Great topic guys..

I have been considering an LMH Corona.. I can't decide between that or the MSComposit Hornet II.. Same price, but the hornet II has CP. It's smaller, so wouldn't handle outdoor flight as well. But, it could be close to being as durable.

The main things about the LMH that make me think it is the one to get over the hornet are:

1. Size - not a "big" full-size chopper, so it doesn't take as much room, won't crash as violently, *in my opinion* smaller choppers are safer. But, it's bigger than the micro choppers, so hopefully more stable.
2. Durable - LMH has proven itself to be nearly indestructable. The micros are tough too since they are so small they don't have the kind of heli destroying energy that the big ones do when they crash, but the micros are not as durable as an LMH.
3. MADE IN USA - This is a biggie for me. What can I say, I'm alarmed at the trade deficit these days, and I am happy to see that some things are still made in this country.

The main things about LMH that make me leary to buy one are:

1. Seems to be a stop of innovation on the part of litemachines.. It's like they create this new style of R/C chopper, and set the R/C Helicopter world on it's ear, then they close the book. No CP option after I'm sure 1000's of requests, No move to a user friendly engine (Say what you want about Norvel's strong reputation for performance, they are NOT easy to use for people that are not VERY experieced with engines). How long have they been promising new crutches in aluminum? Do they actually have one yet? How about carbon fiber? How about that Arlton Gyro for the Corona?
2. Not very strong sales channels.. Why? I've said it here before, if I want to buy something with my hard earned money, why should I have to work to find the product I want, and then just be patient and hope it comes in the mail!! I should be able to go to my LHS and pick one off the shelf and pay for it, and then go play! Very few stores actually carry these, and NO big online stores carry them.. I've said this before too: If they sold these at TowerHobbies (who I trust from lots of transactions going seamlessly), I'd have bought one already.

Here is what I fear: The only reason people are buying LMH helis right now is because there isn't anything exactly like it on the market right now. At first, these choppers were untouchable, but with the Raptor and the Hawk Sport, now the price is no longer an advantage for LMH.. Pretty soon someone else will make one the same size that is just as durable, and then LMH will be obsolete in my opinion.. Don't get me wrong, I like LMH choppers, I really do! I like the company and the story of it's beginnings. I want to support this company with my dollar votes. I just feel like they are loosing ground against the other companies fast, and it bothers me to see that!

**WAKE UP LITEMACHINES** Time to start improving your product. Time to start better marketing and better business sales channels. Time to come out with a micro heli to cash in on some of the micro craze (and plant the seeds for "brand loyalty" when the new micro heli pilot wants to upgrade). Time to use a common engine instead of these finicky Norvels. Big deal that an OS10 weighs a little more for the same power? A little more weight would bring higher rotorhead speed and more stability, right? Plus, OS engines use more standard fuel, easier to get parts for, easier to break in & run, more reliable, etc.. Time to actually make available the things that people have been asking for (or that you have promised) like different crutches, CP, Arlton Gyro for the Corona, etc..

Jason