I'm a long time fixed wing guy. Have 16+ years flying all kinds of planes...most recently I'm into the giant scale stuff.

I've been thinking about getting into helicopters, and doing a lot of research.

I'm leaning toward a Raptor for my first heli, but the Nexus is $100 less (at least on Tower's web site). Is the Raptor $100 better than a Nexus?

One more question...most people are saying to get the Futaba 401 gyro... they think it's the best for a beginner.

Any comments?

Doug Brindle
Greenwood (Indianapolis) Indiana

I am currently a hardcore Raptor fanatic! I have had Shuttles, Concepts, Nexus, and now have 3 raptors with another 50 on order. (I also currently have an x-cell 30/46, x-cell 60se and Furry, and had a x-cell 50 for a few years). I have found over the years, every new 30 model was a step forward as far as offering better product. I would go with the Raptor, easier to setup, it flies great! for the price, low repair costs (due to not breaking everything when it does crash) and fast to repair after a crash. The Raptor is definately 100 bucks better.

DONT TAKE MY WORD FOR WHICH IS BETTER!
(OR ANYONE ELSES FOR THAT MATTER!)

Visit your local flying field, or one that is closest to you and see what is (common) there. THEY may be of great help in the future, and if you have something they are not that knowledgabe with, they would be limited on the valuable help that they could provide.

The 401 is a great all around gyro! You will not grow out of it! It's easy to set up, has a matched servo (that would be the way you should buy it) can fly in both normal gyro mode, and hh (heading hold) mode.

Good luck!

Jeff

Get the raptor i when i started into helis my first was a nexus. then i got a raptor. it flys a lot better and is 3d ready out of the box plus ther are a lot of upgrades out there for it. The price for parts are better for the raptor also. Iam talking abought the 30 size raptor ok. the 60 size is another story.I have since sold my raptor which i think was a very good heli, I now have a x-cell 60 size.

Doug,
Go to www.heliproz.com or www.rcheli.com/index.html for on-line two very nice heli stores. They have much better prices in most cases.

Regards,
Tom

I have a Really great nexus. After alot of parts upgrades. It really performs awsome! It is great cuz nobody who sees it thinks nuxus can 3d well. They can't stock but add lots of bearings and a few metal parts torq tube ect ect.. Lots of set up time LOTS Wow what a waste.

The raptor out of the box is alot better !!!! and easier to set up

A nexus can be made to rock and roll. but is it worth the time and $$$

Doug,
When Shegitada Taya's Raptor hit the market
almost three years ago now, you should have
seen all the nexi hit the for sale forums.
It is the premiere starter heli on the market!
Get the OS32sx-h and learn to fly!
You'll be glad you did.
Byron 3 rappys and a mighty fine Quick 30 Pro.

I was the Kyosho Field rep in the NW when the Rappy's hit the market. I had a great flying Nexus Deluxe and it took a lot of upgrades and custom made stuff to get that way. After one year there were almost no kyosho heli's to be seen. I would go to fun fly's and not see a single nexus and maybe 1 Concept VR. The Rappy is the way to go. Yes it is $100 better and after a crash it will be $100 cheeper to fix.

You are waisting your money on both of your choices.

Go with the Hirbo Sceadu 30. Yes, it does cost alittle more initially but you don't have to buy alot of upgrade parts to get a very good machine. If you would like to see one fly you are more than welcome to check mine out. I have had Raptor and Nexus and the flying characteristics and quality of either machine is not even close to the Sceadu.

squirrel

PS:

If you want to meet I live 30 miles west of Fort wayne and fly in Huntington In at the reservoir on hwy 5. Then I can show you the Sceadu and a real heli, a Bergen gasser( www.bergenrc.com ).

Hey Doug,
Take a drive to that LHS the northeast side. They have them cheaper than tower, will help you set it up after you build it and they stock parts! I'm talking about the Raptor. I've been flying a Nexus. A buddy let me fly his raptor the other day. While there wasn't any real difference in hover, forward flight and aerobatics are definitely superior.
Heli's are definitely a different bird!
Good Luck,,, basmntdweller

Doug,

I own and fly both of the plastic heli's. The Nexus was a great little heli to learn with, however I soon out grew it. The Rappy is a better choice for those who have some flight time under their belts, either fixed or swingwing. If I could only have one heli, the Rappy would be my choice.

Welcome to the world of heli's. I wish you well and many happy landings.

The Raptor is not a waste of money. If it was over 1/2 +->< of the heli pilots out there have wasted their money. Numbers do not lie. The Sceadu is a great heli and it is better than the Rappy (you get what you pay for) but to say the rappy is a waste of money is going a little overboard. The Rappy has reenergized the entire hobby. I do not think the Sceadu would even have been produced if it werent for the success of the Rappy.

get the raptor

i have a cyclone 11
hawk111
i had 2 nexsus 30s helis
if you need to replace anything on the nexsus you will need a fat wallet
a total waste of time i would go as far to say junk
i was happy to get rid of them
when i bought the hawk
the first flight i thought why did i buy the nexsus i went home and put them up for sale
the cyclone 11 is an old 50 size heli great heli but i cant get the parts for it any more it will only fly again when i am a better pilot
ron