Electric for beginner?

[Robert Kelly]

If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would one of
the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to start
with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.

Bob

[Mike]

Exploring the hobby and commiting to spend many hundreds of pounds are two
different things Bob.

Generally I would say that electric helis are not good to learn on. They are
usually made from light rather than sturdy materials, the parts are no less
expensive (buy a swashplate driver for £4.99 and see what £0.005 of plastic
really looks like), and they are generally far less controllable than the
bigger and more substantial glow powered helis.
You have the advantage of silent running, but despite the advertising claims
they are not good to fly in a relatively confined space, and running times are
nothing to shout about, especially when a beginner is likely to spend most of
the flight just hovering.

I would suggest you try to make contact with a local club, see what they do,
and also buy a magazine...Model Helicopter World from Traplet is a good one.
Check out the ads, get a feel for prices.

Try to go to one or more of the many heli fly-ins round in the summer. You can
even sometimes see a good second hand bargain there.

There is a massive turnover of secondhand helicopters, and I think a lot of
them come from people who buy them then realise it is beyond their capabilities
to actually fly one, or they are worried about the cost of repairs.

If you have somewhere to fly the helicopter, I would suggest considering the 30
size glow engined helicopters...take advice from your model shop, who have the
spares backup you will inevitably need.
I feel that an electric helicopter will not satisfy the keen beginner for very
long, who will eventually want to move up to glow (or even petrol) power. So,
if you are about to spend lots of money, it would make sense to jump the first
rung, and go for a bit better...
just my opinion.

[Gordon Dunn]

I would recommend a 30 size glow fuel machine to anyone learning, eg
Shuttle- but if you were to insist on going electric then the best one I've
seen so far is the ECO 8


Regards

Gordon Dunn
"Robert Kelly" <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9347ED6C2D81EPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99 .130...
> If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would one of
> the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to start
> with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
>
> Bob

[Glen L. Peden]

I haven't had any fun at all and progressed VERY slowly because of my
exclusive use of electric helis;)

NOT!

I wasn't going to reply here, but the ECO 8 is not often listed as the
best electric for learning or otherwise these days. I think the LOGO 10
wears that mantlel lately.

Although advice is often given to avoid the micro-helis for learning, the
fact is that many, many people have leraned to fly on the Piccolo. Once
they move onto the larger heli's like the LOGO 20, it's EASY! A good,
small electric that's better than the micro's for learning is the Lite
Machine's Corona. Compared to other heli's it is vertually indestructable!
That said, as with glow helis, nowadays people enjoy great success
learning on the larger collective pitch machines such as the LOGO 10,
BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATED LEARNING THAT A FLIGHT SIM OFFERS.

Cheers!

Glen

In article <b5nl9c$p35$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>, "Gordon Dunn"
<mail@NOSPAMgordondunn.co.uk> wrote:

I would recommend a 30 size glow fuel machine to anyone learning, eg
Shuttle- but if you were to insist on going electric then the best one I've
seen so far is the ECO 8


Regards

Gordon Dunn
"Robert Kelly" <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9347ED6C2D81EPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99 .130...
> If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would one of
> the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to start
> with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
>
> Bob

--
Cheers! Glen Peden
http://www.logoheli.com - LOGO website
http://www.logoheli.com/LOGObb/index.php - LOGO Forums

[Robert Kelly]

gpeden@telusplanet.net (Glen L. Peden) wrote in
news:gpeden-2403031410550001@clgrtnt1-port-188.dial.telus.net:

> I haven't had any fun at all and progressed VERY slowly because of
my
> exclusive use of electric helis;)
>
> NOT!
>
> I wasn't going to reply here, but the ECO 8 is not often listed as
the
> best electric for learning or otherwise these days. I think the LOGO
> 10 wears that mantlel lately.
>
> Although advice is often given to avoid the micro-helis for
learning,
> the fact is that many, many people have leraned to fly on the
Piccolo.
> Once they move onto the larger heli's like the LOGO 20, it's EASY! A
> good, small electric that's better than the micro's for learning is
> the Lite Machine's Corona. Compared to other heli's it is vertually
> indestructable! That said, as with glow helis, nowadays people enjoy
> great success learning on the larger collective pitch machines such
as
> the LOGO 10, BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATED LEARNING THAT A FLIGHT SIM
> OFFERS.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Glen
>
> In article <b5nl9c$p35$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>, "Gordon Dunn"
> <mail@NOSPAMgordondunn.co.uk> wrote:
>
> I would recommend a 30 size glow fuel machine to anyone learning, eg
> Shuttle- but if you were to insist on going electric then the best
one
> I've seen so far is the ECO 8
>
>
> Regards
>
> Gordon Dunn
> "Robert Kelly" <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9347ED6C2D81EPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99 .130...
>> If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would
one
>> of the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to
>> start with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
>>
>> Bob
>

I'd like to thank you all for your imput, sounds like I need to do
much
more research, Thanks.

Bob

[David Lodge]

I've had a piccolo, Eco 8 and now Logo 10. If you are going the
electric route for learning to fly, I can only recommended the Logo
10. Get it with a brushless motor ESC and a decent flight pack (12
cells).

David.

Robert Kelly <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message news:<Xns9348C5A25551BPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99.130>...
> gpeden@telusplanet.net (Glen L. Peden) wrote in
> news:gpeden-2403031410550001@clgrtnt1-port-188.dial.telus.net:
>
> > I haven't had any fun at all and progressed VERY slowly because of
> my
> > exclusive use of electric helis;)
> >
> > NOT!
> >
> > I wasn't going to reply here, but the ECO 8 is not often listed as
> the
> > best electric for learning or otherwise these days. I think the LOGO
> > 10 wears that mantlel lately.
> >
> > Although advice is often given to avoid the micro-helis for
> learning,
> > the fact is that many, many people have leraned to fly on the
> Piccolo.
> > Once they move onto the larger heli's like the LOGO 20, it's EASY! A
> > good, small electric that's better than the micro's for learning is
> > the Lite Machine's Corona. Compared to other heli's it is vertually
> > indestructable! That said, as with glow helis, nowadays people enjoy
> > great success learning on the larger collective pitch machines such
> as
> > the LOGO 10, BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATED LEARNING THAT A FLIGHT SIM
> > OFFERS.
> >
> > Cheers!
> >
> > Glen
> >
> > In article <b5nl9c$p35$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>, "Gordon Dunn"
> > <mail@NOSPAMgordondunn.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > I would recommend a 30 size glow fuel machine to anyone learning, eg
> > Shuttle- but if you were to insist on going electric then the best
> one
> > I've seen so far is the ECO 8
> >
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Gordon Dunn
> > "Robert Kelly" <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
> > news:Xns9347ED6C2D81EPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99 .130...
> >> If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would
> one
> >> of the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to
> >> start with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
> >>
> >> Bob
> >
>
> I'd like to thank you all for your imput, sounds like I need to do
> much
> more research, Thanks.
>
> Bob

[Alan Rait]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

--
Alan

alanDOTrait@btopenworldDOTcom
Replace the DOTS to reply

http://heliweb.users.btopenworld.com/


"David Lodge" <david@cherrybank.co.uk> wrote in message
news:6e6cfcb.0303250707.128c5bee@posting.google.co m...
> I've had a piccolo, Eco 8 and now Logo 10. If you are going the
> electric route for learning to fly, I can only recommended the Logo
> 10. Get it with a brushless motor ESC and a decent flight pack (12
> cells).
>
> David.
>
> Robert Kelly <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:<Xns9348C5A25551BPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99.130>...
> > gpeden@telusplanet.net (Glen L. Peden) wrote in
> > news:gpeden-2403031410550001@clgrtnt1-port-188.dial.telus.net:
> >
> > > I haven't had any fun at all and progressed VERY slowly because of
> > my
> > > exclusive use of electric helis;)
> > >
> > > NOT!
> > >
> > > I wasn't going to reply here, but the ECO 8 is not often listed as
> > the
> > > best electric for learning or otherwise these days. I think the LOGO
> > > 10 wears that mantlel lately.
> > >
> > > Although advice is often given to avoid the micro-helis for
> > learning,
> > > the fact is that many, many people have leraned to fly on the
> > Piccolo.
> > > Once they move onto the larger heli's like the LOGO 20, it's EASY! A
> > > good, small electric that's better than the micro's for learning is
> > > the Lite Machine's Corona. Compared to other heli's it is vertually
> > > indestructable! That said, as with glow helis, nowadays people enjoy
> > > great success learning on the larger collective pitch machines such
> > as
> > > the LOGO 10, BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATED LEARNING THAT A FLIGHT SIM
> > > OFFERS.
> > >
> > > Cheers!
> > >
> > > Glen
> > >
> > > In article <b5nl9c$p35$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>, "Gordon Dunn"
> > > <mail@NOSPAMgordondunn.co.uk> wrote:
> > >
> > > I would recommend a 30 size glow fuel machine to anyone learning, eg
> > > Shuttle- but if you were to insist on going electric then the best
> > one
> > > I've seen so far is the ECO 8
> > >
> > >
> > > Regards
> > >
> > > Gordon Dunn
> > > "Robert Kelly" <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
> > > news:Xns9347ED6C2D81EPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99 .130...
> > >> If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would
> > one
> > >> of the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to
> > >> start with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
> > >>
> > >> Bob
> > >
> >
> > I'd like to thank you all for your imput, sounds like I need to do
> > much
> > more research, Thanks.
> >
> > Bob

[Malcolm Crabbe]

There are lots of options to think about and each has its merits and
pitfalls. One thing they all have in common is they aint cheap. If you are
seriously thinking of getting into helicopters then expect to part with
anything between £500 and £1000.

The first choice is electric or glow powered. You have stated that your
interest is in electric, so the next choice is indoor or outdoor. Most
micro helis (hornet, piccolo and the new humming bird) in their basic form
are fixed pitch (to go higher increase motor speed and vice versa) and are
really suited to flying in a hall or large room. These can be upgraded to
collective pitch (lift is controlled by increasing the pitch of the rotors)
but increase the cost by £70 - £120.

The Piccolo has one major advantage, in that it can be repaired with a drop
of CA glue and cheap carbon rod, and if you are new to electric helis and
prefer the controlled environment of indoor flying then get a Fun Piccolo,
bearing upgrade and you could be flying for around £250 with a basic
transmitter.

However if you want a larger outdoor heli then several come to mind. The
Eco 8, Logo10 concept EP (if you can find one) and Voyager E. The Eco will
be the cheaper option and can give 8 - 10 min flight times on a sport motor
and 8 cell 2400 pack. Typical package deal is £370 for everything apart
from the transmitter. The Eco 8 has the option on mechanical mixing so you
can fly the thing on a basic transmitter. However I would recommend
investing in a decent heli radio and use eCCPM. One other poster recommends
the Logo 10, which is a very nice heli, but at a very nice price. The logo
really requires a brushless motor and controller which will set you back
around £250 - £300. A typical Logo 10 deal is £600 or more, but the heli is
well built and most people swear by them (not at them :))

My personal experience.. I started with a FP Piccolo and now fly this and an
Eco 8 (which after the Piccolo seems very easy !)

For some back ground advice check out www.micro-heli.co.uk

Malcolm

"Robert Kelly" <PackRat6@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9347ED6C2D81EPackrat6direcwaycom@140.99.99 .130...
> If I were to decide to explore the world of R/C helicopters would one of
> the micro electrics such as the Piccolo's be a good choice to start
> with? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
>
> Bob