Archive for August, 2012
Posted by jameschen072 |
Aug 28, 2012 @ 09:19 AM | 69,115 Views
Introduction (and a few words from James)
Hey everyone, I know that I've promised a review of the X100 a few weeks ago...but I've been so busy lately that I can barely find the time to do my paperwork at the hospital... let alone the review! (For those of you who are following my exciting life at the bottom of the medical pyramid, I'm doing my rotation in the Internal Medicine/Cardiology ward... not a fun place to be for both patient and doctor )
Anyways, I trust that many of you have seen Erdnuckle's excellent post on his blog about this quad...so I hope that my findings can provide another point of view or further information perhaps...into the performance and many other aspects of this great little aircraft.
Special thanks goes to Banggood (my friend Aaron especially) for providing the sample... and to you guys for reading it.
As always, questions and comments are welcome and much appreciated.
From the box
There was no damage to the box at all when it arrived at my apartment (although it has made a far shorter journey than most). Like Erdnuckle said though, everything from the box to the manual were in Chinese...which may be a problem for most of you. In the following review I'll label most of the buttons on the transmitter and highlight some of the unique functions of this quad, so hopefully the lack of an English manual won't be too much of a problem for you guys.
...Continue Reading
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Posted by jameschen072 |
Aug 17, 2012 @ 09:26 AM | 65,981 Views
I've been reflecting on how my life has changed dramatically since I found r/c as a hobby back in 2003.. and my conclusion is that it's not the aircraft, but the people that have made the greatest impact in my life. I would've given up very early on (those were the days of nicad batteries and 370 brushed motors after-all!) had it not been for the patience and kindness of fellow hobbyists... like Mr. Wang, who offered to teach me how to fly when I came up to ask questions about his Tigermoth and Formosa (Now he's a very close family friend) or the flyers at El Toro, at Northwood Highschool in Irvine, at ShinKong park in Taiwan among others.
I really think that those who share our hobby have a passion, a flame that should not be hidden but one that should spread like wildfire. Share that love of flying to others... you never know, it might be someone's life you're changing the next time you head to your flying field!
Although most of them probably won't see this message, I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks... without people like them all over the world, the R/C community be what it is now.
I am deeply addicted...almost ten years in and it seems that the addiction will only get worse. Bring it on!
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return."
What are your stories?
I really think that those who share our hobby have a passion, a flame that should not be hidden but one that should spread like wildfire. Share that love of flying to others... you never know, it might be someone's life you're changing the next time you head to your flying field!
Although most of them probably won't see this message, I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks... without people like them all over the world, the R/C community be what it is now.
I am deeply addicted...almost ten years in and it seems that the addiction will only get worse. Bring it on!
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return."
What are your stories?
Posted by jameschen072 |
Aug 17, 2012 @ 09:00 AM | 64,078 Views
The Benma Helios 100 Review
Introduction
A few months ago I was approached by Benma and they asked me to give a few opinions and join the development of a brand new 4 channel helicopter. Their aim was quite high...they wanted to make the cheapest yet best performing 4 channel (flybarred) FP helicopter. Impossible? That's what I thought too...
Benma's prototype seemed to confirm my fears... the gyro, the motor and the flight performance in general weren't up to par with the V911... I was quite disappointed. Many of you have seen this thread by then and some have even pre-ordered the aircraft... yet since this first batch of aircraft did not perform as expected, Benma recalled them. (It actually was sent to vendors like Banggood already) and re-designed the software and a few hardware components too.
Fast forward to a few days ago. My friend Aaron from BG told me with great excitement that he got the production version of the Helios and that it was much better. I was skeptical... but he's quite passionate about R/C as well so I knew he wouldn't tell me something's good unless it really was.
Today, a package arrived for me at the leasing office while I was at work... It was the Helios 100... I can't tell you how excited I was to see the complete version of this thing as I spent a lot of time relaying our ideas on the forum to Benma.... the name and the little sun on the tail were my personal touches too...it's amazing to see something that you did...Continue Reading
Introduction
A few months ago I was approached by Benma and they asked me to give a few opinions and join the development of a brand new 4 channel helicopter. Their aim was quite high...they wanted to make the cheapest yet best performing 4 channel (flybarred) FP helicopter. Impossible? That's what I thought too...
Benma's prototype seemed to confirm my fears... the gyro, the motor and the flight performance in general weren't up to par with the V911... I was quite disappointed. Many of you have seen this thread by then and some have even pre-ordered the aircraft... yet since this first batch of aircraft did not perform as expected, Benma recalled them. (It actually was sent to vendors like Banggood already) and re-designed the software and a few hardware components too.
Fast forward to a few days ago. My friend Aaron from BG told me with great excitement that he got the production version of the Helios and that it was much better. I was skeptical... but he's quite passionate about R/C as well so I knew he wouldn't tell me something's good unless it really was.
Today, a package arrived for me at the leasing office while I was at work... It was the Helios 100... I can't tell you how excited I was to see the complete version of this thing as I spent a lot of time relaying our ideas on the forum to Benma.... the name and the little sun on the tail were my personal touches too...it's amazing to see something that you did...Continue Reading
Posted by jameschen072 |
Aug 16, 2012 @ 11:34 AM | 63,740 Views
Introduction (and a little bit of history)
Ever since I saw a replica of the Horten Ho229 in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, the story of the Horten brothers and their flying wings has always fascinated me. When the most advanced aircraft of it's time were piston pounding Spitfires and ME109s, the Luftwaffe's requirement of building a fighter-bomber that flies at 1000km/h, carries 1000kg worth of bombs and has a range of 1000km must have brought along a few dismissive chuckles. Yet the Horten brothers came up with the Ho229, a turbojet powered flying wing that met exactly those requirements. World War II would end before the aircraft ever saw mass production or service though, and the aircraft was slowly forgotten in the history books. After World War II, Northrop evaluated the Ho229 and some of what was learned was used in the eventual development of the B2 spirit, the most advanced bomber in the USAF arsenal.
The Hoten-X from Walkera seems to be a stylized nod to the Horten brothers and their work...Although it's a r/c quad-copter and not a flying wing, the futuristic, out-of-this-world lines of the Ho229 are still reflected in the quad's canopy. You can probably imagine then, how excited I was when Aaron from Banggood asked me to review this quadcopter. I hope you will enjoy this review...and if it sparks your interest, I would really recommend that you watch the NGC documentary “Hitler's stealth fighter”.
My review items- the Hoten-X and the mini pet!...Continue Reading
Posted by jameschen072 |
Aug 16, 2012 @ 11:32 AM | 61,015 Views
THIS THREAD IS A TECHNICAL ISSUES AND REVIEW THREAD, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT DEALS, DEALERS AND TRACKING INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE DEALS AND TRACKING THREAD FOUND HERE:https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...6#post22084674
INTRODUCTION
Quads have become increasingly popular lately with the introduction of relatively cheap models such as the mQx and the Ladybird (I own one and it's absolutely amazing), but the WLToys Beetle is the first toy-grade quadcopter that may make it to malls instead of hobby shops.
The Beetle is a clone of the mQx, at least on the design of the frame and motor/gear/rotor assemblies... but the rx board itself seems to be a different design to the original, and it doesn't have the capability of flying in + mode like the mQx.
Anyways, you can imagine how overjoyed I was to see a big cardboard box sitting at home because I knew exactly what was inside
*Disclaimer: The WLToys Beetle review was written on June 13th, 2012... the sample is a pre-production model and was sent for flight performance review purposes. The performance of the final product may be different as WLToys modify their product but as always, you can trust that my findings are accurately reflected in the review that you are about to read.
DELIVERY
Inside the package that I received is the RTF version of the WLToys Beetle. Contents of the box include the following:
1x WLToys Beetle quad
1x 3.7V 500mah battery
1x Lipo battery charger
1x 4...Continue Reading
INTRODUCTION
Quads have become increasingly popular lately with the introduction of relatively cheap models such as the mQx and the Ladybird (I own one and it's absolutely amazing), but the WLToys Beetle is the first toy-grade quadcopter that may make it to malls instead of hobby shops.
The Beetle is a clone of the mQx, at least on the design of the frame and motor/gear/rotor assemblies... but the rx board itself seems to be a different design to the original, and it doesn't have the capability of flying in + mode like the mQx.
Anyways, you can imagine how overjoyed I was to see a big cardboard box sitting at home because I knew exactly what was inside
*Disclaimer: The WLToys Beetle review was written on June 13th, 2012... the sample is a pre-production model and was sent for flight performance review purposes. The performance of the final product may be different as WLToys modify their product but as always, you can trust that my findings are accurately reflected in the review that you are about to read.
DELIVERY
Inside the package that I received is the RTF version of the WLToys Beetle. Contents of the box include the following:
1x WLToys Beetle quad
1x 3.7V 500mah battery
1x Lipo battery charger
1x 4...Continue Reading
Posted by jameschen072 |
Aug 16, 2012 @ 11:31 AM | 60,900 Views
FAQ, UPGRADES AND TROUBLESHOOTING: LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.
Questions/Comments: Please PM JamesChen072
THIS THREAD IS FOR ALL ISSUES YOU RUN INTO AFTER YOU GET YOUR V911 (OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HELI ITSELF)
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING PRICES/DEALS/DEALERS AND TRACKING, PLEASE POST THESE QUESTIONS/COMMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING THREAD:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...5#post20850720
============================Original review below============================================
-Preflight-
Hey all,
Recently a neighbor saw me flying my V200 and asked me to teach him how to fly... and my gf wanted to try out single rotor helis as well (she began flying coax helis a few months ago). Unfortunately my Solo Pro and Bravo SX simultaneously developed problems with their receiver boards...SO I decided to purchase a rugged trainer to add to my ever growing fleet...
Living in China has it's benefits.. the water and food might not be the best in the world(i miss the food back home)..but flying is much cheaper here than it is in the States ...I ran across the V911 about a week ago and decided to buy it because of it's low cost (30usd) and interesting design(solo pro mated with a Trex100)...
-On the tarmac-
It arrived last night after much anticipation... The V911 was very well packaged and had a lot of extras including a spare main and tail blade set, USB dual battery charger and 2 batteries! I couldnt wait to fly it but I promised to give...Continue Reading
Questions/Comments: Please PM JamesChen072
THIS THREAD IS FOR ALL ISSUES YOU RUN INTO AFTER YOU GET YOUR V911 (OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HELI ITSELF)
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING PRICES/DEALS/DEALERS AND TRACKING, PLEASE POST THESE QUESTIONS/COMMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING THREAD:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...5#post20850720
============================Original review below============================================
-Preflight-
Hey all,
Recently a neighbor saw me flying my V200 and asked me to teach him how to fly... and my gf wanted to try out single rotor helis as well (she began flying coax helis a few months ago). Unfortunately my Solo Pro and Bravo SX simultaneously developed problems with their receiver boards...SO I decided to purchase a rugged trainer to add to my ever growing fleet...
Living in China has it's benefits.. the water and food might not be the best in the world(i miss the food back home)..but flying is much cheaper here than it is in the States ...I ran across the V911 about a week ago and decided to buy it because of it's low cost (30usd) and interesting design(solo pro mated with a Trex100)...
-On the tarmac-
It arrived last night after much anticipation... The V911 was very well packaged and had a lot of extras including a spare main and tail blade set, USB dual battery charger and 2 batteries! I couldnt wait to fly it but I promised to give...Continue Reading
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