JW....Mine does the same thing no matter what mode I put it in. Its really a cheap
bottom of line ESC as far as I can tell.

I switched to an Eflite controller and it was much smoother but the Eflite ESC did
not have long enough leads on it and I couldn't mount it on the side so I'm using
the Heli-Max ESC until I can go down and get a better one.

I think the way Hobbico is stone-walling you is going to hurt them in the long run
because a lot of people read these threads.

Other than that, its a great little heli....so far.

Bob

PS: I email Hobbico yesterday about the problem and I got the same response as you did.
They told me to go buy a better controller.

Bob