ORIGINAL: HelisRule
Greetings fellow - heliphiles?
Another newb Axe CP learner here. My story covers many years. I first got captivated by R/C when I was about 12 years old and my dad took me into the LHS. I've always been fascinated by aircraft of all types. Of course, when you're 12 you don't think of associated costs with such a hobby, but somehow I talked my dad into at least getting me a kit. It was a TopFlite Headmaster. If that model is unfamiliar to you, it's because we're talking about a model from back in the 70's. As I recall, I think he paid about $30 for the kit, maybe less. I started building it and got all the way to the point where it was ready for Monokote. It actually came with a tissue-paper like covering that was a bit less glamorous than Monokote, to say the least. I had picked up an engine for it and had played around with that, having fabricated a test mounting board where I could run it. The engine was an Enya .40 if my memory serves. I wanted something big enough that I could transfer into something bigger. But alas, I never did finish the plane. I got it to the point where I needed a radio and servos, and the money just wasn't there. Convincing dad to spend what then would have been in the neighborhood of about $150 for a 4 channel radio and servos was just not in the cards. In the meantime, I developed a new fascination for helis. So as teeneagers so often do, I switched gears, and instead of saving for the radio, I saved and bought a helicopter kit. Who remembers the American R/C Mantis? I think I paid about $135 for that kit. Well I won't bore you with that whole story. Suffice it to say it went the same way as the plane. They both remain intact, half-finished in the same basement of my dad's house where I started them.
I never did get any further into R/C but I always remained interested in it. I'm now about the age my dad was then, and although I don't have a 12 year-old, I still have some boy in me and I'm ready to pick up where I left off. So I picked up an Axe CP and have been having fun trying to get it to hover for the last few weeks. And of course, like so many of you I'm learning in my garage, the hard way. and I'm currently awaiting new rotor blades to continue the practicing. Unfortunately, I don't have a LHS where I live anymore. Nearest one is about an hour away and it's a very nice store, but they carry the Blade CP and TRex stuff, not the Axe stuff. So I've been going the Tower Hobbies route. I decided to order a set of training blades along with the standard main blades; I'll keep the sym blades in their pristine state until I get better.
It's been interesting reading the posts here and playing catch-up on all the tricks and tips. You guys have been an invaluable learning tool. At some point, I'm going to go and get the plane and Mantis and finally finish them; looking forward to that.
I haven't gotten a sim, mainly because after convincing the wife that I just had to take up this hobby again, starting out with a $400+ investment for the Axe and a sim would have been a tough sell. Plus I still have to shell out for a lipo setup. What can I say, I guess I married my dad!
But it's ok, she likes nice clothes, so when she goes shopping, I get to go shopping. It's all about the compromise guys! Ha!
Onward...batteries...obviously, I'm ready to get a Lipo, since the stock battery is less than desirable. But I've become overwhelmed with the varying recommendations here and I'm not sure which way to go. It would appear that the most popular battery is the TP1320, but there are various charger/balancer options and it would appear you have all chosen something different. I don't want to break the bank and get the best thing out there, but I don't want bare bones either. I need assistance. Also, what is with all the different connectors?! Anyway, I've rambled enough; don't want to overstay my welcome in my first post. So let's start there. Help!!
Happy Hoverin'!