hello
i want to get in to helicopters, i was wondering if any one can tell all the stuff and tools i need to get started and what would be the best helicopter for me, i was looking towards a E-flight Blade Cx2 to to begin on, or if someone can tell what would be best for me i already have an idea how to fly them. i already can fly rc planes.

Most on this site would agree that the CX2 would be the best bet for a begineer pilot, parts are more available at most LHS then others and it is very easy to fly and once you get the hang of it and it is alot of fun, I fly mine everyday especially if the weather isnt good to go out and fly the bigger heli.

The cx2 impo would probably be a good heli for you to go with (this heli can get boring for some if they advance quickly, but then again higher level heli's can get really frustrating and expensive in replacement parts). It is quite popular, has a proven design, quality parts, has DSM and parts are sold at most LHS's. The CX2 comes with everything you'll need, but I would definately get another 2 or 3 batteries (www.commonsenserc.com 800mAh, or 100mAh 7.4v 8C or 10C packs are what you want and a good place to get batteries), maybe another charger, definately some more blades (upper and lower are different). If you're carrying it around you may want to get a bag for it (like wing totes micro heli bag). Also it would be good for you to know that the motors need to be broken in (check my sticky post in the eletric heli section), and only last up to 20 flight hours and need to be replaced. You might want to upgrade your charger down the road and there are alot of options for that, but for you to get started the stock charger should be good. You might want to look into the fuse mod. I haven't seen that done alot on that heli, but it could save you from your 4 in 1 frying which is about $60 bucks or more. Most parts should be available at your LHS, so I probably wouldn't buy alot of parts, but rather just run down there when you break something. Some good NiMH for the Tx, and a charger for them are also nice, and you can get those at any walmart or simular store.

That should pretty much get you started. If you have any other q's let me know =) And maybe we'll see you over in the eflite forum =)

one other note: the cx2 is basically an indoor heli, or a 0 wind heli. It can handle winds ok, once you learn to fly it, up to 3 to 5 mph, but anything over that will make it crash. This is the case with any coax heli.

if you can't find the stuff I am talking about and need the links, let me know what you need the links to =)

Good points

Thanks alot, you have been a big help and thats the Helicopter i will get, i want to be able to fly a Raptor 50 when i get good at this heli.

Thanks for that, Big Help

Well...the jump from a cx2 to a raptor 50 is a pretty big one. You might be better off investing your money in a good sim, teaching yourself to fly with that, then moving to the raptor when you can fly every heli in the sim. Every heli feels different, and in order to get myself prepared to be able to adjust to a heli with a quickness, I have practiced switching between the helis on my sim. I fly one for a few minutes, then switch to one that has totally different behavior and leave the trim settings for the other heli, then bring the new one in the air and try to get it trimmed as quick as possible. This has helped me alot. a cx2 pretty much hovers itself, while a raptor will take a little more input and attention. I say, get a sim, learn to fly on it, then get the raptor and study EVERYTHING you can find about it for setup and adjustment, get training gear, and go give it a try. Just take it easy the first few times till you get it trimmed, then go from there. The sim will be your friend for a while, cause you can use it to learn new moves without risking your heli. But this is just MY opinion. The choice of course, is up to you. Whatever you decide, good luck and happy flying! Peace.

Thats how i got the idea of flying a helicopter, i have a Reflex flight simulator, but the crotrols are a bit diffrent and i dont know how to fix it.

What do you mean?

The Reflex sim will get you more prepared for a nitro powered heli than a co-ax electric will. Oh, the co-ax will still be fun, but it is so inherently stable that it does little to prepare you for a more responsive and more demanding heli.

As Bugzilla asked, what do you mean by the controls being different?

I'm just about to sell a CX2 with 3/lipos and upgraded rotor shafts.
Like you, I've got an RC aircraft background.
I started with the CX2 - it's inexpensive, tough, and parts are available at most hobby stores.
My recommendation is to buy at least one additional battery, buy aluminum upper and lower rotor shafts (they stock ones will sheer) and sets of upper and lower bad.

From the CX, I went to a blade (with the help of a sim) - it makes the blade look like a simple toy and requires a *lot* more attention.

what i mean by the reflex sim is i can't controll the rudder, i use my JR X2610 in mode 1 where the throttle does nothing.
I'm sick of using the sim and want a real Rc helicopter, i was going to start of with a CX-2 then get a Heli like the T-rex or something like that.

i ended up getting a Esky Lama V3 which is just as good as a E-flight CX-2