RC Helicopters

Prophet · 3 Mar 2014 at 12:02

Reality Bites said:
Well it has over £200 of upgrades on it along with 7batteries and a carry case so sensible offers really. Not sure it's in the rules on here but if there's interest, I will put a FS thread up with pics.

Is the v911 really the best starter type model to go for?

Probably a bit more than I should be investing at this point but maybe one day!

The v911 was recommended here and I have no knowledge of RC Helicopters.

Any suggestions are welcome

Reality Bites · 3 Mar 2014 at 12:09

I was recommended the blade Msrx as a starter model when I was getting into it. I went straight for the mcpx instead which was a mistake really as it's a little twitchy.

I wouldn't consider the Msrx for outside use tho. Join one of the heli forums as second hand models come up all the time.

If you think you may want to venture into a more sophisticate model later on, I'd recommend a second hand dx6i and buy a BNF model instead as the radio you get with the rtf models aren't too great.

Bigpops · 3 Mar 2014 at 12:14

Never seen the V911 myself. The pictures I've seen it looks the same as the Heliguy Atom FP. It will teach you the controls, it self levels (eventually) when you let off the sticks, and it's much faster than a coax.

The new Blade 200SR X could be just the ticket when it comes out. But it's not out and I'm not sure if a price has been released either.

Reality Bites · 3 Mar 2014 at 14:32

Bigpops said:
Never seen the V911 myself. The pictures I've seen it looks the same as the Heliguy Atom FP. It will teach you the controls, it self levels (eventually) when you let off the sticks, and it's much faster than a coax.

The new Blade 200SR X could be just the ticket when it comes out. But it's not out and I'm not sure if a price has been released either.

I know BNF will be cheaper but it's a long way past a £50 budget

http://www.kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk...-_Pre-Order_-_Due_June_2014/product_info.html

Bigpops · 3 Mar 2014 at 15:34

£210!

Wow. That's about £90 too expensive. They should have aimed for the £90-£120 mark.

No way a newbie will pay £210 for a heli like that, it's too limited. I know I wouldn't when I started. Not even close. My first heli was about £100, may have been less (It was an Esky Lama 3 in 2009) and I thought that was about my limit.

Obviously, things change and now I'll spend that on one component, but I look at it differently now. It's my main hobby, and where I spend most of my spare cash.

SkodaMart · 3 Mar 2014 at 15:37

Reality Bites said:
I was recommended the blade Msrx as a starter model when I was getting into it. I went straight for the mcpx instead which was a mistake really as it's a little twitchy.

I wouldn't consider the Msrx for outside use tho. Join one of the heli forums as second hand models come up all the time.

If you think you may want to venture into a more sophisticate model later on, I'd recommend a second hand dx6i and buy a BNF model instead as the radio you get with the rtf models aren't too great.

Good advice and the route I took.

MSRX, MCPX, Blade 300X.

All flown with a DX6i, however hang out for the new DX6, it looks nice.

Reality Bites · 3 Mar 2014 at 15:38

To be fair, the 130x is still £140 and the 300x around £340 so they have pitched it in the middle. Not sure how well it will go down tho. Depends if it crashes well or not.

Edit, take that back. Just seen the 300x for around £210.....seems the 200 will be priced a little high!

SkodaMart · 3 Mar 2014 at 15:41

Reality Bites said:
To be fair, the 130x is still £140 and the 300x around £340 so they have pitched it in the middle. Not sure how well it will go down tho. Depends if it crashes well or not.

Don't get a 130x, money pit IMO.

mcpx V2 is the cheapest way to learn CP, but you will need a gym or something to fly it in.

You can fit landing skids and main blades from the very cheap HK FBL 100.

I paid around £220 for my 300x, but it was the original version, not the 300 CFX.

Bigpops · 3 Mar 2014 at 16:14

I've just been out with my 130X, and stripped the tail gears (D gear) again. 5 times that is now. I don't know whether to get the metal ones as I've ran out of spares. Admittedly, I had crashed it 3 times in two batteries before I stripped the gears, but still, I only just fixed it a few days ago.

I've been spoiled flying the big helis (600 and 700 electrics) the last few times I've been to the club and I've really loved how they float in knife edge. You get so much time to think. The 130X drops like a stone and has been catching me out. If someone at the club expresses any interest in a 130X I might let it go. It's been out a while now and I'm sure something better isn't too far away. I've certainly had my moneys worth out of it, and it's taught me plenty.

Incidentally, the only upgrades mine has on it are the metal tail pitch slider from microheli (essential IMO, I bought it even before I got a 130X) and the metal A gear. Everything else is stock.

Reality Bites · 3 Mar 2014 at 16:47

SkodaMart said:
Don't get a 130x, money pit IMO.

mcpx V2 is the cheapest way to learn CP, but you will need a gym or something to fly it in.

.

I don't understand how it can be a money pit to be honest. Mine has been used and abused and only damage I've done to it was a rounded tail gear as it slipped on the torque tube. I've literally crashed backwards into a tree, climbed the tree to get the model out, put it down and flew again.

It gets slated by loads of people as they want a perfectly stable and vibration less model and it's just not that. It's a perfect model which flies like a bigger bird yet crashes cheaply.

A mate of mine thought (for a laugh) he'd try and auto it from about 40 feet. It obviously didn't auto (auto gear for it is pointless) and crashed. It bounced about 6 feet in the air.

Only damage was a cracked canopy and bent boom/torque tube. Quick swap put and back in the air for around 6-8quid.

I found the mcpx a nightmare.....I didn't have the bl version but outside was twitchy as he'll where the 130 flies in all but strong winds fine.

Reality Bites · 3 Mar 2014 at 16:50

Bigpops said:
I've just been out with my 130X, and stripped the tail gears (D gear) again. 5 times that is now. I don't know whether to get the metal ones as I've ran out of spares. Admittedly, I had crashed it 3 times in two batteries before I stripped the gears, but still, I only just fixed it a few days ago.

I've been spoiled flying the big helis (600 and 700 electrics) the last few times I've been to the club and I've really loved how they float in knife edge. You get so much time to think. The 130X drops like a stone and has been catching me out. If someone at the club expresses any interest in a 130X I might let it go. It's been out a while now and I'm sure something better isn't too far away. I've certainly had my moneys worth out of it, and it's taught me plenty.

Incidentally, the only upgrades mine has on it are the metal tail pitch slider from microheli (essential IMO, I bought it even before I got a 130X) and the metal A gear. Everything else is stock.

What causes the gears to strip? I don't think I could strip them if I tried. Unless you just let it spin when it's down. Hit throttle hold and they should be fine? Metal gears will just move the weakness down the line?

Mine has every upgrade other than metal gears (ironically), mini servos and frames.

SkodaMart · 3 Mar 2014 at 16:50

Reality Bites said:
I don't understand how it can be a money pit to be honest. Mine has been used and abused and only damage I've done to it was a rounded tail gear as it slipped on the torque tube. I've literally crashed backwards into a tree, climbed the tree to get the model out, put it down and flew again.

It gets slated by loads of people as they want a perfectly stable and vibration less model and it's just not that. It's a perfect model which flies like a bigger bird yet crashes cheaply.

A mate of mine thought (for a laugh) he'd try and auto it from about 40 feet. It obviously didn't auto (auto gear for it is pointless) and crashed. It bounced about 6 feet in the air.

Only damage was a cracked canopy and bent boom/torque tube. Quick swap put and back in the air for around 6-8quid.

I found the mcpx a nightmare.....I didn't have the bl version but outside was twitchy as he'll where the 130 flies in all but strong winds fine.

MCPX needs an indoor venue, house is too small (for learning at least), gym is ideal.

I had a 130x, drove me insane and I sold it.

I do suspect however (just a feeling) that the 130x may be improved this year.

It's a great size and flies well outside.

I have a Tarot/Align 250 FBL now, much happier with that.

Reality Bites · 3 Mar 2014 at 16:52

I always fancied a 250.... But was worried they wouldn't crash well. Half of the battle getting into this hobby is confidence I think. I scared myself starting with a 550, wish the 130 was out when I started.

Anyway, looks like my last model the 130 will be going too. Don't have time for 2 hobbies so radio and 130x will likely go soon.

Bigpops · 3 Mar 2014 at 17:15

Reality Bites said:
What causes the gears to strip? I don't think I could strip them if I tried. Unless you just let it spin when it's down. Hit throttle hold and they should be fine? Metal gears will just move the weakness down the line?

Mine has every upgrade other than metal gears (ironically), mini servos and frames.

It's always been the tail blades snagging in long grass. Either during a crash, or improper landing. As I have the metal gears on the front (A&B), the back ones gives out and it always seems to be the smaller of the two which is also the more fiddly to replace.

I'm also worried what will be next to break if I go metal gears, which is partly why I've held off in the past.

I had a Trex 250. I didn't rate it at all to be honest.

SkodaMart · 3 Mar 2014 at 17:46

Bigpops said:
I had a Trex 250. I didn't rate it at all to be honest.

Very tricky and fiddly to set up.

Mine started life as a HK 250 GT, but it now has many Tarot and Align parts it's hard to call it that now.

Flies really well, very pleased with it.

Bigpops · 3 Mar 2014 at 18:04

It didn't fly too bad once I'd converted it to flybarless, but it only had a Tarot ZYX and head on it. I'm sure it would have been better with a Vbar or something on it and the Align head, but as I rarely flew it, I never threw much money at it. It also could have done with a bit more power.

SkodaMart · 3 Mar 2014 at 18:15

Bigpops said:
It didn't fly too bad once I'd converted it to flybarless, but it only had a Tarot ZYX and head on it. I'm sure it would have been better with a Vbar or something on it and the Align head, but as I rarely flew it, I never threw much money at it. It also could have done with a bit more power.

I have the Hobby King head on mine.
It's surprisingly good, but I have fitted genuine Align feathering shaft and radius arms.

Prophet · 9 Mar 2014 at 00:04

Can anyone recommend a UK based supplier that don't charge over the odds please?

Most of the models I've been looking at ship from HK for a decent price but I'd prefer to buy from the UK.

Reality Bites · 9 Mar 2014 at 01:14

What model you looking at? Align-trex.co.uk are very reliable. I've ised fast lads and midlands models also.

murah · 9 Mar 2014 at 01:27

My honeybee FP still needs some repairs, the tail motor and blade hub needs replacing.
To be fair it probably wasn't the best heli for a starter breaks even from little knocks and it's not the most stable in the world