Want to kick PC gaming habit and get out in the fresh air?

Tobeornottobe

Tobeornottobe

Tobeornottobe

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Joined
2 May 2003
Posts
429
Location
Plymouth
I think I have cracked it. I got a blade CX2 indoor helicopter for Christmas, now I have a Trex 450 SEV2 full CCPM machine. It is an amazing machine. I have not played a PC game for three months. Only use the PC for Simulator training (Phoenix), surfing helicopter forums (Helifreaks and Heliaddicts) and ordering occasional spare parts after the inevitable crashes.

The Trex is top-tier for this size of electric helicopter, and has a flight envelope that few people on the planet are capable of fully exploring. Check out Szabo on Youtube to see someone who can!
Fortunately the helicopter can be tamed by various means for us mortals.

I am totally hooked on this hobby, including the hi-tech control systems, discipline and application that is needed to fly the beast, and the inherent danger that comes from having a high speed rotor in your near vicinity which is liable to go in any direction if you 'dumb-thumb' it!

Thoroughly recommend this hobby to anyone.

Tobe
 
With the full kit from scratch, including radio gear, gyro, servos, four extra LiPo batteries, charger, travel case, simulator and some spares you won't get much change out of a grand. I went for the best available however. You can go A LOT cheaper, but as in all things you get what you pay for. The guys on HeliFreak and RcHeliaddict forums were really great in helping me make the right buy.
 
I believe the bigger helis are more inherently stable, however they are still capable of amazing manoeuvres. Here is Szabo flying a 90 size helicopter, which is the largest normal r/c type.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSsl4GOFAp4

Maybe if I was starting again I would have got a 500 or 600 size, but the advantage of the 450 is I have been able to get hovering in all orientations weighed off in my garden before going on to fast-forward flight.

I am a newcomer to this sport/hobby, but it would seem that most participants end up with 3-4 aircraft of varying sizes. They use models like my 450 to try-out new moves before doing them on their larger machines. Reason: A LOT more expensive when you pile it into the dirt. Repair costs on a Trex 450 are quite cheap.

A big kick I am getting out of this is the technical side of build/rebuild and setting up the aircraft for smooth flying characteristics.

Tobe
 
The title was just to get attention.:eek:. I didn't feel the need to stop PC gaming, but now I have this new interest I don't have any desire to mess around with PC's. I just want to fly, and if I can't fly I go on the simulator to improve my skills.
 
bubblebobble said:
I fly trex 600s, started on 450s but upgraded due to fact of visability out greater distances of 30 metres etc. I can fly inverted, loop etc. I used phoenix for a while and it did give me some help. However I purchased a 3d helicommand system for the 600 as it was quite expensive to replace the rotors (65+). I was able to set it up as in the robbe video.i.e. hands off the transmitter completely for as long as i like at hover. I would recommend this device very much it saved me endless expense which far outweighed the cost of the 300 it cost. Plus if you get into trouble just let go of the sticks and it will maintain a steady attitude....perfect.
good luck with the flying buddy!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the encouragement! I was looking at a Helicommand, seems like a great bit of kit. People on the heli forums seemed to think that when you were better at flying you didn't really need it anymore, but it was great for learning. I've got hover in all orientations just about weighed off so I don't think I'll get one.
The 600 looks like an awesome heli. Nitro or electric?
 
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