sweet walkera dragonfly #4 with FP which i bought for a really small amount off cash just to test the hobby out, and it turned out really fun so i use him to train on hover which i think works really really good, also got a simulator to train on, anyway i have searched for a big upgrade, was thinking off the t-rex first but i think the spare parts are kinda expensive and some ppl i have talked to says that a bigger helicopter is easier to fly.

so i changed my mind and want a big badass one, or some version of raptor 50 since i live about 50 meters from spareparts vendor with really cheap parts, rotorblades etc,

but then comes the money part, since i am just a student (well i am a 17 year old swedish boy ;) ) i dont have such a big income :P but then i am asking is it wise to buy a used raptor 50 package with some fuel, radies etc all to make it flyable for about 6-7000 SEK which is about 900 dollar, which leaves me with alot of cash to spare parts.

and yep i wanna assemble it myself so i think i will deassemble it first before flight and reassemble it again jsut to learn how it all works

/////// Pelle

[ClayK]

Raptor 50 is a good starting point. My TRex is cheap per crash, but overall, she's about as expensive as my Raptor. Batteries add up.

Hard to gauge cost since you are in a different part of the world and conversion doesn't take everything into account.

Either way, spend lots of time on the sim and practice, practice, practice.

[Bayou Talker]

Having reasonably priced parts close by is always a good thing. If the price for the Raptor is a deal compared to the price of a new setup in your area, then go with it. I have 2 Raptor 50's and they have served me well.

As for the disassembly before flying, that is a very smart thing to do when buying a used item. That way you know exactly what condition everything is in and you have the opportunity to replace any worn or broken parts BEFORE a crash. It will also give you a chance to learn how everything is put together and how to repair it.

Good luck.

[pbostrom]

i will, just waiting for my salary to come $$$ and scanning the whole internet for raptor 50s...

[DebianDog]

I have bought two used helis but knew who built them. I got the chance to rebuild them in no time because that's how I fly. :)

Raptor 50 is a good pick. :hug:

[ClayK]

I have bought two used helis but knew who built them. I got the chance to rebuild them in no time because that's how I fly. :)

Raptor 50 is a good pick. :hug:

That's how Dan rolls.....

[pbostrom]

hmm, have only finded some raptor 30s for very cheap prices with all included + lots of extras, but what is the difference in r30 and r50 except the engine size ofcourse.

i also saw that my spareparts store sold some kind of r30-r50 upgrade sets, i was like ??? can some1 explain if its bad to upgrade the r30 to a r50,

i will ofcourse stick to my r50 plan for the moment ;) but its good to know some stuff in general

[DebianDog]

well the 50 is a 30 with a 50 motor, motor mount, gears, longer boom and some beefer parts. Just like a 90 is a 60 with the same type upgrades.

[pbostrom]

so... this means the r30 is the same thing as a r50 but with less power, so then i "could" go with a r30 and upgrade it when i need some more power o_O doesnt cost that much just 1/4 or something off what a new heli costs.

[edit] thx for the help given this far, i get exactly the information i need here ;)

[z11355]

right. you would swap out the motor, some motor mount parts and the boom/belt/blades
and you have an instant 50 size machine.

[WJackson]

Check out the Stinger line too. More econonomical than the raptor but the parts are interchangable. their web site is www.gohbee.com

[BAyres]

Bill
Are all of the gohbee and raptor parts interchangeable? I'm new too and have two teenagers to feed...and a wife to keep the budget on line...so I am planning my first heli purchase. So far, I have been told raptor 50 over TREX 450 and 600. What's your advice?

Bobby

[WJackson]

The Raptor is a great bird, tried and tested as are the Stingers. The Stinger's are about 90% compatable. The head design on the Raptor is different from the Stinger and therefore not all parts are compatable, but from the swashplate on down they are compatable. So in a pinch rappy parts can be used on the Stinger but the price diiference makes the , for me 2 day, wait worth it. Not to mention the owner , Dave, is probably one of the nicest people I've ever met. The Trex's SE are nice but the small birds are twitchy and difficult to learn on. The 600's are very nice , seen a couple demos and a couple guys have one @ my local club, but they seem to be pricey by the time you get extra batteries and the special charger and blah , blah....atleast thats my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions :D

[BAyres]

Bill, thanks for the advice. I had read the article in last months RCHeli and was impressed. You mention price difference, I am very new, so can you give me some examples?
I also tried using the rep # but didn't work...what am I doing different...or probably wrong?
And how about some Gohbee updates on G3 huh! lol

Bobby

[WJackson]

In general the price difference between the rappy and gohbee kits is about 100.00 bucks. Parts are the same deal, maybe 15-30 % difference. Dave also has good prices on all the extras too, ie 401, os 50 hyper, etc etc.Your right though Gohbee's on G3, thats a great idea!!!! :D