Buying Electric Heli, HELP!

[TheCelsian]

I know there is a similar post already, but it is very vague and there's not much info to back up what is said. Can anyone tell me which Electric Heli's they think are the best bang for th buck? I'm brand new to the flight in general, but have always wanted to fly. Which model's suite beginners best?

I've been looking at the following and am looking for some input on them:

-Tornado: http://ohiomodelplanes.com/tornado/
-Mini Dragonfly: http://www.helihobby.com/html/dragonfly_helicopter.html
-Corona: http://helihobby.com/html/corona_heli_kits.html
-Zap 400: http://www.modelflight.com.au/rc_model_helicopters/zoom_400_rc_helicopter.htm

(Sorry for the links, I'm not trying to endourse (sp?) and websites, just making sure you know which one Im talking about.)

Any input I can get on these models, or perhaps better ones I haven't listed please let me know! Thank you so much.

Disclaimer: I'm an extreme newb and the extent of my RC knowledge is in lowend cars, however, I'm very excited about flight and would love to finally get in the air as I haven't been able until late due to limited funds! I apologize if I reply with some less than intelligent questions, please bare with me = )

[WillJames]

Do you have a simulator and have you put in any time on the simulator?

[bighands3d]

From what I'm hearing from the LHS is that the Blade from Eflight is very easy to fly. At $219 complete. Mind you that it is RTF out ot the box and I don't think there is any set up required. Some have bought it, with no experance and are hovering and some FF flight in a week. But the Sim is still a Great Choice for learning at nearly the same price.

If your just want some thing to kick around and try Electrics that would be it with Droping a large amount of $$$. Most of the Electrics on here are the T-rex and Sho-gun both are for Experanced pilots and cost as much as a Glow heli. And are Not Recomeded for beginners.

[DebianDog]

I flew a blade the other day and was not impressed. A buddy in my club has a Corona and while you cannot fly inverted it seems about indestructible! That would be my choice if you do not buy a sim.

[TheCelsian]

Thanks for the input. Yes I planned to get a simulator first, but I would like to decide on a Heli prior to buying the sim so that I can be sure the sim I buy will be similar to the heli I plan to fly. I don't know how important that actually is, but I would assume it's like racing a Viper vs a Sentra. It would be ridiculous to learn to race a sentra and then expect to be able to get behind the wheel of a Viper and take off. Maybe I'm being a little extreme... but hey! I want to spend as much time in the sim as possible so I can throw as few 20$'s in the jar as possible.

Also, is there a sim that is recommended, I can get my hands on a copy of FMS Flight Simulator for cheap, any good?

[DebianDog]

Well to use your similes'

Crashing a Viper is going to be a lot more expensive than crashing a Sentra.

You WILL crash no matter how much time on the sim. It does not matter if you have been practicing with either with a Viper or a Sentra, they all drive (fly) the same. Granted, some just are a little faster than others. i.e. If you can drive the crap out of a Sentra and become an expert with it will not take long to adjust to the addtional power/capabilities of a Viper.

Semi OT: On a real curvy road you would rather have a Sentra ;) Vipers are tail heavy and torquey.

No matter what sim you buy it will be nothing like flying one for real as there is no "pucker factor" option on any sim you can buy. If you can get FMS cheap I would do it.

Spend as much time on the sim as you can stand.

[DavidH]

Simulators are just for teaching the hand/eye coordination required to fly a heli.
Any simulator available today will teach the basics and it will apply to any real RC heli. Pretty much all RC Helis fly the same where they are fixed pitch or collective pitch as for basic flight.
So get a simulator and try it on the sim. If you find out it is not for you, then the simulator should be easy to sell.
As was mentioned, some of the electrics are more advanced and to get them to fly correctly. You will tie up more money in them than a nitro machine.

David

[TheCelsian]

Hmm... I realize the SIM will never be a perfect replica but I'm hoping my years of flight sims on the computer already will give me a slight edge.

With respect to which Heli to buy, perhaps it's just better to make the first one a gas? What's good for entry level in that respect then? Raptor 30v2? Is there any advantage or disadvantage as opposed to a 50 or 60?

Also, in the long run, which is more expensive? Gas or Electric?


And just cause I feel like saying it... One big advantage I've been considering is the 0 down time with the Gas ones, as you dont need to charge it, that makes me happy. However, as was mentioned in a previous post on another thread, I'm sure I'll end up crashing it before I run out of battery power. Let's pray for that NOT to happen.

[TheCelsian]

"with no experance and are hovering and some FF flight in a week."

sorry, what is FF?

[Bayou Talker]

FF= Forward Flight

As for the Blade, I have a friend with one and it is not really for a true beginner as it does FF better than it hovers and learning to hover should come first. After all, you have to be able to hover to take off safely and to land. It is true that it is ready to fly out of the box, but it does fly better if it is adjusted properly.

If you decide on a Nitro Heli, I would recommend the Raptor 50 with an OS 50 engine. The Raptor 30 is also a good one to learn on, but the 50 has the extra power to take you further into 3D flight and is a bit more stable to learn on.

Definitely get a sim and spend lots of time on it before trying to fly the real thing. It will really pay off. And like it has been said here many times before....Find an experienced heli pilot to check out your machine BEFORE you try to fly it and also to help you get started in the right direction.

Good luck on whatever one you choose.

[TheCelsian]

Also, Im seriously considering either the OMP Tornado or the E-Flite Blade, price is not an issue on either of these I just really need help making up my mind about which one is best. I've heard great things about the Blade and very little about the Tornado, however the tornado seems to be a better build than the Blade including HeatSyncs on both main rotor and tail rotor.

However, I don't know that the Tornado is 3D capable, and this is something I would like to be available when I finally reach that level. My dad is in the process of purchasing a Raptor 50 and I'd hate for him to fly spheres around me. = )

Also:
"with no experance and are hovering and some FF flight in a week."

What is Collective Pitch? And how does CP help the user in flight?

[DebianDog]

Pitch of the blades can be adjusted so you can fly inverted. You have no option (idle up) on your sim?

[KevinT]

My two cents....
Check out the Esky Honey Bee 2 @ DeeTee Enterprizes. ( see add on main page)
My dad just got one on tuesday. I flew it, and now I want one. 249.00 ready to fly
out of the box, and no upgrade needed to do inverted flight. The blade requires an upgrade kit. The Honey Bee 2 also comes with a lipoly batery, and charger.
My dad is an old airplane guy with no heli experience. On the first flight he was hovering it out in the street. He did a great job, and the best part is I think he is hooked. He is even talking about getting a raptor.
Great choice for a new guy.

[kileak]

Align Trex.

[keith shaw]

As kileak said, Align T-rex! Check out www.helikraft.com for the best deals for a kit including motor and esc. Radio is stricly on your own preference.

:wink: