Getting into this sport
 

I'm brand new to the heli sport. Can't find a Blade cx2 any place. I'm wondering would a Blade cp be to much for a beginner? I have read Radds school of rotary flight and would try to follow that. I'm 70 years old and fingers don't move like you younger guys.

Thanks Dave

RE: Getting into this sport
 

I think you would be fine.

Just remember to keep it LOW and use training gear after finishing RADD's.

For what it's worth though, I'd spend the extra 40$ to get the Pro, I honestly believe they are easier to fly than CP's plus they come with a LiPo.

RE: Getting into this sport
 

Wow, that's a tough one. It depends on a lot of things. I bought a CP used on the internet. I'm 54. I just had no luck with it at all, so I bought a new CX. The guy who bought my CP said it flew just fine for him. I'm glad he's happy with it.
It really depends on a lot of things. Some guys are flying a CP in a week and doing well. Others, just don't get it. Some are natural athletes and others can't even shoot pool. Just no consistency in their eye hand coordination.
If you have always had very good eye-hand coordination and you have a large slick floor to practice RAADS and you have spare money to buy replacement parts for the CP and if you really want to fly outdoors in a breeze, then get the CP (or the CP Pro) as bzinfinity says. He has been a reliable source of information on this forum. I trust his opinion.

In my case, the CP was taking too long to learn. I have too many interests and I had to admit to myself that I was not going to put into the CP what it deserved to be flown well. So I got the CX. I don't have a large slick floor, if it's breezy out, I'll fly my airplane, I got aggravated when I had to spend $10 each time a CP rotor blade hit something.

Anyhow, I spent time getting the CX trimmed perfectly. And I took pride in the results. I learned to fly the CX pretty well and I took pride in that. With my varied interests, I find that I don't even need multiple batteries because I only fly for a few minutes at a time. That's my life. I did come up with a way to increase the performance of the heli so it will compete with a light breeze outside. The cost is under $5 and it's an easy mod. Performance is elevated and it's more challenging now. So I'm happy.

It's all in knowing where you are and what you can do. And be honest. And there are CX's and CP's used on-line so you can try a CP and not have to take a total loss if it doesn't work. But don't underestimate the CX. There are a few of us flying the heck out of them and having a good life. (If your local hobby shop (LHS) doesn't have anything for you, look at the sponsors of this forum for the heli so you have support from a shop, or look on ebay and come back to this forum for answers.)

RE: Getting into this sport
 

davndon,

there's some very good advice given already, but let me add my two cents worth. I am almost 63 (see signature), but a YOUNG 63! Are you a young 70 or an old 70? Soloboss made a good point, it all depends on you.

I had flown sailplanes and I had RealFlight G3 before I got my Pro in August, but I don't think this was neccessary. I didn't follow Radd's and broke some blades. When I followed Radd's, I learned how to hover. From there I have progressed to forward flight. I believe most people can learn to fly helis if they follow Radd's.

I waited a month for the Pro to come out because of the improvements it has over the BCP. I then got training gear, flatbottom blades, and an extra set of flybar weights to tame the Pro. Be prepared to put as much (or more) into repairs as you spent for the heli. I WOULD NOT advise you to buy a used heli. Having limited knowledge of helis you wouldn't know if a problem was with you or the heli.

Keep reading all you can in the various forums. There IS good advise there, but there is also so some, shall we say, questionable, advice. As soloboss said, you will figure out who to rely upon. Remember, it is often just a matter of opinion.

My opinion, buy a BCPPro, detune it, follow Radd's, and NEVER GROW OLD!

orlbuzz

RE: Getting into this sport
 

Personally, I bought the CX because of budget and cost issues. Doing so was a mistake. After buying 3 LiPos as spares, upgraded motors, tail boom, and all the aluminum CNC upgrade parts, I spent more than I would have on a CP. Actually, a LOT more. I'm not a great flyer and I don't have experience on a CP. All I'm saying is pick the heli that the experts recommend, and don't let the cost scrare you. In the end, they all cost enough :). What I have is a really cool, upgraded, fancy little CX. However, it's still just a CX. I'll end up getting a CP (or other similarly capable model) anyway. Neall

RE: Getting into this sport
 

Soloboss is right. It all depends on your hand eye co-ordination. I could fly my CX2 where I wanted within the first 30 seconds of my first pack, but that's just me. I've heard of 12 year olds who have picked them up and flown them no prob after their fathers have been trying for weeks. Personaly I think it has to do with the amount of video games our generation plays, lol! :D I would recommend the CX2 as a starter. That will at least teach you how helis control and behave. It won't teach you much about hovering though because it'll almost do that itself. Also repairs are cheap, and there's no tail rotor to flip you over and break everything on a hard landing. If you're going to hit something just kill the throttle, and the CX2 drop safely to the ground.