Hey everyone, its been like 6 months since I have been on but I am really looking to get into nitro helis. I have had a belt cp and hours upon hours of practice on Realflight G3.5. I really want a quality model and it to be nitro. It will be flown at a field and at a barren baseball field. What should I look for in a nitro heli. I was thinkin the raptor 30 v2 but I dont know. I need a RTF package, I have the starting equipment and I need it to be less then 700 for sure. Are there any recommendations?

Since you know how to handle a heli, given the training and sim hours, I would suggest go for a 50 size. Various options are available and each model has its advantages. You grow out of the Rappy 30 quickly. I've had mine for almost a year and now I have 2 Rappy 50's. The power is just so much better and the autorotation gearing on the 50 helps a bit when ur learning auto's. Since you live in the USA, I would suggest an Align 600N, don't get the pro with the shaft drive - if you boom strike with a shaft, damage expenses would be a bit more. DON'T get me wrong I love my rappy but parts in the USA for align should be cheap and normally comes in packets of 2 or more and are cheaper than TT, which is normally only 1 part.

Happy fly'n
L0n3i200n

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0161p?&I=LZ2160

I fly a used Century Hawk Sport which is older version of this bird. Century is simple, rugged and easy to repair. I too flew belt CP for over a year before I got the Hawk. You will be amazed and love a 30-50 size helo. 10-15 MPH winds are not a problem. Super smooth and hovers great with very scale type flying. It will be awhile before I grow out of my Hawk. I am a scale only type flier. Best of luck in your choice.

Chris

I see what you are saying, but I found a great deal on a new raptor 30 with the stock engine .39 a nice jr 7 channel radio and a futaba 401 for like 500. I think I will go with that then upgrade later, what gyro should I start with?

The Futaba GY401 is a very good gyro, very easy and lots of info to setup the gyro.
Have a look at www.Raptortechnique.com (best rappy site by miles ). I would look on ebay, sure you could beat 500USD there.(just my 2c worth)


happy fly'n
l0n3i200n

The stuff listed is new, Is buying used ok with helis?

Buying used is normally beter than buying new, since buying used the heli is already setup and sometimes has some BLING on it which cost money. Like upgraded fans, glass blades, metal heads etc. However be very careful when buying used, make sure you know what you buy. Ask for a test flight or look on the net for reviews on the electronics and the heli itself if ur not buying Raptor or Align. ideal would be to have an experienced pilot checkout and OK the bird for you. Only thing with Used is you MUST check it over before you fly it, DON'T assume anything.

Yea I think right now with a low budget that i seem to have I will go with a t rex 450 setup, but I am gonna do it right, with all the best!

Oh. I forgot to add, check for vibrations and foam in the tank when U ask the bloke for a test flight. Listern to the motor, if you it should have a constant sound if not ASK.( the motor part comes with experience so this is where a experienced flier would be handy)

Vibrations / Foam = Bent or out of track items.(Easy way to check if keep an eye on the tail fin when the pilot hovers it)
Ask the pilot to "punch" the stick and check the climbout of the heli, it should climb quickly( a bit slower on a 30 )
Check the frame for cracks/broken pieces and any damages.

let met know if u get something, worth while.

cheer
l0n3i200n

Oh, go for a 7ch or higher when you look for a TX. Then u can use it with a nitro when u upgrade.

Depends. Sometimes it's built well and sometimes its slapped together by the village idiot that doesn't know his locktite from his taco sauce.

HAHAHA that is great...

If you are buying used be sure to do some checking on the individual you are purchasing from i.e. flying/building experience, crash forums, etc...

Personally, if you're buying used, do what you'd do with a used car, get it checked out by someone who knows what they're doing. Maybe the local hobby shop will do it for a fee. With no experience, I'd suggest you stay away from buying it online without ever seeing it fly.

I'd personally suggest you go to the local flying field and ask if anyone wants to sell a 1-3 year old heli with not too many gallons through the engine. I know that most of the guys I fly with have 2-8 helis and would be willing to sell one for a fair price to a new hobbyist.

I would love to go around the field and ask, it seems as though they all love all their helis or they think I am a stupid teenager that will get his hand chopped off by the blade and sue them. I usually hang with the airplane guys at my field to and there seems to be a bitter feud between the two, I am committing blasphemy as I walk over to the heli corner of the field.