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RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/15/2008 4:44:41 PM   
chief26


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 5/15/2008
From: Saunderstown, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Hey all,
I'm new to RCU and Helis. I've been flying a CX2 for about 2 weeks solid right now and can fly it to it's fullest extent. I got into RC places last summer. My first plane was an ExtremeFlight Extra 300. Very nice plane. I got G3 at the same time I picked up my plane and have been flying planes and helis on it ever since. I've been following this thread and you have almost convinced me to get a B400 next. I'm 24 and have a pretty good paying IT job so I can swing it. What are some downsides to the B400 as far as learning go?

(in reply to Deftones123)
       Post #: 76

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/15/2008 7:24:22 PM   
DrunkYoda


 

Posts: 281
Joined: 3/22/2007
From: Maineville, OH, USA
Status: offline 		The gyro isn't the best, you might upgrade to a gy401, also the servos seem to be just OK, I recommend the HS56HB or HS65MGs. Other than those maybe upgrade the tail to a nice digital servo like a s9650, all in all about $250 in upgrades, but just hold out until you need em mostly. The gyro and the tail servo are the most important I think after flying the Blade CP/Pro.

Up to you other than that it looks like a really good chopper, even out of the gates. You might go the ARF route and buy stuff instead of buying fully loaded. You'll come out slightly higher in price but way higher in value.

I see some guys on ebay have arf's (minus TX/RX) for around $199-$250, add some decent electronics, as above, and you'll have a pretty good bird in the 400.

As a lot of people say the radio is the most important piece especially for better birds. I recommend either a DX6 or 7 or a nice 2.4 ghz futaba with corresponding Rx. ( I have the DX7)



DY

(in reply to chief26)
       Post #: 77

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/15/2008 8:21:44 PM   
evdreamer


 

Posts: 1723
Joined: 8/12/2007
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Don't get a DX6 since it is only ment for park fliers. You probably want full range so you could use it on your airplane. The DX6i or DX7 are full range transmitters. There are also more options for receivers for those transmitters and the DX6 only has one.

Nick

_____________________________

Since I started this hobby money seems to keep disappearing. :)
Blade CX, Blade CP Pro, T-Rex 450SEV2

(in reply to chief26)
       Post #: 78

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/15/2008 11:03:11 PM   
bubbazanetti


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 10/27/2006
From: x, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I started with the CP...broke it a few times and ended up with it being a CP Pro. I think the pro parts made it a bit better to fly, but still touchy...with any kind of breeze at all. I think part of the problem is the generic radio set...part is the motorized tail...the rest is the light weight...I will stick a spektrum RX in it and see.

I got the B400 and it is quite a bit bigger, has the Spektrum 6i radio. It was a breezy day, and I couldn't wait to fly it. So I did, it was very controllable even with some slight gusts (would be impossible to fly the CP in that wind). Very controllable, great gyro...better control over the tail...and you don't lose voltage when you power the tail motor like the CP does.

I had about a year flying the CP so maybe experience has something to do with it, but I am very comfortable flying the B400...I still have my hands full flying the CP.


I wasn't sure I would like helicopter flying...so buying a cheap all in one was a smart choice...but I don't see myself flying the CP much anymore...maybe with a spektrum rx...

(in reply to evdreamer)
       Post #: 79

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 12:20:35 AM   
Deftones123


 

Posts: 1268
Joined: 10/25/2007
From: orlando, FL, USA
Status: offline 		I wann maybe upgrade the battery pack for the cp pro, to get longer run times, whats a better, most afforable pack?

(in reply to bubbazanetti)
       Post #: 80

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 1:25:41 AM   
DrunkYoda


 

Posts: 281
Joined: 3/22/2007
From: Maineville, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I like the Electrifly 1500mah it seems to do the job though it's a bit heavy. That's the only problem you'll find with the battery sizes. The bigger they get the more heavy the copter and the harder it is to fly 3d etc...

So depends on what you want to do. This battery ^ will give you a pretty decent amount of time in the air but nothing more than a basic hover some forward flight.

Electrifly makes I think 1250s which work better for 3d. I'd say your best bet is to just use the battery that comes with the CP Pro as it is light weight and fits the battery compartment correctly.

Dy

(in reply to Deftones123)
       Post #: 81

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 2:01:04 AM   
Deftones123


 

Posts: 1268
Joined: 10/25/2007
From: orlando, FL, USA
Status: offline 		well as im only a beginner, just starting out with helis I wont be doing any 3d for awhile so the added weight of the battey pack might help me out with learning how to hover and such, how much do those packs run money wise?

(in reply to DrunkYoda)
       Post #: 82

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 3:02:02 AM   
DrunkYoda


 

Posts: 281
Joined: 3/22/2007
From: Maineville, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I think I just spent 49.99 on mine. I have 3 of them. The only issue I've had is if you let them discharge too much you need to jimmy them back working by connecting the Deans connector to the charger ans setting to 1 or 2 cell at 250mah charge rate. I brought 2 I thought were dead back to life this way.

2 thoughts.
The newer batteries are coming with the EC3 (read blade 400/blue bullet type connectors with pos neg in one plug) connectors I think they are called. I still like the deans ultra plug.
I recommend the Celectra charger for the Electrifly batteries. Not the best balancing charger for the bigger batteries but works fine for these. I think it runs about $35.

Ultimately you may be better off with just more batteries from Eflite. Just means you'll have to keep multiples charged. yes the added weight helps out A LOT, so do the superskids for the Blade CP/Pro, SS will cut into flight time, but will save your butt on skid costs.


DY

(in reply to Deftones123)
       Post #: 83

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 3:38:24 AM   
Deftones123


 

Posts: 1268
Joined: 10/25/2007
From: orlando, FL, USA
Status: offline 		lol yeah, I think im just going to buy some more packs from e-flite, I have teo 3 cell 800 mah right now, maybe ill pick up 2 more

(in reply to DrunkYoda)
       Post #: 84

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 3:52:08 AM   
rotarydoc


 

Posts: 711
Joined: 3/17/2008
From: Laurel, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Chief,

The B400 is an excellent heli, as good as most any lower cost collective pitch heli, maybe more so than some, because of it's size and stability. No matter what, it's going to be very difficult to fly compared to the CX2!! If you have the simulator, I have to think you have experimented with the helis? That should give you some idea of the difficulty involved...

The biggest drawback to the B400 as a first CP heli is it's inherent complexity, the rotor head is pretty a pretty complex thing, (the CP pro is quite a bit simpler) and it will need fixing WHEN you crash... its' also a bit heavier than some smaller heli, usually results in more damage WHEN you crash...not IF....LOL

It is also very difficult to find training gear for it at the moment...I have tried, so you'll probably end up making your own...it's not hard, and is mandatory for the new heli pilot...

It is much easier to learn on than say, a CP, or CP Pro, by virtue of it's larger size, and additional stability...and the major plus of a belt driven tail... vs. motor driven...belt driven tails are the way to go!

I went the step up route...CX2, to a CP Pro...to the B400....I could have easily bypassed the CP Pro, and been OK... but to be honest, the little CP Pro is still a lot of fun...not very stable..but fun!!

Hope this helps...

Glenn

(in reply to chief26)
       Post #: 85

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 3:55:25 AM   
rotarydoc


 

Posts: 711
Joined: 3/17/2008
From: Laurel, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Hey Def,

That's what I did, just stuck with the Eflite 800 mAh packs...they fit in nice, and have all the correct connectors, etc.. and if I had taken care of mine, they probably would be in great shape...I abused mine before I knew any better, flying until a noticable power loss...not a good idea!!

I have 4 Eflite stock 800 mAh packs...for plenty of practice !

Let us know when your heli arrives!

Glenn

(in reply to Deftones123)
       Post #: 86

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 3:59:55 AM   
DrunkYoda


 

Posts: 281
Joined: 3/22/2007
From: Maineville, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Yeah can't wait to hear how much fun you had. You have spare parts right LOL jk ok not really.

DY

Just remember most of the fun is in the tinkering/fixing. You'll learn way more about why things work the way they do from this than flying the pre-made choppers.

Got Spindles??? Oh yeah and the 2 (yes you're reading right 2x 1.5 mm hex screw drivers/allan wrenches) you'll need to fix em.

< Message edited by DrunkYoda -- 5/16/2008 4:30:11 AM >

(in reply to rotarydoc)
       Post #: 87

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 1:32:08 PM   
chief26


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 5/15/2008
From: Saunderstown, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for all that Glen! Yes I've been flying them on a sim for about a year, I can hover, do 8s, fly inverted, etc. Still debating on if I really want to drop 5 and commit to the hobby or not... =)

(in reply to DrunkYoda)
       Post #: 88

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/16/2008 7:21:18 PM   
Deftones123


 

Posts: 1268
Joined: 10/25/2007
From: orlando, FL, USA
Status: offline 		yeah I pretty much ordered everything you guys told me to order lol

(in reply to chief26)
       Post #: 89

RE: buying first blade, whats the best? - 5/18/2008 1:11:43 AM   
Deftones123


 

Posts: 1268
Joined: 10/25/2007
From: orlando, FL, USA
Status: offline 		so I haven't gotten my cp pro yet, prob sometime early next week it will be in, got all my parts in though for it, so I finally decided to buy a flight simulator to get good on before I actually fly the heli, so I can maybe cut down on beginner repair costs, I think it was a good investment on my part, instead of wast