Deciding to splash out on a rc helicopter. advice?

marc1024

marc1024

marc1024

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Bought my dad one of those small syma 3ch helicopters. He loved it! Cought him looking for a bigger helicopter on ebay. Thinking of spending around £300. But that include the price for a good transmitter AND simulator software. I have flown a petrol heli before. Well i hovered one...to scared to actually fly. I would still like a simulator to practice on before going to the real thing. Iv estimated costs for a good transmitter and simulator for around £150. So that leaves £150 for a decent helicopter first timer helicopter.

Dont have any idea on what to buy. Anyone got any advice?

i have got a few years experience in nitro cars and petrol cars. so i have some experience in radio controls etc. There is also a local RC shop so i will never be short on spare parts when they break.
 
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hux said:
This plus the necessary software id say, bit advanced but with the simulator first he should be fine.

http://www.kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk...RTF_(Inc_DX6i)_Back_Instock/product_info.html

http://www.buzzflyer.co.uk/rc-helicopter-simulators.asp
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that has a 6ch transmitter. From advice from friends who have had helis, 8ch or more is best for helicopters. But its a very good price! Not to bothered it being petro/nitro or electric so i will keep that under consideration :) thanks!


that rc sim is very good. Its on sale at my local shop atm for £90. Thats defiantly the one im getting unless i find better for cheaper.

just to add, i thought about getting a transmitter that will work with heli and simulator for ease of transfer between use if that makes sense :)
 
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One piece of excellent advice from an RC Heli flyer of 7 years. DO NOT BUY OFF OF EBAY. You will get 'never crashed' when in reality it's most likely been destroyed and rebuilt to flog on there.

Go to a dedicated shop, here are a few to consider.

Midland Helicopters
Fast Lad
Skyline Models

Try not to buy something that cheap just because they try to sell you it as it will fly like a bag of ****. Going a tad more expensive will pay off as it will be a lot better.

Ask them questions, most of the people in them shops are informative and will give you some good advice.
 
hux said:
But how good that's the thing, spektrum/futaba are reputed brands
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i think its a futaba. It doesn't have any fancy LCD screen, its black with the metal sides being silver. Its got millions of buttons and switches. Its not a new model, the guy says its old but it has a 2.4ghz transmitter or something.
 
I bought a used Walkera 4G3 Recently, (it's an awesome micro heli) The guy had exposed wires after replacing tail motor. I think he replaced nearly everything once. Both the solders on the motor terminals came loose, and a wire from the receiver came loose also.

I wouldn't be able to handle all these repairs without 2 years of practice and lots of soldering work. But I got a good deal, saved a lot of money buying second hand.
TL: DR - Beginners don't buy off ebay, buy new for the best chance.
 
iamTakeo said:
I bought a used Walkera 4G3 Recently, (it's an awesome micro heli) The guy had exposed wires after replacing tail motor. I think he replaced nearly everything once. Both the solders on the motor terminals came loose, and a wire from the receiver came loose also.

I wouldn't be able to handle all these repairs without 2 years of practice and lots of soldering work. But I got a good deal, saved a lot of money buying second hand.
TL: DR - Beginners don't buy off ebay, buy new for the best chance.
Click to expand...

i have found a heli that would suit that i want to do. Theres a esky belt CP for £100 2nd hand. only flown a few times. And theres the v2 version for £50 more! which is suppose to be a lot better.

I understand why people dont buy things like helis of ebay. Iv been scammed myself when buying rc cars off it. As for helis i would hate to spend £200 on one, 2nd hand then fly it and it cut out while 200ft in the air. and drop into a pond!
 
For the buffs out their is I best to fly mode1? Or doesn't it make much of a difference...

Also thinking of getting a heli : a eflite 400 actually...is around £200 but does EFLH1400 mean mode 1 and EFLH1400IM2 mean mode 2 I presume?
 
just bought a 2nd hand eSky belt CP V1 for £40, came through today and it all works fine. Guy forgot the trainer clip though, so i only had it hovering in back garden. Seems to take of fine and is very stable. Didnt even check if battery was charged or trimming was set :\ how lucky can i get... anyways i just bought the phoenix simulator ^^ hopefully i can clock up hours on that before the snow melts away!
 
You could pick up an electric T-Rex within your budget, one that can do 3D flying too!

Something like a TRex-250


As for the Transmitter - Iv got a Spektrum DX6i and a copy of Phoenix flight SIM for around £140 new in a bundle deal for my Nitro plane

spektrum.jpg
 
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E-Flite SR (bnf) is in budget, I wont vouch for it though as I'm just starting out myself, seems to get good reviews though

kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk/Helicopters_&_Spares-E-Flite_Blade_SR/c33_133/p1132/E-Flite_Blade_SR_RTF_Mode_2/product_info.html

It's an rtf but as cheap as I've seen any bnf..
 
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