My LHS just said "NO" to CX2.......(advice please)

[Scott S.]

First of all, I have never flown RC anything, but I want to fly an
electric helicopter. I went down to the LHS (national chain) and
was told I'd be bored stiff in 3 days with a CX2 and I should go
ahead and get the CPP.

I left the store empty handed and a little confused, told the kid I'd do
more reseach on the forums, none of which he has even heard of.

I said, "Is'nt the learning curve a bit more complex with collective
pitch?", He said, "yeah a little bit but you won't be bored".

Well how much is a CPP? $250.00, but you'll need an AC charger for
25.00 (I agree) and you might want a heading gyro for 90.00,
I told him I don't even know what a heading gyro is and if it's needed
why the hell don't the CPP come with it? He said you need it to fly
straight. I told him, piss on it, I'm going to the internet and try to learn
something about the CPP. It was a fine looking piece of equipment!
Do I need a heading gyro?

I'm afraid if I go the CPP route, it's gonna cost 400 to 500 dollars.

The CX2 is 190.00 plus tax but it comes with an AC charger too.

Thanks for reading guys, what are your thoughts on a CX2 or a CPP
for a very very beginner, (but anxious). Also he said they won't even
be carrying the CX anymore, only the CX2. Thanks again!

[carlo_the_wonder_frog]

Total cost to get up and running with a CPPro is less than $200 total. If you have never flown a Heli before, be prepared to spend money buying replacement parts. You do not need a HH gyro at this time. You can use any 12v dc power supply as long as the output lead is configured the same ( most are). Just look around the house and see if some piece of equipment uses one. You need at least a 500mah output on that power supply at least.

The CX2 is a great flying heli, it won't teach you how to control collective and no aerobatics, also you dont want to fly it outside in any wind at all. As far as teaching you good cyclic control, orientation and a general understanding of heli controls its the perfect beginner heli. Plus the DSM2 spektrum radio is an outstanding value for a glitch free system.

[Scott S.]

Thanks carlo_, the CX2 sounds better all the time. The idea of collective pitch control is so tempting too.
If I put flat blades on the CPP, not interested in any fancy flying yet,
that should keep me out of some trouble. Problem is there are so many
choices and ways to go with e-helis.

[Jermo]

Do yourself a favor, put your cash into a decent sim. If you want something to play with the CX isn't bad. If you think you want to get into this hobby long term save up for something like a T-Rex 450SA or 450SE and learn to fly. The CP is a beast money pit IMHO.
Jermo

[Rick Rotorhead]

Right on jermo..... I got a CX2. It is fun around the house and you can fly it indoors when the weather is bad, but it is really a toy. Like Carlo says it will give you a good start on using four axis heli controls. A good sim like Reflex XTR or Realfight G3.5 for example will pay you back enormously in reduced crashes when you get your first proper heli and again the sims are great fun to 'fly' on bad weather days. Practically everyone raves about the Trex as being a really well mannered yet fully 3D capable heli, because it is. The BCPP is probably a good machine in the hands of an experienced flyer, but I think if you try to use it as a trainer you will spend more in spares than buying and setting up a Trex.
There are dozens of posts on this forum about the pros and cons of small electric helis - have a good read through and I think you will get the picture......

[Scott S.]

Will do. Going to look into those two sims now. Man that T-Rex just keeps
coming up in conversations on and off line.
Thanks!

[bullaculla]

Get the CX2 first, it comes with the AC adaptor. and then get the pro later if you want. You can use the AC plug that came with the CX2 of just use the CX2 charger. It can charge 2s or 3s. I always go back to my CX2 if the weather sucks. plus its gret fun. You will never fly the CPP in the house. mine is collecting dust. too fragile.

[Trooper Sam]

And I agree with getting a CX2....after getting a sim.

You don't need the sim to fly the CX2, but the sim will teach you some valuable lessons. Among those will be to show you if you want to continue, or just get a toy for around the house.

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with either of those choices....but it's better to find out the answer before you spend lots of money, rather than after.

And then, after you find out what it is you really want to do, if the answer is that you want to fly helis...get a T-Rex. A 450SE if possible. You'll never be sorry.

[spork]

Mostly repeating what others have said....

If you're not sure you want to dive in head first get the CX. It's a toy, but it's fun, and will actually help you with orientation, flight controls, etc.

If you're pretty sure this is your next hobby, skip straight to the T-Rex. It's a bit of a jump in initial investment, but is incredibly cheap to repair (and that will come into play).

In either case, skip the CPP until you're a good pilot.

You may want to check out the "just starting out" link on the website link at the bottom of my post. Also, check out Finless's instructional vids if you go the T-Rex route.

[fubar]

small coax type helis like the cx2 are great for starting out also give you a bit of confidence when attempting nose in .The t-rex se would be and has been my choice when moving up, cut out the middle twichy cp and get a good sim

[drphoto]

A cheaper alternative to the BCX is the Esky Lama. You can find them online for around $100.

I also like the Esky Honeybee FP as the next step (or even as an entry level trainer) They're cheap (also around $100 online) and tough as nails, especially if you outfit w/ helidirect's "superlandinggear" for $12.

Of course, you're stuck getting your parts online if you go Esky. I've been waiting 3 weeks for a $2 rotor head plate for my HBfp.

I agree w/ everyone who says skip the BCP. It's a twichy little critter. That being said, I've finally learned to fly mine, so I hoping I'll look like a pro when I fire up my Trex for the first time.

[crashtested]

step one : buy a simulator. (realflight G3 rocks, and is used by most here, you can fly WITH us online)

step two: learn how to fly. the sim will teach you how to not crash !

step three: buy whatever heli you can afford to keep up, and get parts for when you do crash... you WILL crash.

step four: be addicted..and obsess over this forum

-crashtested


a blade cx will give you some real world heli time, but will bore you once you know what a collective machine can do... i got a collective as a gift and smashed it up good to start...im working on step three into a trex

[Rebuild]

Vertical flight is fascinating, plain and simple! You will be fascinated with any machine you decide to buy first but the CPs are a challenge to learn. Very rewarding, but a real challenge just the same. The coaxial helis offer the thrill of actually flying a model heli without the the intense learning curve associated with CPs. You would learn plenty with the coax that would directly translate to a CP should you choose to do so. You decide, if you want instant gratification with something super stable/docile like a coaxial or want to dive right in to a frisky/all-over-the-place little CP. I think you would even find the CX2 to be a bit of a handfull in the beginning. I have read all the advice you have been given here and it is right on the money. Don't let the LHS tell you what you "must" buy for a first heli. They pretty much know which machine will sell the most crash replacement parts! :)

[F1Atom]

Welcome to the world of helis! Unfortuately, there are 3 things guaranteed crashing, spending money and addiction. But once you get that first hover you will be HOOKED! My first heli was actually the BCP. I picked that heli because it was reasonably priced and I new something about helicopters already. My question is how dedicated are you to helis. Do you really want to fly helis and get into 3D or your not sure? Yes the BCPP can get pricey especailly for a beginner. However there are other routes.
Ex. There is the Picco Z which is a (very) small heli for 30-60$ with great durability when crashing. Also, the E-Sky Lama 2 Coaxial Helicopter, and much more. Do sometime researching on the internet for Coaxial helis and learn about heli's in general if your not familar. Here is one to start, check this site out for cheap coaxial helis. http://www.helidirect.com/index.php?cPath=29
I believe when you are starting in heli you should go with something thats pretty good quality and not so expensive (unless your rich). Reason: when you start learning you will crash=spending money. The LHS pretty much cares about making money and will do anything to get your money.

Good luck!

[jut8]

Let me start by saying that I work at a local hobby shop, also a nation chain (Hobbytown USA) and i have NEVER had a compliant, or a person wanting to return a blade CX or CX2, from someone saying they were bored with it. Even experienced heli pilots love them, because you can fly indoors and almost anywhere.

Also, i got my first ever RC for christmas last year (a blade CX) and i had it for a year before i bought my next heli. I made sure that i could hover perfectly, and that I could FLY the CX....NOT CHASE the CX. I made sure that i could do nose in and everything, and keep control of it before i bought another heli, because lets face it, its alot cheaper to crash the CX than it is any other heli....half the time its just a matter of picking it up and taking it off again!

Now, what i WOULD recommend buying with it are:

1. The Blue Aluminum Top Rotor Head for the Fly bar (we try to sell these with all CX's, it seems to be the 1st thing to break) $20.00-22.00

2. An extra set of Upper and lower blades (come in packs of 4) $3.99 per pack

3. Extra set of Landing skids $2.99 i think?

That will be a nice setup for you, so you wont be running back to the shop.

I bought a blade CP about 4 months after i go the CX, i thought i was ready......man i was wrong, i crashed it 4 times, rebuilt it, and put it on eBay. For Christmas this year, i got a T-Rex 450, and i was ready for it, i love it! But i will NEVER sell my CX, its way too fun! :wink:

[Scott S.]

Great forum! Thanks a bunch for all the advice. I'm gonna stick with my original
plan and buy the CX2. I ordered the HD Skids and CF boom kit from Jamie,
Got to pick up the heat sink for main motors and aluminum top rotor head
and probably the lower head in alum.
Thanks!

[jut8]

Cool, let us know when you get it, its a really fun heli, and a great way to learn! Because so many people got them for christmas, spare parts are becoming a premium, so if your shop has them, stock up!

[kmanvell]

that is a good choice to go with the cx2, then i would recremend a blade cp that is my second heli and i love it and you can find anything for it most at local hobby shop witch is very good. My first heli was a big mistake i got a walkera dragonfly 4 from jap. and had a hard time and was waited for parts all the time but howerver it teached me how to fly and it had a cheap sim . I dont crash very often with my blade but it will always happen because you just want to do more and that is how u learn.

[Jermo]

If you plan to get more into the Heli Hobby do yourself a huge favor and go for a T-Rex 450S or better. that's all I'm going to say.
Jermo

[jut8]

I agree with jermo, i know it may be a ways away, but i basically went from a Blade CX to a T-Rex450SE. I did buy a blade CP, i had it for about a week, and didnt care too much for it, then a bunch of guys around the shop started up with the T-Rex's. WOW what a difference. It flys so nice, i liked it much better than the CP. If i could do it all over again, i wouldnt have bought the cp, and just bought the rex.

[Pinecone]

Actually go back and try a Blade CP or CP Pro now that you are flying a trex, They are much more fun now, than before theTrex. :)

[dct]

I have over 350 battery pack on my Trex XL 450 it still looks and fly's like new.
And it still flies better then I can make it! :mrgreen: