Beginner Advise: Raptor 50 vs 90

[txderby]

So, I am new to all of this but I have been doing a lot of reading. It seems that a lot of people seem to recommend the Raptor as the Helicopter to get for a newbie.

Here is my dilemma.... I hear the bigger the machine the more stable and therefore easier to fly. The biggest negative I have read is the expense when I crash. I have been working with a simulator and that is getting me better with flying..

Any advise/help would be great....

TIA!!!

[capebob]

For a beginner you can't beat a 50. They have enough power to 3D when you're ready and can be set up tame enough for a beginner. If that's not enough, crash costs on a 90 can easily be two to three time that of a 50.

Bob

[Bobs]

And fuel consumption on a 90 compared to a 50 is probably close to double. If a 90 size is something you're interested in then also look into gassers. They're not as 3D capable but the cost of the build is almost identical and the cost of gasoline is considerably less than nitro. Once again, though, the cost of repairs in the event of a crash can be substantial. You can't go wrong with the 50 size machines. Good luck with your choice. Either way, you're gonna love this hobby.

[mporlier]

If you are new to RC heli, I would suggest starting a bit smaller. A 450 size heli is less expensive to crash. My experience is the following:

I use to have a T-rex 450 and my average cost per crash was arround 20-30$. 11$ for a set of wood blades (Tech-mp.com) and the rest on parts.

On a 50 size, the blades are around 70$. The parts are pretty close in price.

You WILL crash so the question is are you wealthy?

AND GET A SIM!!!!!

[vandelescrow]

If you are new to RC heli, I would suggest starting a bit smaller. A 450 size heli is less expensive to crash. My experience is the following:

I use to have a T-rex 450 and my average cost per crash was arround 20-30$. 11$ for a set of wood blades (Tech-mp.com) and the rest on parts.

On a 50 size, the blades are around 70$. The parts are pretty close in price.

You WILL crash so the question is are you wealthy?

AND GET A SIM!!!!!

I agree, however, My experience with the T-Rex 450 is you need to put alot of expo in it to tame it down enough for a beginer to learn on. You will spend about the same amount to get either a t-rex 450 or raptor 50 in the air initialy. Both are totaly capable of 3-D, however due to the size of the Raptor, you are able to get it further away from you (safer and altitude is your friend when learning new maneuvers) and still have complete visual on it. With a t-rex, don't plan on doing any auto's with it.

[Kinger]

Without question I would go for a 50 as your first bird. Find a local club in your area and see if they have any heli guys. Most folks who fly heli's are VERY helpful and you'll be surprised how much faster you learn with a local support system.

[txderby]

Thanks to everyone for your advise. I think the 50 is the best one to go with. All of your advise has been very helpful...

[cobaltltblue]

i have a 450 and i just bought a Raptor 50. so i've flown both and being a newbe myself i can say the 50 is muchh easier to fly, but i did learn on a 450......

[SoftwareDrone]

Hello all, new to Helifreak.

This thread caught my eye as I am in somewhat of a similar situation.
I bought, built, setup and flew a .45 Nitro for a couple of years in the early 80's (Schluter Mini-boy). Nothing fancy, just hovering and flying around. I made the fatal mistake of picking up an RC Heli magazine about six weeks ago, and the bug has bitten hard. I bought G4 and have been practicing every day for about a month. MAN if I would have had this when I started! At any rate, I can now hover their .90 3D machine in any orientation, FF, FFF, approach and land from any direction including nose-in, pirouettes, rolls (FF and stationary), hovering inverted, etc. I'm thinking about either the T-Rex 600N or the Raptor .90 3D. Advice would be appreciated. Assume an unlimited supply of money.

[wiz310]

I have recently moved from the Rappy 50 (I learned more on that heli that the three 450 electrics I owned previously, put together and in a third of the time) to a rappy 90SE. you will never go back after owning one of these, and I highly recomend one. look great, perform great, parts are available and reasonably priced.
Rappy 50 is a great trainer. I love mine so much, I have two and a 90 for serious fun.

[ghtracey]

Even assuming an unlimited supply of money, I would go with the 50 size (600N or Raptor Titan). The 90 can be a pretty intimidating heli to learn on. And 90 sized replacement parts add up the cost quickly, unlimited budget or not.

I love my Titan, I've read a lot of good things about the 600N. I don't think you would go wrong with either of them.

[iher]

I starded some years ago with a shuttle( 30). I didn´t have a sim, so learning was slowish and with litle risk, due to dificulty to get spares(I live in mexico)
I left it alone for almost a decade.
last year got a Trex 450 and started from scratch and learned 3D with it. it´s a nervous machine, but now with Sim ( Reflex Xtr), UPS and Internet, Its a different ball game.
I´m doing caos and lot´s of highly exiting maneuvers, and you can fly the litle 450 almost anywhere.
( no nitro mess, gas, starters....) just throw the case in the trunk and go fly on the nearest empty parking lot.

I put the shuttle on steroids ( lots of carbon and upgrades, and a 46 engine) I fly it for sentimental reasons, and although I do mild 3D with it, it has survived pretty well.

Now .......the real deal.......I just put together a raptor 90 SE ......WOW what a machine. It´s beautiful to fly.
I fly at 9000 ft so power loss is an issue, but with the 90 I have more than I need for the moment.

As said before.......You WILL crash. smaller and electric is easyer to carry around and fix.
Nitros are more hassle but you get more flying time and I feel is keep the essence of model helis ( if you dont mind breathing fumes once in a while)
Bigger is great: more stable and you can really go nuts flying 3D. The only draw back is $ when crashing and paying for nitro.....
but.....The bigger, the heavier, the deeper the hole they leave in the ground, the more damage you can do to property or people if you make a pilot mistake, or if you have a mechanical failure.......it happens more than we would like.

But if you practice autos, you can easily save your 30,60 or 90 from slamming into the ground. I know , I have at least 15 times last year.

I´m thinking of flying the shuttle only occasionally, and make a special occasion when flying the 90. But I do think a 50 is a great midpoint that you can risk, push it around a lot, and fly on a regular basis, with reasonable wallet damage.
I´m still thinking about a 50 or a Trex 600 nitro. Availability of decently priced spares are the issue.

Answering your question.....learn on a sim and get a 30 or 50 Just check what spares your local hobby store carries.

[snake007]

Both the Raptor 90 and TRex 600n are very good machines and I have both. If money is not a problem go for the 90. There are a lot of good 50 class machines out there and I have 2 a Raptor 50 and a 600N but I use the 50 class machine to try new stuff with as money is a problem for me. If money was not a problem I would have 2 or 3 90 class machines and I would not fly the 50 much. Get the Raptor 90 you won't be sorry.




Raptor 90SE , OS91 , MP5, 710 Radix blades
Raptor 50 V2 , OS50SX, 600 Radix Blades
TRex 600N , OS50SX Hyper , MP5 , 600 Radix blades
TRex 450SE , 325 Radix blades

All flown with Spectrum DX7

[jack kyosho]

i have a kyosho cal 5 and have no probs with it, flys great. does the raptor 50 titan live up to its name. im looking to buy a new heli and was looking at the raptor.

[ghtracey]

Its a great heli, I'm very happy with it. On top of that, there is a wealth of information available online for it. Being a very popular machine, there are a lot of people that can assist you if you have questions.

[Ah Clem]

I have just flown my Raptor 903D for the first time, so I am no expert on it (total of six flights, five tweaking the needle, punching the throttle, landing and tweaking again).

I have quite a few flights on the Raptor 50V2.

The 90 dfinitely flies better (smoother, more stable, a great deal more power), but for learning I would go for the 50. It is very easy to fly, does aerobatics well, and is easy to work on and repair.

The 90 has more power overall. It has greater "hang time' in flips, and rolls flatter.

The difference in stability between the 50 and the 90 is a relative thing here, because the 50 is extremely stable.

If you have not eliminated other brands, you might look into the Knight 50 also.

If you have already decided that you want a Raptor 50, I would urge getting the one with the metal main rotor hub. I have been gradually upgrading my Raptor 50 V2 and this is next (already changed the gears out to 8.7 to 1, and replaced the tail rotor hub with the stainless steel one).

Good luck to you with whatever you decide.

[terrybeb]

50 50 50 50 50 then get a 450 for practice when not able to get to the field. 90's are for when you are good enough that you are bored of the 50 and 450. Then you will go back to the 50 because it's cheaper to fix and more fun due to less finacial stress. I'm speaking somewhat for myself but also through observation of others at my field. They all have 90's but fly their 50's more often. I started on the 50 then when I got comfortable with that started on the 450. Switching between the two of them seems to be working out for me.