Ok time to extend my r/c collection...

Just when i think my house is too full of r/c stuff...i'm now addicted to heli's. I've been mostly a ground guy for a long time...RC10T, RC10GT, Savage SS, Xmod's mustang (gotta have something for those cold boring days) Kyosho superten fw-04 4-stroke on-road and one plane (still collecting dust back home not flown yet) Hobbico 60 trainer.

Well recently, i picked up a Helimax Axe Ez...fun little heli, easy to fly, and great for buzzing around the living room. My friend has a CX2, so now we are having some friendly competitions...spot landing, knocking over army guys etc... I don't think i'll get bored of the heli, especially since i can fly it in the house. And so this is why i say i'm addicted, now i want more.

I'm not looking to go inverted (well not yet atleast ) Right now, i just want to do some FFF, nose in hovering, and other basic stuff. So here is were the dilema begins....

I origanally planned on going with a Helimax CP or a Blade CP...but with the wind down here in Oklahoma i think i've talked myself out of it. I'd be all about getting one of those if I had more opportunities to fly in a large indoors area.

After much practice on Real flight, i think its time to step it up a notch.

So question time...

Electric or Nitro? Been dealing with nitro's on the cars for a while, so shouldn't be too hard to learn to adapt, plus longer time on the field...electric is clean and easy...opinions?

What size? I've seen a few good deals in the buy & sell section for a hirobo shuttle zxx 32

Or maybe a TREX 450?

What i want is a good intermediate level heli; one i can fly outdoors in a low/moderate wind condition (lets say 5-10 mph wind); parts not too hard to find locally or online; not too expensive to start up

Please tell me what ya think, i really don't know much about the heli world yet....all i know so far is that i'm hooked!

The Caliber 3 is a great nitro begginer heli. It is one of the cheapest helis you can come across at NZ$595 for the arf kit. Size 36 Kyosho engine... Gets a bit jumpy in high winds but when winds are low or normal when it is set up properly then it just hangs there (like mine)... It has been made just for begginers... Check out my thread! http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_45..._1/key_/tm.htm

Kevinator9,

Thanks for the quick response...The Caliber 3 does look like a promising heli, but for now i think i'm going to stay away from Kyosho. I've been burned too many times in the past by them...From my previous experience, they create great products, but support just isn't there. Once they come out with a new version, they dump all support for their older models. Example, my fw--04...the only way i can find parts for it is on ebay.

I will take a look at the Caliber 3 though...maybe Kyosho learned about their support issues.

Well, if you want to avoid Kyosho... Thunder Tiger. Get a Raptor 30 or (better) 50. The 50 will last you much longer and isn't any harder to fly, so long as you stick to heavy paddles.

Caliber 3 is brand new (out mid-late last year). Support should be great for a long time still. Maybe it's just in america but I hear people saying kyosho don't supply many parts? For me it's great. I have a Kyosho specialist living 10mins from my house!

Get a Raptor 50 or a Gohbee Stinger 50 (almost the same thing). Best bang for your buck. Electrics are fine, but the upfront cost of batteries and the diminished flight times make it daunting for a new pilot.

Check out some of your local fields and find out what the pilots near you are flying. You can't beat the first hand knowledge and experience at your local fields if you are flying the same model they are flying. Check out http://www.pilotlocator.net and see who is near you. Check AMA and see what clubs are near you.

Indeed. Get what most people around you know about. That's why I went with kyosho.

The real consideration is, where are you going to fly.

If you have a big field (either your own or a club field, NOT a public park) then 30 or 50 size is an option.

If trying to get out to a suitable field is going to limit how much stick time you get (learning helis is all about practice), then you need a parkflier. That means something using 325mm blades or less... in other words, a T-Rex 450, mini-Titan e325, Dragonus 400, or something of that ilk.

Once you have the size sorted, it comes down to local experience and parts supply. Someone you can ask to look at it in person helps a lot, and parts supply is the #1 thing for a first serious heli. If you can't get parts quickly, you have downtime, you don't get the practice, you don't learn.

Space isn't too much of an issue....but would flying in a soccer field where nobody around be considered an issue? I do have a local flying club, and will mostly be heading that way...but for those times when i don't feel like driving, could i fly out there...assuming it's empty.

The raptor is rather intimidating to me....should it be? Is a raptor 30 or 50 a good step up?

First "flying" area for me will be my backyard....a 40'x40' area


Thanks again for all the comments.

Well, if you're going to be flying there, T-Rex size.

Anywhere that isn't either your own property or controlled access is too public for a Raptor, IMO. They're big, they're heavy, and that makes them quite dangerous. That said, they're also easy to fly, which means you're less likely to crash them. But, if you're not going to get the stick time or (worse) going to be tempted to fly them somewhere unsuitable, just get the smaller machine.

I actually find my Raptor relaxing to fly after the T-Rex.