Okay I cant help myself I have to RANT here. I dont understand why so many of yous are having problems with your CX2's. Ive read all the threads here pertaining to the CX2 and I cant understand why your having issues. Ive had my CX2 for the last 1 1/2 years and it still flys just like the day I bought it with none of the issues im reading about here...? What gives guys...? Ive added the CNC parts...new motors....extended inner shaft and batterys and rebuilt it after adding the parts and added the jetranger fuselage to it. I still have no issues and it flys just fine. I have the newest one with the 2.4 gig tx and ar6100e rx and 3 in 1 board to boot. So what are you guys doing to this thing to have so many issues...? I think your tweaking too much and trying to fly it to hard for its intended purpose is what I think is causing your problems. Leave it alone, add a few parts and fly the thing. So any thoughts...? Grrrr...!

If you look at the length of my reply, you might think there is a flame in here. Nope. I just talk too much. There's nothing wrong with a rant, and you did a great job titling your rant as a RANT! Thank you!
I'm just thinking out loud here, and I'm not trying to hijack your thread.

People come in so many flavors that it's hard to imagine all the variations. There are those who get the CX2 and wonder why they even bother - they go straight to a Blade 400 and just start flying it. They don't even practice much. They fly. That's why I started calling our group "The Collective". None of us knows everything, but if we pool our knowledge the sum of the knowledge is greater than the whole. And that's great. And look at the background of the fliers. I know of a car salesman, a retired gent into his 80's, a school teacher, a PHD in computer science, a building maintenance owner, construction project managers, business owners and hobby shop employees, kids in high school, mechanical designers, CAD drafters - man the list is ENDLESS. And it's all good. These forums are a great place to meet and discuss our hobby, ask a few questions and get on with life.

This whole helicopter thing is foreign to most guys at first. Once we get the concept, it's all good from there. If you find the thread, "Struggling with Single Rotor Basics" you'll find the same questions answered again and again, but that's because there's always someone new coming on board. If it all comes natural to you, relieve your frustration by answering questions. Become a mentor. Trust me, as you progress through the small helicopters into the large Collective Pitch helicopters, you too will have questions. Part of the of the thought behind The Collective is that;
We are all Students.
We are all Teachers.
We are the Collective.

Anyhow, there are some things that some of us either don't quite have our heads wrapped around or we forget an obvious step in the setup. The problem with forgetting the obvious is what prompted me to write the Wiki CX Setup Tips and Tricks. There's nothing really earth shaking in that paper. But it puts a resource in the hands of those of us who get frustrated and forget some obvious step.

Anyhow, there are questions that I've answered a dozen times. And I'll answer them again, but instead of writing a detailed description over and over, I refer them to the Wiki guide so they can actually learn about the coaxial helicopters and why they work as they do. [link=http://www.heli-wiki.com/mediawiki/index.php/HOWTO_Wiki_Overall_CX_and_CX2_Setup]CX setup[/link]
Learning is better than being frustrated and we all work to bring each other along, each at his own pace.

I agree with your comment about some flying too hard and tweaking too much. Once the 4 in 1 OR 3 in 1 is set, why mess with it? If something goes wrong, it's not in the electronics. It could be the original plastic bearing holder on the CX or CX2 (the CX2a has an alloy bearing cup) is a bit warped, could be a slightly bent shaft, could be a little tweak in the flybar, could be a warped blade causing tracking errors - man the list just goes on and on.

I am a flier who has worked hard to get my old CX to accept my hard inputs and not fall out of the sky. And it does just as I command it to do. I fly mine OUTDOORS in winds of nearly 10 mph and it does fine. In fact it does far better in the wind with the stock body than with the boom. I think it's an aero dynamic balance issue. Some say that can't be done. They are wrong. This stuff about intended purpose is bunk. Decide what you want to do and do it. IF it's tough, figure it out. If anyone needs help - HELP THEM.
I'm going back to the Struggling with Single Rotor Basics thread where I hang out. We are 90% single rotor fliers, but we all have a coaxial sitting on a shelf that we mess with during the winter, so the coaxial subjects come up on that thread too.

Hmmm, that turned into a little rant too, didn't it? I feel better now. Thanks for starting the Rant thread douglas4. You're all right and you're invited to the Struggling thread anytime.
Blue skies!
Soloboss

"wow" you reek diplomacy my freind. I like you already. Ive read some of your posts and seen the vids. I like what I saw and heard and you seem smart and quite dedicated to helis as I am. Mind you Im more of an RTF guy, You know ,the" instant gratification" kind. Anyways, ya, Im not really struggling with single rotor basics...I mean its not really rocket science. I have experience with the axe cp before I went the coax route. I will admit "I dont know why" but I really didnt find it all that hard getting the thing off the floor and hovering once it was balanced and trimmined properly...the axe cp I mean. I could hover it with no real problem. *maybe I have the thumbs*.. My biggest mistake was listening to the advice online thats when all my trimming issues and mixer board issues etc started. I should have left the axe cp the way it was out of the box and just flew it. Not to say the online advice is great and there are alot of helpful and very smart savvy heli guys out there *thanks to all* past and present, but Ive learned to take it all with a grain of salt now and read from the side lines and only post when absolutly necessary... I believe now the old saying..."if it aint broke why *f...ck* with it." for lack of a better word. The cx2 was different, it was worthy of u/g'ing, I love the CX2 due to not having to play around with gyro settings and servo links etc etc. Im watching the cp pro 2 right now and the new e-sky "Big Lama" and they are looking pretty darn good. B400 no way too many issues and u/g's to buy to get it even to fly right. I had a crashed one I bought for $100 ,and to see it up close on my desk, way to much hype online before its release, It wasnt what I expected @ all from eflite. I have to say that was a bad RTF they came out with IMO. So you see Im not confused anymore as I was in the beginning stages of this hobby as to what to buy where to get it whats what and whos who and so on and so forth. Ive really educated myself with constant online reading, ok, * i have no life*..un.. unless im flying my heli. he he. or working "of course"...? I have absolutly no interest in 3D flying @ all, just lazy circuits and figure 8's and maybe some fast forward flying but thats the extent of it. For me the less fiddling and tweaking the more time I have to fly. Simple eh..? *wink* Then again Im just a simple guy and thats that as we say.

Excellent post.
This hobby exists at all levels. One of the guys who amazes me is one who started very briefly with a CX2. He went from that to a Blade 400. He fiddled with the B400 for two days, then flew it. He didn't hover it - he flew it. In two months he was teaching the forum auto gyros and soon after he was into 3D stuff. And he did this while stationed in Iraq working as an Army Combat Helicopter pilot. Obviously, he gets it quickly.

There are a couple of us who really prefer the mechanics of the Collective Pitch helicopters to flying them. I'd rather work out the geometry and work R&D than fly. That's why there are R&D engineers and staff - and there are test pilots. I know my place.
As far as collecting and flying helicopters, I'm RTF. I don't want the extra complexity of a programmable transmitter. I believe that part of learning to fly is learning to fly the tail. I don't want to have a heading hold gyro do the work. I want my brain to handle the issue. Like you, I'd rather fly slow but proper flights around the back yard than go 3D.
I'm not willing to put the time and effort (and in this economy, the funds) into a high stakes helicopter. I believe that a good RTF helicopter should provide what's required out of the box. If it doesn't work, it's a bad kit. A good kit doesn't need upgrades to work. It may need upgrades to work better, but it should work at the level intended by the designers of the RTF package. I'm that way with motorcycles too. I don't want a basic Harley that needs $4000 worth of work to make it run hard and handle great. I set the requirements in my mind and went shopping. I came home with a Honda ST1300. RTF - excellent.

So we have a lot in common. I buy RTF and fiddle with things. My CX was the mule for my flybar experiments. My Falcon 40 sports a Slo Max motor, 10 tooth pinion and 8° Xtreme blades with a Blade CP tail motor. It flies great! I had a Belt CP. Too much messing around to make it all work. I sold it. I had a Blade CP and that is like a squirrel on crack! It's gone too. I fly Microsoft Flight Simulator with proper Yoke and Pedals and a pair of excellent custom planes from the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. Spectacularly modeled craft, if you like antique prop planes.

Frustrated? I was, but I'm fine now. The forum does a wonderful job of bringing together a bunch of like minded guys. We get along great. We trade ideas and keep what we like - and politely discard the rest. We're all individuals in our taste for helicopters, but we all support each other's endeavors. I like it there. We are all quite respectful of our individuality, and loaded with "piss and vinegar" if you know what I mean. It's all in the name of fun and camaraderie.

The guys know me because I've been around around forever and they put up with me. I keep my opinions to myself, and as they say,"If you don't have something good to say, say nothing". So I listen a lot.
I've reached the point where I want my Falcon 40 fixed pitch to fly better. I have a few upgrades in mind, but we're talking maybe $150 at the outside. It's a winter project. And the guys are right there with me.

So be who you are and join us if you like. As I noted previously, we all have CX's on a shelf and just because we are on a single rotor thread doesn't prevent coaxial talk. Notice we are also on the Eflight thread and only a few still fly the Blade 400. We have only our love of hobby in common.
Oh, and love of country and support of our soldiers. We are very supportive of our Iraq Soldiers Fund with an ongoing collection to help our guys maintain their helicopters while over seas. Right now we are having a raffle for a new Blade MCX. Tickets are $2.50 with only 200 tickets to be sold. If you care, see the site > ushobbysupply.com
I had to get that plug in. I started the project and Michael, President of US Hobby Supply is a MAJOR supporter doing the majority of the work.

Have a good day!
Soloboss

EEEShhhh..! Good post I dont really know how to answer that one. Pretty loaded will all sorts of stuff. So here goes. I like to also not really voice my opinion cause everybody has one good or bad. What bugs me and has always since getting into this convoluted hobby is the guys who say "get a TREX" get this one or that one. Cripes im not made of money. You right there are all kinds of levels in this hobby and I felt many times intimidated by these guys who ever they are. I almost parted out of the hobby *of which im glad I didnt*. To me its all about what can I afford to crash and maintain and access to parts support *being the biggy* for me. My local LHS has nothing and is way to expensive. I order from greathobbies.com here in Canada C.O.D. I kinda like to fiddle every so slight. What I mean is I like to fiddle to repair not tweak and polish and perfect and make super better. In the words of Tim Allen "more power" argh argh argh lol. No need to upgrade unless your 3D joe getting ready for the nationals etc or what ever event he or she competes in. I like the R&D idea too cause Ive had an idea in my head since getting into helis but not sure if it will work..??? Its based on the piccoz heli and the fixed rotor blade on a stick toy (can buy at any local toy store or science shop), combined, but no flybar or cyclic and uses the tail to steer but on a much larger scale say about 37" rotor diameter. Id have to offset the main shaft approx forward 5 degrees and sideways by 2 degrees to compensate for unwanted drift fore and aft side to side. its an idea but if it ever comes to life who knows. Id still like to try it and see how and if it would work. This hobby has its nuiances and querks and perks and the gratification of being able to hover your RTF machine with confidence like a job well done. Its basically an adrenelin rush...a new drug if you will. I like where I am and maybe one day ill be able to really get her done and fly like the wind. I cant really think of anything else to say to add to your post as there are alot of things in there and I lost track I think. Oh well I get to respond anyway. he he. Oh yes about complexity. I really dont like the complexity of all the different rotor heads out there. Does it really have to be so complex by nature...? What ever happen to simple...less is more...? Then again I dont fly 3D so I see why there are the complex rotor head systems out there.

Almost forgot to ask you what do you think of the new eflite cp pro 2...? and is RC711 a good place to order this larger co-ax from E-sky......?

http://www.rc711.com/shop/product_in...psc1rlk867ocep

http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLH1350

Dear Douglas

People are diferents. And these diferences make this hobby great.

Douglas4 and Soloboss (Our bestest buddy),

Reading all the posts and information from you two folks, I'm thinking you may be some how related.. Such great thoughts without really sticking the knife in someone and twisting it. LMAO

Marcolima, pretty wrapped it up in a few words.

Myself, yep, I get frustrated at some of the same old questions, of what helicopter is better, Get this "A" heli, it's great. Now it's not, it's the "B" heli is much more superiour. Awe, shut up Bill, it's the "C" heli, that knocks the socks off both of them.

MORE POWER, you say.. Hmmmm, maybe not, maybe it's someones skill level..and think they need more power.. Something to think about. Then go for more power.

Me, I'm one of the old Pharts, at 62.. But I like to keep things in perspective. You gotta remember, that whatever question comes up, could be coming from someone as young as 10 years old and is earnest in his request, grasping out for help, from some of the seasoned flyers. Also, I know we have some handicapped fellas out there with questions.

And another thing to dwell on, is budget, money, greenbacks, "C" notes.. Especially the kids and some of the college age guys and gals out there are on a limited budget and looking for a inexpensive way to experience this great hobby we have.

I'm from the Indianapolis area, and in the INDY Star newspaper, there's a section called "Let R Out",,, similar to us RANTING. It's a great read and gives ya what people are thinking about, without offending..

Douglas4,,

You may have started a wonderful thread... Actually, I find this as a great experience too.

Gonna take a nap,

Dave

That is so very true. Everybody has thier differences and like different things. This hobby is the same, all kinds of helis for all kinds of folks different interests. But I will tell you some of the club guys can make you feel intimidated by their bling bling machine and how much money they spent. It was like that in the car club I used to race in. I went thru 5 cars before I bought a good one $1200 total with everything. The performance was way better than the other 4 I had, so it made my skills driving better. Its like a kind of invisible preassure to get something that will keep up with the big boys and be worthy of their approval and feel like you fit in the group. Thats from my own personal experience though. The plane club was the same feeling when I bought the goldberg 550 back in the day. So you see we *different folk* have to stick together and support each other in our endeavors regardless of what others say. Im a firm believer *less is more* and it really can be. So Toy'ish good performing helis it shall be from now on.

Almost forgot. Yes buy what you can afford and enjoy it. Buy what you can afford to crash and fix. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and go fly it again"

Hey Douglas,
I looked at the BIG COAX. WOW! I didn't see that one coming. That's NEAT! Thanks for the link. Anyhow, I don't know if I mentioned it but I did go for a collective pitch helicopter. The first move of the first stick on the first day slammed the thing into my office ceiling and broke it. The damage was minimal, but the set-up was ruined. Many thanks to Dave (chopeprsrule) for very very patiently talking me through the set-up. I did get the rascal to fly, and it was certainly worth the effort. And it WAS a rush! And I sold it.
My heart is with my collective pitch helicopter. My Falcon 40 is modified now and it flies far better than stock. You can't see the changes unless you know what to look for. It is certainly NOT impressive. And I'm fine with that. There is a fellow with a business in Canada -oops, actually two guys started the business and they are over in Calgary, Alberta. The site is www.rotortech.ca. You'll be dealing with Stump3r and Gpatch from the eflight (and other) forums. They are new at the business, but they know their stuff.
I bring this up because Shane (Stum3r) had a terrific idea to make a dandy trainer helicopter. He took a basic Esky King II collective pitch and put a very simple fixed pitch rotor system on it. The heli comes with a good motor, belt driven tail, plenty of upgrades at reasonable cost. The end result is a belt driven tail on a fixed pitch helicopter. So cool and inexpensive to operate.
For me, I'll stick with my motor driven tail. It's cheap and it works fine. The upgrade to a DD (direct dirve) tail would be an advantage. I have a list of goodies to make my helicopter a real athlete if I decide that I care, but like you, I know where the "Good Enough for ME" line is. And like you I'm not out to impress anyone. Heck, my job just went away yesterday, so even the cost of my simple Falcon is too much right now. It's a temporary situation, but right now I'm doing a lot more thinking than fooling around.

And I'm interested in that big Coax! My next purchase was going the other way - to the MCX. With modifications it will fly outside just fine. I fly my CX outside in the breezes. And I also use the Falcon outside. I'm a lousy pilot (actually a Certified Lousy Pilot) but I have enough fun to keep my self amused.

This is the start of a good thread. Low cost helicopters are as fascinating as the big stuff. There's art in keeping it simple.

Thanks, Soloboss

After all my research and fun with my axe cp (sold it) and my now CX2 Im deffinatly keeping it simple. It doesnt have to be expensive to be fun and have the same experience as the CP helis. Ill save the link and check it out. The idea of a belt driven tail appeals to me too. There is another link for the big E-sky heli from an North Carolina website and its 2.4 gig hrtz. check it out...?

http://www.discountrctoys.com/_e/4_C...r_LiPo_RTF.htm

So I didnt get your opinion on the new eflite blade cp pro 2...?