Thinking about 3D (what size should I get)

[F1Atom]

I have been flying my Blade CP for awhile now and have just learned how to successfully nose in hover for the entire battery. YEA!!! :mrgreen:

Lately, I have been thinking about my future in this hobby and the fact I will be getting into 3D later on (much later). I plan on getting another heli in the future to start learning 3D but I don't know which one.

So, with that in mind, the question now is "what size and what kind of heli should I get to start learning 3D?" There are so many different kinds out there I don't know where to start.

However, I do know that I want to stay in electrics because I don't belong in any flying field club and I like the convenience of being able to fly almost anywhere/anytime. Also, I don't really want to spend $200-300 dollars on LipO batts either. This means the Trex 600 is probably out of the question right now (great heli though).

As of now my sight are set on a .30 size range of electric heli. Reason: I heard the bigger the heli the more stable. Currently, I am looking for a heli that is reliable, not too expensive to buy, not to expensive to run/repair, and something that would make learning 3D somewhat easier to learn (if possible). As of now my choice would be the Century Swift 16. I've seen this heli in action and looks pretty good. But, thats all I know. I'm sure there are some dark secrets about owning this heli too, I dunno.

I am open to any suggestions and would like some advice on what different kinds of helis (micro or larger) are there and what should I get.

Let me know
Thank You :dontknow :dontknow

[Scott Graham]

Ok this Is the most fun here. : )


Buying your first 3D heli is always fun... Ok here are all the good helis for you.. : )

Trex 450 (LiPo) ( Best micro 3D heli on the market.)
Raptor 50 (Nitro) (Great 3D, anything you can do it can do)
MX 400 (LiPo) (Good 3D)
the New E325 Mini Titan Raptor by Thunder Tiger (LiPo) (Great 3D)
Leptor EX (LiPo) (Great 3D)
the Swift 620 SE (LiPo) (Great 3D)
Swift 16 (LiPo) (Great 3D)
All the helis from www.xtreme-heli.com (LiPo and Nitro) (Good 3D)
JR's Parkmite (LiPo) (mild 3D)
MS Composit Hornet X (LiPo) (Mild 3D)
EF Heli's Shogun 400 V2 (LiPo) (Good 3D)
EF Heli's Shogun Midget 3D (LiPo) (Good 3D)


Ok If I were you, I would stay with LiPo's. I have flown nitro helis for six years and Im in love with the new EP helis. they are so much better than nitro... plus no mess to clean up after, Not to mention all the junk you need to take with you when you fly nitro helis. You need the heli, the gas, the 12V bat and the starter, the Radio, and the glow plug. If you use an EP Heli all you take is the Radio and the Heli. EP helis are quieter too.


Good Luck,
Scott Graham ( 16 )



Let me know what you buy.. I fly a Joker CX, Raptor 50 converted to EP, Raptor 60, Trex 450 SE, Raptor 90SE. And I like my LiPo Raptor more than my Raptor 90. : )




Also if you want cheaper bat's take a look at this. It will blow your mind.

http://www.tppacks.com/documents/10-Cell%20a123%20M1%20Battery%20Construction%20Kit%20 Instructions.pdf


then go to:

http://www.a123systems.com/html/technology.html



to see the reason they are so cool.



just copy and paste the link... Its like a 10S lipo for $130 and you can never destroy them... you can drop them cycle them 100% to 0% and back up to 100% no problem... Its a now Lithium Ion pack... connect + to - without an explosion... : )
:twisted:

[F1Atom]

Thank You for the info. This will certainly steer me in the right direction. Now all I need to do now is start saving. Those xtreme helis look really kool, I have never heard of them before.

I really like that a123 battery its much safer than the other hand grenades I have seen explode. I once saw a video on how to make this battery but I think the instructions will do.

Thank YOu

[Scott Graham]

Your welcome... : )


Let me know if you have any more questions I'd love to help..


Let me know what heli you get. : )

[c0bra]

The Xtreme helis are the same as the Dragonus II, different name. There's some info on the Dragonus in various forums. Last time I checked, hoverhobbies.com and rc-tek.com both stocked them.

[F1Atom]

Question for Scott

Would you recommend learning 3D on a larger heli or a micro heli?

I'll most likely be getting my future heli many months from now as I am going to be entering college soon. Unfortunately, I am going to be spending some of the heli money on books. "dammit to hell this really suxs" :( :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg:

[Scott Graham]

LoL..


Um I would say the Trex would be your best bet. If not that I would go for 600 size E heli because the larger the heli the better for 3D. The Trex is the best Micro and It can do most anything. Where will you be flying?

lol just use your friends books : ) lol or share answers on test day : ) :hug:

then get outa there like :badair: and go fly :glasses2: :twisted:

[F1Atom]

I was actully thinking about the century swift 16. It looks like a good heli but not to expensive. Unless I am told otherwise. Is it pretty cheap to run/repair?

Usually I fly at a local school parking lot either at night or during the weekend. I had my first hover there (good times). As of now there are 40 mph winds outside so I was forced to continue learning nose in technique in the garage. I did pretty well no crashes. To be honest I cleaned the garge by blowing out all the dead leaves the wind brought in. :D .

When I start school I plan to use the large parking lot areas for flying. There are some really good spots far away from buildings, cars, and humans. Unless some of the college girls would like to check out the action. Hopefuly, I won't chop anyone's head off. :D OOps

I hate buying books!!! :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: I would rather spend the money on a new heli

[Coolice]

Hey,

The Swift will suit you better if your more inclined to fly outside than in. While the Trex is a very good model, I have flown a couple now which go well they are limited outside in to windy conditions. The Swift being that little bit bigger will cope with a stronger wind, meaning you will have more oppotunitys to fly.

Also, if you want to save some money then the Swift will run happily on the Emoli/A123 cells being talked about here.
If you fancy this route in the future buy the CC HV45 as this will take the 7s Emoli packs.

Cost wise as you have seen spares are very nicely priced and so should the worst happen it wont break the bank.

From what I have seen in videos, but not yet tried the new "Century Lightning Outrunner 550 Plus" combined with a 4s LiPo which is a good price range I feel for a pack and you will have yourself a nice machine to learn 3D with. While powerful it will also teach you good collective management, which is a good thing for 3D rather than just stick banging all the time.

Just think, with a Swift you'll have a bigger chopper to show of to the girls :lol:
.

[Scott Graham]

I agree

[F1Atom]

I like that idea!