Would like to get into AP - Heli Choice options

[Timmo]

I'll start by apologising as I know these sort of threads come up quite often but I hope you guys will be patient enough to share some advice with me..
I started flying with a trex450 and I like that but I also learnt that 3D and all that crazy flying isn't for me..I have an interest in digital photography and after seeing some of the amazing pictures on here from the likes of Hogster and others I would like to progress in that direction..
Whilst I know some limited AP is possible with a rex450 I want to go bigger for better visibility and stability....something in the 600 blade region.
Now I actually have quite a few components that I am hoping I can use in my next heli which I will list:

Z50A 800 (780kv)
Z50A 600 (565kv)
CC HV85 ESC
9254 / GY401
3 x 9252's
3 x Ace High torque digital Servos
2 x 5S1P 8000mAH TP prolites
4 x 10S1P A123 brick packs
My current radio is a Futaba 7CHP
I also have some NHP 620 Carbon blades so if I could use those it would be a bonus...

Anything I don't use for this I will be selling along with some other stuff..
So what I am hoping for from you guys is some advice / suggestions as to what Heli would best suit my requirements and also the kit I have available...
I would like to add that I have not had a good experience with Thunder Tiger stuff so would like to avoid the Rappys / E620 etc..

I would also like to get a kit that I can build as stock and fly first without needing to do any modding so that I can get used to flying a big heli first before looking at attaching a camera..I don't mind buying a few upgrades if they are required but I don't want to get caught up in the upgrade game...

I have been away from the scene for quite some time but helis I have considered:
Logo 14 - Seems to have a lot of fans but it only uses the smaller servos which is quite a downer..seeing as I have 6 full size servos!!
TRex 600 - I liked the 450 so the 600 is an option but I think they come with esc and motor etc which I don't neccesarily need and I think what I have might be of better quality?
Logo 600 - I know very little about these..but Logo has a good pedigree
I am aware of the Joker and mini jokers but am concerned they might be a bit too specialist for me at this time...(read expensive and parts expensive when I crash)

How much I want to spend for the heli? Well this kind of depends how much of my existing kit I can use but the cost isn't my biggest concern, I can generate the funds..
What I am most interested in is being able to pick up a kit that I can build quite easily (hopefully using as much of my existing electronics as possible)..That I can fly as a big heli in its own right before doing whatever is needed to convert to AP (Longer boom / blades etc..
I think given the choice I would rather be using the tp prolites as opposed to the A123s but I could be persuaded for the right heli...
Oh yeah..I have a TME extrema to cover my charging needs so hopefully it really is just the heli kit.
So what do you reckon? Can any of you guys point me in the right direction /make some suggestions...I will probably be asking questions when it comes to the build unless the model has a finless build video set....I just don't want anything too experimental or anything that requires too many upgrades from the get go..
So please...Any advice / suggestions would be very welcome indeed..
Many thanks
Timmo

[nooob]

What do you plan on carrying?

[Timmo]

Nothing to start of with until I get used to flying the bigger bird but I would have thought the Logo 6003d or the trex 600e are pretty similar in terms of capacity for lifting weight...especially if they were stretched...Of course the maxi joker and even the mini joker are also very nice..but quite expensive...

[jascamera]

You can't go wrong with either T-rex 600 and Logo. You they both are capable of producing great photos and video with proper tunning and mounts.

T-rex are much cheaper to buy and repair.

[bullaculla]

You can get a trex 600 from Grand RC without electronics. Just go to "build your own combo" remove everything, and you can get the CF frame bird pretty cheap.
But if you can afford the Logo 600, Mikado does make a stretch kit for it, and are very very nice helis. but, you can easily stretch a trex 600 these days too. I ran the z50A 600 in my trex on 10s for a little while. It should work great in a stretched 600 as well. I dont know if you can use the 2x 5s 8000 lipos tho. Kinda big for a 600, even a stretched one. You should sell those to a Joker guy, or sell everything else and buy a Joker.
Also, the NHP620 will fit the stock 600 and Logo 600. I ran those too before the stretch.

[Timmo]

Thanks for that info...Yes I would love to get a Joker..Maxi or even Mini but I think that will be my final heli but for now I want to go for something a bit more standard so to speak...I was thinking that I would probably be best selling those 2 x 5S 8000mAh lipos and getting some 6S packs for the rex or the Logo 600....Its hard to decide which heli to go for...I am trying to sell of some other bits to generate funds but should be able to afford either rex600 or logo 600 easily enough.....

[bullaculla]

I was thinking that I would probably be best selling those 2 x 5S 8000mAh lipos and getting some 6S packs for the rex or the Logo 600...

I would go atleast 8s if you plan on stretching it. The 565KV motor is good for 10s or 12s, and the 780 is good for 8s. Also you have the HV esc so no problems going high voltage.

[flyingrhino]

With a Trex 600 you will have a payload of about 4 pounds. I'm just under 4 pounds with mount and Canon A640. Flight time is 5 minutes on 6s 5000 mah.

[Timmo]

Thanks - what mount do you have? Askman?...

[Sastrugi]

In the vein of this thread, how do you work out the lift capabilities of a particular heli? Or is it more a case of relying on manufacturer's published info? Is there a rule of thumb?

Regards,

Steve

[Timmo]

I wasn't sure wether there was a thread (its not a sticky by the look of it) where everyone posted there heli AP / AV Setup...Would be good if there was one as it would certainly give a lot of info for people wanting to go down that route in respect to what helis people are using and what power setups etc....

[Timmo]

Well I thought I would just report back to let you know that I went for a logo 6003D which I am currently in the process of building...I'll get some flights on it and then start researching what I need to convert to AP...Lovely heli the logo 600...am dead happy:thumbup:

[merlin703]

I will be waiting for your post since I'm considering that route myself, thanks.

[Timmo]

Oh right Merlin..I saw some of your posts during my reading here and I thought that you had already bought a bird...if you are interested them I am doing a build thread over on rcg : http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=925359
If you want to have a look...This is just the kit build though and nothing AP related yet.:thumbup:

[merlin703]

No, I don't have a bird for AP yet. I only have TREX450s and 500s. I want to get one that can handle heavy loads (for AP) but I don't want to limit the bird to just AP so it has to be agile enough for 3D as well. I'm considering a LOGO 600 3D and I'm thinking flybarless. The new TREX 600 coming out in the next few months will be interesting to see. The cost of the battery for the 600 is scary though. I'm not in a hurry so I will take it easy and do some more research. Thanks for the link to your build. I'll be checking that out.

[Timmo]

Hi Merlin...So how do are you planning on switching your heli between AP and 3D? I think most people set up a dedicated heli for AP if for no other reason than all the extra hardware your are likely to be carrying...Landing gear or front mount, downlink, camera, stabilisers, extra packs to power all that...It would be a real bummer to have to take it all off and refit wouldn't it...You may even end up changing motor / pinion / esc settings between setups...I would find that a total pain in the a*se...From what I have read on here and other places the Logo 600 seems like an excellent candidate for an AP heli as it appears very light so far...but as with an heli this size it is the price of the batts that are the real killer....Good luck with whatever you decide to do..
Cheers
Tim

[merlin703]

Hi, yes, I wouldn't be putting everything back on each time I fly and take it off to take pictures after that. The idea would be to work on AP for a few months then take things off and just fly it with aggresive sports flying and maybe some basic 3D, if I can get to it. When needed put the AP equipment back on with the longer blades, packs etc and fly it. Or if for some reason I don't stick AP... at least I will have a machine to just fly. Also, if the opposite happens and I do enjoy AP, I would get a dedicated AP helicopter machine and transfer all my AP equipment.