new user

[Steve Cooper]

Can someone tell me where to start to look for a RC helicopter for a new
hobby? What are decent brands? What to look for? Thanks for any ideas.
: )

[C.G.B.Spender]

Most people would say a Thunder Tiger Raptor 30. It is a good choice.
http://www.acehobby.com/acehobby/products/helicopter/raptor30v2/index.html

[C.G.B.Spender]

Most people would say a Thunder Tiger Raptor 30. It is a good choice.
http://www.acehobby.com/acehobby/products/helicopter/raptor30v2/index.html

[Joe Bill]

I bought my first helicopter about 3-4 months ago. I looked at 4 different
ones:

Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 V2
Thunder Tiger Raptor 50 V2
JR Venture 30
Kyosho Caliber 30

In the end I chose the Raptor 50 V2 (with an OS engine instead of Thunder
Tiger) for a few reasons:

1. The local hobby shops around sell more Raptors than anything else so its
parts are more available.

2. There seemed to be a universal "you can't go wrong with any of them",
but it seemed to be more emphatic with the Raptors.

3. After cruising the web, I found a lot of people recommending the 50 over
the 30 because of the increased ability/power to grow into 3D maneuvers.
The 50 is basically a Raptor 30 with 16 upgraded parts to turn it into a 50.

I think JR has a 50-sized Venture out now so it should be worth considering
once enough get into people's hands and reviews written.

Several parts houses have beginner advice, one of them being HeliProz. Note
that their reviews of the Raptor are for the V1 version, not the V2.
http://www.heliproz.com/novadvice.html

Just search the internet for various brands and you'll find all kinds of
information to help you make a decision.

Although I could have gotten my Raptor cheaper through the internet, I ended
up getting it at my local hobby shop because the owner offered to do the
final setup for me. When I took it in, I had done several things wrong, all
of which he corrected, and he even did the initial programming of my radio
for me.

Good luck.

Jim



"Steve Cooper" <smc717@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:wrvCb.99611$655.15352297@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv. net...
> Can someone tell me where to start to look for a RC helicopter for a new
> hobby? What are decent brands? What to look for? Thanks for any ideas.
> : )
>
>

[Joe Bill]

A couple of other points I forgot to mention:

1. Training with a computer simulator is immensely helpful. I flew on
RealFlight G2 for a year before getting around to buying my helicopter and I
was able to hover solo the first time with the real thing.

2. I found training gear to be very helpful. I used the RotoPod system
($60), and it saved me lots of money in replacement parts from when I'd get
into trouble and chop the throttle only to have the machine drop like a rock
out of the sky. I went with the 60-sized RotoPod to get the carbon fiber
rods which I'm told take the beatings like I gave them better than the
wooden rods. Hint: paint the metal clips that hold the helicopter to the
RotoPod a fluorescent color to make them easier to find when you crash with
enough force to pop them loose. I learned this the hard way.

Jim


"Steve Cooper" <smc717@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:wrvCb.99611$655.15352297@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv. net...
> Can someone tell me where to start to look for a RC helicopter for a new
> hobby? What are decent brands? What to look for? Thanks for any ideas.
> : )
>
>

[Joe Bill]

I bought my first helicopter about 3-4 months ago. I looked at 4 different
ones:

Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 V2
Thunder Tiger Raptor 50 V2
JR Venture 30
Kyosho Caliber 30

In the end I chose the Raptor 50 V2 (with an OS engine instead of Thunder
Tiger) for a few reasons:

1. The local hobby shops around sell more Raptors than anything else so its
parts are more available.

2. There seemed to be a universal "you can't go wrong with any of them",
but it seemed to be more emphatic with the Raptors.

3. After cruising the web, I found a lot of people recommending the 50 over
the 30 because of the increased ability/power to grow into 3D maneuvers.
The 50 is basically a Raptor 30 with 16 upgraded parts to turn it into a 50.

I think JR has a 50-sized Venture out now so it should be worth considering
once enough get into people's hands and reviews written.

Several parts houses have beginner advice, one of them being HeliProz. Note
that their reviews of the Raptor are for the V1 version, not the V2.
http://www.heliproz.com/novadvice.html

Just search the internet for various brands and you'll find all kinds of
information to help you make a decision.

Although I could have gotten my Raptor cheaper through the internet, I ended
up getting it at my local hobby shop because the owner offered to do the
final setup for me. When I took it in, I had done several things wrong, all
of which he corrected, and he even did the initial programming of my radio
for me.

Good luck.

Jim



"Steve Cooper" <smc717@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:wrvCb.99611$655.15352297@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv. net...
> Can someone tell me where to start to look for a RC helicopter for a new
> hobby? What are decent brands? What to look for? Thanks for any ideas.
> : )
>
>

[Joe Bill]

A couple of other points I forgot to mention:

1. Training with a computer simulator is immensely helpful. I flew on
RealFlight G2 for a year before getting around to buying my helicopter and I
was able to hover solo the first time with the real thing.

2. I found training gear to be very helpful. I used the RotoPod system
($60), and it saved me lots of money in replacement parts from when I'd get
into trouble and chop the throttle only to have the machine drop like a rock
out of the sky. I went with the 60-sized RotoPod to get the carbon fiber
rods which I'm told take the beatings like I gave them better than the
wooden rods. Hint: paint the metal clips that hold the helicopter to the
RotoPod a fluorescent color to make them easier to find when you crash with
enough force to pop them loose. I learned this the hard way.

Jim


"Steve Cooper" <smc717@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:wrvCb.99611$655.15352297@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv. net...
> Can someone tell me where to start to look for a RC helicopter for a new
> hobby? What are decent brands? What to look for? Thanks for any ideas.
> : )
>
>