Yea, the servos were all fine. The flybar was not even bent,... the paddle just got turned a bit on it.

Too windy to fly still, so I can't tell any progress.

Great...good to hear. In 6 months of owning a CP-Pro...3 complete sets of servos...4 if you count the HS-55's which I still got, I didn't let them go with the heli...they're just too good.

Grounded.... Again.

Wind died down so I took it out. Pretty unstable, so my "flights" were of the 10 second variety. Trying to figure out what is really going on. Finally the odds caught up with me and I popped the tail rotor off. No damage anywhere, but I can't find the pin for the tail and one of the bearings. I don't have a spare, and the hobby store is too far away to make a trip just for this, so I'm grounded again. EDIT: did some more searching and found everything but the piece of fuel tubing to hold the tail rotor on. I'm sure I can find something to use instead of that, but now it looks like thunder and rain are moving in.

I've said in the past how much I like this little heli, but I'm beginning to alter my view based on the last week and a half. 2 weeks ago I was at the park and it was rock solid. Everything was precise and worked well. Hovering and forward flight was all very smooth and I felt ready for some more advanced manuevers. Now this week I don't even feel comfortable hopping it in the air for a few seconds. I know how it flew before, and I know what I'm capable of, so this is very frustrating. I can accept pilot error, but trying to get this ill handling thing going again is killing me. To make matters worse, the closest hobby store to me is zero help, and the store that is helpfull is over an hour away. I gotta try and find someone else locally flying to see if they can help out, but don't really know where to start with that.

I'm looking forward to the TREX that I should have next week. I'm trying not to pretend that a new heli will solve all my problems, but the simple fact is that I had one crash EVER with my Concept .30, and I never crashed my Corona, and now this heli has crashed multiple times. It's all been minor stuff still, but it's really getting to me. I already decided that I was not going to put a lot of money into the blade, and like others have said, every dollar I put into the blade is one less dollar I put into my TREX. Sadly, I won't be able to get the TREX in the air for a bit, so I'll have to suffer a bit longer. I'll still need to buy new radio gear and battery/charger. I'm trying to buy it in a way that the wife won't completely freak out as well.

Pongo,

I was thinking the same thing. I dont know if your are using the stock Tx or not. I have used Pheonix with both the eflite Tx and now with my Dx7. I dont really like it with the eflite tx for 2 reasons.
1 - It does require batt usage. I used energizer 2200mAh NiMH rechargables. They last longer than alkaline and recharge in 10mins.
2 - The Tx is not pogrammable. So with pheonix you will only have one flight mode "idle up" there may be some way to change seting in the sim to unmix things better but I could not figure it out. [:@]

However with the JR (Dx6-7) radios you dont even turn on the Tx. Once you plug in the usb adapter to the Tx it just turns on and I believe is powered by the USB. I dont know this for a fact but I have flown for over a hour with my Dx7 and the battery level didnt change. I set up a "sim" model in the Dx7. It has no swash mixing, All of that is done by the sim. So when I want sim, I select sim, and blade for cpp & ect. Model memory rules.
Pongo, here is a link of the review that sold me on Pheonix [link]http://www.trextuning.com/phoenix.php[/link] Hard not to want t after you read this review.
again I say Hands down, the Dx7 & the sim are the best investments I have made in heli's. They are worth a thousand blades ready to be crashed. [8D]


BARRRICK, Buddy in that pic of you flying the havoc/picco; THAT SMILE IS WHAT THIS HOBBY IS ALL ABOUT!!!!!! Just keep fling the stuff that makes you smile like that. Also really liked that glider setup. Really cool. You just need a recliner at the field so your neck wont get sore.

Happy flyin' all, Noah

NoGuy: That's good info for me. How are you connecting the E-Flight Tx to the sim? Did you have to make your own cable or were you able to buy one?

My current situation is that I have sold off everything but the Blade CP Pro, so that is the only Tx I will have for a bit. My next Tx will be a DX6 (or DX7 if I can swing it) but that might be a while. That's very interesting about the battery level though, and I'd like to confirm that if anybody else knows more. The only times I've seen Phoenix, it's been in the hobby store with a dead Futaba Tx, so I've not been able to try it out yet. That's not a very good selling point for someone that is concerned about killing Tx batteries in a sim! It also tells me that the sim definately uses power from the Tx, at least for Futaba gear.

Saw that review at trextuning too and it's got me interested in it. One of the problems I've had researching this sim is that most of the really positive stuff I've seen has been posted by one guy. He's associated with the sim and it's been coming across as pretty pushy to me. I've seen enough other opinions now though to make me want to buy.

Pongo,
I understand your frustration with this little heli. She is a fragile little thing. For me I have had the best results troubl shooting things by bench testing.
I either strap the thing down or hold the tail just behing the frame (very tight) and crank her up. give all sorts of different inputs on the Tx and just observe very carefully. I also usually do some spool ups with no blades to ensure that that things are in balance and that the flybar is tracking properly. Then if that all seems good. I double check the blade CG & balance. then put them on and start with the bench test observations to look for anything that just doesnt seems right.
I must say you are lucky you have other heli's. This was my only one for a year. I just bought a mini titan so windier days here I come.
There were many times I wanted to stomp on this bcpp. I usually recovereed by stripping the whole thing down and inspecting every part for wear and slowly reassembling it part by part. [:@] I would do spool up test all along the way to test each faze of assembly for balance/vibrations.
Also I agree about bling and mod's I stick to simple and cheap for this little thing. I did go DD a long time ago and that was worth the effort for me. I also bought a cheap telebee HH gyro. And most recently put a slow-max motor in it when I cooked the last stock motor. Other than that I dont spend money on this heli unless it has a broke stock part and then I will replace it. Bottom line though, imo, this is the coolest tiny 3d capable heli out.
For flight performance, bigger is always better. If someone wants to trade me a 90 size nitro for my blade I'll take it anyday. But I dont have $3-4000 so I stick with small electric for now.
this little thing is really at best a fun capable indoor or backyard flyer. Unfortunatly my lhs and eflite marketed it as some sort of end all-be all heli. Once I got over the frustration of it not being that, I enjoy it very much for what it is.

Good luck trouble shooting, as troubleshooting sucks very much. Noah
P.S. Keep a close eye on dapeners, mixing arms, and flybar setup. Most of my mystery probs were usually me overlooking flybar probs. once I even had one mixing arm flipped over and couldn't find that for several flights of poor performance

Choppersrule Here:

Haven't posted for awhile, just busy. Bad time of year for me, to much on my platter.

Sounds like everyone is having a good time with minimal problems. Usually, when I check this thread, any problems have already been responded to and you guys beat me to the punch, hence less input, from the Old Chopper.

Barrick/ Rick, our dearest friend:

Looks like your having a great time with that tiny little heli in your picture. I had one, but never could get it right. Your skills are much more fined tuned than mine. My brain doesn't always understand which way to push the sticks. Take it a day at a time and have some fun during that day.

Pongo:
You could use a small wheel collar to hold the tail rotor on. Keep in mind, that in the event of a crash, things could break. The tubing is a tool used, so that it does pop off.

Noguy:
Like you, always some wind and I guess we just have to deal with it. Crashes or not. I live in Tornado Alley in Indiana, the wind blows all the time. You can look out the window a 6:00 AM and it's to windy to fly. 10:00 PM same thing, to windy. I'll practice, hovering and slow forward, left right nose in, in the garage. Sometimes, it's so windy, I have to keep the garage door closed. Kites maybe better.

Crashcrash:
I just ordered a bunch of stuff from JAGS. The HBK II is pretty sweet for the money.

Dave / Choppersrule

Wheel collar sounds like a good idea. At least until I can get some small fuel tubing. It's raining right now anyways, so I'm still grounded. I may take the extra time to rip the whole thing apart and rebuild. That may be the best way to get all the bugs out anyways.


noguy: How are you connecting the E-Flight Tx to the Phoenix sim? Did you have to make your own cable or were you able to buy one? I don't want to buy the sim if I can't control it, and this may be my only Tx for a bit.

Pongo,

Ok so here again I have to advise on another bad point of the pheonix sim. The stock usb cable that comes with the sim has a JR connector, so if you own a JR or spektrum radio your good to go. Maybe only the JR type controller wont drain Tx batt??? I dont know. However at the time of purchase I did not have my Dx7 yet. I bought the sim from tower hobbies & they did not carry any of the adapters for other Tx brands.... Very poor practice if you ask me. I was forced to buy the adapter direct from the Pheonix folks in the UK. However the shipping time was fair (~ 1 week)
A online seller (amainhobbies.com) that is by my house sells it also and they include the futaba mini adapter but also dont carry the one for esky/eflite controllers []

Here is a link to the manufacturers online selling site for the adapter you would need: [link]http://www.ekmpowershop4.com/ekmps/shops/phoenixrc/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=5[/link] note: in browesing their site for this link I noticed they have continued to add updates to the software that add many new features not just fixes to problems in their coding. Hopefully they will continue with the feature update route for free download instead of trying to sell a whole new version like most software developers do.

IMO if you have to order the adapter from them, you may as well order it all from them.

Again if you have to use a Tx that eats batteries I highly recomend taking a trip down to Wally-world and buying these: [link]http://www.energizer.com/products/rechargeables/[/link] in the 2500mAh version.
Very great product. I use them in my digital camera and they last much longer than alkaline batts and charge up super fast.

I have flown G3.5 and fsOne at the lhs and I am very happy I went with the pheonixRC sim. Even with the troubles that it came with every time I fly realflite at the lhs I pt it down much sooner than before and think to myself that doesnt act like my heli. Its still a sim and depth perception sucks on all of them but I like this one the best. note: I havent flown reflex sim which I hear is also top tear.

Dave,

Yea the wind stinks. It was the main reason I am well over $700 into a 450 size heli now. (which still hasnt left the ground) [:@][:@][:@]
If only I had a huge gym to fly in all of the time I probably would still be totally happy with my bcpp.
I finally found out that a set of CF blades helps with the wind some too... I long avoided buy CF's because of the price. Maybe some plastic's (which I HATE) would do even better for windy days???

Hopefully your hbk will do better in the wind. Its still pretty small though. I saw a Trex 600nitro fly yesterday in about 15-20mph winds and was awe struck. It was more stable in hover than my bcpp if I breath heavy on it. Ohhh if only I had $1500 to waste(wife's pov) on a hobby.

Oh and dave I understand the busy stuff dont worry about it. I am self employed in the excavation industry and normally I cant even get enough sleep in the summer let alone have time for hobby. Unfortunatly the *&^%&'ers in the real estate world built a huge bubble here in CA and it has burst. My biz is very slow. So you all are stuck with me here online toooo much rambling on and on trying to forget my worries. Sorry everybody for being sucha long winded goof. Anyways I have a big contract starting this next week so I will probably just disappear for a while before long. Then you all will save much time in trying to read this thread.

Pongo, One more quick thing... the bcpp is not the only heli that makes people crazy. click [link=http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=43012]here[/link]

maybe this will give you some encouragement or just a good laugh at my expense.

Noah,

Trex 600 Nitro, didn't know they came out yet, I checked them online, WOW! Yeap, you'll see this all over the forum, This Is An Expensive Hobby, to say the least. I've had lot's of helis and over 5 grand now, in about 20 months or so. Still can't help myself, still cheaper than drugs or a Harley. Guess I'm addicted.

Flew the bcp, in the wind today for about 40 seconds and said this sucks. The HBK II is a little better, a little bigger, but still not wind worthy. Currently have the bcp, bcpp, hbkii and trex 450, all well tuned. Hovers Great in the garage, Wind Sucks. Don't like to push the Trex to much, but it sure is a far cry from the others. One great bird.

Yes, I understand your industry too, busy times, hard times, then nothing. Long winded, not a problem, love to hear about everyones experiences. Mine would be dull, only 3 mishaps since around May 7. However, I take it pretty slow and careful. If the winds down, I go pretty aggressive, but that doesn't happen to often this time of year. Two more months, then I'll have lots of flying time.

The HBK II is one good little heli, for the price. The big downfall is the main motor(brushed "super 370" get to hot), need to upgrade that to a brushless from the get go. Just ordered that (B/L Motor) today.


Take Care Dude,

Dave / Choppersrule

New problem. Anyone heard of this problem Cp Pro G90 Gyro Brushless motor 370 park 25Amp ESC All eflite Equipment.
Symptom. Main Motor Looses power after mid throttle and Quits until throttle is lowered to 0 Then same thing if you bring it back up. This is only in Head hold gyro mode. Adjust the Gain to standard rate mode on the TX and it runs normally. Except In idle up Bring the stick down for down blade pitch and the same thing occurs. Loss of main motor power and shut off. Gyro is New ESC is new Brushless motor has less than 10 hours run time cant't be the motor since it runs fine in standard rate mode. Too many Variables for me to figure it out.I don't know if its the 3 in 1 messing up or the ESC or the Gyro causing some glitch. One More symptom. The ESC doesn't want to go into programming mode unless the throttle is Moved left after putting it at full . Tested with another Transmitter Same thing.
Any body who has any experience with something like this a pm or post would be appreciated. Don't really wan't to send it to horrizon and be without it for god knows how long.
Happy Flying Fossoman

Yeah I guess the 600n is out but very hard to come by. The guy I saw flying it is the warehouse manager of a online RC retailer that is located very near me. He said they only got 4 at first and they were gone before they came in. I entered a online raffle to win one. Its $10 and after 72 people buy a $10 tic then a name (1 out of 72) is drawn and someone gets a free 600n. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me... [8D] I never win anything though.

Fossoman, What Tx are you using?

Stock TX Eflite

Noah,

You will win, It's the "LOD", my wife and I have had it for years. It's the "Luck Of the Donut". To long to expain. It's crazy, but works.
Good luck... Let us know how you like it.

Dave / Choppersrule
================================================== ===================================

LOL....Dave tell me about LOD! Especially since you KNOW my LUCK!!!

Fossoman, I dont have bl setup on my blade but i believe that it is connected directly to the batt & motor and then to the Rx, correct??? If this is the case then it seems to me that it can only be a radio prob or a bad esc. and since you say everything works fine in standard rate mode on the gyro. then it is maybe some sort of interferance problem???? It is really hard to say nothing about the situation really seems to make any since. unfortunatley it could be anything at this point.

fossman, it could be a crazy idea, but check and make sure that you've got the gyro on the tail, and it's not somehow on the main... It's probably not the case, and if it's not, then the most likely thing I think would be a problem with the ESC or something.

Oh, one more thing, I dunno if you know, but you're only supposed to have 1 bec hooked up. If you do then great =) If not cut out the red center wire that goes to the brushless esc.

while we're talking setup, you need to also have a servo splitter that will carry the signal to the 3 in 1, and also the BEC power from the 3 in 1 back to the receiver.

probably stuff you already know, but maybe something just to doubel check. I think the brushless setup starts on page 40 in the manual, it might be good to just go back over it and make sure that all of your setup is on the money. One missed setup step can happen to even the best of us =)
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...Pro_Manual.pdf

Ol' Buddy, you are TOO KIND!

I recieved your package in good form today. I was flying some circuits with my TREX, when I saw the mailman drive by. I immediately had a sense it was a good mail day. So I set down the heli, powered down and checked the mail. Sure enough, and nice brown wrapped box FROM: R. BARR.

Like a little kid on christmas, I immediately opened the box and inspected my new toy!

Wow. First impression, this is one well thought out little heli. You can definately see the design similarities to the TREX. Even the canopy has screen cut aways for heat ventilation.

not sure of the charge on the pack, I plugged in one of my BCPP lipos to check the setup. Everything looked good in terms of balance, servo control, and tracking.

So I decided to take her up. As you said she yaws to the left, but with some constant left stick I was able to get a pretty good garage hover for a couple mins.

Rick - this FLIGHTS dedicated to you!

-EDIT-

here's the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8uAB88AnbE

here's some pics.

Lookyj,

Please post your video link, love to see it.
---

Rick, we love ya to death, how are you liking the Sim now? Sounded like your having a good time with it.

Dave / Choppersrule
================================================== ====================================

everything is hooked up right with the ESC It has the 2 splitters on it the battery one and the receiver one The center red wire is cut and insulated. I tried disconnecting the tail motor with the same results so thats not it Now I have to recheck all the receiver connections. The tail responds normally and It will fly now but not with the tx adjusted for Head hold on the knob only when its turned to the left will it work. But even then in idle up pull the stick down like to go inverted and the motor dies out.

Fossoman: Let me see if I am understanding this properly.

Everything is operating normal except the throttle? It sounds like it is somehow reversed from what it should be. Normally when in idle-up mode it would be at 50% at mid stick, and up to 100% at full up or full down. In your case though it goes from 50% at mid stick to 0% with full up or full down?

Fossoman.... I dont know if the reciever could cause your prob or not???? But my Eflite Rx crapped out on me in much the same way. It wasnt so Isolated though. It would just run for a while and then quit sending to the motor out of nowhere, reguardless of gyro or flight mode. Anyways that incident was what finnaly pushed me into the Dx7 purchase.

Feelin' for ya, Noah