A beginner's point of view

[bullaculla]

Another thing to consider in the CPP vs Trex debate, if you did lose interest, which would be easier to sell on Ebay? CP or a trex? With all the money invested in my CP pro i still wouldn't be able to sell it as quickly as a stock trex. and I easily spent enough in mods to buy a trex. I learned my lesson. I bought a tough as nails corona FP and I have a trex600 on the way. :mrgreen:
BCPP is collecting dust till i give it away :roll:

[skunkworx]

Of course the Rex is a little more popular, but you might want to sell it locally if you can. If it flies, you might be able to find someone who's interested,
(try Craigslist.com>Hawaii>Oahu>post ad. It's free to list and you can add up to 4 pics with the add). Ebay is a good fallback, or post in classifieds here @ Helifreak! Have fun with the 600 lucky dog!!! :mrgreen:

[bullaculla]

Nah, with all the upgrades, the BCPP just looks cool sitting on my shelf. As does my BT corona. eventully the corona will be an AP platform with Askman's help. The big rex should be here mon or tues. I cant wait! I have the whole range of emotions! :D :shock: :? :lol: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :arggg: :dontknow :smokin:

[Pinecone]

Heck, try the Blade now that you are flying other stuff. I like mine a lot more now. :)

[Jermo]

If you get a blade cp/cpp please remember who told you NOT to get it and who told you TO get it....then you can decide who's giving you good information and bad for yourself.

Just to recap I'm telling you NOT to get the the Blade CP/CPP. If you had to decide between the SIM and the Blade CX I'd suggest the SIM. Anything the CX can teach you'll learn on the SIM. The CX IMHO is for FUN more than learning. The SIM will give you a better return for your money.

Just my opinions, your results may vary, void where prohibited, Copyright 2007.
Jermo

[triniheli]

excellent information here guys. Here's the link for the Radd's flight school: http://www.vankets.com/eco/flying-index.html

I think that ALL beginners should go through Radd's lessons, they're excellent.

[bullaculla]

Yes, radds is great!
but like Jermo said, a sim is almost required.
the CX/CX2 is just something fun to play with in the house. The only thing a cx will teach you is orientation and maybe throttle management. A sim will teach you almost everything if used right.
If you only have $200, you should set a sim first.

Also, you can follow radds instruction on your sim. Just imagine the box and stay in it.

[triniheli]

oh no i'm certainly not discounting the importance of the sim. I think it is the first thing you should buy if you're thinking about getting into this hobby.

[beneauteau411]

Okay, okay.....If what I understand everyone to say is A) SIM SIM SIM......b) steer clear of Blade products :lol: .....and C) if you can afford it go straight to the 450 if you're ready to get serious. For those of us that have had limited experience flying (but lots of time on helifreak.com!) and have just been introduced to the sport this Christmas via Blade CX, is there a unanimous "hail to the 450"???? I'm about to take the plunge, the next step, immerse myself in the joys of flight, and I need input! Anything from anyone and everyone! What I've read says 'personal choice', but the cool vids steer one in the direction of quality vs. toy. Your call, forum. Any input will be valued and appreciated.

J

[skunkworx]

How serious do you want to get? Helicopters are like an ex-wife or a tornado...in the long run, eventually they'll take your house and everything else you own!!! :arggg:
The blade will actually teach you quite well, it gives a good intro to flying helis. The big upside to starting out on one of these is: 'If you can fly one of these, you can fly anything!'
The downside is that they can be a handful!!! (or two!)

Besides a sim, Look up 'Radds flight school' (google it). If you follow this, you will more than likely be able to get up and hovering before you know it. :D Ask around if you can't find it

[Jermo]

<cut>The blade will actually teach you quite well, it gives a good intro to flying helis. <cut>

I must respectfully disagree. A coaxial heli like a blade CX is a good intro into helis. A Blade CP/CPP is a good intro into frustration. Every person I've read that quickly upgraded from the CP/CPP to T-Rex has stated they wish they had upgraded earlier. Every person that's posted they already fly a T-Rex and got a CP/CPP say's it's harder.

I understand the cost balance..etc but why waste money beating your head against the wall when you can be patient, go slower, and get something that doesn't fly like you're giving your cat a bath.

Just because YOU can fly the CP/CPP doesn't mean most others can. At the LHS I hear nothing but grief from new folks and these birds. Nobody is saying they are bad.
Just saying:
1. They aren't as easy as other models.
2. Over time your Cost/Flight ratio is VERY LOW - Meaning you spend alot of money to fly very little compared to other models.

Do yourself a favor. Save your money, if you want to fly something get a CX or simular. All models have issues but the focus is learning and having the most fun you can for the $$. Invest in a simulator - Realflight G3.5 has modes that make it like a game. When you are't flying seriously you can just goof around and have fun (remember hobbies are supposed to be fun?). Continue to have fun, learn, and save your money. All this time you'll be learning and having fun. Be patient.
When you feel confident you are ready to take the next steps look at a T-Rex 450/600, or the Raptor Electrics look nice... the point is get something decent to start out.
I got the cheapest T-Rex available; The 450XL HDE, I've already updated it to the point of a carbon fiber SA with metal head. The point here: If I had just waited another month I could have just purchased the SE model and saved $$. Learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Jermo

[skunkworx]

Oops! My mistake, I thought he was talking about the CP! I definately have to agree with Jermo on this as well! :oops:

[skunkworx]

Enjoy the CX for what it's worth, after you get a 'Rex, you can spread the plague to friends/family with it!!!

[triniheli]

guys how about adding weights to the CPP flybar. That's supposed to slow it down some but not sure how much. I'm actually try this next week. Getting my 450SE next week too!! :mrgreen:

[skunkworx]

Good idea. You can use just about any flybar weight, as long as they'll fit on the shaft. The Blade CP is still a squirelly little sucker so they get a real bad rap. I think that IIIIFFFF you CAN fly one of these things (especially a beginner) then a better model will be way easier to fly. I definately repeat what Jermo said, save your pennies and get a Trex! If you want a neat 'copter to fly indoors, check out the Micron V2. I couldn't believe they could get full function out of something 2 inches bigger than a PicooZ! (it's fixed pitch though and carries a big price tag for such a tiny bird! but cool none the less!!!) It's at least worth checking out!

My hats off to you Triniheli, if you can handle one of those birds, you deserve a pat on the back for taking the road less traveled! Congrats on the SE though! I still have to get past the hardest step in putting mine together, letting the girlfriend know I spent the money on it! :shock:

[beneauteau411]

Thanks for all the input. Fact is, I jumped the gun and at the Phoenix Arizona Fun Fly this past weekend, since i got a whopping 10% off the price, I bought a CPP. Um....wow! What a difference. So, less than a minute in the air and I've had to replace the landing mounts (what are they called!??), the props (rotors?) even though I flew on the "grass" - Arizona is not like normal grass, let me tell ya. A single flight and I'm already replacing stuff........yes! Love this sport!

I think I'm going to strap the CPP to a brick........or maybe a very short string tied in the middle :arggg: until i get this flying thing down. The CX anyone can fly, that's now obvious. If "squirly" defines the CPP, then by Gawd, let it be. She's not going to control me for too much longer.......No way no ssirrr!!!!

Thanks again for the input. Appreciate all the words! And kudos to the "newbies forum" originator. It's been remarkably helpful!

Jack

[bullaculla]

Just get some training gear. Not the e-flite ones. Get the fiber rods with the orange ping pong balls on the ends. Just zip tie them to your LG and go!
But dont just chop the throttle when you get into trouble and expect the training gear to save you. You'll cut off your tail boom.
:mrgreen:

[Jermo]

<cp>
I think I'm going to strap the CPP to a brick........<cut>

mmm..submarine anyone??? I've not heard of that being tried...sounds like a good idea tho... :wink:

just teasing you... since you bought a tiger just start RADD and at all costs DON'T GRAB IT BY THE TAIL!!! :shock:

RADD http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html

Jermo

[skunkworx]

I can definately attest to the grass in AZ, tough stuff! You might want to get a bunch of old mattresses to use as a take-off spot. The training gear will save you a lot of headache if you don't have the patience to follow Radd's school techniques (although it's best to try to get along with it). You'll definately still break things even with the gear so don't expect a miracle! Good luck!

[jgerber]

As someone who just started flying in the last month or so, I too qualify as am uber-beginner for sure. I happened to notice that at work, all of these little helicopters were popping up at coworkers' desks. You know the ones -- the cute little toys helis which take no work to fly. These fun distractions, along with a coworker who was just getting back into helicopters, prompted me to take the plunge again (tried once in the gas days but never finished building it.). However, I didnt want to spend big money on something that I might just give up on.

So, I went to hobby people, took one look at the Sabre, and plunked down my 99 bucks. I was tempted to buy a better heli... But I am sure glad that I started with a fixed pitch cheapo. I have managed to break a good deal on the helicopter, but since the initial investment was so minimal, i have not been afraid to screw up any of the repairs....

In fact, having broken the frame (and thus requiring re-soldering the tail engine) I have been through every piece of the copter... Sure, the fixed pitch has its drawbacks (like trying to get it to stay in one place vertically...its either on its way up or down :) ) But I like the fact that the low headspeed isnt as intimidating, and that blade strikes dont result in the whole thing coming apart.

Then came the sim.....
Then another Heli (walkera 60)
then an upgrade to lipo for the second....

Now i am seriously thinking t-rex

Maybe I should have tried crack instead.. it would have been cheaper...

[octotus]

Maybe I should have tried crack instead.. it would have been cheaper...
:lolol :lolol :lolol and probably easier to get out of ;)

:twisted:

k

[Doug Darby]

I have read this thread with keen interest, as I am also just about to jump with both feet into the Heli sport. I was lucky enough to purchase my SIM about 3 months ago and also my CX that I have loved flying around in my shop all winter. I have been to several club meetings in my area and also to flying fields and was lucky enough to meet a die hard Heli guy on one of the days. He had a TREX 450 as well as a Raptor 50 (Nitro). His recommendation was to go directly to the Raptor 50 as it was so much easier to fly and hover. Lots of research later I was going to buy the Raptor E550 as I wanted electric so I might be able to fly it in my shop on windy and bad weather days. With that idea I headed out to what I am told is THE Heli Hobby shop (AERO Hobbies) in the Dallas Area. Indeed the owner was very helpful and in fact told me that at their club field he donates most of every Saturday morning to instruction on Heli's. When I asked him about the Raptor E series versus the TREX he pointed out the significant cost difference in both the price of the kits as well as the parts prices. He carried both and we looked directly at similar parts for price comparisons and it was amazing. He then took me through his 450 SE that he had in the shop. When he was done I had made up my mind that I was going to get the 450 SE as my first bird. There also were advantages to the battery size and cost. So as soon as things calm down for me at work, I will be making the purchase and starting on the road to Heli heaven. I might add that I am not new to RC as I Race on road 1/8th and 1/10th scale cars several times a month and am traveling to Florida next week for a week long race called the Winternats. My downfall is that I am an old fart (55) compared to you young bucks. It will take me 10 times as long to learn to be competent, but I will have just as much fun learning. The best thing that happened was when I found a true Heli shop and a knowlegable owner that was willing to take me through the options from top to bottom. I would suggest you all look for the same. I have also had a great time watching the Finnless Bob videos that will make my build on the TREX so much easier. So best of luck to all of you and I will keep you posted from time to time. I appreciate all of your points of view as we traverse the path through the Newbie forest into the heli pilot era...

[octotus]

My downfall is that I am an old fart (55) compared to you young bucks. It will take me 10 times as long to learn to be competent, but I will have just as much fun learning.

you should see the thread - "how old are we". you are just above the average age in this forum.

http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?p=253447#253447

and - welcome to HF.

k

[bcritch]

I was not happy with my cp at all, that is why I went to the tre-x 450x.

[skunkworx]

Jgerber, I wish I had gone down your path! I started out with the Trex (actually my second bird, first electric). Not a bad decision altogether, but dfinately a big investment! I'm hitting almost $2K on mine and I haven't even gotten it in the air!

But I couldn't be happier! I'm still gettin one of those little 'beaters' at the end of the month!