RC Helicopters

Just got a Syma S107G and it's great for the money, really surprised how far they have come in a few years as the little helis used to be rubbish.

It's my first heli and it's addictive. Already adjusted the balance and stripped stuff off the tail boom and it's much quicker. Waiting on a new Picooz tail rotor to arrive which should make it faster again ;) Next thing will be to swap out the battery I think to make it quicker.

As a step up from that to a bigger / more complex heli, what would people recommend? Something with full control rather than just the 3 channels and suitable for outdoor use.
 
Thanks. A bit out of my budget to be honest. I have a tendency to drop interest in stuff after a while so don't want to spend a huge amount initially until I know I will stick with it.

The Honeybee v2 seems well recommended and a great price:

http://www.rc-hobbies.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1626

A friend has said to skip that and go straight for something like this instead though:

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=35899

Not sure what to go for but tempted by the Honeybee on the good reviews and the price, as well as the fact I'm a total noob.
 
I have been reading this thread along with many other forums the last few days. I think I'd enjoy the build process so was looking at 450/500 size helis but have Been advised from a guy in my work who has a 700 and bigger size to start with something like the dx6i and the Phoenix sim3. Then a blade msrx as a first heli.

Atleast I can crash the blade without worrying about big bills till I'm more confident.
 
RB, you dont have to start with a small heli like the MSRx. What your mate has told you in work however is good, get a Tx (buy once!) and Phoenix and a 450/500. 700size+ Helis are more stable but the repair bills are a lot more than a 450/500 sized heli.

What I did when I started to fly helis was get Phoenix and spend hours on it until I was confident to take the 450 out. Phoenix doesnt prepare you fully for real flying though, but its it second to none for practicing! The only way you'll get a feel for flying a heli is to get one outside and have a go.

Where in South Wales are you? I'll help with what I can.

Edit: Join RC Heli Addicts, there's always kits coming up for sale cheap on there. :)
 
Cheers. He has mentioned heliadicts but need to join from home as work bans it. I may start with the radio and the sim and see how I go. I would prefer going for the 450 size straight out if I'm confident after the aim practice. I guess the 70-80 I would save on the blade can go towards repair bills lol.

I live just outside Bridgend but work in Cardiff.
 
Cool, join up when you can. You'll probably get a 2nd Hand Tx and the Sim on there too :) I had my Sim and 450 from there so it's all good.
Lol, repair bills are relatively low for the 450 and spares only cost a few quid each at the most.

I'm just over the mountain from you in the Rhondda if you ever fancy a fly sometime. You're more than welcome to try out my 450 before buying?
 
Thanks. A bit out of my budget to be honest.
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build a hobbyking 450 you can get all the bits minus the radio gear for around £150 or less.

buy a cheap radio to start with on the hobbyking site for around $25 like the HK-16a 6 channel radio (ive got one and it works great just a pain because you can only alter all the trims and throttle curves with a pc)

the larger the heli the more stable and less twitch they are, i started with a 250 clone but wish i went with a 450 now.

theres a huge thread on the 450 clone here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1335980

ive been thinking of getting a flybarless 450
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Tube_Helicopter_Kit_Align_T_Rex_Compat_.html
instead of a tail gyro you use
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20996__Hobbyking_ZYX_3_Axis_Flybarless_System_.html
 
I have about 20 heli's and these are my recommendations for beginners.

Heng Long ROC Falcon @ £20 indoor for beginners. A proper 4 channel indoor copter that wipes the floor with much acclaimed Syma S107G. A proper swash plate not the silly rear vertical rotor. A must as a first helicopter. The only thing that comes close is the Walkera 5#6 at £50+

Walkera HM5#4/HM5#10 or Esky Lama V3 Coaxial. The Walkera can be picked up for about £30 on the bay and give you practically the same performance as the Esky Lama @£70+ I run both and coupled with a 7.4v 1300Mah battery they can fly outside in even quite moderate winds/breezes.

The GT 5889. Having owned the walkera 4, Esky Honey Bee v2 the GT5889 is a little gem in fixed pitched helicopters. So robust and a brilliant 2.4GHZ controller for £60 you cant beat it. Needs some blue tack in the nose but otherwise amazingly stable, perfect for beginners first outside single rotor helicopter.
 
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The 450 is the best if you want to get into the hobby. You can still sell it for a very good price if you don't take it up.

This is based on personal experience.. I'm a believer in buying the 450 outright and not wasting money on lesser heli's.

Saying that it may be, and probably is, a bit biased as I already had the Transmitter and have experience in flying planes enough so that I knew I wouldn't be selling the heli's anytime soon :)
 
rhysduck said:
The 450 is the best if you want to get into the hobby. You can still sell it for a very good price if you don't take it up.

This is based on personal experience.. I'm a believer in buying the 450 outright and not wasting money on lesser heli's.

Saying that it may be, and probably is, a bit biased as I already had the Transmitter and have experience in flying planes enough so that I knew I wouldn't be selling the heli's anytime soon :)
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Hobby yes, but total novice I would not advise them going out alone.

arknor said:
its coaxial though so gets boring fast
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Yes it is a Co-axial, but it uses proper swash plates not rear motors it is great as a starter.
 
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