Just wondering how much pitch is generally needed to keep a hover going?

At the moment i'm on almost 7 degrees just to keep it flying. This seems a bit much to me. My heli is an x400 running on a Mega 16/15/3 and the head speed is set to 2400. ESC is set to hold the RPM.

Is this normal?

I think my T-Rex uses around 6 deg pitch to hover with 2400rpm headspeed. Blade size might effect it too.

my x400 is runnin approx the same pitch maybe a little more headspeed, but my heli is carrying extra ballast.

If your using the wooden 305 blades, 12 degrees +and- should be good with your headspeed. I run 2500 HS or so, with good results.
What speed control are you running?

Ok thanks guy's was just worried for a moment there that I had something wrong. I am carrying a little extra weight with a RX battery.
I'll increase the head speed a little, maybe 2500 as well. I can't really increase the range on my pitch to + - 12. I would need to get a hold of some longer servo horns. I already have the servo range set to max.

My speed controller is a Kontronic 3SL 70-6-18. it does 70 amps constant and 100 amps peek. I know its little over kill but thats what I use in my hotliner and didn't really want to get another speed controller. seem to work fine

BTW im using trex 305mm too + the RX battery. im using the 13t pinion on my mega w/ 95% pitch curve across the range. dam 12t pinion still hasnt got here yet.

btw, the CNC pullies made my heli is WHISPER quiet. my tail rotor is the loudest part now. i thought it was the mainblades making all the noise. it made a HUGE difference for the money. my lipo barely gets warm and my motor stays much cooler.

Actually my question is:
is my headspeed too high? maybe that's why my t/r is so loud? my heli is so quiet it actually sounds like it's not even spinning that fast.

im waiting for the following items:
http://www.servocity.com/html/4_8v_7...h_battery.html
45grams!!! that sure beats the 130gram rx battery im using now
and then my 12t pinion (3rd attempt) tedani has put in a lot of effort to take care of me...international shipping sux.

im considering getting another motor too for fun. i might try a 450TH or maybe that new align motor that is supposed to beat it.

BTW:

i test flew my x400 again after checking & tweaking everything again so it's very close to my ideal specifications. i am able to hover at around 5-6degrees now with the upgrades. the friction reduction is incredible. i recommend the metal CNC pullies to ANYONE still using those stock plastic ARk pullies. for $12 you cant go wrong. for damage control, the advantage is that your not going to strip these pullies, the belt will probably break instead which is cheap. those plastic pullies are $5 a piece!!!

I use -10 to +10 on my T-Rex, with 0 in the middle, and it hovers at maybe 3/4 stick, which I suppose is 5 degrees. Might need to raise your headspeed a little if it bogs down when you increase pitch, and/or to need less pitch to hover.