Entry level Heli Radio?

[Seeker]

Hi All,

I'm new to the board and pretty new to helis. I have over 20 years of fixed wing r/c flight so I had an idea how hard helis were going to be. I picked up a G/3 and have been practicing a lot (I'm sure I've save a ton of cash on parts by now).

I have been out of the main loop of r/c for the last 5+ year (family life).

I have a local bud that is going to help me set up and fly and that's a great thing. My local HS carries the Raptor so that's what I'm gonna go with. I have been playing with the Dragon Walkera around the house and have managed to not tear it up too bad yet. On the other hand I have a Venom Night Ranger 3D and it's usually down waiting for parts. :roll:

So I'm going to purchase a Raptor .50 kit and start on it. The question I have what radio should I get that will let me get into more advanced flight once I'm ready for it? I have a couple of futaba PCM 7 channels but they don't have heli modes on them.

How about the Eclipse 7?

Here's a deal I was looking at on ebay... # 6028289603. Just using it to get some cost estimates.

Thanks much,
Seeker

[DavidH]

Since you already have Futaba. I will suggest the Futaba 7C. That is a basic entry level helicopter radio. And if the PCM receivers you have are 1024 PCM. The 7C will operate them. You will just have to put them on the same channel as the transmitter.

7CHP with 4 3151 servos is $299.99 from Rick's R/C.
You might even call Rick's or one of the other online shops and see if they will just sell you the set without the servos.

David

[Seeker]

Thanks David,

I do have the 1024 PCM stuff. Seems like the way to go. What about my old servos? I have a bunch of the s-148's laying around.

Cheers,
Seeker

[DavidH]

Seeker,
The 148 servos will be Ok for the 50 size heli to learn to hover and forward flight. I will suggest to not try to do any 3D type flying with them in the heli. I have flown 60 size helis with 148 servos and did mild aerobatics such as loops, rolls, and stall turns with no problems. The 148's are going to get sloppy fairly quick in a heli, since the out put shaft is not ball bearing supported.

The 3151's that come with the 7C will work fine in a 50 size heli. They have a ball bearing on the out put shaft of the servo.

David

[Seeker]

Well, knowing me I better not start with the 148 serveos then. I've also been following the other thread about servos and gyros. I'll just jump on there for other questions.

Thanks!
Seeker

[svein]

ok, I'm going to say some pretty nasty things... Or maybe not.

Are you planning to stay in this hobby? If so, read on.

Are you planning to upgrade your radio later on? If not read on.

Are you planning to "extend your budget" by using servos that fail midair? If not, read on.

The Eclipse (having had one myself) has a lot of "hidden features" for heli fliers. :arggg: Among theese are the ability to randomly change the center position for your servos on each power on. I sincerely do NOT recommend it.

As for "old" servos: Would a new set of servos cost you more than loosing control over your heli due to servos failing? I seriously doubt it! (close encounters with 600mm SAB compositi can be quite expensive. In limbs.)

When I started out, I did the mistake of saving money on my radio gear. As a result I've had to buy new radio gear. Twice.

If you intend to stick to this hobby, you seriously need to consider a more sophisticated radio.

7 channels is barely enough, but i'd consider 8 a minimum, 9 if you want retracts for your heli. :P

Take a look at this channel assignment:

1 - Cyclic roll (aileron), or eCCPM servo 1
2 - Cyclic Pitch (elevator) or eCCPM servo 2
3 - throttle (governor throttle lead)
4 - Yaw (rudder)
5- Gyro gain
6- Collective pitch, or eCCPM servo 3
7- Governor RPM control
8- Governor shutoff
9- Retracts

Did I miss anything?

Don't waste money on saving them!

//Svein