First post: Considering Blade CP Pro 2, advice needed please!

[shurcooL]

Edit: Crap, I think I just realized that CP Pro 2 isn't going to be out for another month... damn. :/ Now I'm not sure what to do... Can I use the CP Pro 1 transmitter with any sim instead? :( Or is the CP+ better?

Hi, it's my first post here, so please bear with me. :)

I'm thinking of maybe getting a Blade CP Pro 2 heli for my dad's bday. He's always looking at them when I'm at the LHS looking at cars, so it might work. Neither of us has ever owned/flown a heli before, so I'm very newbie at this (but I do have experience wiht RC cars).

I was looking to get him the Blade CP Pro 2. I know it's a very difficuilt to fly first heli, but I really don't want to get a coaxial Blade CX2 or whatever heli, as it feels too much like a toy and is probably too easy to fly.

But I don't want my dad to crash on his first flight, so I'm thinking of what RC sim I can get him to get started.

So my main question is:
I know the Blade CP Pro 2 comes with a HP6DSM 2.4GHz DSM2 transmitter. What port/cable does that transmitter have/use, if any? I'd like to know what simulator I can use with that transmitter, basically.

Also, does anyone know if the Blade CPP2 box comes with any cables for hooking up the transmitter to a computer?

The main simulators I was interested in were PhoenixRC, and maybe Reflex, unlikely Aerofly. I'm not sure about FS One, haven't heard anything about it really. Which one of those sims can I use this transmitter with?

Last question... Is Blade CP Pro 2 a good model? I guess it's pretty new because I mostly saw ppl talk about CP Pro 1, but it seems like a (more than) good enough heli for the first one... I obviously don't want something as advanced as Align T-Rex 450... But is CP Pro 2 an ok choice? I hope it doesn't feel like a 'toy'.

Thanks a lot to anyone who replies!

[Montana_Reefer]

look around on Heli Freak but I don't think anyone would recomend the blade CP's as a first heli. I started w/ one and all it caused was frustration.:arggg: The blade 400 though be it more expensive is a much better learning platform. Also the repair costs on the CP are more than the B400 on many parts :dontknow no idea why, Horizon owns them both!
As for a sim the Real Flight is very popular and the FS One I belive that it can be used "cordless" as it has a 2.4gHz reciever available.

I would recomend a CX2 over CP any day, toy like or not it won't frustrate someone!

[keiser BLADE]

i agree, i learned to hover on a cp, it is not un doable, but it was not very fun either, i have a blade 400 also i would much more recommend a 400 any day, for a noob, a sim would be the best idea though, but it falls down to your money and your pops so ur call.
have a good one
Brandon

[shurcooL]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys.

I think what you're suggesting is that a bigger, heavier, more powerful (and expensive) heli would be more stable and easier to control. Is that it?

I forgot to mention, but one of my requirements would be that it should be flyable outside in mild weather - I don't want an indoors only heli, that's for sure.

Unfortunately, I don't think my budget would allow for Blade 400 (CND$450+13%tax). My dad has enough other hobbies to keep him occupied, and a lot of real life responsibilities, so a $250~ish heli might be fun to try out for him... But the more expensive ones would require too much dedication/time from his side that he just doesn't have.

I'm starting to think that unfortunately it won't be a very good present, as the Blade CP Pro 2 was the only feasable heli I could see out there. =( It's just not a high enough priority of his (to try to fly an RC heli) to justify spending so much money and time on it, it seems.

>.< Sucks, I really wanted to see that heli fly myself also... But I have to stick with RC cars, as that by itself is already too much hehe (need to spend another $1k just to finish off a 1:8 scale brushless conversion)...

[TowPilot]

Based on what you have said, lack of time to commit to a new hobby and all, flying a "real" heli outdoors would take a commitment of time to learn.

So, I'd look again at the Blade CX2. At $189 USD, yes, it is an indoor heli but, it is also flyable with much less commitment of time.

I set up TV trays in the living room and fly tray to tray for fun. And, I do fly it outdoors but only on very still days, which do occur where I live fairly often, especially in mornings and evenings.

The cool thing about the CX2 is, you do learn the basics or orientation and it is more fun than the sim when starting out.

Success breeds success. To try to fly something that is a bigger leap can simply be no fun and too expensive.

Your situation sounds more like a casual and fun time, why pick out something that is not so casual (large heli) ?

Just my thoughts,
Mike

[bigblackken]

I have to second Rotorwash's recomendation. Even though i have several rc helis, and a sim, i still love the Blade CX. Its a blast. Its also what got me back into heli's.

Does the CX2 tx come with a trainer port? If so, then you can buy a $10 ebay cable and use FREE (or donation) simulators like FMS or helisimRC. HelisimRC is in the sim forum here and the align 450 forum with a sticky. A lot of guys own expensive sims and still prefer helisimrc to the commercial sim.

[Kindling Maker]

Start with a CX2, once you can fly it well go to the B-400. DOnt get the CP, CPPro, the CP+, I dumped a lot of money and spent more time fixing than flying. And Also get a SIm I have real flight and it is a good one. Just dont do it to yourself. THe CP family of birds are as unstable as the manson Family. THe 400 is a much better bird.

[shurcooL]

Thank you all for your advice.

Unfortunately, this whole get-my-dad-a-heli initiative will have to be put on a pause for now, as it's not the best time.

I will keep your advice in mind whenever I decide to resume it, however, so thanks anyways! :)

P.S. Does anyone know if CX2's transmitter has a trainer port, so I can get a cable for it and connect it to a PC?

[Slyster]

Honeybee FP! Perfect route to beginning helis. I fly mine hard.. as difficult as a CP so it's a great learning tool. Can get a start at raidentech for $79 + free shipping

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887535

[TowPilot]

Yes, the transmitter has a port, usable for Sims and for a buddy box.

[ChasHeliCop]

deleted, just read the rest of the thread

[shurcooL]

Thanks a lot for that Honeybee FP suggestion, for a $100-120 it looks like a very nice starting heli indeed! It seems the controller might have a trainer port and a cable is avaliable for extra charge. So is a Simulator. Of course, it's a Fixed Pitch heli (no 3D flight, no upside down flight as I understand), but I think that 4 channels are good enough to start out with. Plus, the price! :)

The only thing that worries me about it is that I can't find much official info on it... The official E-Sky site is kinda hard to navigate. It seems like there are a couple different versions of the E-Sky Honey Bee FP, and I'm not exactly sure on their differences. :/