Another newb B400 owner introducing himself

[noworries]

My dad just went crazy and started buying all kinds of RC helicopters. First he bought us both a Helimax Axe EZ. Then he bought himself a e-flite blade cx2. Then he bought us both a esky Dauphin. He had a bunch of strokes recently and loves playing with the helicopters, but has a hard time flying them (eye/hand coordination). He's even got a couple of sims to practice with. He breaks them and then brings them over and I get to play helicopter mechanic.

So anyhow I got the bug to go bigger and harder and picked up a B400. I've flown it twice, and may have gotten a bad battery because on the second flight it died relatively quickly, and I'm getting charger errors now trying to recharge it.

My first flight I ended up taking it across the street and landing it... having a hard time getting it to hover in place.. once I got it up it just started flying across the street sideways... I was able to turn it and then flare and land (heart was thumping... noooo don't break it before dad gets to see it fly!) I've added some EXPO so I'm hoping that helps. I may need to go thru and see if everything is setup right.

My dad added like $200 worth of aluminum bling to his CX2, and it's really cool. I was wondering if it would be worth him getting a programmable remote so he can add some EXPO and maybe that would help him control it better? I finally got him to stop buying new ones and just trick out his CX2 since it seems to be the best of the lot.

I love to tinker and can't wait to start upgrading parts on this thing as I break them...hehe... anyhow wanted to say Hi to everybody and introduce myself. I've read just about every post in this forum and another gleaning info--can't wait to participate now!

[HeliMix]

Welcome. :hug: Awesome that it is bringing your dad so much pleasure. I know the answer I think to one question, but since I am a mewbie myself and have not tried the answer yet, I will allow the God's of this section reply.

[LockMD]

Welcome.

Yeah its an expense but its for dad, I would get him a dx6i and then maybe a HBFP it can handle a tad more wind then the cx2, easy and cheap to fix too.

Sounds like your B400 needs a little tweaking if its drifting sideways to the left play with the links on the swash screw right side down and left side up (equal amounts) basically you want the swash level.

have fun and welcome to the addiction.

[LEADWORKS]

howdy bro. once u check the B400 swash for level, you'll then most likely need to test fly it and trim the aileron to the right a bit, cause the tail rotorwash tends to push it to the left. You'll probably need to trim the rudder and elevator a bit too. make sure you land before you push the trim buttons, dont try it while airborn until you get used to it. oh yeah and windy days are not your friend while learning with the b400.

[otto975d]

Hey there,I am newbie too... this forum is great you will learn so much and the GODS ( as helimax puts it LOL ) are great. if you have question or a problem they can fix it or send you in the right direction. enjoy and don't sweat the little stuff! ;)

[TDOC]

Well it’s about time I introduce myself also, since I am also a newb. I have been learning a lot from everyone here. Sokal you videos are great. :thumbup::thumbup:They have helped a lot after crashing a few times and having to put my heli back together again.

[rotarydoc]

Hey,

Another noob here too, I've mostly just been hanging out, lurking around...there are alot of really good people on this forum, I hope to be able to contribute to the forum when I can...

I'm still learning hovering basics, and using training gear, and I do the sim a LOT. No crashes yet, but I have upgraded my servos, kind of a must with the B400, unfortunately.

I am definately addicted, although I'm not sure whether to the heli, or the forums more!!

Take care, and have fun!!:clappp

Glenn

[notreallyme]

hi everyone, i'm also a noob to r/c heli's have been here a few times and learned alot of very useful info from everyone here. no questions or help needed for the time being but just wanted to say hi. also if there is anyone here in the phoenix area that i could get together with sometimes for flying/help keeping my beautiful b400 in the air/under control instead of all over the place and crashing.

Bill

[hance]

Bill just head out to http://www.sunvalleyfliers.com/ and meet some people at the flying field. I am from Idaho but was working in Phoenix a couple of months ago and went to sun valley flyers field. There is a ton of nice guys out there every weekend. I even met Jason Krause while I was there :Bang

[notreallyme]

thanks for the info. will try to make it out there soon. maybe someday will see you there again

[MEBtraveling]

noworries,

I think your Dad would probably benifit from a computer radio like the DX6i if his primary difficulty is over-controlling. He could set up Expo, Travel Limits, and possibly Dual Rates which could help reduce overcontrolling. If it is just pure hand/eye coordination, I'm not sure it would help. You could try binding his CX2 to your DX6i and let him give it a try before investing in a new transmitter just for him. i'd make adjustments to each of the above items one at a time to see if it helps.

Some overcontrolling can also be reduced by moving the control rods in on the servo horn. You'd need to enlarge the hole slightly.

Instructions for binding a DX6i to a CX2 are here (this is for a DX7 from the E-flite Web Site, I haven't done it myself but I've read it's the same for the DX6i): http://www.e-fliterc.com/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1658

After binding to the DX6i, if he wants to fly with the original transmitter that came with the CX2, he'll need to re-bind to it.

Everyone else, welcome to the hobby!:cheers

Michael

[gcopas]

Hello All,

Newbie George here. Well after much debate, I took the plunge last night and got the nerve to ask the wife about buying a 400. It only cost me a Kitchenaid stand mixer for her.

I have been wanting to build a T-Rex 500 but figured it would take many more months of buying pieces & parts before that would happen. So I decided to get the 400 as a start--I was going to use a DX6i for my 500 anyway.

Well this place has been a great help learning about all aspects of the heli world.

Bobs videos rock :noteworthy

PS--was just wondering why no one stocks the O-rings for the dampners? The guy at the LHS said something about ordering them from McMaster Car.
Any ideas

Well thats it for now...will let you know how the madien goes

Newbie George

[LockMD]

Welcome to the addiction George, we've been waiting for you......... :)

[HeliMix]

Welcome to the addiction George, we've been waiting for you......... :)

Welcome George.

O-rings for the head? If I am following you here, EFlite does sell them, they come in a pack of four I think it is with a piece of rubber tubing. The kit is for a few of their helis. The tubing has no purpose with the Blade; it is for the small helis.

Not bad, a mixer for a heli. I am not married, but i would say you got easy there. It could have been much worse. ;)