Graupner heli??!

[jwz]

I got an opportunity buying a 50 sized Graupner heli.
I have NEVER heard of Graupner helis before, and Im not sure if its a good idea.

Its a Graupner Starlet 50 Elektro

I can get this heli for approx $150. The owner claims that it costed $600 as new. Its un-assembled, so he cant have fiddled with anything.

What do you guys think?

[jwz]

(on the box, it says "original Heim helicopter")

[SinxarKnights]

If you are gonna build and fly it, my only real concern would be spare parts. You own 2 great heli's and I'm sure you could figure out how to get it setup correctly.

[Danyboy]

I second Sinxar,

Real concern is spare-parts, check with the local dealer if he has stock of Graupner-parts. Even with express-delivery as robbe has it, it's quite some hassle to get spare-parts.
But the heli is still in their program, so they will have spare-parts.

It is definitely ok to hone your basic skills, even some simple aerobatics...
But as I read through the description, it's the usual blabla:
Perfect heli for a beginner, but with the performance that does not even second to heli's from the world-champs... Yeah, right...

Notice that it says "electric version" on the box, so the motor is not included...
Manual states the "Ultra sensorless 300-06", P/N 6390 as motor, together with two times 12x3600mAh NiMh (28,8V) as battery...
So I guess if you replace the battery by a fitting LiPo (8-cell) you have quite some capable heli right in between the Logo-10 and TRex 600.
How far you can take it into 3D, I cannot tell, but I'm suspicious due to the description in the manual...
But maybe - I do not know your skills - you might even use it with the less troubling, cheaper and more robust NiMh for basic flight and then upgrade to LiPo along with your skills.

Problem is, you'll have to find information on the motor:
The recommended one is no more available, not even a datasheet is online. Best way would be to contact the manufacturer and ask for details...
Maybe the components of the Trex's powertrain would work, but then you have the question of available gearing on your hands...

If you buy, I'd definitely go for that ultra-motor or an equivalent, you might not have top-notch, but it's worry-free.

And for 150$, you can't do much wrong...

My opinion...

Cheers,

Daniel

[jwz]

EDIT: double posted.. :? removed this one

[jwz]

So, ive thought abit of this.
I investigate in which motors are best for that size heli.
Then Ill get esc/bec according to that.
and the servos/gyro, would be approx the same as on a t-rex 600.
And lipos.
does the head look upgradeable (in the future)?
So this might be a cheap shortcut to a 50 sized heli for me :-)

[EricW]

In my part of Europe (Graupner is German AFAIK, Our neighbours :) )Graupner and Robbe were the only two brands you could buy for about 25 years when you needed something that worked.
So it definitely will be German Quality or German supervised Quality (technically high standard).
Graupner has always been the more expensive of the two.
I never considered to buy a E-heli from them simply because they are way to expensive for my wallet.
So they have about 30 or more years experience in the RC market.

Eric

[jwz]

Well, the only problem would then be getting all the electronics for it.
(i hope that standard t-rex600 servos, gyros etc will work)

[MartinS819]

Is it electric? I spot a gas tank and a muffler in the pic. Maybe it's 'cause I'm kinda new haha. :dontknow

[jwz]

Its originally a nitro bird, but THIS particular model is the ELECTRIC version of it.
Starlet 50 Elektro