Expert advice for my next step, please.

[Ecov Farstar]

Dear experts,

after becomming quite proficient on my Blade-comparable-micro-heli, I've decided it's time to upgrade.

I'm looking at 2 particular Helis: The T-Rex 250, and the JP Twister 3D Storm http://]http://shop.avicraft.co.uk/twister-3d-storm-440-brushless-uk-p-3390.html (http://shop.avicraft.co.uk/twister-3d-storm-440-brushless-uk-p-3390.html)

I'm probably going to buy one tomorrow, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jasmine2501]

Get the biggest one you can afford to crash a few times. The Trex 250 is fast, agile, not for beginners - hard to tune, hard to set up. Be more specific about your experience?

The 250 is pretty fast... and small. It took a couple tries to get decent video of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Pe2AaYPyg

[Skarn]

I would go with the larger heli...at least a 450 size. I don't know anything about that Twister, but I have a Trex 450, 500, 700 and Raptor 50 and have to say the larger heli's are so much more fun! They are inherently more stable and thus you can do more things without the fear of crashing as much.

My personal favorite right now is my Trex 500....it can be flown in the same space/places I fly my 450 and it's an awesome heli.

Either way, you will have a blast, good luck!
Skarn

[Ecov Farstar]

Jasmine, thank you for your reply. My experience with the micro comes from many hours of Sofa-piloting, and a few back garden jaunts. I can gently lift off, fly to the otherside of the room, slowly turn around 180 degrees, rtb and land gently on a small area. It's only a 3 channel micro, and frankly, I'm bored of it, and want to venture outside more with something more exciting.

I'm in my mid thirties, and under no illusions about the learning curve that I'll be facing, but I'm looking forward to the challenge!

[Ecov Farstar]

Skarn, I'd love a T-Rex 500,. But they're much more expensive than the Twister. Also, my local heli-shop sells spares for the Twister (which I'm guessing I'll be buying a lot), so I'm guessing it's a safer bet.

Also, the Twister is ready assembled which is nice, as I've zero experience building anything other than Lego :p

[grnbrg]

Of the two, I'd go with the Twister. For a first CP helicopter, bigger is better. You might also consider a Blade 400, (or a T-Rex 450 if you already have a decent radio) as they have much better support in the forums. But if all the LHS has is Twister parts, go with that. You're going to be buying a lot of parts as you learn to fly. :)

And on that note, look into getting a sim. HeliSim RC (free) will do, and Clearview ($40) is adequate -- there's no reason at the current time to drop $200 on software. You'll need a $10 USB adapter as well. My $0.02.


grnbrg.

[jasmine2501]

RTF only saves you from one crash - at that point, you're rebuilding anyway. Better to go with a kit and a nice radio, as it will serve you better in the long run. Twister does not come with a radio, so you still have the option of getting a good one. IMO, the radio should be your primary concern - start with a crappy kit like a HK 450 and a good radio, and you're farther down the road than someone who starts with a RTF "anything"...

[Ecov Farstar]

To grnbrg:

Thanks for the reply, and your advice. I've been thinking about a sim for a while now, but was not sure which one to go for.

To jasmine:

I see your point... I was thinking of getting the Spektrum DX6i 6 Channel Full Range, as I feel it's future proof, (for a while at least) and I can't afford the DX7 yet.

But you think the T-Rex would be the better option? My budget can only stretch as far as the 250.

[jasmine2501]

Well if your hobby shop only has Twister stuff than you probably want to go for that, but if you shop around, you might be able to find a Trex 450 SA for less than the 250 which has a bunch of metal parts. The 250 is not impossible for a beginner, just that you mentioned you didn't like mechanical stuff, and I've had my 250 for 8 months now and I'm still getting it dialed in. Did you see the way it crapped out on the back flip? That's something I haven't been able to fix, and I kinda know what I'm doing :)