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Newbies: Tips and Information Section of HF, specifically for Passing along info to newcomers to the hobby. Setup, tweaking, orientation practice, etc. |
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11-06-2014, 09:26 AM | #1 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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Help teach me to no longer be a newbie
Hey all-
Newbie to the boards, and to more advanced RC-ing. I'm 30, but have owned some type of RC vehicle my entire life. My experience with them has always been very limited to plugging a battery in and driving / flying around ... if it breaks I may have a small shot at fixing, but not always going to happen. I've always had the cheaper model or used stuff just to mess around with- and was always to intimidated by the learning curve to take the next step. Since I'm just getting into the more advanced side of things- what do I need to read up on, watch you tube videos on...anything like that. Last night I read a great (albiet long) article on lipo batteries and charging which I'll need to re-read I never had any idea there was that much to it. Right now I have a 350 QX2, will be picking up another Hubsan X4 (lost my first one in high winds and a pine thicket)... but would eventually like to get into helis, airplanes, and a car to mess around with. Edit to add- my heli experience was a Syma S109G, Syma S107G, and my first multi rotor was a Proto X Nano
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
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11-06-2014, 01:32 PM | #2 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
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Welcome!!
If you're looking to get into RC Helis, get a Sim of some kind to play around with and learn to hover. You will need a transmitter of some sort, and if you are serious about getting into RC Helis, do some research and get the best one you can afford (Like a DX8 or DX9). You will also be able to use the same Tx if/when you decide to get into RC Planes (Planks). Some will tell you to get a Fixed Pitch Heli to fly around with and learn your orientations and for that I've heard the Blade 200 SRX is a good place to start. Others will tell you to get a Micro collective pitch Heli to start with. I would personally suggest a Blade Nano QX to start with. It's a quad, but has a mode that mimics a CP Heli. Then go from there! |
11-06-2014, 02:38 PM | #3 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Feb 2012
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Same as Ron.
Get a sim and a micro heli. If you are serious the two important things to not go cheap on are the radio and the charger. This is because they get used the longest and get the most use. Aircraft come and go and the charger and radio will last years. Spektrum is a good choice when starting out. The transmitter works with the simulator, several BNF options, and a DX8 or 9 are really all that anyone ever "needs" until you get into some serious RC stuff (like really big scale planes, models that cost thousands of dollars etc). Plenty of resources and people here to help you learn how to fix the stuff too. This is a good place to start. https://www.helifreak.com/forumdisplay.php?f=60 |
11-07-2014, 12:21 AM | #4 (permalink) |
HF Support
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Welcome.
- What interests you about RC? (challenge, flying, building, learning) - What type of RC craft do you think you most like to control? (Heli, Plane, Multi-rotor, Car, Boat) - How much time/money are you willing to spend on this hobby? (startup / ongoing) - Do you consider yourself a quick learner? - If RC flying, what type of flying would you like? (slow and relaxing, scale and true to life, fast and exhilarating, aerial photography, first-person-view flying). Be honest with yourself. Only by answering can us HeliFreaks hope to really steer you in a direction right for you.
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TRex 700E Pro DFC HV (BD3SX) - Gaui X5 (6S/BD3SX), Blade 130X, RealFlight, Heli-X, Taranis+DSMX |
11-07-2014, 09:42 AM | #5 (permalink) | |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Quote:
- I've never flown a plane, but growing up that was something I always wanted to do, but was never able to. I've owned RC cars and love the speed associated with those, and racing them around my property- but nothing has been as fun, and challenging as learning to fly some micro helis, and quads. I really like my QX 350 right now, and it's great for what it does- but I'd like to add another, more acrobatic, and faster quad to my fleet once I get more comfortable with flying. The FPV racing with the 250s looks amazing to me. Boats suprisingly don't interest me that much- although if I had the opportunity to pick one up, it would be fun to drive it around our pond. - Time in the startup is limited due to a new baby, but on going I'll have more time- but never a ton, this is just another hobby to add to my list that is way to long (although having to slow down on the physical hobbies as I get older, more out of shape, and fatter). Money, I'm not rich by any means- but I don't mind investing in good products and have the right equipment. - Very much a quick learner, and ever more so with Youtube videos so prominent now. Show me a video on how to do something and I'll figure it out quick, if I have to read a long article I'll get it- but make take a little longer - As far as flying goes- I see a place for all of those in my life, but aerial photo, fast, and FPV interest me the most right now. Growing up I would mess with RCs, and I could get them to work but I never knew the why behind the how- I guess now that I'm older, and looking to do more- learning the why behind the how is becoming more important to me.
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
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11-07-2014, 06:01 PM | #6 (permalink) | |
HF Support
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Quote:
- Get a GOOD programmable TX (I like the Taranis for features/price, but the learning curve can be a bit daunting - Big following for FPV mutil-rotors). - Get a sim that supports FPV and multiple model types, heils, multi-rotors and planes (RealFlight by preference, Phoenix would be good, Heli-X is also good, but does not have planes). - Get a good charger (iCharger, powerlab, etc..) something that can do balanced charge, discharge, auot cycle, measure internal resistance, multiple connection types. You will use this for ally sizes of helis, multi-rotors and planes. Use the sim to get comfortable with orientations. (From tail-in to all 8s and funnels in 6 months is a good start - inverted is optional, but highly recommended as it will help you get out of trouble if traveling fast) Use the multi-rotor to get comfortable with IRL (in real life) orientations. Once you can hover the sim reliably, go micro CP heli (eg. nano cpx, mcpxBL) to practice IRL flying on something durable. (fly over grass, micro CP helis cope with moderate wind quite well). Once you can hover fly CP micro as you like (fast, maybe even inverted), then go to a 450 size heli. (The practice on sim and micro will keep the costs down). 450 can be quite quick. Build the 450 from kit and get quality components (generally you get what you pay for) Once you can fly the 450 the way you like (and almost never crash). Consider yourself graduated, buy, build and fly what you like. Heli skills translate very well to multi-rotor (and plane). FPV is more a technical challenge than flying challenge (you will find this when experimenting in the sim). Time wise, this does not require a huge investment. 15mins once a day is plenty to get very good within a year. Lots of short guided practice is better than the occasional marathon. (less can sometimes really be more). Best of luck. Ask lots of questions.
__________________
TRex 700E Pro DFC HV (BD3SX) - Gaui X5 (6S/BD3SX), Blade 130X, RealFlight, Heli-X, Taranis+DSMX |
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11-07-2014, 06:09 PM | #7 (permalink) |
HF MR Support
Join Date: Nov 2011
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If you intend to stay in this hobby for a while, BUY ONCE and BUY RIGHT.
Do plenty of research and buy the best component you can afford.
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Lynh |
11-08-2014, 07:22 AM | #8 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
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Ahhhh the 450 vs 500 conundrum...
My story is that I tried to start on a 450 and found it was twitchy in the wind and could get away from you very quickly. Once I got a 500 sized (swinging 425mm blades which is another issue right there), I was able to progress much faster. If you have anyone close by that can show you a 450 vs a 500 sized CP Heli, that would be a great way to see the difference in their size and how they fly. 500 sized a re bigger (read cost more for batteries and parts), but are more stable in the wind and much more visible "when" they get away from you. Parts are bigger and easier to work with, too. |
11-10-2014, 09:39 AM | #9 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
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A lot of great info there- thank you... looks like first order of business is getting a simulator and going from there.
Re: Buying once, buying right- I am a firm believer in this, and have learned it though all my other hobbies (and my dad being the opposite). Can't stand when a cheap tool breaks because it is cheap.
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
11-11-2014, 08:45 AM | #10 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Question Re: the DX8- can this bind with the smaller quads as well, like the Nane QX, Hubsan X4, Blade 180
And will it work on the simulators also?
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
11-11-2014, 10:01 AM | #11 (permalink) | |
Registered Users
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
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Quote:
Don't know what a Hubsan X4 is lol. |
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11-11-2014, 10:47 AM | #13 (permalink) |
Registered Users
Join Date: Apr 2011
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I think the hardest thing in this hobby to learn is to work on areas that you suck at. Most folks just avoid this, and I was the same. But this hobby makes you focus on what you suck at. lol
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Heli's I have: Goblin 500 (Vbar Neo), Gaui X5(Vbar Neo), X7(Vbar Neo), Innova 600 Night heli (Vbar Neo Vbar Vcontrol I'm the not so newbheliusr as I have been here a while. But I like this name. |
11-11-2014, 11:11 AM | #14 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
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It's a little RTF quad, it's very small but a lot of fun to fly, and pretty cheap so I'd feel a lot more comfortable testing its limits. Also I'd have no problem helping a friend learn to fly with this because cheap, and a lot of fun.
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
11-11-2014, 04:32 PM | #15 (permalink) | |
HF Support
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Quote:
You already have a nanoQX (which is over twice the size), so with a DX8 I can see the Hubsan and it's xbox like controller having shelf time (except when you want to fool around).
__________________
TRex 700E Pro DFC HV (BD3SX) - Gaui X5 (6S/BD3SX), Blade 130X, RealFlight, Heli-X, Taranis+DSMX |
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11-13-2014, 06:58 AM | #16 (permalink) | ||
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Paradise Lost
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Quote:
Use same sim, get an upper-winged craft, (trainer) see if you can match the 450's batteries with it, and again............... patience. Practice, practice, practice. Set-up, fly, crash, repeat. Quote:
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Thinking is difficult, that's why most people judge. - Carl Young. |
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11-20-2014, 12:15 PM | #17 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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The best way to not be a newb is to find a flying field and hang out there and fly as much as possible. It doesnt matter what your skill level is, when people start calling you by your name you are no longer a newb.
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Trex 500e dfc ar7200,mcpx v2, Dx9, Goblin 630 yee haa |
11-26-2014, 02:41 PM | #18 (permalink) | |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Quote:
I've also seen some people with several hundred posts not use the search feature here... But in all seriousness, you're right, the best way to not be a "newb" is to just fly. Fly, and fly some more. Don't forget to have fun too! This is a HOBBY after all!!
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------------------- Blade 450x V2, Nano CPx, 120SR, mCX2, Scout, DX6i. Just assume I have others, I probably won't update this every time I get a new heli... ;-) |
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11-29-2014, 03:50 PM | #19 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Got a DX8 for Christmas, next up is a good simulator. Was able to get the dx8 set up for my 350 (for the most part) nice being able to fly while learning. Reading through the manuals and looking at all the levers all seems so daunting. I feel like I know nothing lol
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
12-26-2014, 08:54 AM | #20 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Just wanted to thank everyone in this thread for the tips and help- I picked up the phoenix flight sim a week or so ago, got it working- and have tried to log at least an hour a day. Making some good progress just flying the beginner planks, and helis.
Absolutely love my DX8. Picked up a 120 SR and a 200 QX to add to the fleet- and am enjoying learning to fly both of those
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DX8, Phoenix V5; Blade 350 QX2 AP, 200 QX FPV- on Phoenix Frame), Nane QX, Nano QX FPV, 120 SR, UMX Spacewalker Retired Fleet: Hubsan X4, Estes Proto X Nano, Syma S107G, Syma S109G Wish List: Blade 180, mCX2 |
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