Noob who probaly already made a mistake

[elfranzen]

Ok I am a noob and I have some noob questions. I have on order right now a DX6i and a BNF mcx. I got this helicopter because it’s February and I live in Iowa and I am very new to this hobby. I would like to get an outside Helicopter for spring. I have done some searches and am leaning towards the blade 400 PNP with a package deal of two lipo batteries and charger from Readyheli.com http://www.readyheli.com/2_Kong_Power_3S_2200mAh_11_1V_25C_Economical_Pac_p/kp-2225-3chargercombo.htm

The DX6i is coming with a receiver (AR6200 DSM2 6-channel receiver) will this work in this helicopter?

I would love to find a package that had everything but a transmitter BNF or that I just need a Receiver. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[jasmine2501]

I don't see how you can go wrong with the mCX - it's a nice little indoor heli, I love mine. Ditto with the Blade 400, although you are correct that you should get the PnP (receiver-ready) version if you already have the DX6i radio - no reason to have two of those. The AR6200 receiver will work fine with it.

I have not tried the Kong Power batteries, but you will need batteries and a good charger.

Personally, I would suggest these... but I'm a bit of a gear snob - only the best for me... there are cheaper batteries that will work fine, but I don't use them so I can't recommend them. This is what I would order in your situation - may be cheaper at other places...
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH1475
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=THP21003SPL
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLC505

I'm not sure what mistake you think you made already?

[lebobbus]

He's probably expecting to hear it from the folks who think he's making too big of a leap from a micro coaxial to 40-size CP and that he should spend money on intermediate steps like single-rotor indoor or maybe FP or even a smaller Blade, like the CP Pro.

I plan on taking almost the same route, going from CX3 to Blade 400 without the need to invest in an FP or smaller single-rotor heli. I'll take more time, make more mistakes, probably end up costing a bit more money, but I'm not really anxious to have an entire fleet of helis, just a good indoor and a good outdoor (although I will get that CX3 outdoors soon).

[Blade_Killer]

but I'm not really anxious to have an entire fleet of helis, just a good indoor and a good outdoor

famous last words

[elfranzen]

I was just waiting for the you should of gotten a DX7 you should of done that. you know that kind of good helpful feed back (joking). I am going to get a sim and practice the blade 400 before it gets nice outside so hopefully i can fly a little with out killing myself. I didn't want to get too small of a heli because it's windy here and I don't want something that has to have zero wind to fly. I figured a 400 would be a little bigger and could handle a little breeze. I'm i correct on this?

[arbilab]

Ahh, you fleet owners. I aspire to that. I want one of everything I see (except maybe Walkeras, not a problem junkie). But my budget just won't go for it.

[racin06]

Ok I am a noob and I have some noob questions. I have on order right now a DX6i and a BNF mcx. I got this helicopter because it’s February and I live in Iowa and I am very new to this hobby. I would like to get an outside Helicopter for spring. I have done some searches and am leaning towards the blade 400 PNP with a package deal of two lipo batteries and charger from Readyheli.com http://www.readyheli.com/2_Kong_Power_3S_2200mAh_11_1V_25C_Economical_Pac_p/kp-2225-3chargercombo.htm

The DX6i is coming with a receiver (AR6200 DSM2 6-channel receiver) will this work in this helicopter?

I would love to find a package that had everything but a transmitter BNF or that I just need a Receiver. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Don't be afraid to give the el-cheapo lipos a try. I have had very good results with the Zippy Flightmax 11.1V 2200mAh 20C (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6306) lipos from Hobby City. I also own some high-end lipos, as well and I can tell you that the Zippy's perform just as well AND at a fraction of the cost. You can't beat the $17.99 price. Even with shipping from HK, you can buy four of the Zippy's for under $100.

[elfranzen]

what about a charger do I need the best. what are some of your recommendations?

[arbilab]

A balancing charger is a balancing charger. There is much more varation between any two batteries, even same model/same brand, than there is between chargers.

[jasmine2501]

I figured a 400 would be a little bigger and could handle a little breeze. I'm i correct on this?

yes, correct - but you won't be able to handle much wind until you get some practice. Wind has a weird effect on helicopters, makes them bob up and down and roll around too... so you need to have quick reactions to deal with it.

And yeah, the DX7 is a bit better... but it also costs more and the major issues with it are a matter of personal preference rather than a product deficiency. For example, I don't like how big it is... but I know people who like that.

[jasmine2501]

what about a charger do I need the best. what are some of your recommendations?
I posted a good one... did you look at the links?

[elfranzen]

what about this charger. http://www.readyheli.com/Kong_Power_iMax_B6AC_Charger_p/kp-imaxb6accharger.htm it has a AC/DC converted built in.

[Spidious]

Zippy batteries are good, the Rhinos from hobby city are even better !


I have this one. And it works great !
http://www.hobbycity.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6478

[Spidious]

X-heli has a t-rex clone on sale for $50 http://www.xheli.com/exi-450-arf-rc-helicopter.html
Might be out of stock for now ?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdAq2IE9SnQ

[jasmine2501]

That looks a little better than the $36 HK-450, and is it really partially assembled too? Heck of a deal if you know how this RC stuff works good enough to put it all together. The advantage of the Blade 400 is that at least it's all assembled, but the X-heli one looks like it's "almost PnP"

[Skarn]

The advantage of the Blade 400 is that at least it's all assembled,

LOL and that's what I actually consider a disadvantage ;)

If you build it yourself, you will gain so much knowledge and not be intimidated after a crash since you'll already know how to rebuild it.

Skarn

[elfranzen]

then what model would you pick to build and fly that would compare to the blade 400?

[elfranzen]

what about the Esky Belt-CP. The only thing is I don't want to buy this at $189 and have to do hundreds of dollars worth of mods to get it flying good. should I just stick with blade 400? I don't mind putting stuff together especially if it is going to help me in the long run. Just might need some direction on what to get and how to set it up.

[jasmine2501]

It depends on what kind of person you are. I built my first plane, but a lot of people would simply not be able to do that. If you are the kind of person who can build something that is extremely complicated, and you can put together items that are quite different and get a total working system, then a Trex or clone like the HK450 would be fine. If you have trouble taking various sub-systems and putting the whole picture together, then you should go with the Blade 400. It is a good idea to learn how these things are built, but the goal is flying, and if the building step will prevent you from getting to the flying step - skip it.

I know people who can't put Legos together and fly helicopters just fine... although one of them did have a major building-related problem one day, and it was 5 minutes after I told him to tie the wires down :rolleyes:

There's a lot of details on these things which if done incorrectly can lead to catastrophic failure of the aircraft in flight, and this can be a safety problem in addition to grounding you for a while.

[Skarn]

elf,

If money was not an issue, I would recommend something like jasmine said...a trex450, mini titan, Beam E4, etc. But don't get me wrong, the B400 is a nice starter heli! I was only pointing out that the fact it is not a kit is IMO a disadvantage.

And I don't think it's as complicated as Jasmine makes it out to be IMO....with the Finless Bob video's, just about anybody can build and set them up properly by simply following his video's and using the forums for any other questions.

The only problem again IMO with the thought of "the goal is flying, and if the building step will prevent you from getting to the flying step - skip it." is you won't know if it's setup properly....and anyone with experience will tell you a RTF still needs to be checked over for proper setup. Also, WHEN you crash, you won't know how to fix it.

Good luck bro, let us know what you decide on.

Skarn

[elfranzen]

what is the build time for one of these for someone who has never built one before. I work in the electronics field so the electronics and mechanical shouldn't be too hard. it's still winter here so I have a month or so before it would be nice enough to fly.

[jasmine2501]

Hey I don't think it's particularly complicated either, but one thing I've learned in life is that not everyone is like I am. My first CP helicopter was the Trex 450, and I built the kit without any trouble - but I had lots of experience with setting up RC systems and programming my DX7 for planes... some people can't do this - this much is obvious from some of the questions we get on here.

[Skarn]

what is the build time for one of these for someone who has never built one before. I work in the electronics field so the electronics and mechanical shouldn't be too hard. it's still winter here so I have a month or so before it would be nice enough to fly.


I had no experience at all when I got my Trex 450 SE v2. Using the Finless video's, I was completed in less than 2 weeks. Now admittedly, I didn't work non-stop....that was taking my time...so it could definitely be done a lot faster as most of the stuff is pre-assembled. But you should loctite all parts anyway.

Jasmine: I hear you, I really do! And while I agree that SOME will never be able to do it, I think there are a lot more people that THINK they can't do it and are intimidated by the thought of trying...

Skarn