Wanting back into hobby

Wanting back into hobby
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Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 6:26:47 AM

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From: Indianapolis, IN, USA
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I'm wanting to get back into the R/C hobby, but not sure which choice I want to go to. I don't have much room to fly at my current location, but have no problem going to a park to fly. I used to have a Raptor 30 that I would fly around casually. I was O.K. at it, could hover and fly back and forth, and that was enough excitement for me lol. But I'm thinking now that I might want to go to an electric for the reliability and efficiency, also to avoid the massive noise (although I personally LOVED the nitro sound).

What am I looking at getting into with electric if I want something the same size as the Raptor 30? Also, these smaller helis seem to be more and more abundant with collective pitch from what I've seen. When the minis were around while I flew they were all fixed and kept me away from them. Is a smaller heli harder to fly if I keep it indoors or on non windy days? What are the main differences between electric and nitro?

Thanks, I searched a bit for this but couldn't find anything.

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Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 6:37:59 AM

TrumpetRhapsody

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From: Fayetteville, AR, USA
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Similar in size to the Raptor 30 might be the Trex 600, but full builds can cost anywhere from $1000-2000 depending on upgrades and parts. Also, at $200 a battery, they scared me away. They are serious performers however.

I'm not very familiar with them, but a Lepton or HDX-500 might be close to the size of a Raptor 30. They are generally $100-200 or so more than the 450 size.

If you're willing to go smaller, the 450 size electrics are nice. Full builds can be around $600-800 for top quality. You might be able to hover them indoors, but they're a little big to do anything else. Outside they're awesome. Lots of power, quiet and clean, and can fight the wind pretty well once you get used to it.

I'm actually selling a Walkera Dragonfly #36 with radio, several sets of blades, some replacement parts, and some upgrades, for $300. Its lower quality than the Trex-450, but it's parts are cheap, and doesn't hurt the wallet quite so much when it crashes. If you're interested PM me and I'll give you more details.

< Message edited by TrumpetRhapsody -- 6/29/2007 6:43:23 AM >

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HDX-450 SE v3
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(in reply to caseyddr)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 6:45:26 AM

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Depending on the quality of the smaller ones, I have no problem getting them. I know the leaning curve is a little harder the smaller you go, but its not that big a deal. eventually i'll want something that can do minor acrobatics also though, so I want to keep that in mind.

_____________________________

Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

(in reply to TrumpetRhapsody)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 7:00:11 AM

TrumpetRhapsody

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If I were in your position of wanting electrics, I'd start with a 450 size that will be good to learn on, you can take with you on trips, hover around the yard, etc. Then if you get serious about wanting to do aerobatics, invest in a Trex 600 that you can fly at a field.

That is the plan I'm following, except I'm getting a Raptor 50 down the road. Going the nitro route

< Message edited by TrumpetRhapsody -- 6/29/2007 7:01:00 AM >

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HDX-450 SE v3
Walkera Dragonfly #36

(in reply to caseyddr)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 7:24:38 AM

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See I loved flying the nitro heli, the sound attracted a huge crowd, but I got lots of complaints and cops called on me numerous times because of the noise. The cops never really cared, they actually thought it was cool and would leave, but the hurassment has made me look at electrics. What is this brand that your suggesting? All I really know is Kyosho and Raptor... i don't know who is reliable or not in heli brands.

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Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

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RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 7:34:21 AM

W4RCF

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T-Rex 450 is nice but if price is not a consideration, go for the T-Rex 600. I love mine and never flew a heli before in my life, but learning has come quickly and repair parts are very reasonable. So far, I have spent only money for 2 sets of blades. Forget the wooden blades, too, by the way. Glass or better yet carbon fiber is the better choice by far.

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RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 7:38:48 AM

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is there a link to this 600 I can go read about?

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Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

(in reply to W4RCF)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 7:40:04 AM

TrumpetRhapsody

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Walkera is like the Honda of helicopters. Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, decent to fly.
Trex is like the Mercedes of helicopter. Expensive to buy, expensive to fix, awesome to fly.

_____________________________

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RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 7:53:53 AM

TrumpetRhapsody

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I could only send one pic per PM, so I'll just put them here. That is a queen size bed, so there is your size reference.
The antenna will be back in that tube upon shipment.

Here is a Video of me learning to fly it way back when.

Attachments

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< Message edited by TrumpetRhapsody -- 6/29/2007 8:00:13 AM >

_____________________________

HDX-450 SE v3
Walkera Dragonfly #36

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RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 4:26:51 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TrumpetRhapsody

Walkera is like the Honda of helicopters. Cheap to buy, cheap to fix, decent to fly.
Trex is like the Mercedes of helicopter. Expensive to buy, expensive to fix, awesome to fly.

You've never owned a Honda vehicle right? You've got to be kidding. There was two in my house at some point and I have several friends that own them too. This analogy is not true. They were sold because of fixing costs...

Walkera is like those 3 cylinder cars that came out in the 80-90s that broke down in the side of the road all the time. Some were good, most were bad.

The Mercedes of helicopters is hard to judge. I'd say is the Avant, the Miniature Aircraft lines, or the Synergy. All in the 90 nitro class. You could go into the turbine class, but that is stretched limousine all the way.... With a learjet waiting for you at the airport.

The TRex 600 is like a supercharged mustang. If you are going to fly in a park, I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT. This thing is bigger than your old Raptor 30 and much more aggressive.

Visit your local club and make some friends there. This is the safest place to fly.
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

Rafael

< Message edited by Rafael23cc -- 6/29/2007 4:27:40 PM >

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RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 8:05:47 PM

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Jus so you know... Those 3 cyl cars are probably some of the most reliable and cheap to fix cars out on the market to this day. They also produce some of the best gas mileage you can get out of a non hybrid car. They are also very cheaply made into the same speed as your typical Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, while getting 10-15mpg more. I much rather own a clean Geo Metro 3 cyl that has the same features as any honda civic or accord. Also those 3cyl convertibles are worth more than most those civics and alike cars. Also, working on hondas is ridiculiously cheap if you know how to work on your car yourself. Junkyards are anybody's friend.

yaya off topic but its my topic so its ok

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Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

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RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 8:26:24 PM

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So, after we cleared up the maintenance "cost" of a Geo metro VS the Honda, ....

Which helicopter are you planning to get?

I'd suggest going to a local club and possibly finding a local pilot to help you...
http://pilotlocator.net/state.php?state=IN&B1=Submit

Rafael

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Keep your eyes on the sky but your feet on the ground!
www.runryder.net/helicopter/gallery/1469/

(in reply to caseyddr)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 8:47:24 PM

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I'm looking at the Walkera and th T-Rex 450/600 at the moment. It all jus depends on what I decide I can afford, and what I want to give up (or what I have to give up says the lady) to get a different toy. I just don't think I want something tiny, but if I want something as big as the Raptor 30 I owned electric seems to be a much more expensive route. I just don't want to mess with all the nitro crap again. I do miss the sound of it, but thats about the extent of my nitro withdrawal.

_____________________________

Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

(in reply to Rafael23cc)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 9:55:15 PM

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From: Moreno Valley, CA, USA
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Please don't be looking at a Walkera.They are the Yugo of the heli world.In fact stay away from any RTF.
The 450 size is a good starting point but you have remember it's only 26" long so if you are visually challenged you might want to go bigger.
Any way you look at it you will be spending around $1000-1200 for a kit,electronics,batteries and charger for a good reliable 450 heli.

(in reply to caseyddr)

RE: Wanting back into hobby - 6/29/2007 9:58:17 PM

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Thats about what I expected. Would I need different electronics for a 600 opposed to a 450?

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Real Toy is a Suzuki Swift GTi, soon to be turbo'ed, painted, and rebadged geo metro :)

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