What to BUY

[scotter]

...SNIP...
I am a REALLY big fan of the 230RC engine. In stock form it is the best engine Zenoah makes IMHO
I guess I need to produce a light 230RC powered Gasser :mrgreen:
:shock:

Tom, if you have a minute, would you mind telling me what's different about the 230RC engine (from the 231) and why do you like it so much? I'm not familiar with it, have never seen one. I did hear that they're heavier - is that true?

[PaulH]

The "RC" version of the engine is mostly used in 1/5 scale gas powered cars and trucks. Look at the new HPI Baja Buggy for example.

The main difference is that the flywheel is completely different and has integral cooling vanes. They are generally balanced better and have better cooling as a result.

[Mike SVOR]

On the first page, someone said you can get a Preditor with engine for under a grand. I can't find this deal anywhere.
Only thing I found was: http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=577
I don't think it comes with an engine either.
Anyone got any good deals on this copter?

I was thinking about this preditor or another around it's size to build into scale.
Do they make a 530MD for this heli that would fit?

Pull start motor is one of my top priorities for this build.

Thanks for any help in the right direction.

Mike

[ClayK]

Predator is ok. My experience (I don't fly one, but I know someone that has a nitro and gas) has been that parts support can be difficult at times. Tolerances / QC hasn't been spot on either.

There are other options out there, if you are intending to do scale you should take a look at Vario. If you are just starting out flying, I'd recommend a 50 size that's inexpensive with regards to parts and fly the snot out of that for awhile before jumping into scale.

[Mike SVOR]

Predator is ok. My experience (I don't fly one, but I know someone that has a nitro and gas) has been that parts support can be difficult at times. Tolerances / QC hasn't been spot on either.

There are other options out there, if you are intending to do scale you should take a look at Vario. If you are just starting out flying, I'd recommend a 50 size that's inexpensive with regards to parts and fly the snot out of that for awhile before jumping into scale.

Thanks, I already own a Raptor Titan 50. (never crashed)

[jfint]

Wonderful, glad to see another Airstar out there in the world, I know you folks outside of California are always nervous about ordering from Joe, and I am pleased to see that he is coming through for you.

The advantages of ASI over Vario were listed pretty well, The bottom lines I think are lower price count and more color options.

Its a nervous plunge for a lot of us to buy one of these gassers, and I know i only wanted to do it once, I didn't want to spend allot of money on a machine that was sub-par, and I am VERY happy with my mongoose.

[EricTheRed]

I purchased a Mongoose too, Great bird. I was unsure of the whole thing due to the comments on this thread back last December (06). All of my fears were unrealized. It seems that the largest issues were during the time that Josef and Vario were in dispute. The break is clean now and there are no issues with orders. I recomend the Mongoose to any who is looking for a Gasser.
-Eric

[Sonny]

How would you rate one of Erwins helis? I assume you're refering to Quik World?

[tkn0spdr]

I bought a Mongoose second hand but basically new through a classified on RCU. It seems like a very nice heli. I've only flown it about 3 times now, but I really like it. I got it with a PCM Tx/Rx, but tossed that in favor of 2.4GHz.

I leveled the swash by eye and only needed 5 clicks of right aileron to get a nice smooth level hover out of it.

I've seen all the old threads about Airstar, but they really seem to have their act together. I called with questions about my bird and JJ was very kind and answered all my questions even though I didn't buy the heli directly from them.

Thanks,
David

[hpais]

I used to have a Predator Gasser, one of the first built back in 2004. It flew great and I loved it, except of course for the smell it left wherever I stored it. So it ended up living in the basement, not in my office. I sold it for lack of time for flying helis. BTW, no luck finding Coleman fuel or "nafta" fuel, non-smelling gasoline south of the Equator.

So now I got back in the hobby, and I got a new TRex450 and still have a Century Swift. Purchased a T-rex 600 tonight (don't you love the internet?), so now that I have 3 electrics which I can fly basically anywhere there's no one (plenty of this here), at 2.4GHz, and I really want to get another gasser.

I wish Finless Bob was reading through this forum and could also post his opinions on the gassers. I just read his comparison of the Aurora and T-Rex 700 - worth reading.

I still haven't made up my mind yet and I would appreciate any comments, both from fellow flyers and from the manufacturers themselves, who visit here often.

Why do I want a gasser? For relaxed flying on a Sunday afternoon. I may want to hang a video camera on it, but a tiny one like a Canon HV10 or HV30 that doesn't weigh more than 1 lb. And I may want to built it into a scale ship. If I do that, I will buy another gasser later to be the relaxed flyer.

But from reading here and on the otheRR forum this is what I sumarize:

- Bergen - people love Chris and the machines that he makes.
He has a complete package deal offered on his website which is very informative for those (like me) who can't sort through a bunch of web pages without a list. I haven't seen anything negative about him which says a lot. I hope he takes order from international customers. When this thread started in 2006 he didn't... Ah, and if I choose to do the AP route, this is the way to go.

- Vario - Joe Howard is also a great guy and very respected. And he sells the Mercedes of the Gassers. No question they are veeery expensive and the Euro vs.Dollar isn't helping here. He answered a lot of my questions via email, but his website doesn't help him sell, I still can't figure out where the engine is hiding in the on-line store, and what actually comes with the Benzin Trainer kit. My fault for not asking him more questions. he has answered them even on a Saturday which is very indicative of his commitment to his customers. I understand that if I eventually go scale, Vario with Joe is the way to go.

- Miniature Aircraft - you seen them here and there. I've seen Fury's flying and they are awesome. But totally not the way I like to fly. I don't want to do 3D, and I don't have the time to hunt who sells parts for MinAir.

- Airstar - I like the colored frames, the very cool canopy and I absof*ck***lutely love the turbine ship he sells with the aluminum bike water bottles on the side used for fuel tanks. I never spoke to Josef directly but I got to know one of his pupils here in Brazil, who basically taught me how to do basic acrobactics, and who let me fly his gorgeus Vario Extreme from time to time. As a side note, Vario's reputation in Brazil is spotless, and so is Josef's. Oh, and since I comment on websites, Airstar's on-line store also is no help in figuring out what to buy. One thing is the colorful webfront where you see the pretty finished machines. Something else, very confusing, is the on-line store. Also, no descriptions of what's needed to get a complete ship. Maybe I also need to exchange emails with Josef, Adam, etc.


So, if money were not the issue (nor the wife), I would probably buy all three of them in a sequence more or less like this:

1. Vario Benzin Trainer - fly it for 6 months, then convert to scale. Put a EC135/145/155 (whichever fits, Joe told me, but I forgot)

2. Bergen Intrepid EB - and put a simple underslung camera holder for my tiny HDV video camera.

3. Airstar Jetcat - ssssssssssshhhhhhh

I don't know. It's too late, I'm out of town on a business trip, daydreaming when I really should be in bed. Confused.

What's your opinion?

[cbergen]

Well, I'll see if I can help with a couple things.

We DO sell overseas, always have. We do NOT take overseas Credit Cards. Or American Express.... Wire transfers are very easy, less expensive, and safer for us....

Here's an idea for you, combine the Intrepid Gas EB with Turbine Power, and fly aerobatics with it!! http://bergenrc.com/Turbine.php

http://bergenrc.com/uploads/ChrisBergenIntrepidTurbineIRCHASE05.wmv

http://bergenrc.com/uploads/GregAldermanBergenTurbineClintsB-Day2007.wmv

Hang that same mount under the Turbine for AP work,

http://bergenrc.com/uploads/John%20Olaughlins%20Place%20on%20Puget%20Sound.wmv

Still confused? Call me, I'll get you set up!

[cbergen]

Oh, one other thing.

Not everyone loves me...:bawl

:)

[hpais]

Chris,

Thanks a lot for your great response. I will send you an email later as my mind is too inebriated with the sound and views of your turbines doing unbelievable things for a 12lb plus helicopter... and I still remember Dr.Tim flying his LM Cobra near San Jose back in 2004!!! ah the smell...


Awesome videos! Thanks a lot. Question: can the Intrepid be converted into an observer down the road? Is it major surgery or just a couple of frame changes?


And on the subject of gassers, can the three items bellow be added to any gasser:

- Generator to recharge Rx Batt? (like the Airstar)
- Electric Starter? (like the Vario)
- Canfield Balancer? (like the Bergen)

[rbort]

Can you add a generator to a Bergen Intrepid? Sure you can, and I can supply you with one or you can buy one from ASI if you like. I supply all the ones that they sell with their helicopters. They make mounts for the ASI mongoose, the Vario and the Predator. Chris here makes mounts for the Bergen Intrepids or observers which I have in stock.

I'll let Chris answer you on the other two questions as he is better suited to respond about his machines than I am. :)

-=>Raja.

[hpais]

Raja,
Thanks for the information on the generator. I spent some time searching for the website but found it at http://mysite.verizon.net/vze49gsg

Great addition to the hobby! Thanks for inventing it.

Hermann

[cbergen]

Electric starter is only viable, at this time, with the R/C style of engine such as used with Vario and Airstar. I'm sure one COULD be adapted, but right now you'd be on your own to make it work.

The Canfield Balancer was designed to fit onto the bottom of our cooling fan, I doubt it would fit anything else, easily....It was also designed for the original G23 engines that were much worse with balance and vibration problems than what are currently offered today. It is something that we should revisit with testing to determine how best to utilize it on todays engines.

Raja's Generator seems to work extremely well in whatever aircraft it is attached to.