Need help on what heli to purchase

[Slyster]

Originally Posted by andzman

Is this ok? It looks like a great deal and is complete:

http://helidirect.com/walkera-v18g01...osc103_product

no! Don't get stuck with a walkera radio. you want spektrum... it binds to so many bind and fly models from horizon hobby.. and the majority use spektrum. Also walkera is low end.. at least stick with align. (JR and Futaba are the next most popular radios)

[airbound]

It wont be extra electronics--just different from a flybarred heli--extra is the cost .I would suggest finding the heli you will want and then set it up--as there will be many choices.Depending on the size heli you go with. JMO---Walt

[dankcincy]

There really isnt anything extra that you need. On a flybarred heli you need a tail gyro. With a FBL machine the tail gyro is built into the unit.

As for a radio I would take a close look at the Airtronics SD10G. I went from the DX8 to the 10G and wish I would of done it sooner. As for the BNF stuff from horizon you can pick up a cheap DX6i for that stuff.

Take a look at the Compass Atom 500 from Nankin Hobby. Ive never seen a heli crash as well as a Compass does and a 500 is a really good size to learn with. Parts a inexpensive and readily available and the Heli flys great!!! By crash well I mean that you dont have to replace as many parts after a crash as you do with some other brands.

Stay away from torque tubes. Just added agrravation and crash costs.

Keep in mind that there are some things that youll need. Tools, Charger, ect.

[Slyster]

A good option could be the Blade 450X. Comes with excellent FLB gyro (BeastX) and Spektrum radio. Very capable heli. Huge following.. parts at most local hobby shops...

$499 but I know you can find it cheaper.

http://helidirect.com/eflite-blade-4...er-p-25200.hdx

[dannylightning]

i would suggest a 500 or 550 size. we don't know how much you have to spend or what you can afford to crash.

the align 500 ESP was a awesome helicopter, now they have the 500 pro version, i would imagine that is still very good. the commpuss atom 500 is pretty awesome

or the gaui X5 is plain out killer for the money when buying the supercombo i really dont think you can get a better helicopter in that price range, i find the X5 FES supercombo to be the best bang for the buck and the best helicopter i have ever flown

the bigger they are the better they fly. and if your good with the SR and on the sim you will simply be delited with a 500 or 550 size helicopter, it might be a bit scarry moving up to something that big but once you get it in the air and see how good it flys and how much easier it is to fly i think the intimidation would wear off after a flight or two..

i was scared to death the first time i flew a 500 size but after 2 or 3 flights i was in love. after owning a SR and blade 400.

[dankcincy]

Originally Posted by Slyster

A good option could be the Blade 450X. Comes with excellent FLB gyro (BeastX) and Spektrum radio. Very capable heli. Huge following.. parts at most local hobby shops...

$499 but I know you can find it cheaper.

http://helidirect.com/eflite-blade-4...er-p-25200.hdx

The 450x is BNF only. He would still need a radio,

[Slyster]

Oh sorry! Well.. 450X with a DX8!

[dankcincy]

The Blade 500x which hasnt been released yet would be a good option if it comes out soon.
My choices in order would be,
Compass Atom 500
Gaui X5
Blade 500X (when Released)
Trex 500
Blade 450X

The BeastX is a great unit so between that and parts availability I would go with the Blade 500X over a Trex 500 3G.

[blindpilot]

I would say don't buy anything that you can't afford to fly you will crash sooner or later it's gonna happen so don't get anything that when and you put it in you can't afford to repair it I seen people go from a blade cp or a blade 400 to a trex 700 or 600 and only knowing how to hover and have it for a week and crash it then not have the money to repair it for 1,2or even 3 months all because the crash cost for a blade sr of 450 is no where near the cost to repair that size Heli so I say look a the cost to repair and look at how much you can spend on it because is no fun wating 2 months just to be able to fix a Heli trust me I know

[Cailid]

Originally Posted by Slyster

You actually need fewer electronics for flybarless. If you get a mini-vbar (Mikado vbar.. the most popular unit) you don't need a reciever.. but just two satellite recievers you plug into the mini-vbar.

The FBL unit is self contained.. you plug all servos and speed controller into it.

Vbar isn't the only one. Skookum also doesn't need a seperate receiver, just satellites. BeastX also has the AR7200BX with receiver and FBL in one unit.

[Cailid]

Originally Posted by Slyster

no! Don't get stuck with a walkera radio. you want spektrum... it binds to so many bind and fly models from horizon hobby.. and the majority use spektrum. Also walkera is low end.. at least stick with align. (JR and Futaba are the next most popular radios)

You make it sound like Spektrum radios are the only ones that will bind to the BnF models.

JR will bind to them too since it uses DSMX as well.

[Slyster]

Sorry again.. yeah.. JR/Spektrum... good stuff.

[dankcincy]

Originally Posted by Cailid

You make it sound like Spektrum radios are the only ones that will bind to the BnF models.

JR will bind to them too since it uses DSMX as well.

Seems that the new JRs are DMSS not DSMX,
http://www.jrradios.com/Products/Radios-DMSS.aspx

[Cailid]

Originally Posted by dankcincy

Seems that the new JRs are DMSS not DSMX,
http://www.jrradios.com/Products/Radios-DMSS.aspx

They have both.
http://www.jrradios.com/Products/Radios-DSMX.aspx

And are the DMSS available in north america yet? They've only been available in Europe.

[dankcincy]

Originally Posted by Cailid

They have both.
http://www.jrradios.com/Products/Radios-DSMX.aspx

And are the DMSS available in north america yet? They've only been available in Europe.

But those arent the new ones that I was referring to. JR split from Spektrum and from here on out they will not be using the DSMX protocol.
When I clicked on where to buy and put in my zipcode it referred me to my local hobby shops so Im assuming so.

Edit: They are showing "Back Ordered" on horizions site so I guess we cant get them yet.

[andzman]

What is wrong with this radio:

http://www.xheli.com/79p-th9x-r9b-9channel-radio.html

It looks like a super deal

[Slyster]

Flysky? No one uses them (that I've ever heard of)... won't bind to anything other than Flysky recievers... no doubt low quality sticks (no bearings).. junk.. buy cheap buy twice. Really.. the radio is the foundation of your hobby.. don't skimp there. And I doubt it will work with any simulator.

[dankcincy]

Whats wrong with it is that its not proven. You have to keep in mind what youll be using it for.
Youre going to have a machine in the air thats swinging dull lawnmower blades at very high speeds. The last thing that you want is to lose control of it and it come back and hit you or worse yet hit someone else. These things can do ALOT of damage!!!

You need to go with a proven radio system that others will be able to help you with for your first radio.
You need atleast a 6ch. check this one out,
http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...o-w-rx600.html

[Hoghunter7mm]

I think the Trex 500 is the perfect size bird to learn on.. Operating cost, parts cost, fly in smaller fields, 7 min flight on cheap 3000 mah pack, looks big in the sky but still small enough to pack around easily, built like a tank, can be fast and nimble while staying very stable, flys well in heavy winds, ect, ect.... Have fun!

[dfgipe]

My goodness, if you can fly your SR with that POS stock Tx that comes with it, get a real good Tx in your hands. Years ago I bought a DX6i, all I could afford, made all the difference in the world. A good TX is just as important as a good heli, IMHO.