New-Comer requesting opinions about Heli Models best suited for Aerial FPV- NON 3D

[Caveman5150]

I am going to buy a "nice " 500+size helo this summer that I intend to build from scratch so that I may better understand the helo as well as do all repairs myself.
I know Trex seems to carry most of the weight around here, but I AM NOT looking into getting into crazy zsabo-like acrobatics, nor are brandnames a big shiny spot for me. I'ld like to select a helo that:'

(1) Can easiliy be modded to do FPV work, with variying size big 3" camreas as well as mini-cameras (hobbywirelss type stuff w. OSD)

(2) Carry the loads of the additonal FPV equipment without throughing off the CG. If it flyings like a USMC transport Blackhawk, as opposed to a Trex, that would be just perfect for me

(3)Something that is large (500 size PLUS), but does Lipo batteries of the 3S 4000mah MAX, that one could use in a TRexs 500 (NO GAS, not negotiable) so that it can tolerate at least SOME wind without becoming unmanageable.

(4)Fairly rugged crash-wise in terms of valuable parts breaking. (Crashes will happen, but with good design & some good parts, Im hoping for bills of less than $100 per crash.

(5)Something with good instruction manual & online support for the building/tweeking process. I have never built a helo from a kit,so I'll need guidance & easy/fast access to replacement parts (online even?)

Any suggestions that meet these requirements folks? I basically want a rugged off-road helo that can take a lickin and still produce quality videos. 3D flight does not interest me.

[kiwi320]

Personally.. I'd look at a Trex 600.

Actually, I am looking at one right now.. I've just been paid, I have my credit card handy and I'm browsing the pages of ReadyHeli drooling over my desk.

I already have a Trex 450XL (upgraded to what I believe would be an SEv2) and under that I have 'home-made' aluminum landing gear and a Canon Powershot A560 digital camera.. I've only just started lifting the camera with my 450, and I haven't had that much flying experience. But I enjoy fiddling with things, I'm passionate about my hobby, even if I'm not good at it.

My goal is to build-up a bigger AP bird, using a Trex 600CF as the foundations.

My list so far looks a lot like....

Trex 600E CF - Basic kit with a few metal upgrades, blade, tail, etc.

Askman AP Mount - Havn't looked at many, but thanks to these forums, I WILL be going with Askman, ask anyone. They will point you at Askman.

AP2000i - Autopilot thing to help hold it steady at altitude. (Look at the support on these forums, it's outstanding!)

Thinking about a 9303/9304 Tx, but havn't looked into most radio gear, servos or anything yet.

Gyro would be either the Futuba 611 or the Spartan one, I forget the model.

Power, ESC, BEC, Lipos.. Will stay stay stock for awhile as I plan to build this bird over a few months. I can't afford it all in one pay. *sigh*

And of course the HeliFreak forums, I mean.. Look at these guys in here, they're already doing what I want to do. I'm crossing my fingers in hope they'll answer some of my dumb questions later on!

Many people have also 'stretched' the 600 to put larger blades on there.. Which I guess brings on better lifting power and stability too.

But I'm sure more than anything on a couple of things.

1. Pick a good heli/parts supplier and stick with them. They WILL look after you, look at the forums!
2. Read as much as you can in here, it'll help you with knowledge and ideas.
and..
3. Look after your gear. Helis lifting more may well have more effects from wear.

EDIT:
Scratch the CF version, I just threw my credit card at the best deal I've seen on the basic GF, 600xl, esc, bec.. Hey, I can always upgrade to CF!

[meflyjeep]

Hard to beat the TR600 for all of the reasons above ...

[Caveman5150]

First of all, I apologize for all the typos, I was about to go to sleep & I now realize half my post was illegible.

I would LOVE to get the Trex600; thats about the size I would like & I know its a great chopper, but the blades, I understand, are about $100-$120 everytime I crash, in addition to whatever else I may break. I just cant afford $100 blades for every crash. $50 blades are more like it.

This is why I was looking for similar size alternatives to the Trex600. That would be my helo of choice, but the kit, batteries, AND the repairs will just blow my budget entirely. If there was something that was a notch down of similar size & stability that was perhaps an expensive kit, but a considerably cheaper fix, that's really what I'm looking for.

I hear people talking about Century & Logo, but I hear equal amounts of good & bad, as well as problems obtaining parts. Any feedback on these? (Yes I did a search for those on here, but people were generally speaking about their 3D performance as opposed to my interests).

*I guess my issue, in a nut shell, is that the Trex line offers all this awesome 3D capability & super high quality parts that I'm not interested in & dont want to pay for. I like to just fly the helos like they're regular helos, not necessarily inverted, looping, or for a big show for my friends. I just want FPV stability & forgiveness.

If you guys say that they are the best bottom line, I guess that a T500 is my only option. Sorry, can't afford the 600 parts & batteries. I have 3S 4000mah & 2500mah lipos already for my planes, but I think I need different stuff for the 600? No?

Still open to suggestions.

BTW thanks for the info about the stabilization gadgets, wasn't aware that technology was out there. Definately getting that!

[DigitalCop]

I think the draw of the Align series of helicopters is twofold; 1. They are well constructed and come with easy to follow build manuals, 2. They are relatively inexpensive (bang for buck) and have ample spare parts available for them.

I know that a lot of guys take the 600E and "stretch" it for AP use. I think that sounds like a good idea for a stable and reliable platform.

In regard to FPV, my opinion is that any of the Trex models would be well-suited for this purpose. If your concern is crashing and related repair costs, I think it would be tough to find an equivalently sized and powered heli with readily available parts that are as affordable.

That said, my opinion is that in FPV you are most likely to crash when close to the ground on takeoffs or landings... if you don't use FPV during these times and just fly the heli visually, you should be able to decrease the liklihood of plowing into the Earth.

I think that some people look at FPV as a way to somehow "cheat" the required skills and practice necessary to effectively fly a heli. While both regular visual flight and FPV would have their own respective learning curves, I would never try FPV without being very comfortable with regular flying.

If you have a flight simulator, you can practice FPV style flying. In RealFlight G3.5 and G4 if you select a computer generated flying field (non-photorealistic) you can choose a camera view which would rival FPV.

In reference to Caveman's thoughts about the costs of the Trex600, I would recommend the 500. If you tone-down your pitch curve a little and throw some expo in, the 500 would likely prove a stable flyer with lower costs for blades, etc.

However, if you crash the heli, expect to repair more than just blades.

[carlos]

From your description appart from battery size you want a TREX600
Don't worry about the xtra cost of blades a larger disc will give better performanc and stability and make for easier autos if you need to.

[Caveman5150]

Fair enough, I think the Align is probably gonna be my choice as several of my friends were pointing out that easier to come by parts tend to be cheaper parts. If every LHS sells 'em, bound to be cheaper despite the higher quality..

One question, I've put 5 fairly large planes together, 3 from almost scratch, all electric. I can solder, do ESCs, hot glue, epoxy, you name it. You guys think I can handle building a Trex600 with Bob's video help? I watched some of them & it seems pretty straight forward.

[kiwi320]

If you watch Bobs videos you will have no problems at all.. Well, nothing major.

And if you do, we're all here for ya!

[bullaculla]

Both of my helis started life as regular T-rex 600s... Kinda.
They are both very stable, very powerful, and aside from the custom pieces, very cheap (compared to Logos and Jokers)
With my current setup I can get 12+ minutes of flight with my heaviest photo gear.
And if I turn up the throws, they will still do very nice stationary tumbles :D
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/trex700/huge/IMG_5213.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/trex700/huge/IMG_5205.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/trex700/huge/IMG_7225.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/trex700/huge/IMG_7224.JPG
The normal looking one carries an Askman underslung, and is also my part time play bird untill I get a trex500 to throw around.

[aramsdell]

I'm flying Century Swift 16's. 1 for AP that comes in around 7 1/4 lbs wtih cam/AP2000i etc. Other is my sport ship and weighs about 6 1/4 with a 4 cell NiMh flight pack for the radio. I could lose a couple of ounces using an S-BEC. The Swift 16 is available as a kit now for about $ 189.00. Check Heli-World, Century's sales outlet. Parts are cheap. I use 5S5000 Kongpower bats. $235.00 each. Using 550mm Rotortech blades ($90) very efficient blades.
Stock S-16 goes just over 5 lbs. So it will lift a couple pounds no problem. At over 7/14 lbs I get abut 6.5 to 7 minutes of hovering / gentle climbouts. This will not break the bank when you break it.

[Caveman5150]

Ooooooh, Bob's got build vids for that one too. This is going to take some thinkin about. Is a Swift 16 bigger or smaller than a Trex 600? My LHS is pushing that one too. He says its a "550 size" which may be synonymous. Says Centruy is offering him a $35 crash kit parts bag special. Dunno, we'll see, still himmin & hawing over the Align & Century.

**The helo names are jacking me up. Swift 16, Trex500, 600, 550 size helos, .90 helos. How do you people keep thisa straight?

Thanks guys, I'm gonna start in 30 days. Want it done before summer's over & I work slow

[Tonystott]

Just buy a Trex600E. There are heaps of people who are very happy with them as AP ships. It doesn't matter about others, they are all good, just grab one and do it :)

[aramsdell]

Tony is right. There are tons of TREX 600E ships flying AP. They will be supported for a long time.
In reference to size. The Swift 16 in relatively stock form is equivalent to a .30 size nitro bird. The T600 is a .50 size. The batteries will rightly be more expensive too on the T600. The Swift with 550 blades is about 49+ inch rotor span.

[Caveman5150]

just grab one and do it :)


Hell yeah!
Well said. Done deal...will advise. Thanks folks