new lad,

[polymorph]

am new to all this, am savin up to get me 1st copter, n dunno wot to get, have been lookin at the raptor 50, or will i be out of my depth with this??? :badair: :?:

[Hotshot Charlie]

The 50 size heli's are a good starting point. I recommend either a 30 or a 50 and if you can afford the 50, I feel you are better off with it.

Consider the Raptor 50, Gohbee Stinger 50 and the Century Raven/Falcon. All good heli's.

If $$$ are in question, the Gohbee Stinger 30, Century Hawk Sport / New Pro or Raptor 30. These are low cost heli's to get started with.

BTW, if you don't have a Flight Simulator (ie: Realflight or etc) get one first. A sim should be your first purchase. It will be the best $200 you ever spend in this hobby. You can learn to hover and then practice your 3D moves on it without costing you an arm and leg on crashes. Do this, I promise you won't be sorry. The Realflight G2 has probably saved me over $2k in crash costs. Plus it's fun !

Good luck !

[polymorph]

cheers for that, if i went for the raptor, ive been told about the crash kits you can get for them, are these a wise investment as well??? and i apologize if i sound a bit thick with this, but im a bit green about the gills with this hobby :oops:

[blakka_1]

Hotshot Charlie's advice is spot on :thumbs-up2:. Yes crash kits are a good investment, it's allways handy to have a spare crash kit around, crash kits are very cheap and contain the parts that are most likely to be damaged so it's guranteed that if you have a little mishap the crash kit parts will be used to repair your heli. polymorph have a look at the Hirobo Evo 50 helicopter also, its another stunning machine. However I would advise that before you purchase a heli you get yourself a simulator, it will teach you how to fly well if you practice enough and will save you lots of money in the long run. :)

[DebianDog]

I just went though the same thing last month, WHAT TO GET?? WHAT TO GET???

I still have second thoughts and wonder if it would have been cheaper/better to go with a 30 sized bird or an electric but I did not want to have to buy another helicopter in a few months because I out grew it... but anyway.

The reason I picked a Raptor 60.
- There are tons of them (like a Ford or Chevy) everybody has one, owned one, or knows someone that does.
- Spare parts everywhere
- Big enough to drag some photo equipment up.

I bought a crash kit but when I crashed it the $7 tail gears were not in the box! :bomb:

Good luck!

[polymorph]

have had words with other half, n as soon as funds are available, am taking the plunge :twisted:

[Hotshot Charlie]

Great !!! Welcome to the wonderful world of RC Heli's !!!

[agoodman]

I am a novice too. I started back in August 2004 and I bought a Raptor 50. Everyone here has given you good advice. I will add my 2 cents if that is ok. Please buy the sim and work with it as much as possible. It will save you time, MONEY, and frustration. Next find someone locally that is willing to help you with the setup. This too will save you in frustration. No matter what take your time. I have right at 90 flights and the only mishap was a boom strike on my 3rd flight. I am now beginning on nose-in hover and when I have mastered that forward flight here I come. Also with the new Realflight G3 out you can probably find the G2 for around $130 or less. THe G2 will do you just find. With the sims make sure you have a good 3d accelerated video card so the sim will work correctly. And the best advice is to just have fun.

Tony

[blakka_1]

Yeah the G2,G3 or Reflex simulator would be great. It's worth it's weight in gold. :)

[polymorph]

cheers lads. its all bin useful :noteworthy