Heli Newbie Questions...

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Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/26/2008 11:22:25 PM

Geardaddys

Posts: 216
Joined: 8/21/2006
From: Woodstock, MD, USA
Status: offline

Ok, I've been considering giving an electric heli a try.. Hoping some of you heliheads can point me in the right direction.. I've been flying planes for a few years now and can fly all of the heli's on the RealFlight 3.5 sim fairly well.. (yes, I know it's not the same..).. Anyway In a perfect world, I'd like to buy a electric heli that is very stable for me to get used to, but capable of 3D flying when I'm ready for it.. I like the Blade 400, but I already have a Futaba 9C radio, and don't feel like I need to spend more money for a different radio..

Is there a "best" 400ish sized heli that can be had for about $250.00 that has decent parts availability.. and will allow me to use my current radio? I also have a few 2100MAH 3 cell lipos which I'd like to put to use..

Thanks!

John..

Post #: 1

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 12:06:02 AM

Wolfpackin

Posts: 953
Joined: 6/4/2007
From: Avon, CO, USA
Status: offline

Horizon is releasing the B400 without TX and RX for $269 in April. You'll be able to find it for less.
You could also look at the slightly smaller Esky Belt CP or HBKII. I think those are available ARF.

(in reply to Geardaddys)

Post #: 2

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 12:10:17 AM

stump3r

Posts: 1175
Joined: 10/21/2006
From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Status: offline

Well if you can hold on for a little longer horizon has the Blade 400 PNP coming out, all you need to do is add your rx.
Another option is a BeltCP or Honey Bee King II. You can find them in an ARF format, however this will entail setup and some building to fully kit out.
Tons of options when it comes to these. As a first step into heli's I would recommend jumping on a fixed pitch machine such as a Walkera #4, Honey Bee FP, or Falcon F40. These are pretty much identical birds. The beauty of a fixed pitch machine is it is simple to setup and fix. Most blade strikes are fixed by adjusting the blades and flying. Most major repairs take nothing more than a half hour. With a collective pitch machine, even a simple blade strike can result in hours of repairs and setup. Get your feet wet with a simpler heli then jump on a collective pitch. The fixed pitch cannot do 3D but it is a great trainer.

_____________________________

Life is tough. It''''''''s even tougher when your stupid! - John Wayne
CX2, FourKing FP, CX450SEV2, DX7

(in reply to Geardaddys)

Post #: 3

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 12:32:42 AM

choppersrule

Posts: 3643
Joined: 5/3/2006
From: Greenwood, IN, USA
Status: offline

Geardaddys,

I've been flying the helis for about 3 years, and for the bucks, I'd recommend the Belt-CP, that's under your budget. I don't have a LHS that's close, and do all my parts supplies online, I just consider the shipping costs as part of the hobby. Others will chime in with other helis I'm sure. Parts are resaonable in price. However, take all the information from others, weight and balance, then just JUMP IN. After you get comfortable flying a heli, the skies the limit. All depends on how big your wallet is.

Kinda like the Buick LaSabre's, best bang for the buck.

Here's a link for an RTF Belt-CP: http://www.rchelicoptershop.com/catalog/http://www.rchelicoptershop.com/catalog/ek1he014a-esky-beltcp-yellow-rtf-version-p-300.html

Dave / Choppersrule
====================================================================================

quote:

ORIGINAL: Geardaddys

Ok, I've been considering giving an electric heli a try.. Hoping some of you heliheads can point me in the right direction.. I've been flying planes for a few years now and can fly all of the heli's on the RealFlight 3.5 sim fairly well.. (yes, I know it's not the same..).. Anyway In a perfect world, I'd like to buy a electric heli that is very stable for me to get used to, but capable of 3D flying when I'm ready for it.. I like the Blade 400, but I already have a Futaba 9C radio, and don't feel like I need to spend more money for a different radio..

Is there a "best" 400ish sized heli that can be had for about $250.00 that has decent parts availability.. and will allow me to use my current radio? I also have a few 2100MAH 3 cell lipos which I'd like to put to use..

Thanks!

John..

< Message edited by choppersrule -- 2/27/2008 12:35:24 AM >

_____________________________

"Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss"

(in reply to Geardaddys)

Post #: 4

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 1:40:32 AM

Kaelan

Posts: 353
Joined: 12/6/2005
From: Kingston, GA, USA
Status: offline

take a look at the Black Hawk 450 SE.. the ARF is 269.. the standard version (without metal head and tail is 150.. add your radio gear and servos and go.. here's the 450SE http://www.ka-planes.com/inc/sdetail/1329 Mike at Ka-planes is great to work with and ships VERY fast

_____________________________

Gaui Hurricane 550 CF
HeliPro BlackHawk 450SE

(in reply to choppersrule)

Post #: 5

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 3:12:33 AM

Geardaddys

Posts: 216
Joined: 8/21/2006
From: Woodstock, MD, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for all the input..

The Belt CP seems like a decent ship for the price? Actually seems like it is too inexpensive for what you are getting? Is there anything on that heli that is weak and needs to be upgraded? I saw that you can buy an aluminum head assembly for about 69.00.. is that worth having? I don't understand how they can get all that in a box for 189.00.. Radio is worth at least 95.00.. Battery alone is probably worth 40.00.. etc... etc.. Anyway I think that you can buy the heli without the radio, would it be difficult to use my Futaba 9C to fly this heli?

(in reply to Kaelan)

Post #: 6

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 3:34:59 AM

Kaelan

Posts: 353
Joined: 12/6/2005
From: Kingston, GA, USA
Status: offline

the radio for the belt cp runs about 40-50 bucks.. batteries can be found for 25 bucks at **** yes you can use your radio with the belt-cp.. just just have to make sure the receiver is on the same freq... or swap the receiver to a futaba one just to make sure it works. .. as far as weakness of the belt cp... possibly the ESC.. there have been some reports of them going dead and/or catching on fire. you can swap that as well (lots of options out there for ESC's).. overall, it's a good heli at a great price.. parts are going to be another weakness.. only because very few local places carry Esky.. that leaves online for parts and that means waiting.. there are a lot of places online that ship real fast.. there are some places that ship VERY slow.. ka-planes ships very fast.. banana hobby.. well.. you'd be lucky if they even shipped what you ordered. there's a lot of good info in the Esky section of this site.

now if you asked me to choose between a belt-cp and a blackhawk 450.. I'd say go for the blackhawk.. then again, I'm a bit biased cause I ahve a blackhawk and love it.

_____________________________

Gaui Hurricane 550 CF
HeliPro BlackHawk 450SE

(in reply to Geardaddys)

Post #: 7

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 4:41:04 AM

stump3r

Posts: 1175
Joined: 10/21/2006
From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Status: offline

If you really want to take a whirl with the belt CP talk to Mike at USHobbySupply. I usually buy all my heli gear from Michael. If you let him know you have a tx and just need the components he will take very good care of you.

USHobby Supply

_____________________________

Life is tough. It''''''''s even tougher when your stupid! - John Wayne
CX2, FourKing FP, CX450SEV2, DX7

(in reply to Kaelan)

Post #: 8

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 2/27/2008 7:11:27 AM

Wolfpackin

Posts: 953
Joined: 6/4/2007
From: Avon, CO, USA
Status: offline

IMO, take a good look at the Blade PNP.
I'll bet you'll be able to find them for $239 after the initial release.
I think that's a good price for a very good machine.
Over time you'll be able to upgrade it to be an excellent 400 class heli if you want.

Probably not the easiest heli to learn on but no harder than the others mentioned here.
Except maybe stump3r's sound advice to think about an FP.

(in reply to stump3r)

Post #: 9

RE: Heli Newbie Questions... - 3/7/2008 12:18:23 PM

Cobra1

Posts: 419
Joined: 2/15/2002
From: Monrovia, MD, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Geardaddys

Ok, I've been considering giving an electric heli a try.. Hoping some of you heliheads can point me in the right direction.. I've been flying planes for a few years now and can fly all of the heli's on the RealFlight 3.5 sim fairly well.. (yes, I know it's not the same..).. Anyway In a perfect world, I'd like to buy a electric heli that is very stable for me to get used to, but capable of 3D flying when I'm ready for it.. I like the Blade 400, but I already have a Futaba 9C radio, and don't feel like I need to spend more money for a different radio..

Is there a "best" 400ish sized heli that can be had for about $250.00 that has decent parts availability.. and will allow me to use my current radio? I also have a few 2100MAH 3 cell lipos which I'd like to put to use..

Thanks!

John..

Don't do it - don't go over to the dark side!!!!

(in reply to Geardaddys)

Post #: 10

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