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Pondering my first CP - 2/1/2012 9:46 PM   
rhodesengr


 

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I’ve been mulling over the possibilities for a first CP purchase. I know there are a number of similar threads but I have my own perspective so I hope you will read my thoughts and have constructive input. Since I am an engineer, I look at making such a choice from an engineering perspective. So I have constraints. The first is I want it to be fun to fly. I am moving up from a Big Outdoor Lama which is super fun. I am interested in sport flying. I would prefer ease of flight and stability over super agility. I also surf and the longboard/shortboard analogy comes to mind. I am very content with longboard surfing. Shortboards are much more maneuverable but much more difficult. I am hoping there is a range in CP helis that is similar. Cost is a factor but not a huge one. I have read the “buy cheap, buy twice” mantra but I am ok buying twice if the first cheap one is fun and helps me learn. I do not want to build a kit. I don’t mind modifying and repairing but I want a pre-built heli. I have been reading and researching extensively. I am considering alternatives by Esky, Walkera, Blade, and something like Copter X. Frankly, I am really enjoying my Esky Big Lama so I have been looking at their belt CP V2, or Belt CPX. I think the main draw back with Esky is that they do not have a BNF version so every new Esky comes with a new (nonprogrammable) radio. I do like the idea of getting a programmable radio and they don’t seem to have that option. There are not a lot of Belt CP’s around but parts seem plentiful. Walkera has the 1#A which they claim is a good first CP, less intimidating than a 450 class. Wow sells it with an 8 ch  programmable TX. This seems like a good option but I read that parts can be hard to get for Walkera in general and I have read some bad stuff about Wow in general. Wow also has assembled Copter X’s but I am thinking this might be a good second CP. Maybe by the time I want a second CP, I’ll want to build a kit. The Blade 450 seems like a choice but it is a big jump in price from the Esky and my experience with my new Blade 120SR has me really concerned about Blade’s price/quality. They charge more but their quality is not impressive. People say good things about Horizon but as I write this, I have been on hold for 45 minutes trying to get a replacement tail motor that burned about in 10 minutes of use. One bitten twice shy? There are also some outliers like Art Tech but parts seem even harder to get than Walkera. There are other Walkera models as well. So if you read through all this, thanks for reading. Please keep my main constraints in mind: I want it to be fun and prefer stability over high performance. I am willing to buy twice. I would prefer a BNF scheme. I have a positive experience with Esky so far. My experience with Blade is mixed: good with mCX2 but very poor with 120 SR. If I was not nervous about dealing with Wow, the 1#A and then a Copter X seems like a good path forward with a 2801 TX. Otherwise, I am drawn towards the Esky Belt CP/X barring other good suggestions.



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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/3/2012 10:51 AM   
Jorge Obama


 

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Status: offline 		ESKY is a good choice

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/3/2012 3:40 PM   
rhodesengr


 

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Status: offline 		can you elaborate? Which model? Belt CP, Belt CPX, HB King4? Inventory seems low everywhere in USA. Was thing leaning towars Esky, but now I am not so sure. All the guidance suggests getting a programmable TX which means messing a round buying receivers etc. By the time I do all that, I'd be around the price of the Blade 450.

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/3/2012 4:45 PM   
nick4622


 

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Status: offline 		I'd say go for a BLADE 400 RTF, or the 450 best is you get a DX6i that is programmable Bind and Fly and this TX can store up to 10 models.

What kind of budget do you have?

I used to own a HONEY BEE KING 3 that I sold to fund my TREX 450 combo that E-SKY is a nice RTF that deff got me into the air not too much $$$ for it either.

So the choice is really up to you, but id say get the Blade 400 used and the TX you get with it will last years to come.


Good luck and don't give up

           Nick

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/3/2012 8:05 PM   
rhodesengr


 

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From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I am not budget limited within reason. My thinking for going cheap for a first CP  is if I am going to crash a lot in the beginning, I would not be wrecking up an expensive heli. But if the Esky don't fly well out of the box and/or need immediate upgrades like my Lama then I am not really saving anything; time or money. Through on top of all that the Eskys low stock level and I am sying away. I actually emailed Esky and asked them what was up. They said they are coming out with new models sometimes soon but they were not specific.

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/4/2012 11:37 AM   
matty_p80


 

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Status: offline 		rhodesengr ,

firstly how are you approaching your learning curve? are you a loner or do you have a friend you can fall back on for tips?

generally speaking, the bigger the heli, the more stable it will be with a larger rotor disc. that said, with the small ultra-micro helis like mCPX, etc. the onboard electronics make them as tame as you require!

if you visit RC Aerodyne and talk to Cliff he can sort you out with a 500 pre-built with your choice of transmitter! there are many other companies out there too that are willing to work with the customer along with your local hobby store, who'll be more than happy to talk shop as it is their bread and butter.

i started with a Blade 400 3D without going through the co-ax stage, on my own to a large degree (got with someone who 'knows' at the very beginning) and yes i did crash it! it all depends how you approach it, if you rush in thinking you'll be doing hurricanes and hovering upside down an inch above the ground on your second flight then, yes, it will be expensive! as stated by others, the bonus of the B400 is the inclusion of the DX6i, which is more than adequate for pretty much everything and there are plenty of BNF aircraft out there!

as my good friend Jimbo says, "the most important consideration is the availability of parts!", even if you don't crash, parts wear and need to be replaced at some stage!

not having owned an E-Sky heli, i am not a fountain of knowledge on that topic but i would suggest to steer away from any CP (400 and larger) with a tail motor, as they tend to burn out quite quickly and the tail response is not like that of a direct driven tail!

i also have it on good authority that Blade are coming out with a 500 size heli very soon, so that might be one to wait for!?!

hope this has helped and not confused further?

whatever you decide to get (i believe you already have this mindset) have fun and enjoy the experience of flying your own machine!

p,l,c+mh

Matty

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/4/2012 3:52 PM   
rhodesengr


 

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Status: offline 		Thanks Matty> I am leaning towards the mCPx and the moving onto one of the Blades. There is also a 300X coming out. So eother that or the 450 after the mCPx. Functionally, I guess I am a loner. Not really by choice. I have contacted the local clubs asked if they have heli flyers and the answer was "very few". I just go to a nearby park to fly. Mostly people seem to like my small heli's and often watch. I think if I get a 500, I will need to find somewhere more isolated to fly.

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/5/2012 10:11 AM   
matty_p80


 

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Status: offline 		that you will dood! purely 'cos you're gonna need more space but also there is a greater risk to any bystanders, although the 400-450's will do a lot of damage to the fragile human frame!!!

i have an mCPX also and it's brilliant! if you get one make sure it has "V2" (for 'version 2') on the box as it has been updated some! you won't regret that purchase, i know quite a few seasoned heli pilots who can't get enough of it!!

i pretty much do it alone due to my job but that's not wrong! if you take it in sensible steps you'll find you start slipping into it very easily and a lot of things will become second nature! the one thing about enjoying the hobby on your own is you have to be more disciplined with your procedures (Tx on first, etc, etc....) as there isn't someone continually looking over your shoulder! the bonus is, you don't have to wait in a queue to get onto the flight line, ha ha ha!

if you need more in depth advice, come and join us on the thread "heli stuff and fellowship"! it's not a religious sect to the community as some have suggested but more a group of people with a kindred interest, the "fellowship" part being friendship!!

have fun whatever you choose

p,l,c+mh

Matty

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/5/2012 5:16 PM   
rhodesengr


 

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From: Pleasanton, CA, USA
Status: offline 		so I decided to get the mCPx with a DX6i so the heli choice is settled for now. Now I just need to learn how to fly it. Thanks for all the support and suggestions.

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/6/2012 6:21 PM   
matty_p80


 

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Status: offline 		you probaly won't need training legs on it as it super stable. make sure you put in 25-30% expo so that the right stick is not so sensitive near the middle, this will moderate the reaction to over correct!!

other thing to remember, when lifting off, don't touch the right stick and just try to pop it up to about 1-2 ft to get it out of the ground effect!

give me a shout on the PM messaging and i'll send you the settings i have in my DX6i for it!

best of flying

Matty

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Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional!! RCHA/100328(F); BMFA #171585

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RE: Pondering my first CP - 2/6/2012 6:22 PM   
matty_p80


 

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From: FromeSomerset, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		oh yeah, also forgot, be very conservative with your collective (left) stick movement as it very sensitive!!

M.

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