I know I may take some flack for this but I just bought a Walkera Mini CP with a Devo 8s with training gear from MIA. I've never flown a heli except in FMS and HeliSIM.

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Let the flaming begin!

Thanks,

Justin

Welcome, and no flaming required! We're a friendly bunch for the most part.

Walkera helicopters can be difficult to fly, especially for a beginner. They aren't the most "precise" helis out there. However, they do have a reputation for durability. The point being, if you can learn how to fly a heli with a Walkera, you can pretty much fly anything!

Forget the training gear. You don't use that on flybarless helis. They have electronic stabilization systems tuned to the heli, not some junk you attached to it. That will just mess up the handling. The Mini CP is one of Walkeras newer models that are much more durable than the older models. However, flight times are very short (2 - 3 minutes) and stock Walkera batteries are low quality and won't take a lot of recharging. To get the best performance and enjoyment from you min CP, you will need to do the brushless conversion, replace batteries connectors and get aftermarket batteries and charger.

There is also an out of stock condition for mini CP electronics, at most hobby sites. This usually indicates a model upgrade is coming. Walkera replaces or upgrades models very often, usually within 6 months.

Looks like a brushless upgrade is in order. Anyone have a recommendation for batteries?

Originally Posted by j35u5fr34k

I know I may take some flack for this but I just bought a Walkera Mini CP with a Devo 8s with training gear from MIA. I've never flown a heli except in FMS and HeliSIM.

Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Let the flaming begin!

Thanks,

Justin

You know why people don't mind having the same questions asked over and over here unlike in other forums? It's because the previous newbies are the ones answering the questions of the new newbies so the seniors only have to answer the more complicated questions. Ask your questions, and later when the next batch of newbies come in, it'll be your turn to help them out

If by training gear you mean the rods and pingpong balls? You only need them for the larger helis (What does training gear look like for micro helis? Barbecue sticks?). The only crashes i've had are from a foot off the ground with the props nicking furniture legs, each time i've landed has always been on its legs.

Speaking of legs, i recommend stocking up on them. The 3 axis gyro means you'll always land on your skids, repeated hard landings kinda wears them out fast.

Yeah basically sticks. I cancelled the order and maybe I will order a skid upgrade if there is one.

I am hoping the Devo 8s will fly other stuff for me as well. I see that it can be hacked and made to work with spektrum. If the CP is too much for me and hoping to pick up an Blade FP or something used/cheap.

As suspected, a new version is coming. The original version was highly susceptible to board damage. The price has been reduced to sell this model out. Welcome to the world of Walkera!

Didn't the Mcpx v1 have bearing failure issues? I guess they all have their faults... Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by j35u5fr34k

Didn't the Mcpx v1 have bearing failure issues? I guess they all have their faults... Just my 2 cents.

I'm not going to get into the Blade versus Walkera pissing match with you. I've owned 10 Walkera helis over the last 5 years. If you know what to expect and are OK with that, you will be fine with them. If not, you will dump them.

Fly it and have fun. You wont need the training gear. I have the Genius and use it as my sim and the Mini is the better of the 2. I use the bats for the ladybird 240 mah vrs 200 and I get about 8 min flying with the brushed motor. Bounces real good off the grass, house, tree, truck, the inside of the trampoline net and for some strange reason me... Like all the rest out there, some crashes may require parts. Good little flyer

Originally Posted by j35u5fr34k

Didn't the Mcpx v1 have bearing failure issues? I guess they all have their faults... Just my 2 cents.

Yes, but it was fixed immediately and they sent all of us a free set of blade grips with the fix. That is a huge difference from "we're just updating the model to a new incompatible version and if you have the old one, we're not even sorry"

Originally Posted by Balr14

I'm not going to get into the Blade versus Walkera pissing match with you. I've owned 10 Walkera helis over the last 5 years. If you know what to expect and are OK with that, you will be fine with them. If not, you will dump them.

I wasn't trying to get into a pissing match. I'm not familiar with the whole Walkera vs Blade so I really shouldn't have spoken.

Originally Posted by jasmine2501

Yes, but it was fixed immediately and they sent all of us a free set of blade grips with the fix. That is a huge difference from "we're just updating the model to a new incompatible version and if you have the old one, we're not even sorry"

Yeah that's an unfortunate business model and it seems unfair. I for one bought the Mini CP with the Devo 8s for the Devo's hackability. I am hoping it is actually compatible with the Blade DSM stuff as mentioned on deviationtx.com. I see some people are using it with Blade mCPx on the forum at deviationtx.

Thanks for the input everyone! Happy Flying!

I have the Genius CP, Mini CP and a "New" V120d02s V2. They are great little machines. The Genius flys longer but lacks the power to 3d good. The Mini has the power but battery life is low.
The V120 is the best but not as strong as the other 2. These Helis have taught flying skills than any other I own. Plus, crash away, no damage and back in the air.
Agree with all others...no training gear on flybarless systems...learned that the hard way on my 450...they mess up the gyros...crash

Originally Posted by Hajile

If by training gear you mean the rods and pingpong balls? You only need them for the larger helis (What does training gear look like for micro helis? Barbecue sticks?). The only crashes i've had are from a foot off the ground with the props nicking furniture legs, each time i've landed has always been on its legs.

I guess I'm totally in the minority.

I have training gear on my Genius CP! Had them on since the get-go.

I also have them on my V120. They help me learning my orientation.

I've not seen any problems on either heli with the training gear.