Newbie opinion request

Hello all! My husband is interested in trying out rc helicopter flying. I
would like to get him one for Christmas. Can anyone recommend a decent
beginner model? Basically, something good enough that he could enjoy if he
likes it but that won't be a huge loss if it collects dust. I don't mind
spending extra $ for a quality item but I don't know anything about these.

Thanks for any help,
Barb

--

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www.testprepnj.com

[Olaf Greck]

You might want to look at (google for) the "E-sky Lama V3"

Word on the street is that it perform acceptably when compared to
other in-door models.

HTH,

best regards

Olaf

When I posted, I didn't realize there were indoor & outdoor models. It
would be used outdoors only.

Thanks,
Barb

--

Please visit us at:

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"Olaf Greck" <olaf_greck@virgilio.it> wrote in message
news:g2iin2dmcffh6jpdhpk5s0dr42n9j1khjp@4ax.com...
> You might want to look at (google for) the "E-sky Lama V3"
>
> Word on the street is that it perform acceptably when compared to
> other in-door models.
>
> HTH,
>
> best regards
>
> Olaf

[funfly3]

vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
> When I posted, I didn't realize there were indoor & outdoor models. It
> would be used outdoors only.
>
> Thanks,
> Barb
>
outdoor models are larger and more expensive and most are not beginner
models at all, some are easier to fly but they are all hard and it will
be crashed at some point so go for one you can get spares for, and if
you have a club near you ask them before spending any money

Okay, I decided to get the Eflite Blade CX. Thanks for all the help! Can
anyone offer suggestions on accessories that are worth having?

Thanks again,
Barb

--

Please visit us at:

www.testprepnj.com
"funfly3" <dontemailme@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:h4geh.1532$Dr3.784@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
>> When I posted, I didn't realize there were indoor & outdoor models. It
>> would be used outdoors only.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Barb
>>
> outdoor models are larger and more expensive and most are not beginner
> models at all, some are easier to fly but they are all hard and it will be
> crashed at some point so go for one you can get spares for, and if you
> have a club near you ask them before spending any money

[ian]

<vanbar6@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:P8adnYsVVZQbC-TYnZ2dnUVZ_rCdnZ2d@comcast.com...
: Okay, I decided to get the Eflite Blade CX. Thanks for all the help! Can
: anyone offer suggestions on accessories that are worth having?
:
: Thanks again,
: Barb
:
: --
:
: Please visit us at:
:
: www.testprepnj.com
: "funfly3" <dontemailme@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
: news:h4geh.1532$Dr3.784@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
: > vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
: >> When I posted, I didn't realize there were indoor & outdoor models. It
: >> would be used outdoors only.
: >>
: >> Thanks,
: >> Barb
: >>
: > outdoor models are larger and more expensive and most are not beginner
: > models at all, some are easier to fly but they are all hard and it will
be
: > crashed at some point so go for one you can get spares for, and if you
: > have a club near you ask them before spending any money

A crash kit :)
:
:

[microflyer]

> Okay, I decided to get the Eflite Blade CX. Thanks for all the help! Can
> anyone offer suggestions on accessories that are worth having?
>
> Thanks again,
> Barb

A high quality lipo (lithium polymer) balancing battery charger. Not
cheap, but worth every penny in the long run.

[TXHELIJR@dbzmail.com]

The Honey Bee esky lama 2 is good choice. Or you can get the Blade CX
too. Both of them are similar and good beginner helicopters.

Video: http://www.linknety.com/modevideos/demo/zoom.php?id=14

vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
> Hello all! My husband is interested in trying out rc helicopter flying. I
> would like to get him one for Christmas. Can anyone recommend a decent
> beginner model? Basically, something good enough that he could enjoy if he
> likes it but that won't be a huge loss if it collects dust. I don't mind
> spending extra $ for a quality item but I don't know anything about these.
>
> Thanks for any help,
> Barb
>
> --
>
> Please visit us at:
>
> www.testprepnj.com

[Doug McLaren]

In article <1165637904.821308.290610@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups. com>,
microflyer <vic20owner@yahoo.com> wrote:

| > Okay, I decided to get the Eflite Blade CX. Thanks for all the help! Can
| > anyone offer suggestions on accessories that are worth having?
|
| A high quality lipo (lithium polymer) balancing battery charger. Not
| cheap, but worth every penny in the long run.

The LiPo charger the Blade CX comes with is perfectly adequate for
charging the batteries it uses. You only need a better charger if you
get something else.

(Rechargable batteries for the TX might be nice.)




--
Doug McLaren, dougmc@frenzied.us Indecision is the key to flexibility.

[microflyer]

> The LiPo charger the Blade CX comes with is perfectly adequate for
> charging the batteries it uses. You only need a better charger if you
> get something else.
>

The e-sky lipo charger only charges until any one cell reaches a
pre-set cutoff voltage. It does not balance, and doesn't even peak
charge. It wont start a fire, but it will probably destroy your packs
over the long run.

[funfly3]

microflyer wrote:
>> The LiPo charger the Blade CX comes with is perfectly adequate for
>> charging the batteries it uses. You only need a better charger if you
>> get something else.
>>
>
> The e-sky lipo charger only charges until any one cell reaches a
> pre-set cutoff voltage. It does not balance, and doesn't even peak
> charge. It wont start a fire, but it will probably destroy your packs
> over the long run.
>
you are wrong on 2 counts
1, no Lipo charger ever peak charges a pack its not needed or even
possible(look it up on the web)
2,it does not charge 1 cell it charges all cells to a pre-set voltage


and to balance charge a pack just add one of these to any charger
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2057

[mporlier]

vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
> Okay, I decided to get the Eflite Blade CX. Thanks for all the help! Can
> anyone offer suggestions on accessories that are worth having?
>
> Thanks again,
> Barb


The BEST gift you can give him is a flight simulator like Realflight
G3.5. Take it from me, I started with a Blade and wanted to upgrade
after 2 weeks. I purchased a Align T-REX 450 SE but crashed it 4 times.
I than invested in a SIM and it was worth every penny!!!

Marc

[mporlier]

vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
> Okay, I decided to get the Eflite Blade CX. Thanks for all the help! Can
> anyone offer suggestions on accessories that are worth having?
>
> Thanks again,
> Barb


The BEST gift you can give him is a flight simulator like Realflight
G3.5. Take it from me, I started with a Blade and wanted to upgrade
after 2 weeks. I purchased a Align T-REX 450 SE but crashed it 4 times.
I than invested in a SIM and it was worth every penny!!!

Marc

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:19:45 GMT, funfly3 <dontemailme@ntlworld.com>
wrote:


>and to balance charge a pack just add one of these to any charger
>https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2057

Assuming said pack has a balance tap wired in to it.

[funfly3]

The OTHER Kevin in San Diego wrote:
> On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:19:45 GMT, funfly3 <dontemailme@ntlworld.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>> and to balance charge a pack just add one of these to any charger
>> https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2057
>
> Assuming said pack has a balance tap wired in to it.
True

[Doug McLaren]

In article <RG8gh.7814$z01.4750@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net>,
funfly3 <dontemailme@ntlworld.com> wrote:

| microflyer wrote:
| >> The LiPo charger the Blade CX comes with is perfectly adequate for
| >> charging the batteries it uses. You only need a better charger if you
| >> get something else.
| >
| > The e-sky lipo charger only charges until any one cell reaches a
| > pre-set cutoff voltage. It does not balance, and doesn't even peak
| > charge. It wont start a fire, but it will probably destroy your packs
| > over the long run.

We're not talking about the E-Sky. We're talking about the Blade CX,
and after watching mine, it appears to work perfectly as a basic 2
cell balancing charger.

| you are wrong on 2 counts
| 1, no Lipo charger ever peak charges a pack its not needed or even
| possible(look it up on the web)

Depends on how you define `peak charge'. The term certainly came into
existance with NiCd/NiMH chargers, and there it means that the charger
stops when the battery reaches it's `peak', and in that case, a LiPo
charger certainly qualifies.

Charging LiPo packs is a good deal easier than NiCd/NiMH -- just go to
4.2 volts/cell and you're done. You don't need to detect the voltage
drop at the `peak' -- just stop at 4.2 volts/cell and you're golden.
And since each cell is charged seperately, it's automatically
balanced.

| 2,it does not charge 1 cell it charges all cells to a pre-set voltage

The Blade CX charger is a balance charger, and it charges both cells
to 4.2 volts. It works perfectly.

You'll only need a better charger if 1) you want to charge at more
than 500 mA, or 2) you need to charge more than 2 cells (which you
certainly will if you get a better helicopter, but you don't need that
for the CX.)

--
Doug McLaren, dougmc@frenzied.us It's never too late to panic.

[funfly3]

Doug McLaren wrote:
> In article <RG8gh.7814$z01.4750@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net>,
> funfly3 <dontemailme@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
> | microflyer wrote:
> | >> The LiPo charger the Blade CX comes with is perfectly adequate for
> | >> charging the batteries it uses. You only need a better charger if you
> | >> get something else.
> | >
> | > The e-sky lipo charger only charges until any one cell reaches a
> | > pre-set cutoff voltage. It does not balance, and doesn't even peak
> | > charge. It wont start a fire, but it will probably destroy your packs
> | > over the long run.
>
> We're not talking about the E-Sky. We're talking about the Blade CX,
> and after watching mine, it appears to work perfectly as a basic 2
> cell balancing charger.
>
> | you are wrong on 2 counts
> | 1, no Lipo charger ever peak charges a pack its not needed or even
> | possible(look it up on the web)
>
> Depends on how you define `peak charge'. The term certainly came into
> existance with NiCd/NiMH chargers, and there it means that the charger
> stops when the battery reaches it's `peak', and in that case, a LiPo
> charger certainly qualifies.
>
the charger does not stop charging at 4.2v a cell its a preset to a
voltage of 4.2v a cell, when the charge current gets to zero(or near
enough)it then removes the voltage, it has no idea of the cell volts as
the charge voltage is constant its the current that changes
> Charging LiPo packs is a good deal easier than NiCd/NiMH -- just go to
> 4.2 volts/cell and you're done. You don't need to detect the voltage
> drop at the `peak' -- just stop at 4.2 volts/cell and you're golden.
> And since each cell is charged seperately, it's automatically
> balanced.
>
> | 2,it does not charge 1 cell it charges all cells to a pre-set voltage
>
> The Blade CX charger is a balance charger, and it charges both cells
> to 4.2 volts. It works perfectly.
>
I stand corrected on this point
> You'll only need a better charger if 1) you want to charge at more
> than 500 mA, or 2) you need to charge more than 2 cells (which you
> certainly will if you get a better helicopter, but you don't need that
> for the CX.)
>

[Scott Hildenbrand]

funfly3 wrote:
> vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
>> When I posted, I didn't realize there were indoor & outdoor models.
>> It would be used outdoors only.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Barb
>>
> outdoor models are larger and more expensive and most are not beginner
> models at all, some are easier to fly but they are all hard and it will
> be crashed at some point so go for one you can get spares for, and if
> you have a club near you ask them before spending any money

This is true.. They are expensive as crud, and if you crash it'd be $50
or more to get it in the air again..

I'll prob get bashed for saying this, but a thought may be a Lite
Machines LMH. It's a fixed pitch balsa frame heli that takes alot of
abuse..

The reason I say I'd get bashed is because it's a fixed pitch. Almost
every heli person out there will scoff at that. But all things
considered, I few mine into trees with little more than needing to give
the tail boom a tug and get it straight.

Just MO.

[Steve R]

"Scott Hildenbrand" <"scott[dunspamme]"@fuzzywolf.com> wrote in message
news:uLDgh.6$Cx.4@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> funfly3 wrote:
>> vanbar6@comcast.net wrote:
>>> When I posted, I didn't realize there were indoor & outdoor models. It
>>> would be used outdoors only.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Barb
>>>
>> outdoor models are larger and more expensive and most are not beginner
>> models at all, some are easier to fly but they are all hard and it will
>> be crashed at some point so go for one you can get spares for, and if you
>> have a club near you ask them before spending any money
>
> This is true.. They are expensive as crud, and if you crash it'd be $50 or
> more to get it in the air again..
>
> I'll prob get bashed for saying this, but a thought may be a Lite Machines
> LMH. It's a fixed pitch balsa frame heli that takes alot of abuse..
>
> The reason I say I'd get bashed is because it's a fixed pitch. Almost
> every heli person out there will scoff at that. But all things considered,
> I few mine into trees with little more than needing to give the tail boom
> a tug and get it straight.
>
> Just MO.

Find an experienced pilot, willing to help and instruct, and you shouldn't
have many issues learning to fly something like a 30 size model and it
"will" fly way more easily than something like an LMH will. The problem
with birds like the LMH is that, while they may take a crash well and be
cheap to fix, you're going to be crashing oh so many times because they're
small and "relatively" flighty compared to the larger birds.

There is nothing wrong with fixed pitch rotors, and I'm not bashing you for
recommending one, but there really is a reason you don't see them much any
more except in the very small models. They simply don't respond well to
throttle changes because it takes too much time for speed up or slow down
the rotor.

Just MO too! ;-)

Fly Safe,
Steve R.

[Doug McLaren]

In article <ZVhgh.7496$493.6032@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>,
funfly3 <dontemailme@ntlworld.com> wrote:

| > Depends on how you define `peak charge'. The term certainly came into
| > existance with NiCd/NiMH chargers, and there it means that the charger
| > stops when the battery reaches it's `peak', and in that case, a LiPo
| > charger certainly qualifies.
| >
| the charger does not stop charging at 4.2v a cell its a preset to a
| voltage of 4.2v a cell, when the charge current gets to zero(or near
| enough)it then removes the voltage, it has no idea of the cell volts as
| the charge voltage is constant its the current that changes

When the charge current reaches 0, this is another way of saying that
it `stops charging'. You're just picking nits.

A simple but fine single cell LiPo charger can be made by simply
taking a 4.2 volt power source and charging through a resistor to
limit the current. The charge rate will drop as the voltage reaches
4.2 volts, and once the voltage does reach 4.2 volts (which to be
fair, will never happen -- it'll just get closer and closer and
closer) the charge rate will be zero.

After a few hours, it may be at 4.19 volts and charging at 0.01 mA --
for all practical purposes, it's done charging.

--
Doug McLaren, dougmc@frenzied.us
Einstein argued that there must be simplified explanations of nature,
because God is not capricious or arbitrary.
No such faith comforts the software engineer. - Fred Brooks, Jr.

[funfly3]

Doug McLaren wrote:
> In article <ZVhgh.7496$493.6032@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>,
> funfly3 <dontemailme@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
> | > Depends on how you define `peak charge'. The term certainly came into
> | > existance with NiCd/NiMH chargers, and there it means that the charger
> | > stops when the battery reaches it's `peak', and in that case, a LiPo
> | > charger certainly qualifies.
> | >
> | the charger does not stop charging at 4.2v a cell its a preset to a
> | voltage of 4.2v a cell, when the charge current gets to zero(or near
> | enough)it then removes the voltage, it has no idea of the cell volts as
> | the charge voltage is constant its the current that changes
>
> When the charge current reaches 0, this is another way of saying that
> it `stops charging'. You're just picking nits.
not really a peak charger keeps charging till the peak is detected at
which time it switches off the charge current which has been constant, a
Lipo charger as you say the current reaches zero and the charger detects
this but it does not need to stop the charge current as there as the
voltage remained constant
>
> A simple but fine single cell LiPo charger can be made by simply
> taking a 4.2 volt power source and charging through a resistor to
> limit the current. The charge rate will drop as the voltage reaches
> 4.2 volts, and once the voltage does reach 4.2 volts (which to be
> fair, will never happen -- it'll just get closer and closer and
> closer) the charge rate will be zero.
>
> After a few hours, it may be at 4.19 volts and charging at 0.01 mA --
> for all practical purposes, it's done charging.
>

[Alibi10 Jerry]

Will do, thanks!

Barb


Please visit us at:

www.testprepnj.com
"Alibi10 Jerry" <alibi10@webtv.net> wrote in message news:446-45873BEB-865@storefull-3277.bay.webtv.net...

Barbara, make sure your husband reads this site before charges the
batteries and tries to get airborne.

Radd's School of Rotary Flight
Address:http://www.dream-models.com/eco/index.html




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