I've been running nitro and electric rc trucks for about a year now. I'm brand new at rc flight of any kind, and I was thinking of a mini heli to run inside when my trucks are broke (often) and on rainy days. I was thinking a mini plane but that might be tough to fly in the small confines of my house. So I was thinking of getting a mini heli, and I saw the mini Dragonfly II on Tower. Is this a good heli? I am on a tight budget and wouldn't be able to exceed 300$ in my expenditures. If it is a good starter, should I get the direct drive or geared motor? How big are these things, would I even have room to fly in my house? I like how you call them "beginners" here rather than "nOObs" like on various other RC car/truck websites. Thanks in advance.

Take a look at the Hirobo XRB non-tethered Lama. It was my first "mini" heili designed to fly in-doors. It has countra-rotating blades so it is easier to fly and hover. The blades are foam and inexpensive to replace. ($10.00 per pack of 10 blades)
Heliproz (heliproz.com) should have this heli in stock for $300.00 plus free shipping. The quality of this Hirobo product is really impressive.
The length of the XRB Lama is about 15" It comes ready to fly.

I just looked at that one and it doesn't appeal to me much. Looks more toyish to me.

If you are wanting one to fly in your house check out the rotofly. You pretty much need to go with a sub micro to fly in the house.

How big is the Mini Dragonfly? To me the whole purpose of having a mini is to fly indoors. They can't fly outside well can they?

Micros can handle light wind ok once you learn how to fly but they are a little big to fly in the house. Most have about a 20" rotor span. the rotofly has a 13" span. I don't know the specs on the df but I think it's around 18" to 20". You can hover but not really fly them in the house as they are pretty fast

Hey,
What about the Megatech MegaChopper helicopter? They seem pretty good...but what do I know..

The Mega Chopper is a toy. All it does is go up, you have no control over it. The best one for indoor use (in the house) is the xrb sky robo. I know you think it looks toyish but it is not a toy and flys great right out of the box. If you don't like it's looks you can always buy the carbon fiber frame, it really changes the look of it, more stealth like.

Check out the variety of micro electrics offered by Century helicopters (IMHO they make the best because they make only helicopters - from micro electrics to nitro 30/50/60/90 and gassers.

www.centuryheli.com

They are available through a number of dealers in North America and in my experience have excellent parts support.

I have their fixed pitch Hummingbird V3 (using their standard 7 cell pack) and their Elite CP (using their larger 8 cell optional pack) - both fly very well with about 6 minute run times.

No micro flies as well as a 30 size nitro such as the Hawk Pro, but as micros go these fly very well and can really take a beating.

syclic. how do you like the HB fp? Would you recommend it or if you could do it over would you choose a different one?