A beginner's point of view

[triniheli]

I'm new to r/c heli (started in Nov. 06) and I started with a blade CP pro and awaiting arrival of my Trex 450SE V2. The hobby is so dynamic and intresting. There is so much intrigue and even so much more to learn. I'm loving it more and more as time goes by.

Anyways I got the CPP last year and read the entire instruction manual first (I'm one of those), even though it was really difficult to do without charging and flying right away. I got the CPP without doing what I consider proper research. Upon reading tons of threads, and really learning much more at that point, I realized a few things about my purchase:

1. There is a hec a lot more to learn than I thought...A LOT MORE. It's not just about learning to fly a heli, it's everything else associated with it as well. The electronics, gyro, servos, batteries, transmitters and receivers. Learning about what makes a good heli setup. The physical dynamics of helicopter flight. I wouldn't say it's necessary to learn everything about all of the above topics to get flying, but a guy like me who really wants to learn to fly properly (and 3d in time to come) learning about everything else would come in naturally, and I'm sure many of you reading this are just blown away by r/c helis.

2. Get a good SIM. I should get mine shortly (Realflight G2). I've read tons of threads from verteran pilots and they ALL HIGHLY recommend using a descent simulator. So I can't stress how everyone else stresses that a simulator is a MUST. I've gone through some online flight school lessons and they have been tremendously effective to me. If anyone is interested let me know, i can send the link over.

3. Get training gear for your heli. This is somewhat underestimated but it really increases your plane for errors while trying to hover. I think you'd learn faster and like the SIM, it could save you some $$.

4. IMO the E-flite blade CP Pro is one of the better RTF kits out there. There are other descent RTF kits out there as well, but I canonly recommend what I have experience with. As a beginner, we do not have the knowledge to go out and buy individual components, configure and do a proper setup on a heli, so the RTF kits are the answer to that. It is a pretty good heli to begin with because of CCPM which promotes forward knowledge to larger REAL helis. I think it a tough heli too. Although it is supposed to be a difficult heli to fly/hover because it's pretty twitchy (can slow it down a bit by adding flybar weights) you can learn a lot from this little heli. I've read Stickyfox saying a few thimes that once you learn to fly a blade cp, you can fly just about anything after. I couldn't resist getting my trex 450 but alternatively the CPP can be upgraded quite a bit to enhance performance, looks and durability. I would recommend that beginners stick with the plastics rotor head assembly (instead of the aluminum) because they are more forgiving and cheaper than the aluminum.

Thanks for reading this and I hope I've contributed something. Finally beginners, READ and read and read. Spend as much time on these forums as you can. You can find setup and build videos that you can dowload for free and countless amounts of other resources. You would find answers to all of your questions and/or concerns. Most of them have 'beginner' sections and I have found them invaluable thus far.

So go get a sim, get a heli and your training gear and read like crazy. Thanks guys and have a good flight.

[ClayK]

Only things I can add....

Find a knowledgeable local pilot and learn as much as you can. A properly setup helicopter is easier to learn on than one that is not.

Go to Fun Flys. Part of the hobby is socialization. I learned more in 10 events in a couple months than I would have learned in 2-3 years. Excellent advice in flying, building and repairing can be found at events.

[triniheli]

i second that...thanks ClayK

Unfortunately in my neck of the woods I've never heard of a funfly. Would be travelling to Miami next month, maybe something there.

[Jermo]

FWIW, I'd not spend the cash for he Eflight blade CP. IMHO you'll be tossing good cash into a heli you're going to constantly upgrade until the lights come on and you find a better bird.

For me the choice was the T-Rex450XL, I've also heard Raptors are in the same class. For me the decision was partly driven by what parts the local hobby stores had and carried for repairs. just my 2c
Jermo

PS: After owning a blade CX I'd not suggest any of their line cx/cp/cpp unless someone just wanted to play with heli's rather than fly. Most I've talked with consider this line of products to be toys with more problems than anything.

[triniheli]

great stuff jermo...

I think the 450 is a much better heli than any blade. I am taking several factors beginners will have to measure into consideration. Although the 450 is a better heli, the initial investment is quite a bit more. If one can afford it, surely the 450 would be the way to go instead of the blades.

The blade CX is a very different heli than the CP and CP pro. Essentially the reason is that the CX is not CCPM. The CP and CP pro are good helis. No problems on mine so far and it has been through some tough times.

I've read that the CP and CPP are more difficult to fly. I've gone through no more than 5 batteries and I can hover pretty ok. Actually hovered for about 15 seconds a couple days ago.

Can't wait to try my 450SE.

[Jermo]

:wink: awesum!! I think you'll be very happy with your REX ..let us all know what your opinion is of the Rex vs CP. My view is cash wise a new person will spend the same cash on the CP just in upgrades and repairs that they could spend on a Rex to start with and be less frustrated with learning to fly (IMHO).
Jermo

edit: I have a CX, FWIW I don't view it as a heli due to the fixed pitch and coaxial design. Flies totally different than the Rex on the Sim (I'm almost finished building my Rex).
Jermo

[triniheli]

what rex you got? 600 or 450?

[Jermo]

I have the 450xl HDE but I'm upgrading the frame with HS1107 and teh swash..going eCCPM.. I'll probably fly it XL HDE for a bit as finances get better for the updates. I have the frame on it's way tho.
Jermo

[jlr]

I think all the points raised here are really good. It sounds like you (triniheli) have really done your homework and have a good grasp of what you're doing. I think you're really going to enjoy your trex when you get it in the air.

I have a slightly different take on starting with the CP than jermo, so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I started with a Blade CP and I think it was a good move for 2 reasons.

Firstly, as triniheli has pointed out, it is a significantly lower initial investment. For under $200 you get a ready to fly bird w/ radio. I wasn't sure how far into the hobby I was going to get or if it would hold my interest. The CP and CPP are great choices if you want to test the water. The CX is a great choice if you just want to play.

Secondly, virtually everything on the CP is cheaper, other than maybe the main blades. You can crash and rebuild the CP more for less money. Once you can manage the CP, the rex will feel like a dream.

I've read that the CP and CPP are more difficult to fly. I've gone through no more than 5 batteries and I can hover pretty ok. Actually hovered for about 15 seconds a couple days ago.

They are way more difficult than the CX and somewhat more than the rex. Not sure if 15 seconds was said tongue in cheek or seriously. If your serious, I'd say keep flying the Blade for a while. It would be a shame to tear up your brand new SE. I think Clay's suggestion is spot on too. The one thing that could sway me to suggest diving in to the rex, is if you have an experienced pilot that could teach you. Face to face training is going to get you up to speed way faster than any amount of assistance you get online.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

--Jeff

[Pinecone]

I disagree on everything being cheaper.

Main shaft and main gear have to be replaced as a single part - $5.99

Trex main shaft 3 for $7.95 or $2.65 each. Main gear 3 for $8.95 (new oe) or $2.83 each

Spindle/feathering shaft Blade - $4.99 Trex4 for $4.95 or $1.24 each.

Tail blades: Blade $2.99 Trex 2 sets for $4.95 or $2.43 per set, but they are individual

etc, etc.

I find that my Trex costs less pre crash than my Blade.

[Jermo]

I've never flown the CP/CPP but I've heard two specific things from folks that have and those that upgraded to T-Rex.
1. CP/CPP is harder to fly than T-Rex
2. T-Rex is what alot feel they should have gotten instead of the CP/CPP...just basing that on what I've read/heard.

Jermo

[jlr]

I disagree on everything being cheaper.

I was thinking of the head components on the SE that could add up fast, but I can't argue with your examples. I also have seen a couple posts where guys claim the metal heads rarely get damaged in a crash, so maybe my assertion is false.

--Jeff

[Pinecone]

I have heard of ONE person who bent the head itself. Other than that, the alu parts don't seem to break. That is why a lot of people highly recommend the SE. In a carsh tey all take out baldes, spindle, maybe a main shaft or main gear. But the plastic heads also tend to take out a few head parts, while the SE head doesn't have any damage.

And the plastic head parts aren't very expensive.

And put the Gorilla gear on a Trex and you will not have gear legs breaking. Of course you can put Super Skids on your Blade, but they are more expensive than the Gorilla gear. :)

[coptercrazy14]

Hey Pinecone what are the gorilla gear your talking about :?: and where can I get them Thanks

[Pinecone]

RCHover.com

They bend but don't break. Or at least if you break them, you probably will have broken just about everything else. :)

[coptercrazy14]

Thanks for the info and the quick responce! I check that site. take care :lolol

[octotus]

after going thru this thread - this is my (another noob) opinion. there are two sides to this story.

a) a cheaper bird like Blade / HB is good to start with. reason is the initial cost layout. it comes with a tx for <300. a normal T-Rex setup + a good tx (c'mon, if i am getting a trex, i wud get a good tx) will cost near 800 bucks. we can break the HB / CP so much more and rebuild it. in fact, for a self taught person like me - the RTFs were really a boon. when combined with a free sim like FMS, these small birds really give you valuable experience. And as ppl note, "if u can fly these, you can fly (remember - just fly) the larger birds". And these small birds can be flown indoors and hence starters can get a lot of stick time.

b) if money is no problem - starting with a bigger bird like Raptor 30 or 50 is the way to go. They are huge birds, even when compared to T-Rex 450 but it is as much stable. even a T-rex 450 is damn stable when compared with the little teeny-weeny RTFs and just gets off the ground and flies as if it that is its 'karma'. but, the key is to have an experienced person nearby if you want to fly these things. and add to it the space that they demand. the bigger birds -esp the nitros - have their own demands.

so - moral of the story: if u want to see if this hobby will suit you, or want to start small or stay small - go for the RTFs. Or, if you know this is what you want, or money is not a problem - go all out and get the bigger birds. you will not regret it.

and as triniheli mentions: read as much as possible. read a lot, it will help u at points that you wont even dream of.

[Pinecone]

But if you spend the <$300 and get discouraged trying to fly the thing and give up, is that good?

Where as spending the extrar, getting a Trex and learning to fly and sticking with it.

I would guess that a LOT more people gave up on a Blade or similar than continued that would have been ore successfull with a larger heli.

[triniheli]

Pinecone has an important point as well.

Even though the RTF's (Blades and HB's etc.) are a really great bang for the buck, we all agree that they're more difficult to fly and learn to fly. So it would be safe to assume that persons 'testing the waters' with those birds may leave and never return...and no that's not fair to them or to the hobby.

A guy I spoke to just yesterday mentioned the same to me. He got the Blade CPP for Xmas and asked me if I wanted to buy it from him because he's always crashing and is getting frustrated. Very common experience with beginners and blade CP's.

Naturally I told him that the CPP/CP IS difficult to learn to fly on and asked if he had training gear and/or done any sim time. Nothing. He thinks that would just mean more $$ to spend on something you're not sure if you're going to stick with or not. (Are our hobby store personel properly advising?).

I'll refer to my initial post at the top of the page. In order to give yourself and the hobby a fair shot, start off PROPERLY, and listen to the experienced pilots. A proper start to this hobby is important or else a beginner will get discouraged rapidly. The sim may be a significant investment but you can get the trainer (the one that attaches to the landing gear) and do some research online for lessons.

As Octotus mentioned up there, if money isn't an issue, get the rex. But guess what, if I knew about the rex I would have gotten it and not the CPP, but i did not do the research so I ended up with the CPP, and hey, I already ordered my rex :D . Not to end on a negative note but I've realized that MANY people see heli pilots flying these incredible machines and think they can learn to do it in a week. It is a very common misconception, but one that should not discourage. Precisely why it's important for beginners to seek advice, ask questions and train properly before venturing onto the field. I just wanted to go out and get a heli, take it on field and fly. OMG I couldn't wait!! I did and it costed me. So I think the biggest, most important lesson with this hobby as hard it may be, is to have PATIENCE with every aspect of this hobby, especially the learning experience. When you crash, you would be disappointed. Put the heli on the table and leave it there until you're ready to tackle it. Be patient.

Have a good flight.

[Jermo]

Money is a huge issue for me and I chose the Rex. Measure twice - Cut once.
Something easily maintainable and repairable imho :dontknow
Jermo

[triniheli]

how did you learn about the rex and CP?

[Jermo]

Forums and speaking to peeps at hobby shops.. I noticed there are a ton of used CP/CPP for sale and not as many T-Rex. If you read a few different forums (especially the new folks areas) I rarely see anyone saying how awesum their cp/cpp is..mostly it's how you need to upgrade this or fix that and how squirrely it is. Contrast that with anything you find about the T-Rex and most of that stuff is technical. How do I setup x or why does it do y or what do I need for z..etc I don't believe I've ever seen the kind of posts about T-Rex that I read about CP/CPP/<insert cheap plastic heli here>. The only exception is the CX/CX2, I do read about experienced Heli drivers getting these to play with indoors.
Jermo

[Pinecone]

With the CX down to $129 at the LHS, I may just have to get one of them. :)

Nothing like your first coaxial as your 7th heli. :)

[triniheli]

Jermo

I agree and this is my point exactly. You obviously spent some time doing some research online and within your LHS, more of us should do this before making a decision to purchase.

Does someone have a side by side photo with the blade CPP and the trex 450SE? If someone does, please post it. thanks much.

Just want to see the difference in size.

[octotus]

i do have one of a Hummingbird FP + Trex SA.
would it help?

k