Piccolo question
 

I am thinking about getting the fun version. My question is can I upgrade it so it will have collective pitch? And what is the difference between the fun and eco versions?

RE: Piccolo question
 

Yes, the Fun can be upgraded to the CP version. Start with a Fun and a few minor upgrades. Learn to hover, learn nose in, learn to fly circuits. Doing this with the more robust FP setup is less frustrating and cheaper to maintain.
Then upgrade to CP.

Fun has plastic bushings, steel main shaft, steel tail shaft and a foam canopy.
Eco has bearings, CF shafts and a vac-form canopy.

I recommend getting the Fun, with bearings and an aluminum hub.
I HIGHLY recommend Lithium Polymer batteries over nicad or nimh.
I also recommend [link=http://www.helihobby.com/html/separate_electronics.html]seperates[/link] over the piccoboard.

Learn everything Piccolo. Read the [link=http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=138982&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1]Welcome post on the Ikarus board[/link]. Read (re-read and read again) [link=http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=138982&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1]Paul's site[/link].

RE: Piccolo question
 

Would you reccomend going "seperates" over the the piccoboard pro?

RE: Piccolo question
 

I am going to get the piccoboard, because if you get one of the accessory combos for it the whole thin including the heli is $250. Does anybody think I need the headinglock module too?

RE: Piccolo question
 

Also, since it is fixed pitch, Can I just use my r/c airplane transmitter without changing anything?

RE: Piccolo question
 

You will need a helicopter radio if you want to go seperates(I highly recomend) or at least a really good HH.

If you just want to use your airplane radio you will need to use a mixer such as the picoboard.

cheers
tomflier

RE: Piccolo question
 

You can fly a FP heli with a non-heli, 4 channel transmitter.
You will need to use some kind of onboard mixing. Either the Piccoboard or a HH gyro.

If you know that you will be going CP, considder getting a decent heli capable transmitter with 5 point mixing.
The Futaba 9CH in a transmitter only package is around $280.

Buy and fly the FP model on whatever transmitter you have now. Once you have conquered the hover, you will know if the bug bite is permanent enough to consider the additional purchase of a better transmitter. You can likely sell your current transmitter online.

RE: Piccolo question
 

The 9C is an excellent radio...You might want to just start out on that and not wast money on any other transmitter.

This would be the last one you need because it does pretty much everything.

9C = [8D]:D;)

tomflier

RE: Piccolo question
 

Do you think I should get the headinglock module?

RE: Piccolo question
 

Is this an alumin hub like you were talking about, Vince?

RE: Piccolo question
 

That aluminum hub should do the trick. Which supplier is that picture from?

Here are the two configurations that I think work out best for the Piccolo starting point

#1
Pic Fun - bearings - aluminum hub - CNC Anti Rotation Link
2 cell LiPo pack(s) and charger
CSM HLG200 HH Gyro
2 ESC (gws100 and gws50 OR 2x Pixie7P)

#2
Pic Fun - bearings - aluminum hub - CNC Anti Rotation Link
3 cell LiPo pack(s) and charger
Futaba gy240 HH Gyro
gws100 or pixie7P main ESC
schulze slim 105he tail ESC

Both of these configurations can let you swap out the main ESC and main motor for a brushless motor and controller. I used an Astro 010 (10T) and phoenix 10. Makes for a light, powerful heli. even on 2 cell LiPo power. I am never in a position where more throttle does not give me an instanteneous jump upward. (or sideways into the house) (or sideways into the tree) (or the fence) (or me) (gosh I wish I could fly better!) :-)

RE: Piccolo question
 

Vince,

Have you any experience with the Piccoboard pro? Do you feel going seperates is ultimate route? I'm not talking about money savings at this point. I mean functionality.

Nick

RE: Piccolo question
 

Hi Razmo,
Brother #2 used a Piccoboard until the magic smoke escaped. I do not know which version of the board it was. I do know that the most experienced, knowledgable piccolo people alive report that the Piccoboard does not behave as a true head hold gyro. It is close. It does the job. But seperates with a true head hold gyro will perform that task better.

Brother #2 is still early in his use of the hlg200 gyro, so it is early for me to be able to make comparisons. I did use his hlg200 in my picc before putting it in his (the advantage of being the one to order the parts!). It behaved for me axactly as it should. The tail stayed where it was, through different throttle and cyclic inputs. Very similar to the Futaba gy240, but a lot lighter.

Yes, I believe that seperates is the best way to go functionality wise. I also feel it is the best way to go cost wise. Why replace all 3 components if only 1 is broken?

RE: Piccolo question
 

[sm=thumbup.gif]

Thanks Vince

I was reading thru my Dec issue of Model Helicopter World last night. I guess CSM has a new nifty tiny piezo HH gyro available.

RE: Piccolo question
 

I was also reading on the new BBT Gyroner. (a combined interactive gyro with rotor govener)VERY COOL. But for much larger helis.

RE: Piccolo question
 

Hey Vince,

You felt the CSM hlg200 (i'm guessing you mean the lighter version) was alot lighter than the futaba gy240? Or just the opposite?

I'm looking to put together the best flying piccolo or hornet. Money not really issue but of course don't want to over spend. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks

RE: Piccolo question
 

it is from helihobby.com

RE: Piccolo question
 

The CSM HLG200 is lighter than the Futaba GY240. By a lot.

Futaba gy240 is 25g. It can be [link=http://www.netpackx.com/html/gy240.html]lightened down[/link] to about 17 G

A factory lightened CSM HLG200 is 6 grams.

Both are very good HH gyros. I have used both.
Both have drawbacks.

The Futaba is heavy. This is less critical with LiPo batteries, with their much higher energy density than NiCads and NiMH batteries. We can afford to carry around a few extra grams and still get 10 minute, 15 minute or longer flights.

The CSM has a problem with high voltage applications. It behaves perfectly with a 2 cell LiPo pack. With a 3 cell pack, many have reported tail wag that cannot be removed with the gain setting. Some have reported that different tail ESCs reduce or remove this. Others have reported that detuning the tail by cutting the blades helps.

If you are looking for a light FP that you will be able to bang around the livingroom, go with 2 cell LiPo and the CSM.

If you are looking for higher power, with the possibility of flying outdoors, or the possibility of going CP in the future, go with 3 cell LiPos and the Futaba.

RE: Piccolo question
 

I have this radio. [link]http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk31.html[/link] It only has 3 point mixing though. Do you think it would be decent for using if i get the cp conversion?

RE: Piccolo question
 

I am not really familiar with ohter heli transmitters, but current wisdon is to go for a transmitter with at least 5 point revo/thruttle curve mixing.
I got the Futaba 9CH. It handles my FP well.

RE: Piccolo question
 

what are the advantages of 5 point mixing?

RE: Piccolo question
 

5 point mixing is more accurate as you can tell the radio a more accurate amount of input to be more precise.

Other radios only offer a few points and your are unable to make the channel(tail) be as aligned with the main motor.

tomfier

RE: Piccolo question
 

With the 3 point system there are places in the curve that are either too much or not enough and you cant change it. If you do change it then it is wrong at another point. Helis are extremely persnickety and require just the right amounts of throttle and tail mix to keep from drifting sideways. You already have your hands full hovering, keeping the tail in line takes even more concentration. Its not like you cant flly with a 3 point but a 5 point makes it that much easier.

Vinces brother #1

RE: Piccolo question
 

Another thought on heli transmitters - I do know that for a FP bird, you turn off all of the heli-style mixes when you use a HH gyro. I could be wrong, but I believe that you do the same with a CP if you are using a HH gyro.
If this is the case, FP and CP should be relatively happy with a simple transmitter and a HH gyro.
I guess that I really need to make it clear that I am NOT a CP guy with experience in all the CP issues. I hope to be some day, but currently the FP learning curve has me busy.
Now, let me say something that I have said before; to learn about everything Piccolo, go [link=http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1]here[/link] and ask the worlds biggest collection of Piccolo experts.

RE: Piccolo question
 

When you have a HH Gyro with CP all mixes will not be off because CP(CCPM-Collective Cyclic Pitch Mixing) requires mixing. :)

If you have a FP and HH Gyro the heli mixing CAN be turned off exept for the Revo if you are using seperates, exept, I haven't turned any off on my 9C so maybe they don't have to be turned off.(at least on my radio)

tomflier