ORIGINAL: philip clemmons
I was looking for something easy to learn on and relatively cheap, because I am sure I will crash it. I do think I want something OTHER THAN counter rotating blades though. I have realflight and want to start learning the normal heli controls and channels.
What do you suggest? I had been looking at the Heli-max Axe CPv3, with the training package....................
See, the bolded words are the problem...there really is no such beast!
ANY micro heli...like the one you mention will be very hard to learn on. They are inherently twitchy/unstable due to their small size. It's a catch-22....I've been there....a LOT of us have been there. We think we don't want to spend a lot, but in the long run, with the micro heli's you will end up spending more than twice it's original cost and you will be very frustrated in your learning curve.
So, here is what I recommend, but the caveat is that I do undestand money can be an issue and prohibitive:
If you want to learn without major frustration....if you want as you said "something that is easy to learn on.." get a heli at least 450 size or larger. The difference in stability is like night and day. The minimum I would get is a Blade 400...it comes with everything you need. But the downside to the B400 is that it's a RTF heli and you won't get the build/repair experience for when you crash. If you truly believe you will stay in this hobby, I recommend you get a Trex 450 or Mini Titan or Dragonus 450, etc. You will build it yourself and put your own electronics in it. Yes, the initial cost will give you sticker shock, but it is well worth it. You will not be as frustrated, you won't have to upgrade anything, and you will crash less!
I also highly recommend a simulator...Phoenix is generally the preffered one for heli's but Realflight isn't bad either. There's a basic free one over at helifreak as well in the simulator section. Lastly do a search on RADDs School of Rotary Flight and folllow it to a 'T'.
Heli's aren't cheap!
Good luck,
Skarn