Your Opinion. Which heli is good for total newbie?

jasoncy2k · Aug 04, 2005, 02:39 AM

Hi,
I am a total newbie getting into Helicopters. I have been playing with electric airplanes for about one year, but I have no prior helicopter experience except playing with FMS simulator.

So I would like to know which heli is good for me? I can imagine that I will be crashing alot, so I want something that can get me started, learn how heli works, etc.

Which one do you think I should get? fixed pitch, collective pitch? I want to get into it without spending alot since I will probably be crashing it alot.

Thank you.

--Jason

jmroscoe · Aug 04, 2005, 03:14 AM

Hello, I haven't had a lot of experience with different helis, but I do know that when you start you should get one that's fixed pitch because they are less complex and are generally cheaper all up, and the parts to the heli should be easily available so you aren't waiting for ages to get your heli back up in the air!
I have a colco thunderbird 2 and it takes a lot of abuse from me. With the micros you are going to burn a LOT of tail motors, so have some spare.
Also, when you are learning make sure to read the EHGB (one of the permanent posts) and get a simulator (even if it is FMS, it will give you the orientation).

Regards, James

Tram · Aug 04, 2005, 03:22 AM

I'd say check out a Corona..

Kinjo695 · Aug 04, 2005, 03:37 AM

being a noob myself and not long having got a REX I would say T-REX or corona

corona happened to be hard to get where I live where as T-REX shop was in my city so I think u really gotta look into what will be fastest to get parts for and cheapest.

T-REX parts prices are hard to beat

Rickenbacker · Aug 04, 2005, 06:21 AM

Depends on how much you want to spend. If you know you'll keep at it, get a T-rex, it's probably the best heli for the money anywhere. If you're not sure, get a cheap FP heli, that way you haven't spent too much if you don't like it, and they're usually sturdy and cheap to repair.

neuroblade · Aug 04, 2005, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickenbacker

Depends on how much you want to spend. If you know you'll keep at it, get a T-rex, it's probably the best heli for the money anywhere. If you're not sure, get a cheap FP heli, that way you haven't spent too much if you don't like it, and they're usually sturdy and cheap to repair.

Rickenbacker,

How much are we talking about for an ARF T-rex with radio?

Vince Herman · Aug 04, 2005, 08:37 AM

Neuroblade,
Seriously consider the kit rather than an ARF package. If you put it together yourself, you will have a better idea of what needs to be done to tweak the mechanincal links. Binding or friction is an issue that needs to be addressed with any heli. Also, when you crash, you will be in a better position to make repairs if you have put the kit together yourself.

Here are some links to my favorite vendors. I have ordered from all of them (many times) and have had great service from them all.

http://hifirc.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.modefosheli.com/
http://www.allerc.com/
http://www.ronlund.com/
http://www.grandrc.com/

If you are new to helis, take a read through this:
EHBG
And this:
Radds School

StrangeRanger · Aug 04, 2005, 08:56 AM

If you go T-Rex I second the kit option. It is so much better to build your own so you know how things work and how to fix it.
If you think this will be a passing phase, get a little beater FP like a Dragonfly or something. Very limited in ability (no outside flying unless dead calm day), but take a beating.
If you're gonna stick with it and want a very capable machine that takes a beating and has easy to get and cheap parts, go with the T-Rex. How much you spend depends on what you put in it. The up front cost can be staggering, but all the gear will last you forever and is re-useable on other things. DON'T skimp on the radio! For a decent Rex CDE set up you are looking at $700-$1K. Don't let ppl scare you about a CDE T-Rex. They are not hard to set up and when you have questions ppl on here and RR will happily help walk you through anything you encounter.
j

MrBruiser · Aug 04, 2005, 12:07 PM

I started with a FP about a year ago, and recently purchased a collective pitch heli. I learned a lot from the FP (and am still learning) however the options for collective pitch are much more plentiful (and affordable) than they were a year ago. As long as you can find cheap replacement parts, go with CP.

Seriously, whatever you choose, look around for replacement parts and price 'em...you'll be buying a lot of em. Make sure they're plentiful too it;s no fun looking at a heli on the bench waiting for a special doo-dad that is out-of-stock nationwide.

Aug 04, 2005, 02:39 AM	#1
jasoncy2k Trying to learn 3D flying Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 102	Your Opinion. Which heli is good for total newbie? Hi, I am a total newbie getting into Helicopters. I have been playing with electric airplanes for about one year, but I have no prior helicopter experience except playing with FMS simulator. So I would like to know which heli is good for me? I can imagine that I will be crashing alot, so I want something that can get me started, learn how heli works, etc. Which one do you think I should get? fixed pitch, collective pitch? I want to get into it without spending alot since I will probably be crashing it alot. Thank you. --Jason

Aug 04, 2005, 03:37 AM	#4
Kinjo695 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 78	being a noob myself and not long having got a REX I would say T-REX or corona corona happened to be hard to get where I live where as T-REX shop was in my city so I think u really gotta look into what will be fastest to get parts for and cheapest. T-REX parts prices are hard to beat Last edited by Kinjo695; Aug 04, 2005 at 07:02 AM.

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Aug 04, 2005, 03:14 AM	#2
jmroscoe Walkera 60 eCCPM! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia. Posts: 303	Hello, I haven't had a lot of experience with different helis, but I do know that when you start you should get one that's fixed pitch because they are less complex and are generally cheaper all up, and the parts to the heli should be easily available so you aren't waiting for ages to get your heli back up in the air! I have a colco thunderbird 2 and it takes a lot of abuse from me. With the micros you are going to burn a LOT of tail motors, so have some spare. Also, when you are learning make sure to read the EHGB (one of the permanent posts) and get a simulator (even if it is FMS, it will give you the orientation). Regards, James

Aug 04, 2005, 03:22 AM	#3
Tram Rammer Jammer, ya'll.. Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Florence, Al Posts: 24,930	I'd say check out a Corona..

Aug 04, 2005, 06:21 AM	#5
Rickenbacker Sunday Flier Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,484	Depends on how much you want to spend. If you know you'll keep at it, get a T-rex, it's probably the best heli for the money anywhere. If you're not sure, get a cheap FP heli, that way you haven't spent too much if you don't like it, and they're usually sturdy and cheap to repair.

Aug 04, 2005, 08:37 AM	#7
Vince Herman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wadsworth, Ohio USA Posts: 2,320	Neuroblade, Seriously consider the kit rather than an ARF package. If you put it together yourself, you will have a better idea of what needs to be done to tweak the mechanincal links. Binding or friction is an issue that needs to be addressed with any heli. Also, when you crash, you will be in a better position to make repairs if you have put the kit together yourself. Here are some links to my favorite vendors. I have ordered from all of them (many times) and have had great service from them all. http://hifirc.com/catalog/index.php http://www.modefosheli.com/ http://www.allerc.com/ http://www.ronlund.com/ http://www.grandrc.com/ If you are new to helis, take a read through this: EHBG And this: Radds School

Aug 04, 2005, 08:56 AM	#8
StrangeRanger mugflap_dot_com Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: VT Posts: 337	If you go T-Rex I second the kit option. It is so much better to build your own so you know how things work and how to fix it. If you think this will be a passing phase, get a little beater FP like a Dragonfly or something. Very limited in ability (no outside flying unless dead calm day), but take a beating. If you're gonna stick with it and want a very capable machine that takes a beating and has easy to get and cheap parts, go with the T-Rex. How much you spend depends on what you put in it. The up front cost can be staggering, but all the gear will last you forever and is re-useable on other things. DON'T skimp on the radio! For a decent Rex CDE set up you are looking at $700-$1K. Don't let ppl scare you about a CDE T-Rex. They are not hard to set up and when you have questions ppl on here and RR will happily help walk you through anything you encounter. j

Aug 04, 2005, 12:07 PM	#9
MrBruiser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 130	I started with a FP about a year ago, and recently purchased a collective pitch heli. I learned a lot from the FP (and am still learning) however the options for collective pitch are much more plentiful (and affordable) than they were a year ago. As long as you can find cheap replacement parts, go with CP. Seriously, whatever you choose, look around for replacement parts and price 'em...you'll be buying a lot of em. Make sure they're plentiful too it;s no fun looking at a heli on the bench waiting for a special doo-dad that is out-of-stock nationwide.