which mini-electric heli?

[cpt_aerohawk]

Hello - its been so long since I posted here I forgot my username! I used to come here when I bought my first rc heli, a classic aerohawk and it seems things have moved on quite a bit in five years!!

Anyway I now have the time to pick off where I left with the Aerohawk. Despite it being a cheap and nasty little heli I did manage to upgrade it to the point I could get a stable hover out of it and do circuits. Trouble for me being in the north of Scotland and flying a very light FP was the wind - made outdoor flight 'interesting'. Still it was cheap and fun to fix.

So... I'm now in the market for a cost effective way to get back in to this great hobby. Given that most of the time I want to fly outside it I really want CP and something a bit bigger. So far the main candidates are the Blade 400 which seems to be pretty flyable out of the box, the ESky King2/3 and the Esky Belt. Given the reviews here and elsewhere I'm staying clear of Walkera heli's and dont have the budget for a T-Rex right now.

I plan to send more time on the sim than flying the heli but am not afraid of smashing things up for real - thats part of the fun. I'm guessing (hoping) that given the experience with the Aerohawk hovering/simple circuits will come back pretty quickly - like riding a bike and would hope to progress to more skilled flying at some point.

Would welcome any thoughts and pointers and best choice for me and what is the best free/cheap sim to use? I'm keen on the Blade 400 if I can get one for my budget £200 ish (second hand is fine) and want to be sure I can use the sim with the radio (just a USB cable required?)

Anyway great to be back and thanks in advance for your help!

M

[Vaffel]

Welcome back, then :)

Whatever you do, dont buy the King2. King3 has gotten rid of some of the troubles that 2 had, but its still a crazy little monkey.

If you dont got the budget for a trex - why dont go for a trex clone. A nice trex clone is as good as the real deal, and some even think they're better. If you get a second hand trex clone - youre definatly inside your budget limit.

A blade400 is also great for what I've heard. Either a B400 or a trex clone is the way to go if you want the 400/450-class heli!

[cpt_aerohawk]

Ok so no luck finding a Blade 400 within my price range but have been offered a TRex 450 X with Futaba series 9 radio at a reasonable cost. Looks a bit old and the ESC is dead and li-po not holding much charge so will have to get replacements which will add to the costs. Bit worried its been totally trashed given the above.

So assuming the heli is ok bar the described issues is the 450 X good? Are parts still available for it / current TRex parts fit? Radio fit for purpose and finally which replacement ESC is recommended? Its running a stock Align 400 brushless motor.

Alternatively anyone got somethings similar or a Blade 400 they want to sell me in the UK?

Cheers
M

[Andrew McGregor]

450 X parts are no longer available, but that's OK because you can upgrade piecemeal; there will be times you have to replace several parts more than just the broken one because the design changed, but it won't be horribly expensive.

I do suggest straight away getting the XL or SE boom and belt, and some 325 blades; that will upgrade you to an XL.

[Mikeyburger240]

Hey just a suggestion.
http://www.ultimatehobbies.com/istar.asp?a=8&csurl=%2Fistar.asp%3Fa%3D3%26dept%3D3%26manufactur er%3DEFL%26sortby%3D%26numperpage%3D16%26&addedproductid=EFLH1400!1002

at Ultimatehobbies.com they sell the blade 400 for $350 with everything. I was considering it before, but am just going to get a trex clone. Hope this helps.

Mike

[jasmine2501]

You could always go with this:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8467&Product_Name=HK-450_CCPM_3D_Electric_Helicopter_Kithttp://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8467&Product_Name=HK-450_CCPM_3D_Electric_Helicopter_Kit

You could save enough money on that to get a good radio, and a good radio is one of the best things you can have for the hobby in general. Get a DX7 with the money you saved :)

[cpt_aerohawk]

Ok so I've ordered a couple of the HK 450 kits from Hobby City. Seems like a good solid choice and have spent on better electrics what I saved on the frame.

Now all I have to do is wait until they get them back in stock and get myself some radio gear! Anyone recommend some cheap second hand TX/RX? Budget almost shot on extra batteries, a new charger and spares so think the DX7 is going to be out of reach for the moment... how about the Eskys?

Need something that will run with the free sims easily.

Cheers
CA

[Andrew McGregor]

DX6i then.