Bought an RC helicopter that broke - receiver burnt out - within the first 3 minutes of flight. I sent that receiver back fro replacement (this was bought on eBay.)

To keep flying in the meantime, and because the original was for my father and I decided I'd like one, I found a local hobby store (here on RCUniverse) and bought the Hobby Source XR-1.

Out of the box, the tail rotor on that copter didn't repond correctly, and within 3 minutes stopped spinning completely. Neither the hobby store or Hobby Source will accept a return. Hobby Source has issued an RMA and will replace it, but I don't want to be going through mail-in returns on two helicopters. It seems that RC electrics are inherantly fragile, and I've gotten about 6 minutes of practice flight out of $500 worth of helicopters.

Any advice.

Try and find someone local with experience in electrics. To burn out two in short order sounds like you may be doing something wrong.

I didn't burn them out. The first one out of the box, on first use, the tail rotor barely spun then completely stopped.

The second - again pre-assembled and out of the box - on first use it suddenly spun up to full and began smoking.

All I'm doing is plugging in a battery.

I don't want this type of trouble and these seemingly unscrupulous companies will not refund.

The local guy I found was the one who sold me the second copter. Now I have to send that back in for a turn around of two weeks, and neither the hobby shop nor the manufacturor will refund this item.

I don't want two copters in limbo, but that's what I have. The first one now the receiver is on the way back to the seller for replacement, and this XR-1 now has to be sent back to replace in two weeks. It seems like these people just want to sell the copters, and then they'll gladly replace the out of the box broken parts, but the customer is at their mercy with nothing to fly for weeks at a time.

Wow.

when you buy cheap electronic crap, thats what you get. Sorry to be so direct, but thats the way it is. The disposable heli market works that way too. You are at their mercy once you pay for it. The stuff doesn't work well, and doesn't fly well.

Thats why you keep seeing us say to get good equipt or don't get any at all. Now you have more in two helis that don't work than you would have had in a good used raptor 30.

go figure eh.

You are not alone. My first heli that i bought was a humming bird w/ cheap radio that came with it. It worked for about 5 minutes, then whenever it wanted. I was trying to figure out why the heli was doing what it wanted thinking it was my fault but it was just a really crappy radio. Long story short. Cant cut too many corners in helis, like others say, save up and buy something good. Might take you longer but the overall effect is much bigger. Read up on a heli, do your homework, buy the equipment you need and you'll get there (even if it takes you a few months to put everything u need together)... do it slowley but surley.

Gas copter is not an option here because my father wouldn't be able to deal with the fumes.

The 'Hobby Source' from whom I purchased the XR-1 is willing to replace the copter, and suggested I try to sell it. I will try to recoup the cost that way and let someone else deal with this oft failing thing. Hobby Source will also ship directly to my buyer.

The Hobby Store here in Houston had no policy about no returns, and in fact told me that it's better to buy local so if something goes wrong there isn't a lot of mailing things. I reminded them of that, and pointed out I'm now stuck dealing with an out of state manufacturor and mailing things. I have made a claim with the CC company and reported to the BBB and a local chamber of commerce. This shop sold me a defective item and is making me eat the cost while an out of state dealer takes weeks to possibly make it right.

The hobby store also told me I better not call the CC company, because they'd have me put in jail for fraud. We'll see.

The BBB will go a long way toward fixing a legit problem with a US based company. They'll even go so far as to take them to "mini court" for free (you have to be there).

I've had to use them 3 times, or be screwed. Each time, the company did what they should have in the first place, but only after they got a call from the BBB. And I'm EXTREMELY easy to please.

Fumes from a "gas" (nitro) heli are really not a problem. But beyond that, electric should not be confused with cheap. A decent electric heli (joker, eolo, eco, etc.) cost as much or more than a comparable IC bird. There are LOTS of cobbled together crap mini helis out there (and a few really good ones). You have to do the legwork or run the risk of buying a POS.

Elmo Te

hi is there a mod for the hummingbird to use a shaft drive rear tail

I've had MS Composit Hornet for 2 years. It's a great little FP electric. It is definately not something you want to fly outside in the wind though. Once I get my Ergo 60 in the air, my next purchase is going to be a Hornet II collective pitch. If you are looking for something as little bigger, I would look into an Eco. Hobby Lobby sells them. I will agree with Elmo. The fumes from a nitro bird should not be an issue, since you or your dad are probably not going to be hovering the thing 6 inches from your head. There are a few good electrics out there, but I would definately consider a nitro bird.

is the hummingbird a good heli

So which are 'crap' helis? Combined these two RC electrics cost $500.

One thing I don't understand is how I buy one from a hobby shop, take it out of the box, try to run it and it's not working out of the box. It is now, as far as the hobby shop and manufacturer are concerned, my responsibility to pay to ship it back to the manufacturer and wait two weeks to receive a replacement.

So far the BBB has not called back and I'm hoping to list the replacement online for sale and recoup my money for this disaster that way.

This local hobby shop - Mom's Hobbies, Remote Control Hobbies, Wholesale Hobbies(http://www.remotecontrolhobbies.com/), yes it goes under all those different names - should be responsible that merchandise sold by it is in working condition.

Don't give up! I just got my first real controlled hover today (all of about 10 seconds, but gotta start somewhere huh?) and all of these troubles will pale into nothing once you get some flying time.

Don't worry about the hobby shop coming back at you if you call the CC company. What happens there is you file your complaint, they are given time to respond, and you can rebut. Then the CC company makes a determination and you either get the money back or they pay the shop. The whole time this goes on, they hold the money from the shop for the purchase. If they have paid already, they pull it right back out of their account. The hobby shop can't come back on you for anything so don't worry about that. They should actually be the ones making it right and sending it back.

Hope you get it fixed.

So I spoke to a local trainer who told me to get out of Electric Copters and into nitro...and he said the minimum investment is about $2300 including training sessions and help with building.

WOW.

Okay, while I would agree about getting out of the micro's and into the nitros (I myself like the micros, but only as an indoor alternative to the simulator...). However, if he told you the minimum investment was $2300, he's smoking crack... You certainly COULD spend that much, but you definately don't have to... First and foremost you can always buy used... But even buying new, you figure $400 for a raptor 30.... $500 for a decent radio and servos (futaba 9ch or JR 9103)... $200 for a GOOD gyro and T/R servo... Maybe another $200 or $300 in some basic equipment (fuel pump, power panel, ni-starter, pitch gauge, tach, etc...) Your looking at $1300 or so.... And that's with NICE equipment, not cheaping out...

Now I'll move on to the BIG picture... If he's even THINKING of charging you for help building and or "flying lessons", flip him the bird and run the hell away (assuming he's bigger than you are... Otherwise flip him the bird and make him run away)... Almost ANY heli pilot at a local field/club should be MORE than happy to help you as much as possible... Most of us LOVE helping others out, especially getting others interested in the hobby... If for some reason this "local jerk" is your only alternative, then my advice would be to go with a raptor as stated above, and do some SERIOUS research (i.e. read the HELL out of) www.raptortechnique.com. It's not a replacement for a helping hand, but it is damn sure a close second! Follow his instructions to the T, and chances are you'll be just fine on your own... Besides you can always ask questions in these forums and generally get a ton of answers pretty quickly... Hell you can write me any time with any questions and I'll do my best to give you what help I can... (Only $25 per question payable through PayPal... ) Seriously though, NOBODY should have to pay for "help" in this hobby.... And that price is WAY inflated... It's not a cheap hobby by any means, but it's not THAT bad! For that matter I would highly suggest you start with a sim first anyway (RealFlight G2, Reflex XTR, or Aerofly Pro Deluxe), stay away from FMS (too unrealistic) and G3 (no heli support till later in the year, and having lots of physics issues)... They are actually a HELL of a lot more fun than you would think, and you can REALLY learn a LOT... You get good flying a heli on any one of the above mentioned sims, and I assure you you will have no problem your first trip out with the real one. Practice Practice Practice...

AMEN Rusirius! I have been in this hobby on and off for the last 6 years, and have NEVER had any problems finding help with building, setting up, or learning to fly. I think the ones that have to charge for lessons are a disgrace to the hobby. Unless of course that is their business and they are an honest to god expert (probably few and far between). After all, that is what it is.... a Hobby... we do it because we love to do it. And so is the reason for this forum. I think the wealth of knowledge that is archived here outdoes the notes of any top expert in RC helis. It will definately not cost you $2300 to get you up and flying. Hell, it didn't even cost me close to that for my Ergo 60, servos, gyro, and radio.... and I got some pretty good stuff!... Rusirius is nuts on! If you want an idea what to get, do a search of the archives... there is alot of info posted out there.

You'll always get people telling you that 'you must buy a nitro heli' . My advise - dont listen make up your mind for yourself
Its always a good investment to buy the best radio you can afford first

People that i know at my flying club are nearly always willing to teach for free.
With electric helis if you do enough research you'll probably be able to train yourself.

He included the price of the simulator, price of about 15 hours of lessons, price of assembling the copter. His premise was that lessons and assembly from a practiced vet avoid a lot of mistakes, crashes, cost etc.

I really just want something for indoors my father can fly. The two electric RC's I purchased went bad (first within four flights - never really off the ground) the second right out of the box didn't work (they won't refund but will replace if I pay shipping.)

Personal experience and lots of time in the forums has taught me that MOST of the FP helis are actually pretty sound. The basic design has been cloned by many different manufacturers and for the most part is decent.

What IS bad with many, is the included electronics and radio systems. IMHO, many are not worth the solder they are assembled with.

I personally recommend (if staying with electric FP machines) to buy and build yourself kit from a well known, reputable manufacturer. Purchase and install seperate electronic equipment of your choosing. The low end cost is actually quite competitive with a RTF machine and you end up with a much easier, better flying helicopter in the end. AND, the most of the equipment can transfered to your next machine.