Buying an ECO 8

[helimike]

First off..should I buy an Eco 8. I want an electric and I am a beginner.

Where can I get the best deal online?

thanks so much!
~HeliMike

[Ju87BStuka]

HeliMike,

Don't do it. I started off with the Eco8 being tempted by the no-noise, clean and convenient flight potential. It is very light and only suitable for light wind conditions especially while you're learning. It is very delicate and you'll end up spending a lot of cash on repairs and upgrades. You'll become very frustrated with the stock motors that you'll be tempted to fork out mega dosh on a brushless motor and controller and you'll still crash it. After months of wasted time and enough cahs spent that I could have bought at least a couple of fully rigged 30 class heli's, I eventually took advice and bought a Caliber 30. In one afternoon I gained more flight time and practice with the Caliber than I had with the Eco over 10 months.
My advice is learn on a 30 (say) and move to electric when proficient.
Robin

[Keithw]

I tend to agree with most of what Ju87BStuka says.

I to am a beginner with heli( but quite proficient with planes)

I got a second hand ECO 8 to learn on.
As stated, the stock motor is not up to much, mine burnt out, so i put one of my brushless motors in it. best thing i could do for it.
Now it flies well. (according to a good pilot)

But it is fragile, & is blown about in the wind.

I managed to break a lug off the swash plate, so now have an Ali swash.

So for now i have put it aside, until i am more skilled at flying helis, so i am less likely to damage it.

What i have done is got hold of a 30 sized Shuttle, thrown out the glow motor & put in a large brushless motor.
It is much more stable & less vulnerable to the wind, than the ECO.

It seems a much better heli to learn on. I haven't had it properly flown by a good pilot yet (just hovered indoors), but i think it goes quite well.

So if you don't mind glow, then start with a 30 sized glow, otherwise a Corona or a Voyager E seems to be better for learning, if you wan to stay electric.

[helimike]

Thanks for your replies, I will not buy an Eco 8. What about a Hornet from MS Composite?

[JasonD]

I'm learning the Corona and love it. I think it might be the best beginners helicopter out there. Tough, cheap, quiet who could as for more.


Jason