Starting costs for beginner?

[frankyg]

I am wondering what the initial cost of being able to fly a heli is going to be...

I have mastered the CX2 (like thats a challenge) and am interested in getting a "real" heli.

I really don't have a clue on what is in a kit and what kind of transmitter and so on...

For example, could somebody tell me what ALL I would need to get (and its cost) for... lets say a Trex 450.... or 500....or lets even say 600? ...Everything needed to put the bird in the air.

I would like to start building something once i get a simulator ;)

( I have thought of just getting a blade cp... but helifreak has given me the impression that it's just a waste of money)

[Bone]

Hello. I just started with a blade 400. This is my first. (wasn't smart enough to try a twin rotor first:lol:) I opted to get a blade without the tx, then bought a dx7. I paid about 300 for the blade, complete minus the tx and about 250 for the dx7. Again, kinda screwed myself, because I have no one to learn from locally, so the dx6i that comes with the blade could have been better....it is flown at the factory and is set up to the heli it's shipped with.:arggg: But I am learning... so far, I have racked up about 150 in parts. But have learned from the sink or swim technique. Those prices are after shipping. Hoope that helps.

[HELINHAWAII]

You're looking at about $1400-1800 (conservatively) for a 450 to 500 w/ lipos, charger, radio and electronic gear.

[Leaf Blower]

Left arm. RIght leg.Sometimes, other unused organs or appendages are accepted.

Seriously, really depends upon the size, brand, etc that you are willing to go with. A cheap Honeybee King 2 will get you in for around $150~$200, but personally, they are harder to fly as it is smaller. A Blade 400-3D is a relatively good starter 400 series- around $450 RTF. Beyond most of that, you are looking at kits and building it. Relatively easy- easier if you know someone that can help you out. But your initial costs will be considerably higher with most kits. Treat any RTF as if it is a kit, and go thru the set up builds videos and double check as many of the settings as you can figure out.

Kits range in prices depending upon brands, classes, etc. Larger rotors are generally considered easier to fly and easier to see. Smaller birds such as 400's, 450's, 500's are good for flying around in a smaller back yard. Things add up quickly - so try to figure out everything you need and try not to cut your legs off down the road. For example, you will likely need the kit, spare batteries, proper charging equipment, a radio [transmitter], matching receiver, 4 or more servos, a good head holding gyro, blades, and common spare parts. The PLUS side for any kit is that you hopefully select good quality components (lacking generally in RTF helis), and you understand how it is built so you know how to rebuild it if and when you crash it. Generally speaking, you will probably do a better job building your heli than how most RTF helis come out of the factory like.


One final note: Check around and find out if there is a local RC helicopter club. If so,go there and ask several of the members their opinions, see what they are flying, and consider if you want something similar. I am sure that someone there would be more than likely be willing to help you figure out what you need, and want.

[Gimbal Lock]

Here's roughly what it took me to get from *nothing* to T600e, this time last year.

Trex600cf 570
Mavrikk blades 65
Shulze charger 170
Flightpower evo20 300
DX7w/servos 350
GY401/9254 230
Hexdrivers 25
Ballink pliers 20

Add to this various shipping fees, AMA and club dues.

It was the best "fun money" I've ever spent. So much so that I went out and got another one this winter!

If the 500 had been available at the time, I most likely would have started on it tho, just because of the reduced battery and blade costs, and picked up a 600 later.

[frankyg]

well it looks like i'll probably get a blade 400.

will i be able to grow on it though?

[fiveoboy01]

Blade 400 is not a bad heli and the price is good for a RTF package. It all depends on your price range... If you could afford it, I'd steer you towards a T-rex 450 or 500. Of course in my opinion a 600E or N would be ideal but this is without knowing your budget.

[frankyg]

well, think "high school senior" budget... lol

if it cost me $1000 more to buy a trex 450 than a blade 400, then i'll deff pick the blade lol

[HELINHAWAII]

Do yourself a big favor and pick some cheap lipos and a good charger. A good charger will grow with you and the radio from the B400 will also work with other helis when the time comes.

Get some "stick time" under your belt and the next heli will come a lot easier.

[shredder777]

Cha-Ching! But FUN!!!!!!!!!!! Blade 400 would be great for you and you can upgrade your servos and motor/gyro later on. :)

[Leaf Blower]

well it looks like i'll probably get a blade 400.

will i be able to grow on it though?

A Blade 400 3D is a very capable heli. Replace the Gyro and servos when they start giving you issues. However, you will be able to learn a lot on it.

Did wish that it came with a DX7 instead. I believe you need 7 channels for larger nitro's- but overall- the Blade 400 3D is a decent package for the price. The DX6i should be sufficient for any electric heli though- and planks as well.

With any electric- more batteries=more fun. Consider adding in a couple of 2100~2200mah batteries in with the blade. And don't forget a 110v adapter for the charger ( about $20 ).

[frankyg]

well, i guess after i get a sim, ill be saving up my pennies and nickles... and i just found a dime in my belly button, so theres a start!

[newhelliguy]

Get the blade 400 but go ahead and get the hs65hb servos. for the money they are the best route. if you are extremely lucky you might get stock servos that work but better chance of winning lottery. The dx6i is a very good radio for the money very easy to program . I have a cx2 two blade 400's and a trex 600e and the dx6i works great.

[frankyg]

well, besides servo's and gyro's, i have heard NOTHING bad about the b400

thanks everyone :woot

[crowe73]

I have the Blade 400 and I can say that it is a very excellen heli for the price. I would definitly upgrade the servos with the hs65 servos from HiTech.

[GreenCello]

If you shop hard online and ebay and you are patient go can get a good deal on a Trex 450.
I don't think any one will argue that the Blade is better than the Trex. I got mine about 9-10 mo ago for:
Trex 450SEv2 kit (motor,esc,carbon blades, and crummy align battery) $270 allerc
DX7 (no receiver or servos) new in box on ebay $200

$470 so far and you've got aluminum head and tail, carbon body better radioand you won't "need" any bling to buy in the future.

You will probably replace the servos and gyro on the blade so consider these in your upgrades

3 X HS65mg $105
Logitech 2100 $104 or Readyheli
Futaba 401 $140
Jr 3400 servo $75 or any solid tail servo

so around $300 for superior electronics.

In addition you'll need mo batteries, decent charger and a few tools and spare parts no matter which heli you buy

[Shef]

Got my whole setup a few weeks ago on eBay for $700. It came RTF. Then I purchased 4 new LiPos at $65 each. So all in about $1,000 for an amazing setup. It took some time to watch what's for sale on eBay but if you're patient, you can find some great value!

Good luck.

[Sircrashalott]

I say as a beginner get the biggest heli you can afford....

Bigger = More Stable, Easier to learn

a Hurricane 550 for a first heli would be a good choice

[dmiley]

I'm a beginner as well and also did the "sink or swim" method. I bought a Blade 400 RTF. A few things so far I can pass on. Have your LHS (I have a fantastic one here) or someone help you "detune" it a bit from the factory settings. For me, it made it easier to get used to. Also, get some spare parts as mentioned (feathering shaft, main shaft, etc.) for those dinks you are going to have. I also upgraded the cyclic servos to the Hitech metal geared ones after getting tired of replacing gears in the stock ones for the smallest mistakes. I'm still on the stock gyro though which for me works ok.

All in all I think I've spent $170 or so after the purchase of the heli. I am, however, having a blast with it! I'll upgrade later but for now this heli will definitely hold you over.

[StringfellowHawk]

Ron Lund's HeliProz South has a 450-sized Cyper 3D package which includes everything you would get to get started (besides battery charger) for $599. The great thing about this package is that it is all quality equipment that will be useful when you find that one heli just won't do. I can't comment on that because it has never happened to me. :D

The website is:
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=PKG0408-2&Category_Code=PKG

BTW, I am not affiliated with Ron's store I just tend to contribute to his retirement plan. :YeaBaby:

[MiniBichus]

I suggest you get a 450 right off the bat and at the same time a small 4#3B with metal head for practicing around your living room. I went with an RCT-450 Skyshark after the 4#3 and I love it. The RC-TEK Skyshark shares 99% of the parts with the TREX-450 but it has a better rotor head and a much nicer servo layout for the 120 CCPM mixing plus is cheaper and its designed in the U.S. of A. I paid 369 for it shipped, it came with a full size metal case, the entire kit was fully assembled already, all CNC, it also came with carbon fiber quality blades, a 35 amp ESC with a 3550 BL motor, misc hex wrenches, a pitch gauge, one spare fiberglass blade set, tons of spare screws and fasteners... and a few more goodies that I don't remember now. The support I get from Scott is great too BTW. To get it to fly, just throw in a cheap ESky HH gyro for 38 bucks, 3 HS-65HB for 68, a DX7 with an AR6100 for 229 on ebay, get a Futaba 9257 if you can, IMO get the best tail servo you can afford, I think the 9257 is 50-something bucks but you'll get to keep it for the life of the helicopter. There are some cheap lipos for 30 bucks that will work just fine for getting started so get 4 or 5 of these, and then get the polycharge 4 so you can charge 4 packs at once. Don't forget to get the astro blinky balancer too. No need for a really fancy charger at first, specially if your lipos are the 'elcheapo' ones. You want to maximize the time you are flying and the polycharge 4 flexibility for this is unrivaled, only the Hyperion Duo comes close to it and then its 269 bucks vs. 89 (polycharge 4, on ebay)

hope this helps.

MB.

[Pinecone]

If you get the Blade 400, go to the Finless Tech Room adn Basic Skills and Setup 101 thread. Watch the videos and do the setup on the 400. While they will fly out of the box, they aren't really set up properly.

IMO, the B400 is nice, but you get it, then put better servos, better gyro, better tail servo, get a better charger, and you are at the point you could do a Trex 450 and have a better heli.

And you can do a Trex 450 under $1000 from scratch, with quality components.

[jgatorman2266]

Nooooooooooooo Not the blade save up and get the trex you won't regret it $1100 for everything go to http://www.techmodelproducts.com/products.htm SE kit $670,thunder power 610c charger $129, spectrum dx6i Tx $179 w/ar6200 receiver,get the align or dynomite hex drivers $20, extra batteries $50 outrage 3s 2200mah 25c lipos ebay, pitch gauge $20, Ball link pliers $20, Deans connectors for extra batteries $20, Soldering iron w/solder $10. You can thank me later or you can spend a lot of time attempting to get your blade 400 to fly.

[DragonMaster0019]

Here you go. $1000 for a T Rex 600E RTF.
http://www.readyheli.com/Ready_To_Fly_Trex_600E_p/cons600e.htm
Everyone seems to say "Bigger is better" well here is the biggest T Rex E Heli :lol:

[jgatorman2266]

Unless you upgrade to 10s packs good luck learning anything w/o flight time, not to mention battery cost. Go nitro if you go 600. Just do some research and see for yourself. If you want to stay electric try the 500 it is awsome

Here you go. $1000 for a T Rex 600E RTF.
http://www.readyheli.com/Ready_To_Fly_Trex_600E_p/cons600e.htm
Everyone seems to say "Bigger is better" well here is the biggest T Rex E Heli :lol: