when do you need a new heli?

[frankyg]

Is there a checklist, perhaps, that tells you when you need to move up the heli totem pole?

I have been practicing almost nonstop on my cx2 since i bought it saturday, and i need to know what i should be able to do before i get a cp, or any other non coax.

so if yall could give me a list of tasks that would be great.

[beeflyer2]

We just do what the voice in our head tells us...

[frankyg]

yeah, well i didn't feed that voice, and then it died, and the smell has gotten worse, so any real feedback would be appreciated

[helical]

My first purchase was a sim....invaluable! That's what I would recommend.

[wichmanj]

when you have total control of it when the nose is facing you buy a sim and hover in all orientations. then buy a rex 450 if youll fly indoors 500 for outdoor. (450 indoors does not mean at your home you will kill someone and the heli) the 500 is more stable and in my opinion can handle the windes a bit smoother.

[Skarn]

Hey bro,

Beeflyer is right actually! It's a personal thing....when you feel you are bored and ready to move on, that's when it's time. There really is no checklist, it's a personal choice.

I agree that a simulator is invaluable for learning to fly a CP heli.

When you are ready, get a heli at least 400 size or larger. The larger, the more stable. A TREX 450 is definitely a nice choice.

Good luck!
Skarn

[frankyg]

so can the 450 be flown outdoors as well? i don't really have any large indoor areas.

and what is the best sim for the least $ (and something that will run on a computer with just an integrated vid card and 128 ram) i do need to upgrade my comp though

[beeflyer2]

so can the 450 be flown outdoors as well? i don't really have any large indoor areas.

Of course!

[frankyg]

well what is the big difference between the 450 and 500

i dont really know the deal about numbers...

[beeflyer2]

Do a search for some size comparison pics, but the difference is pretty substantial. 500 is much more stable, easier to see, and just plain cooler. With the exception of canopy and blades, parts cost about the same. Packs are about twice as much though.

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=55274&page=24

[Skiddz]

well what is the big difference between the 450 and 500

i dont really know the deal about numbers...

450 flies just fine outdoors... At first, little to no wind will be a good thing, but once you get your hands trained up properly, even 15mph wind isn't that big of a deal.

the 450 and 500 numbers refer to motor size - sorta... 450 is physically smaller than the 500. 450s are really inexpensive to fix after a crash - and you WILL crash - and fairly inexpensive to get into the air. IMO it's a good step up from a CX but if you can swing it, do yourself a BIG favor and buy a sim. There are a bunch of sims listed in the classifieds here and other forums. There's even a free one written by one of our own. It WILL save you some money as you can crash the sim for free while you're learning to fly a collective pitch heli.

[frankyg]

well would it be best to get a sim, or go ahead and get a blade cp to practice with?

[ChasHeliCop]

Here's a picture of a size comparison 450, 500 and 600.... posted by Fireup

http://www.k2heli.com/trex500/IMG_0274.jpg

[frankyg]

so, for all you experienced pilots, if you could start over, what would you do?

ex. blade cx2 --- flight sim --- trex 450... et cetera :shock:

[flymo]

Get a 50 nitro stable predictable for learning CP but all the drama and excitment when you crave it. Align 600N is a good choice - cheap to fix after a crash. Nitro is pay as you go rather than the long term contract of Lipos.

[ImNix]

so, for all you experienced pilots, if you could start over, what would you do?

ex. blade cx2 --- flight sim --- trex 450... et cetera :shock:

thats the best route in my opinion...

i would defintately NOT recommend a 600n as your next heli... if that thing gets away/out of control from you, someone COULD be killed. seriously the 450 SHOULD be your next choice.

[ChasHeliCop]

My two cents worth

Simulator~~~~> CX2~~~~> 500 sized heli..... skip the 450, you will outgrow it quickly. Then it depends on the limit of your credit card where you go from there ! :thumbup:

[flymo]

thats the best route in my opinion...

i would defintately NOT recommend a 600n as your next heli... if that thing gets away/out of control from you, someone COULD be killed. seriously the 450 SHOULD be your next choice.

The trick is to do it safely at a flying field. Shouldn't fly anything if there is a more than negligible chance of killing someone......even a 450 can seriously injure. Size isn't the issue so much as learning properly and in the right location.

[phrank]

well would it be best to get a sim, or go ahead and get a blade cp to practice with?

Get this thought out of your head quickly. ;)
You should always chose a SIM over a Blade CP. I made that mistake looooong ago.
Once you are confortable with the SIM, then you are ready for your next step:

This really depends on your wallet:

Under $500: Blade400 it is an RTF package, in that it includes the Heli, and a TX that you can use after you outgrow it.
Over $500: Trex450 kit. Not an RTF you need to consider the cost of the kit, electronics and a new TX. Plus time to build and set-up. This will teach you the most as you have to do everything yourself, when something gets damaged you already know how to fix it. Bob has made lot's of build videos that will guide you.
Trex500 kit: Same story as the 450, but as has already been mentioned a much more stable platform.

For a newb, you should always consider parts availability. Go to your LHS and see what parts they stock, get friendly with the staff as you'll be a frequent customer now.
Ask them lots of questions, that's what they are there for.

Where do you fly most often? Local park, backyard, a club?
If local park, you may not be allowed to fly a nitro bird check your local regulations, that's what clubs are for. Many experts there to help you.

Good Luck,
Frank...

[helical]

so, for all you experienced pilots, if you could start over, what would you do?

ex. blade cx2 --- flight sim --- trex 450... et cetera :shock:

Yep. You'll thank us for it.

[JasonJ]

Everybody has a lot of great suggestions, but none of it matters much because only you know your situation. If you are limited to a park or baseball field/schoolyard, then a 450 is about as big as you want to go. If you have access to acres of land or are in a club that has a safe field, then a bigger helicopter can be used. Personally, I feel a 450 is as big as you need to go for now. They fly great outdoors, can handle wind, and most importantly, can be flown almost anywhere, anytime. A 450 is inexpensive to own once you are past the initial purchase price, and you are not out a ton of money if you decide you don't want to continue the hobby due to learning frustration.

Really, you should get a sim next, and a 450 if you can afford it. That way you can sim, and get real stick time as well. If you cannot afford both at the same time, get the sim first. If you find a Realflight G3.5 used or new, you don't have to run out and buy the biggest computer, it is not as much a resource hog as G4, and it works just fine. Phoenix is the other good sim to get, people have nothing but good things to say....

Don't get caught up in the "me too" effect, where a person ends up killing their credit card trying to have the new cool toy just like the other kids (unless you are bucks-up of course, then buy whatever you want and post pics). Read up on what is considered a quality, well performing helicopter, buy it, and fly it. Replace it when the repair cost is greater than the cost of a new kit.

[frankyg]

well if i get a 450, would it be a bad thing to get a used one? or is it something that i could just build over time, like build the frame, then add stuff... buying as i go?

are older sims (or atleast ones that dont take up 2gb of ram) realistic?

[helical]

are older sims (or atleast ones that dont take up 2gb of ram) realistic?

I spent 5 yrs on RealFlight G2 until I bought Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. Nothing wrong with older ones.

[frankyg]

well with an older sim, could i still fly newer helicopters-like download them?

and does g2 have trex 450 or something similar? i dont know how long these heli's have been around...

[JasonJ]

are older sims (or atleast ones that dont take up 2gb of ram) realistic? I use RF G3.5. It is good enough.