Let me introduce myself

[RocketScientist]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Calvin from Titusville, FL and have recently become interested in RC Heli's. I was actually at a field here in Titusville the other day with a friend of mine who flies RC planes, and a gentleman had an Heli he was using, and after asking him some questions (and giving me an excellent run down of the pro's and con's) I was sold on getting a Heli.

After reading a few of the topics listed in this section, I went ahead and ordered the RealFlight sim to get a few months of practice on there before I crash and burn an expensive Heli. Looking to the future though, I was hoping to get some opinions on what I should purchase after I have mastered the simulator.

Attached is a PDF printout of two set ups I found at rchover.com and, except for the price, I wasn't sure of the pros and cons of either. I know that I would like an electric heli because I feel much more comfortable working on those with my Electrical Engineering and Space Systems background. Also, at the recommendation of the fellow at the field, I'd really like to go with a 2.4 ghz comm link, but not sure which brand is better.

Servos, gyros, and all that good stuff are second nature to me with my work in the space program, but we only use custom made high end ones there (of course) that are upwards of a few grand a piece. For smaller scales such as RC, I am rather clueless, and any advice on the quality of parts from different manufactures would be great (I'm sure there is a thread, but I haven't found it yet).

I'm a serious perfectionist because of my day job and only want the highest quality parts to play with. So far it seems the Trex 450 line is the best bang for my buck, but like all things, I am sure that price doesn't always mean performance, especially for a total beginner like myself. :)

I apologize if anything I have asked is repeated somewhere else on the site, I am still browsing and haven't made it through all the sections yet. I'm a newbie, please don't hurt me (at least not to badly)! :lol:

Thanks!!

[Gimbal Lock]

Welcome to the Freak, RocketScientist! (http://www.helifreak.com/member.php?u=34856)


You have a good start going, I'd advise you to keep researching, and give yourself a couple of months on the sim. Fly all the sim-helis, and it will help you refine what you want the bird to be capable of. That and attend as many heli events as you can, where you can see and compare what's out there.

I think you can see where I'm headed- don't rush choosing that first bird, give yourself some time-

I started out convinced that I wanted a 450, but found myself coming back to RF3.5's Dominion 3d90, and that bigger helis were more to my liking, and bought a 600.

[DebianDog]

Welcome another Mac user too :)

Keep reading stay on the sim ;)

[JCP SR]

Just be glad you found HELI-Freak, Before you made a purchase. I have a V2 on order I have both a CX2 and a Cp Pro (junk), I have put more money into the Cp than it would have cost for the Trex. I did not fond this site until after I had purchased both they are both hanging on the ceiling in my man room (closet). I will not spend another dime on the CP. Many people from the site believe that you should fly the largest heli you can afford to repair when you crash, for me that is a 450. The batteries are to expensive for my blood for the 600. you must also look at where you will be flying.

[Bayou Talker]

The sim is definitely a smart first purchase. It will save you enough in repair costs to buy either of those 2 helis.

After that, I would recommend Kit 2. It will include many of the upgrades you will want to add to the other one. I know it is a bit more money, but it will be worth it in the long term.

The only other thing I would suggest is to consider the TRex 600 also. It, again, will be a bit more money but a larger heli is more stable and a bit easier to learn to fly. The 600 is not much more money to repair than the 450 when you crash, but will the cost of batteries and charger will be a consideration for start up costs.

Good luck with your choice.

[WayneBrown]

With the proximity you have to Talented aid in the general area, I'd highly reccomend that you PM Rodney and arrange a meet-up. Rodney lives up in Tavares, so it's not too far away, and well worth the drive.
I'd love to tell you that either choice is adequate, however you will get more experience faster with the stick time a nitro will offer. (15+ minutes for a .30)
Another reccomendation is to get to a Heli Fly-In and see what these things can do in the right hands. ;)

[RocketScientist]

Alright, let me see if I can answer all these. Sorry for the long delay, its always incredibly crazy at work the last week before a launch.

Just be glad you found HELI-Freak, Before you made a purchase. I have a V2 on order I have both a CX2 and a Cp Pro (junk), I have put more money into the Cp than it would have cost for the Trex. I did not fond this site until after I had purchased both they are both hanging on the ceiling in my man room (closet). I will not spend another dime on the CP. Many people from the site believe that you should fly the largest heli you can afford to repair when you crash, for me that is a 450. The batteries are to expensive for my blood for the 600. you must also look at where you will be flying.

The area I will be flying looks like either the moonport modelers field if I choose to join, or on the golf course behind my house. However, joining a group and flying with other people would be preferable since I am picking up a hobby in order to get out of the house more, and find something to do with all my spare time since I have finished my masters degree (just finished this saturday, YAY!) :D :D: :D

Looking at my budget as well, any way I price everything I would need for the 600, its still just over 2 grand, which is outside of my budget. I'd love to have the larger like some have recommended, but its to rich for my blood until I get a few more promotions. :(


Welcome another Mac user too :)

Keep reading stay on the sim ;)

Heck yeah! I'm a Safari surfer! I have a 17" Macbook Pro with all the bells and whistles, an apple TV, three iPods, and an Airport Extreme N. :lol: Yes, I am a geek.


With the proximity you have to Talented aid in the general area, I'd highly reccomend that you PM Rodney and arrange a meet-up. Rodney lives up in Tavares, so it's not too far away, and well worth the drive.
I'd love to tell you that either choice is adequate, however you will get more experience faster with the stick time a nitro will offer. (15+ minutes for a .30)
Another reccomendation is to get to a Heli Fly-In and see what these things can do in the right hands. ;)

I'll have to get in contact with Rodney then; he doesn't bite right? :shock:

I've looked at the Nitro's, and to be totally honest, I don't know squat about motors. Not to brag, but I am a wiz with electronics, especially motor controllers and servos. I might even build and program my own brushless motor controller because I haven't been to thrilled with the stock ones out there, but thats a little farther off. Is there like a "RC Heli Engines for Dummies" book I could read that might make me more comfortable with Nitros? Also, is there a significant long term cost difference between electric and nitro?



Anyway, thanks for helping me out on this! My sim comes tomorrow via UPS and I think I'll be using it all night after the shuttle launches (hopefully). :alcohol