Newbie needs help deciding on AP platform for light use.

[Canada Goose]

Hi all...

I am sure this has been discussed before, please bear with me and please affer advice

OK, I am new to heli's but not RC and AP. I have been doing AP with planks for a while and really want to try heli's for so many obvious reasons but need to be led by the hand with some important decisions.

This is what I want to do, perhaps that will help you point me in the right direction.

I have a Canon S80 camera and want to be able to take aerial pictures with it and take video in conjunction with a light weight down link system.

I am struggling over what type of heli I should be looking for. Yes, I am new to heli's and am spending lots of time on the sim before looking at making a purchase. I have no clue as to what kind of payload heli's can safely handle. Should I be looking for electric or glow power? I am not looking for a huge gas powered heli that carries Hollywood style of camea gear, just more for recreation and personal use. In my mind, electric would be better for less vibration and no exhaust smoke but might not lift as much.

So, can anyone offer some suggestions as to the pros and cons of electirc vs glow and then offer some heli choices. Oh, I also have an Askman camera mount.

Cheers

Mike

[MarkWebber]

For a light weight heli and mount, I'd say you might want to seriously concider DJ's (N74DV) front mount setup for the raptor. Plus he's already got something going with Askman. All you've got to do is check out the video he's shot from his rig and I think you'll be sold.

[Canada Goose]

Thanks Mark....wow that is a very nice smooth video with the Raptor (50?) with a glow engine. Has me sold for sure and I guess much cheaper than electric. I think the video was done with glow power as in one scene it looks like there is the shadow of exhaust smoke.
Cheers
Mike

[AZ ChopperCam]

there are many of my videos out there... glow and electric. not sure which you have viewed but either way the Raptor 50 is a great inexpensive platform to start from. If you find later that you want to carry more weight you can always upgrade to a Maxi Joker or if gas a Bergen or the like.

I feel more comfortable lifting more weight with the nitro bird but the e powered version is good for up to around 12.5-13lb ready to fly. that gives you about 3lb worth of gear you can load up. consider though that e-power is going to cost you around twice as much to get started. what's your budget?

[Canada Goose]

The video I was referring to was one taken in May, it said something about testing a new camera mount.

I have all the radio gear, servo's, receiver etc and would need a heli, motor, gyro and camera mount plus everything else I have forgotten or am unaware of. I have some fixed wing planes I need to sell but I was hoping to be in the $1200 range...perhaps you are rolling on the floor with laughter....I just don't know the price of heli stuff. I could go used Raptor 50 instead of new of course.

Thanks for your input.

Mike

[AZ ChopperCam]

your $1200 budget should get you a R50 no problem. having all the rest of the gear at hand will save you some $$ and get you started. If I were you I'd pick up a lightly used R30 V2 with no engine (just airframe) and then buy a new boom/belt/blades to make it a stretched R50. that's the only difference between R30 and stretched R50. You can pick up a lightly used R30 airframe for a couple hundred bucks. then go with some upgrades like metal swashplate, blade grips, pulleys, washout base,etc. You can go either Hyper 50 or regular 50 engine. My nitro is a regular 50 and has plenty of power. get a cheap century or TT muffler and you're good to go.

I'll have some complete camera mounts ready soon. price not 100% set yet but maybe around $375 ?? thats complete kit... servos, and all. It bolts right onto a Raptor that has the eCCPM mod done to it.

[Canada Goose]

Thanks so much DJ for your assistance...I have sent a PM.

Mike

[dreslism]

Mike,

One other thing to consider is where you intend to use/fly this heli.

The stretched raptor 50 is not a small heli. It is starting to get on the large side for a "neighborhood heli."

Also the nitro can be more of a bother to neighbors if that is what you're doing.

In my opinion, a larger heli will be more stable, hence "easier to fly" than a smaller heli.

FYI,

I fly an E raptor Titan and have been very happy with it.

[jedijingle]

DJ, what eccpm mod needs to be done to the R50 in order to use your mount. Very intrested in a mount also thanks John jedijingle@hotmail.com

[AZ ChopperCam]

the one that Gary at www.tppacks.com sells. it eliminates the entire front servo tray.