ORIGINAL: agexpert
I have a cordless starter which will turn a DA 50 all day long.
It's called a Heli-Max. I don't know who makes it, but it cost me only $35 a year or so ago. it requires two 6-cell nicd packs @ 20$ a piece, but it's the best starter available.
Hope you can find it. If not, I will sell you mine with batts....I have moved to gas, permanently.
It's probably the Heli-Max MiniMax starter
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLMT5&P=7
I just ordered one last week, should be here on Monday. It uses a gear reduction so it should have excellent torque. I burned up my direct drive tower starter trying to get my heli started. It's amazing how little torque some of the starters actually have. You can grab the cone by hand it keep it from turning with very little effort. The Heli-Max starter looks to be one of the best starters on the market for the price. I'm surprised there is so little information on it in the forums. I'll report back next week and let you know how it works.
Cheers,
Dave