which LMH Corona 120 to buy?

[heli-jack]

HI,

I just got my Phoenix sim today. I am now looking to buy 2 things:

1) A futaba receiver that i can use for the sim as well as for my new trainer heli (2) ( i was thinking about this Tx -- but i think i might be going overboard too much too early--Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz FASST System)

2) After seeing many posts recommending the LMH Corona 120 as a good initial trainer.

When i do a search for it there seems to be many variations/options -- which one should i buy?? please recommend me one -- keeping in mind i am a newbee at all of this.

Also if possible please provide a URL/link from where i can buy from.

Also a some more questions:

1) Brushed and Brushless motor --- whats the difference?

2) Cyclic and fixed?

3) Gyro? gives stability to the tail of the heli? Yaw-rate gyro and heading hold gyro -- which is better for the corona

4) Servo?

5) fixed pitch and collective pitch? -- whats the difference? and which is better for me

If you can tailor your answers for corona specific helis i would really appreciate it

Thanks very much

[mjws]

You are on the right track with the sim and the tx.

The Corona was considered a decent trainer in 03-04, kits went out of production for a long long time. The packages aren't that great of a deal as modern components can be had for better/cheaper. I had a brushless one astroflight 020 motor, gy401, and flew it stock as well. For its day it was OK, but there are so many better options now. Even an Axe CP flies much much better (and it's not that great), parts are cheaper and every where. Granted you can't dork it into a tree pick it up and keep flying... but $10 in parts will often get you back in the air.

Why get a clunker with no parts support when the heli world has moved on?

Answers: Brushless is better, cheap now, and common. Coronas are FP. Get a 401, or JR 7703d as you'll use it later, if you must go cheap there are other HH gyros but they don't work as well. HS81MG are the right servos.

Consider a Blade 400 (Plug and Play if you have the radio), an Axe CP, Belt CP, Trex if you can swing it... pretty much anything else. I only wish those options had existed in small electrics when I had a Corona.

Mike

[heli-jack]

mjws -- thanks for the reply.

btw, some more questions:

1)What does brushless mean?
2) Gyro is for stabilizing the tail then what is the purpose of servo?
3) eccpm -- what does it mean?

More questions to come

TIA

[mjws]

Brushless motors don't have commutators and brushess. They are basically 3 phase AC motors. The advantage is they don't wear out and are more efficient. But are more expensive and require a different controller.

The gyro controls a tail servo. The servo does the actual work of moving the linkages.

CCPM is where we use 3 servos working together to control the movements of the swashplate. The advantage is 3 servos working together gives us more power on collective commands. The downside is the servos must be very closely matched to avoid causing interactions. Geometry can also be an issue on some models. A good radio and setup procedures can deal with most of the potential problems. Almost all of the newest heli's are ccpm and the extra power to the swash is enjoyed by many. But there are lots of manually mixed machines that are excellent as well.

Mike

[heli-jack]

what kind of TRex do you recommend for a beginner like me. Initially i had considered T-rex 450 SE but was told its not for beginners --- so please let me know. I am also looking into the other ones you recommended.

Thanks once again

[mjws]

I actually like the SA for beginners. It's cost effective and flies extremely well. The right parts are metal in my opinion without the cost of having every single upgrade. The SE isn't a good beginner heli only in terms of initial purchase. It can be set up tame, and is extremely durable with all the metal in the head. You'll bend spindles and mainshafts, but the head almost always survives. I don't consider it very cost effective, but it isn't a bad option and has pretty decent long term total cost of ownership.

The Axe CP is a notch or two down the ladder. It is a very basic heli, but 1/5 the cost with cheap parts support. When set up correctly it can fly the basics very well. The plastic head isn't terribly durable, but spares are cheap and a few key metal components help it a lot. I dislike motor driven tails, but it works ok for a basic trainer.

Ron Lund did an excellent review of the Blade 400 that pretty much sums up my thoughts on it exactly. http://www.ronlund.com/blade_400.htm

Mike

[teeson]

soo i think you've completely moved from thinking FP to CP, but if ypu havent, consider the honey bee MK3 FP. or even (i know ill get yeld at for this) a esky belt CP or king 2. there both around 200$ and the king i know has parts interchangeable with the trex 450. unfortunately right outta the box it should really get a brushless setup, and maybe skids (help me here). just somen to consider brcause going from a sim or co-ax to a 450 CP is just a little too scary...

[heli-jack]

Regarding the Tx: Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz FASST System

I am planning on buying the one without the servos - since i just need it for the sim. I dont know yet what heli i will eventually buy. Is this a wise decision. surely i dont need servos for the tx to use the sim right?

Thanks

[bullaculla]

The corona is a good trainer, very solid and i've crashed mine right into bushes a bunch of times. Straighten out the blades, and go fly again!
The only problem is you will out grow it FAST. Spend more time on the sim, and build a trex in your spare time. Sim time will help you more than the Corona. Fly an FP too long and you develop bad habits like chopping the throttle when you get into trouble.
Buy ANY trex, and build it in your spare time and with spare cash if money is a problem.
With enough sim time, you can fly a well setup Trex, any of them, fairly comfortably.
I gave up on my Blade CP pro and Corona and spent more time on the sim, and then went straight for the 600. I really wish I skipped all the little helis, and bought the 600 in the first place.
Just my experience :)

[heli-jack]

Regarding the Tx: Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz FASST System

I am planning on buying the one without the servos - since i just need it for the sim.

surely i dont need servos for the tx to use the sim right?

Thanks

[mjws]

You don't need servos for a sim. Buy it blank.

Mike

[heli-jack]

You don't need servos for a sim. Buy it blank.

Mike

I am buying this from TowerHobbies -- should i requested them to TEST the unit before they ship it to me. The confirmation e-mail says it will ship from their warehouse.

Its my first purchase from them and i think they will call me to confirm my identity.I will ask them about the test and the issues surrounding the Tx.

any suggestions for me please feel free to tell me.

thanks