Durability of a 3D RC Helicopter?

[Pints]

I've been considering getting an RC Helicopter for a while, and found out this morning that my BiL has just bought himself a new 3D helicopter (having moved on from a fixed wing). Unfortunately, he's in New Zealand so I can't have a play with it.

Havnig read a bit on here about 3D helicopters, I realise that going straight to a 3D is "going to be a very short flight" (as someone put it).

As per the thread title just how durable is an average 3D RC helicopter, especially for a complete newbie like myself?

[Shuttle Cock]

Most models of RC heli on the market these days are 3D capable, some models are more durable due to there design, it just depends on how you set the model up, mild or wild, and your budget to put it right again, should you encounter some helicopter/ground interfacing!

[Pints]

Shuttle Cock said:

Most models of RC heli on the market these days are 3D capable, some models are more durable due to there design, it just depends on how you set the model up, mild or wild, and your budget to put it right again, should you encounter some helicopter/ground interfacing!

I'm guessing the chances of ground-chopper interface is quite high.

Haven't agreed a budget yet with Mrs Pints, but need to put forward a case of find the right balance between don't-have-to-repair-too-often and fun enough not to want another for a while.

[The_Jackal]

Durable is not a word normally associated with RC helis lo

[dr_gn]

The_Jackal said:

Durable is not a word normally associated with RC helis lo

Slightly different thing, but my Blade MSR seems almost indestructable. It's had lots of contact with solid objects, but has never needed any spares and still flies very well.

[Pints]

dr_gn said:

Slightly different thing, but my Blade MSR seems almost indestructable. It's had lots of contact with solid objects, but has never needed any spares and still flies very well.

Since the Blade MSR isn't 3D (AFAIK), I'd expect it to be more durable. From what I can make out, the slide blades can withstand much more abuse.

[SirBlade]

Pints said:

I've been considering getting an RC Helicopter for a while, and found out this morning that my BiL has just bought himself a new 3D helicopter (having moved on from a fixed wing). Unfortunately, he's in New Zealand so I can't have a play with it.

Havnig read a bit on here about 3D helicopters, I realise that going straight to a 3D is "going to be a very short flight" (as someone put it).

As per the thread title just how durable is an average 3D RC helicopter, especially for a complete newbie like myself?

not durable, expect on average to pay between ten and twenty percent of total cost for each crash tepair.

[Mr Will]

Pints said:

Since the Blade MSR isn't 3D (AFAIK), I'd expect it to be more durable. From what I can make out, the slide blades can withstand much more abuse.

What do you mean by 3D? The blade (and various other small helicopters) are 4 channel, giving you up/down, forwards/backwards, yaw-left/yaw-right and slip-left/slip-right just like a proper helicopter. The only thing the bigger models add relate to the pitch of the blades, which you probably don't want when you are starting out.

[Pints]

Mr Will said:

The only thing the bigger models add relate to the pitch of the blades, which you probably don't want when you are starting out.

That's it. The more I'm reading into it, the more it's scaring the bejeebuz out of me. The Trex 450 looks great in flight, but when things go wrong, they go in a big way.

Actually liking the look of the Blade MSR, especially since it's been mentioned that it can cope with newbie abuse... which I foresee there being a lot of.

[Mr Will]

It's also small enough to fly indoors which is a massive blessing, no waiting for a sunny day and trekking off to find a field every time you want to fly it.

If you like it then the skills will all transfer to a bigger one, having hopefully saved you more in repairs than it will have cost!

[tr7v8]

Mr Will said:

Pints said:

Since the Blade MSR isn't 3D (AFAIK), I'd expect it to be more durable. From what I can make out, the slide blades can withstand much more abuse.

What do you mean by 3D? The blade (and various other small helicopters) are 4 channel, giving you up/down, forwards/backwards, yaw-left/yaw-right and slip-left/slip-right just like a proper helicopter. The only thing the bigger models add relate to the pitch of the blades, which you probably don't want when you are starting out.

Google 3D model helis on say youtube to understand the difference. Models can do things the full size ones cannot even dream of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2m451SbvhE

[Pints]

tr7v8 said:

Google 3D model helis on say youtube to understand the difference. Models can do things the full size ones cannot even dream of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2m451SbvhE

It was that kind of video that scared the willies up me.

I'm definitely going to stick with the "ordinary" flight styles.

Mr Will makes a good point: With a smaller machine, I can fly it without cordoning off an entire school field.

[y2blade]

Mr Will said:

Pints said:

Since the Blade MSR isn't 3D (AFAIK), I'd expect it to be more durable. From what I can make out, the slide blades can withstand much more abuse.

What do you mean by 3D? The blade (and various other small helicopters) are 4 channel, giving you up/down, forwards/backwards, yaw-left/yaw-right and slip-left/slip-right just like a proper helicopter. The only thing the bigger models add relate to the pitch of the blades, which you probably don't want when you are starting out.

this^^

my Blade MSR is pretty tough and flies 3D

[The_Jackal]

3D means it can fly upside down basically, due to the blades being able to create positive and negative collective angles.
I have a TRex 450S carbon edition built but never flown only hovered. Thinking of selling it and trying a plane because of how scary it is to fly. I enjoyed building it though as they are very technical.

[Pints]

The_Jackal said:

3D means it can fly upside down basically, due to the blades being able to create positive and negative collective angles.
I have a TRex 450S carbon edition built but never flown only hovered. Thinking of selling it and trying a plane because of how scary it is to fly. I enjoyed building it though as they are very technical.

My BiL has bought the TRex 450 Pro. Given it's only his second RC helicopter, I can imagine it's gonig to cost him a fair bit in repairs.

[y2blade]

The_Jackal said:

3D means it can fly upside down basically, due to the blades being able to create positive and negative collective angles.
I have a TRex 450S carbon edition built but never flown only hovered. Thinking of selling it and trying a plane because of how scary it is to fly. I enjoyed building it though as they are very technical.

ah upside down!!!

right you are then

[Dav37D]

The best way to learn to fly a rc heli is to start with a good flight simulator. Phoenix flight sim is really good. The bigger the heli the more stable and easier to fly. T-Rex 500 is quite stable when flying, but it needs a lot of space to fly.

[dr_gn]

Pints said:

dr_gn said:

Slightly different thing, but my Blade MSR seems almost indestructable. It's had lots of contact with solid objects, but has never needed any spares and still flies very well.

Since the Blade MSR isn't 3D (AFAIK), I'd expect it to be more durable. From what I can make out, the slide blades can withstand much more abuse.

That's why I said it was a slightly different thing. I was responding to the comment that rc helicopters in general arent that durable.

[Pints]

dr_gn said:

That's why I said it was a slightly different thing. I was responding to the comment that rc helicopters in general arent that durable.

Was agreeing.

Have also come across the TRex 100 (recommended in another thread). It seems very similar to the Blade MSR.

[2thumbs]

I can vouch for the Blade msr being a tough cookie. Mine has had many many heavy landings & crashes into walls. I had to recently replace the tail motor as it started making a funny noise, but £12 & it was back in the air. Brilliant little heli.