For a new heli pilot what mode should i get my spektrum dx7 in mode one or mode two?

99 percent of the US, and most of the world, is mode 2

Mode 2 is the common mode, and most people fly mode 2, i do not think i have ever seen a mode 1 heli pilot, Not saying they are not any, just not common, I fly mode 2 but know how to fly mode one, mostly older flyers from the 60s fly on mode one, its smooother in pattern type flying.
More people will be able to help you with mode 2.

I belong to 3 clubs, two with over 150 members each. I know 2 people that fly mode 1 and none that fly helis that way.

There's a few of the overseas guys that fly helis mode 1 but I just cant even picture it, it hurts my brain to think about it

coo guys thanks alot looks like its mode two for me then.

I've flown Mode I for 40 plus years. Yes, old pattern flyers liked it, but the RC world wanted a stick like a real airplane. I fly a Trex 600 and every type airplane except jets - all on Mode I. Why use one hand to fly when you can use two? Okay, just jerking y'all chain. The one that is the most fun is the one to flly. Isn't that what RC modelling all about?

Happy flying!

Bill

I have been wondering. What are modes? Whats the difference between them?

There are three mode that two control stick can be arranged (I,II,III). Mode ll is step up so when the right stick is pushed forward/reverse, one got down/up elevator. Pushing left/right on the same right stick gave left/right aileron, very similar to a full sized airplane. The left stick gave throttle when pushed forward/back and rudder was controlled by push left/right. At one time there were transmitters that had one stick with a big twist knob on the end of the stick. This transmitters was also step up so when the stick was pushed forward/reverse, one got down/up elevator. Left/right stick gave left/right aileron. Twisting the big knob on the end of the stick gave rudder. It kinda went away because nobody liked it. Mode I was preferred by Pattern fliers because they felt a more precise control was possible by "spilting the sticks." Putting the throttle on the right with the ailerons and the elevator on the left with the rudder. Imagine a very long slooooow roll, the throttle is all the way forward and the right stick is pushed left (or right). At that time , there is no interaction between the ailerons and any other function because the throttle is all ready pushed all the way forward. This input is "locked in" and remains constant. As the plane rolls, rudder can very precisely be added and upon entering and exiting the inverted phase of the roll, the elevator can hold up the nose, then back to the rudder and exit the manuver. Think about it. The right stick is nailed down and you simply follow the roll action with the left stick by making 270 degree circle (right rudder, blend in down elevator while blending out the right rudder then the reverse). BTW There is a mode III, but in 50 years of modelling, I've never seen it used. Wow! I didn mean to take so much time to answer your question.

I'm not going to proof this because I might find something else to add. Nuff said!

Happy flying, Bill