Need help in deciding what else to purchase.

[addy005]

I'm on the verge of buying my first RC Helicopter.

http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RAPTOR37COM

Seems like a great deal. But I am stumped on what exactly I MUST have.:arggg:

I'm not particularly familiar with this scene, but I want to start a new hobby. I have about $800-$1000(tops) to spend on this. Maybe someone could help a new member out here? :thumbup:

Links would be awesome!!!

Also If you have any recommendations such as kits and what not, please feel free.

[fiveoboy01]

The Rappy 30 is a great beginner's heli. The OS motor is nice, way better than the Thunder Tiger engines.

So, you're going to need:

Radio system(transmitter, reciever and servos, and battery pack)
Gyro

Associated support equipment(starter, fuel, fuel pump, glow driver, field box)

You said your total budget is 1000 dollars.... That combo kit is 500 bucks.

DX7 comes with servos and a battery pack that you can use. About 300-325 bucks.

That leaves you with the need for a gyro and tail servo combo... With the 175 you have left, you can get a GY401/S9254 combo for a tad over 200 bucks...

That will use up your budget without any field equipment which will probably run you another 50-100 dollars.

Also you can always ask the company you're buying from, if they can discount some of the other items not in the combo if you buy everything from them.

I can post specific links later tonight if you want. I have to lock up at work here and go fly:D

[addy005]

Haha cool man! I have these two things in mind

Raptor
http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RAPTOR37COM


DX 7 MODE 2
http://www.deeteeenterprises.com/NS.Spektrum.DX7.php (http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=155000)

So I need servos for the DX7 and a tail servo? Wow okay.... Links would help me out haha. I'm such a noob!

Helping me find the rest would be completely AWESOME! Thanks five!

Would this gyro/servo work?

GYRO + SERVO EBAY!
(http://cgi.ebay.com/FUTABA-AVCS-GY401-SMM-RATE-GYRO-PLUS-S9254-SERVO_W0QQitemZ120259078716QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3405 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotoho sting)

[fiveoboy01]

Odd, your second link is for deetee enterprises but goes to heliproz? Weird...

Anyways... the DX7 you're looking at comes with servos which are fine for the bird you are considering but NOT anything larger.

That gyro and servo combo would work excellent. Keep in mind you can also get the same combo at heliproz for I believe a tad over 200 bucks.

[addy005]

LOL Yeah I had a DX7 from heliproz linked then I just copied and pasted over, I guess it hyper linked itself LOL.

I'm going to get the combo from heliproz so I know its MINT. So what other items do I need? Links to fuel pump and whatnot would be awesome.

What did you mean by field equipment?

[fiveoboy01]

Field equipment...

Starter :

http://www.readyheli.com/HCAP3300_Hobbico_TorqMaster_180_Heavy_Duty_12_Volt _p/hcap3300.htm

The majority of helis(raptor 30 included) use a 6mm female hex on top of the clutch bell to get the engine started. You need a shaft which will clamp to the starter to engage that hex drive:

http://www.readyheli.com/HEX_START_WAND_with_ONE_WAY_BEARING_p/cn0427.htm

Fuel pump, to get the fuel in the heli... This setup screws right to your fuel jug:

http://www.readyheli.com/DUBC0907_Dubro_Fillin_Station_Complete_p/dubc0907.htm

Fuel shutoff clamp. Put one between your tank and carb to prevent fuel from siphoning into your motor and flooding it:

http://www.readyheli.com/KSJ975B_Fuel_Shutoff_Clamp_Black_2_p/ksj975b.htm

Glow Driver, to light the glow plug...

Simple one:

http://www.readyheli.com/Hot_Shot_2_Long_Glow_Plug_Ignitor_Hot_Shot_p/hcap2522.htm

Nicer one, this one is 85 bucks but worth the $ and will tell you if your glow plug is bad without having to remove it:

http://www.readyheli.com/Radio_South_Pro_Driver_MkIII_w_Charger_p/radp3110.htm

Glow plug wrench:

http://www.readyheli.com/Long_Reach_Glow_Plug_Wrench_p/han2510.htm

You'll also need a selection of various sizes of screwdrivers, and hex drivers(standard and metric), and a pair of ball-link pliers is also a handy tool.

[addy005]

Wow that stuff adds up quick lol. So after all that I will be good to go for assembly and flight? Thanks for the information !:clappp
The dubro filling station also comes with a glo plug lighter. But is it crap? If so, then I can just purchase the 27.99 fuel pump. Without the 4 way wrench and glo plug lighter.

[TheBum]

There's not much to a glow plug ignitor (it's just a NiCd or NiMH battery with the appropriate connector attached), so the one with the filling station should be fine.

[addy005]

so it doesn't matter if I get the 85 dollar one or the one that comes with the pump? It will still fit and juice my heli? Or should I just play the safe game and get the more expensive one ?

[odieser]

http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=8498
why not go for something like this to get going great deal. Yes I know it is not a raprot but the Hawk Pro by century is great heli.
And with a price of under 800.00 is in budget
Mark

[addy005]

Thanks odeiser, That package looks very promising. I'm really considering that purchase. A few questions.

Is the Futaba 7 as functional as the dx7s? If not what is different?

Servos- that come with the package, are they stable? Fit for the worst?

Starter package- Does it contain everything I need or should I purchase something on the side?

How does the Hawk 30 compare to the Raptor 30?

Will this one fly a helicopter in Mode 2? It says DEFAULTED to MODE 1, but all helicopter programming is available

[odieser]

The futaba tx is very functional, It has the same basic functions of the DX7 although it is not spread spectrum. It has the 5 point curves and all the other goodies. The servos are basically the same as the 821's that come with the DX7 so they are good starters. Once you get good you would want to change either to faster and more torque so that also is a wash in my mind.
The starter pack comes with everything except fuel.
The century Hawk Pro has more bearings standard and in my opinion with the torque tail is a great heli vs the raptor with a belt tail and 39 bearings.
I believe that mode 1 is the throttleand rudder on right stick and mode 2 is the reverse which most in north America use.I would contact them and make sure they send you a mode 2 radio which I am sure they will.
Mark

[addy005]

Bah! Im so lost between the two! I see beautiful 3D videos of both on youtube... I guess the hawk is more in my price range, and having it all at once would be nice. I think im going to order the hawk. i save around 400 dollars and that = upgrades :). Such as carbon fiber rotors lol... Also is the futaba 2.4ghz?

[odieser]

That is the only real difference the futaba is not a 2.4 ghz Only time may be a issue if you are flying with others and you have to check channels to not interfere or get intefered with.But other than that very functional. Perhaps send a E-mail to Heli-world and see if there is a chance of substituting the radio gear in the combo with the Futaba 7C 7channel 2.4 ghz radio gear they sell. http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=242
There is a 100.00 difference in price but they may accomadate you if it is important for you to get the 2.4ghz unit at this time.
Or just fly the standard version till things progress and you can update to the latest and greatest such as a JR 9303 or such.
Mark

[Jim T]

Just a couple of comments:
1) I don't know if you will have help or are going it alone. If you have help you might want to check and see what other folks in your area are using. If not, then you might want to compare the amount of on-line support available for the Century vs the Raptor.

2) My thoughts are that the 2.4 gig systems are the wave of the future. I've got a 72 mhz JR 9303 system that I've put the 2.4 gig module in and would never think about going back. I flew Futaba for years. I've fooled around with a friends 2.4 DX7 and was impressed. I'm sure I'd be equally impressed with the 2.4 Futaba system. Just something to think about.

Keep doing your research and asking questions. I have one: Do you have a simulator yet?

This is a fun hobby and this is a great site. Folks are able to offer their opinions without any big arguments breaking out.

Good Luck, Jim

[addy005]

Unfortunately I will be going at it alone. At least until I find a good RC club around. As for a simulator, no I have not bought one yet. I figured I could get one after I purchased and built my heli.

Is the Futaba 7 good enough for my start heli? At least for maybe 8 months - 1 year?

[odieser]

personally i think it will be fine. There are a lot of them out there and I think that people here can help with setup if needed. Yes 2.4 ghz is the future and if you are concerned get heli-world or where every you purchase from to upgrade you to a 2.4 ghz setup. You don't need the cadillac 9303 to learn on.
Well that is my 2 or maybe 20 cents on the subject
good luck on what you do get and I will always help if I can.
Mark

[addy005]

Thanks odieser, I appreciate the comments and the support. I think I will stick with the futaba 7, as I don't want to spend too much at this very moment. This will be my first helicopter, and I will have plenty of time to learn, build and upgrade.

So, now with more questions. What type of blades are better? Do mufflers have any effect besides sound? Type of gas?

[addy005]

In case I change my mind in a few days, and I want to go electric, Which helicopter would be best for that? What would I need with an electric helicopter?

[Crashed Monkey]

Hi all ,can any one help ,just got my hurricane 550 and a z20a motor.Do i have to buy a new bracket for it or drill more holes as the holes dont line up ? cheers for any help.

[addy005]

Will the Futaba controller give out on my helicopter? Like lose signal? If so, I might want to get a 2.4ghz one right?

[Skiddz]

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, 2.4Ghz systems are still prone to interference. What they do offer is no more crystals and a large reduction in the chances of getting "shot down" (which is what happens when someone on your 72Mhz channel turns on their Tx while you're trying to fly)

Futaba offers a 2.4GHz system called FASST so you can go either way, depending on your preference in radio brand.

[addy005]

But there is no chance of me getting shot down if I'm by myself? How about a car controller near me?

[odieser]

Well addy if you are looking at electric I fly a Hurricane 550 by Gaui and it is a good mid priced .30 sized heli and you can use relatively inexpensive batteries in series to make the power ( 2x 3S 2500 Mah 25c- 30c batteries) .
The Trex 500 is a new commer that is popular althought a little smaller than the Gaui but a great heli. Although has been having growing pains ( static proplems).
I personally am waiting for the testing of the new SJM 430 to be completed as I really like the exotic frame design and angular canopy that is available and I can use my exisating batteries to fly this bird.
Now if you want smaller or bigger the Trex 450 and 600 are tried and true and parts for all align products are available even at the smallest shops. The 600 requires 250 + dollar batteries though. and the 450 is small heli and a little harder to get stable for new flyers.
Bottom line electrics cost about the same to get setup and fly and maintain but if you don't take the care to purchase good batteries and take care of them (proper lipo safety ) in the long run may cost more. And there is the down time for charging.
Enough said now.
Mark

[addy005]

Wow Odeiser, Your a great help even if you don't know it :Bang!

I'm going to order that hawk pack tonight. It has got me sold. Even though the controller is only 72mhz, I think it'll do for a beginners pack. :YeaBaby:

So far I have added up a total of 900 dollars.

Hawk Package, $787
http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=8498

4x #8 Glo Plugs, $4.95 ea
http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=1339

Century LARGE CURVE TIP BALL LINK PLIERS $19.95

http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=2322


Training safe gear lol $26

stick
http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=3955

ball
http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=3982

the set itself is out of stock

Crash Kit $44.95
http://www.heli-world.com/detail.aspx?ID=308

TOTAL----- 902.50

So am I good to go?!