Micro Helicopters advice please ??

Flukester said:
not sure but you could make your own from some very thin carbon rod, should be able to get it from model shop.. then just use some small cable ties to put it in 'X' shape under skids ... you wont need them that long a length as heli is so small... but enough to stop tipping (maybe sticking out 5-10cm from each corner of skid.

the balls they put on training gears just help the heli 'skoot' about on floor, which can be handy for learning the controls but not esential... best to try heli to begin with on a wooden or 'shiny' floor so you can see control effects even when heli still on ground.
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I would some how screw that up :D

Found a decent one here for the buzzflyer, but as 4#3b is pretty much the same it should fit fine
http://www.buzzflyer.co.uk/Buzz-Fly-Spares/Training-Kit/p-119-909/
 
Rudeboy said:
For a first copter I'd be tempted to recommend a co-axial like the lama v3, or a non-coaxial like the honeybee. However, these are a fair bit bigger than the Walkera 4#3b that I've just got today, but will teach you the basic controls without speanding a fortune.
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I had a mosquito 3 channel thing from e-bay but I think I ended up with a cheap Chinese imitation - bit disappointed :(

I'd like to get one that a) can be flown indoors b) is a 4 channel helecopter

Would anyone recommend the Walkera 4#3b for a beginner or would it be a bad idea to get a non coaxial one that small to start with?

Alternatively would either the lama or honeybee recommended above be suitable for flying indoors? Have a big atrium at work that we share with a big bank - would be highly amusing to fly one of these up a couple of floors(though would also want to practice in my flat etc..).
 
Have been eyeing up a Buzzfly for a while but was turned away by the price, but think i'll definitely go for a Walkera 4#3 seeing as its the same heli but half the price!
 
dowie said:
Would anyone recommend the Walkera 4#3b for a beginner or would it be a bad idea to get a non coaxial one that small to start with?
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I will let you know later today as my Walkera 4#3b is arriving and I have never flown a helicopter before :eek:

I just didnt want to get somthing that I could fly quickly I want a challange and from these guys have said I am going to get one:D
 
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A 4ch definately isn't something you'll pick up right away. the Walkera 4#3b seems very good so far, but i'm in the process of getting it off the ground and playing with the trim settings.

Make sure you get the training gear to stop it falling over and damaging the blades while your practicing low level hovering. Hopefully have mine by tomorrow!
 
dowie said:
I had a mosquito 3 channel thing from e-bay but I think I ended up with a cheap Chinese imitation - bit disappointed :(

I'd like to get one that a) can be flown indoors b) is a 4 channel helecopter

Would anyone recommend the Walkera 4#3b for a beginner or would it be a bad idea to get a non coaxial one that small to start with?

Alternatively would either the lama or honeybee recommended above be suitable for flying indoors? Have a big atrium at work that we share with a big bank - would be highly amusing to fly one of these up a couple of floors(though would also want to practice in my flat etc..).
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coax heli's are just so stable, but they at least teach your the 'sticks' on controller. depends on your budget I guess... probably better to go the sim route and jump straight in on 4 chan fixed pitch like walkera 4#3.

i think the honeybee is quite a lot larger... and when crashing the smaller the heli the less damage so I think the 4#3 is ideal for learning, it's the only heli i've ever had that I dont mind grabbing with hand out of air :)

USB contoller for sim

http://www.heliguy.com/Flight-Simulators/ESKY-Flight-Sim/ESKY-Flight-sim-software-and-controller/


Clearview Rc Simulator (the free one with controller is rubbish)

http://rcflightsim.com/


just cant wait for the collective pitch 4#3 coming out soon (think it's called 4G3).. fully 3D sub micro heli, gonna be first of it's kind.

http://www.heliguy.com/Forum/walkera-4g3-smallest-3d-heli-pictures-und-specs-t16404.html
 
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dowie said:
I had a mosquito 3 channel thing from e-bay but I think I ended up with a cheap Chinese imitation - bit disappointed :(
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Don't make the mistake of comparing a Mosquito (or clone) with a proper model. A Mosquito was how I got into Heli's and although I could quite happily (although very slowly due to design) fly it around the living room, it's a completely different beast to something like the Lama. The rotor head speed on the Lama almost scared me the first time I throttled it up after getting used to the sedate style of the Mosquito. Certainly not something you want to be flying near anything expensive or breakable if you're unsure of what you're doing, and as a result I was banned to the garage by the girlfriend.

I wouldn't discount getting a 4#3 as a first model heli, but I can see the price putting some people off when some cheaper co-ax's are half the price. I could quite happily do circuits of my living room with my smaller co-ax (Walkers 5#5) before I stopped flying late last year, but am only just getting comfortable with tail-in hovers on the 4#3 as it's that much more twitchy. It also picks up speed a lot quicker that a co-ax. The co-ax was quite easy to recover from loss of control, but I find that when the 4#3 gets going in one direction and I loose the hover, it's gone before you can blink and crashed into something. It really does accelerate that quickly. It's also more difficult to recover from loss of control because it's smaller and faster moving. Small control movements really are all that's required if you want to maintain control in a hover.

At the end of the day, buy what you are happy with. Personally I always wanted a small non-coax heli and the 4#3 fits the bill perfectly. I have heard that some people on other forums have spent almost as much as the cost of the heli again in spares and repairs, but they really are a lot tougher that the other models out there and it depends how quick a learner you are too.
 
lolism said:
A 4ch definately isn't something you'll pick up right away. the Walkera 4#3b seems very good so far, but i'm in the process of getting it off the ground and playing with the trim settings.

Make sure you get the training gear to stop it falling over and damaging the blades while your practicing low level hovering. Hopefully have mine by tomorrow!
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Did you get the buzzfly training kit in the end ? I am going to try to hold off using mine until traing kit arrives just got to order one today.
 
buzz flyer are abit pricey for stuff but it all arrives next day without fail.. they are really fast getting stuff out

my total list of dmg so far in 3 days of flying..

smashed cockpit - fixed with tape / glue
broken flybar - replaced (gonna upgrade to steel)
snapped tail axle - bodged with wire then replaced with new
broken battery tray - fixed with superglue

not bad with so many crashes :) ..when ever I buy a spare part I always get *2, that way you aat least covered for next time. also always try to find upgrades on bits that break for tougher parts.

got nose in hovers now sorted but I tend to drift to right all the time also struggle keeping hold of tail orientation. Clockwise circuits coming along well and can do 3-4 circuits before I have to pull out into hover again (have benefit of a large indust unit to practice in). For some reason anti-clockwise circuits scare hell outta me so gonna go back to sim to suss these out. Biggest problem I have with circuits is it's very easy to get faster and faster until suddenly your circuit is bigger than room your in...takes a lot of concentration to keep heli slow.
 
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Invasion said:
Did you get the buzzfly training kit in the end ? I am going to try to hold off using mine until traing kit arrives just got to order one today.
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Yeah, something like 7.95 delivered. If you have a decent amount of space with a wooden floor, you could try and scoot around without it. If your like me and don't want to wreck it too much before you can use it I wouldn't get too adventurous until you get the training gear.
 
lolism said:
Yeah, something like 7.95 delivered. If you have a decent amount of space with a wooden floor, you could try and scoot around without it. If your like me and don't want to wreck it too much before you can use it I wouldn't get too adventurous until you get the training gear.
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Think I will order one in a minute, better safe than sorry.Did you get any other spares? are the rotors the same size and fitting on the buzzfly ?
I think I got 2 spare sets free with my order lets hope so any way as it sounds like I will need them!
 
think the 4#3b rotor is slightly different (buzz fly is 4#3a afaik), they seem pretty tough though.. so you should be ok without any more.
 
The only spares I got were main blades- could be why it was cheaper than the buzzfly.

I'm hoping I won't burn the motor out too quickly. Might order a couple of motors from the spares site as backup!
 
lolism said:
I'm hoping I won't burn the motor out too quickly. Might order a couple of motors from the spares site as backup!
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What is the best site for spares for the 4#3b I wanted to get another battery and motor.

I am glad I didnt get the Buzzfly now as the 4#3b is improved version
 
ok well it has arrived safe and sound just got a couple of questions:

Do I charge battery before use and does the light on the charger change colour when done ?

Also my Main rotors are free to move around ie not fixed they pivot I thought they shoud be fixed and inline with each other ?

thanks
 
Invasion said:
ok well it has arrived safe and sound just got a couple of questions:

Do I charge battery before use and does the light on the charger change colour when done ?

Also my Main rotors are free to move around ie not fixed they pivot I thought they shoud be fixed and inline with each other ?

thanks
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Yes, you will have to charge the battery up. It's probably got a test charge in it but charge it properly first. The instruction book is where to check for light colours!

The blades pivot at the ends. It allows it to swing back if they hit anything, before breaking. they swing out as the motor spins up and will be fine.

Simon
 
SimonCHere said:
Yes, you will have to charge the battery up. It's probably got a test charge in it but charge it properly first. The instruction book is where to check for light colours!

The blades pivot at the ends. It allows it to swing back if they hit anything, before breaking. they swing out as the motor spins up and will be fine.

Simon
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Thanks for that sorry if questions sounded stupid ;)

I put the battery on charge it was red to start been on about 15 mins now gone green though that was a bit quick tbh?
 
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