Discussion
Right,
I am after a RC helicopter, I have never had one of these and want something in the region of £60 - £100 max, I get the hang of it and like them I can progress up as and when.
I have read some reviews, been on youtube and still perplexed as to what to get.
I want something of a decent size say 26inch upwards that I can use outdoors.
I have seen these but not sure what's best.
Any advice,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300613754110?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390294289894?ssPageName=...
or this monster
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150688801768?ssPageName=...
I am after a RC helicopter, I have never had one of these and want something in the region of £60 - £100 max, I get the hang of it and like them I can progress up as and when.
I have read some reviews, been on youtube and still perplexed as to what to get.
I want something of a decent size say 26inch upwards that I can use outdoors.
I have seen these but not sure what's best.
Any advice,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300613754110?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390294289894?ssPageName=...
or this monster
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150688801768?ssPageName=...
Firstly, although this is about micro size helis and I've read you want a bigger one, the principles are the same regardless of the size.
I have just started to look into RC helicopters over the last few weeks after seeing a small 3 channel one in a gadget type shop.
Dunno how useful this may be, but the following has been my experience thus far:
I decided to get a 3 channel micro so I could fly inside. Did a bunch of research on flight times, recharge times, and general resilience and came to the conclusion that for £25 couldn't do better than this Micro Ninja.
It's an excellent little device and (like other 3 channel helis) is very easy to fly. It also gets close to 10 mins flight time (more than most others).
The only 2 issues I have with it are:
1. You have to wait 25-30 minutes for it to recharge when the battery runs down. This can be dealt with by opting for a (more expensive) model with removable battery and getting multiple batteries and a charger.
2. It's very easy to fly. Which at first sight seems like an advantage, but what I quickly found was that with only up/down, rotate left/right, and forward/back it was only a short time before you get the hang of it and there's not a lot of challenge.
What I ended up then doing was getting a 4 channel machine - Blade MCX
Controls here are left stick up/down and rotate clockwise/counter clockwise, right stick forward/back and travel sideways left/right.
This was still fairly easy to get started with but certainly more of a challenge than the 3 channel option to really start to get to grips with it. Since getting it, I haven't really used the 3 channel one as it is just too easy/no challenge.
As I've found this interesting/challenging, on the Xmas list is now a collective pitch 5 channel with a better controller and flight sim to practise.
The only other point that I've picked up and another reason I went for the micro size is that the bigger the helicopter, the more damage and cost it sustains when you crash - and you will crash!
Some potential options for larger helis with more than 3 channels may be:
Apparently good to learn on:
Blade CX2
Another option
Blade 120SR
Please note - I am by no means an expert and there are far more knowledgeable people on here, but the above has been my experience so far...
Have fun.
I have just started to look into RC helicopters over the last few weeks after seeing a small 3 channel one in a gadget type shop.
Dunno how useful this may be, but the following has been my experience thus far:
I decided to get a 3 channel micro so I could fly inside. Did a bunch of research on flight times, recharge times, and general resilience and came to the conclusion that for £25 couldn't do better than this Micro Ninja.
It's an excellent little device and (like other 3 channel helis) is very easy to fly. It also gets close to 10 mins flight time (more than most others).
The only 2 issues I have with it are:
1. You have to wait 25-30 minutes for it to recharge when the battery runs down. This can be dealt with by opting for a (more expensive) model with removable battery and getting multiple batteries and a charger.
2. It's very easy to fly. Which at first sight seems like an advantage, but what I quickly found was that with only up/down, rotate left/right, and forward/back it was only a short time before you get the hang of it and there's not a lot of challenge.
What I ended up then doing was getting a 4 channel machine - Blade MCX
Controls here are left stick up/down and rotate clockwise/counter clockwise, right stick forward/back and travel sideways left/right.
This was still fairly easy to get started with but certainly more of a challenge than the 3 channel option to really start to get to grips with it. Since getting it, I haven't really used the 3 channel one as it is just too easy/no challenge.
As I've found this interesting/challenging, on the Xmas list is now a collective pitch 5 channel with a better controller and flight sim to practise.
The only other point that I've picked up and another reason I went for the micro size is that the bigger the helicopter, the more damage and cost it sustains when you crash - and you will crash!
Some potential options for larger helis with more than 3 channels may be:
Apparently good to learn on:
Blade CX2
Another option
Blade 120SR
Please note - I am by no means an expert and there are far more knowledgeable people on here, but the above has been my experience so far...
Have fun.
^^^^^ Some good advice there.
It all depends what you are after and how far you think you will get into it! My obsession started with a cheapo xmas present from Mrs Hovis. I think it was a 3 channel Syma. Quality was absolutely crap but it was a good laugh while it lasted. You learn nothing flying 3 channel though. The fun starts with 4 channel. That extra channel really does increase the difficulty, especially nose in flying. I moved onto to a relatively cheap 4 channel fixed pitch Walkera (around £90). I went for a smallish one with the thought of flying inside but in hindsight it was a mistake. When you are learning, you need alot more space than you think.
If you are thinking of flying outside, I would recommend a collective pitch heli. They handle the wind far better than fixed pitch. A friend of mine bought a Copter X 450 off ebay to learn how to build one (Which I ended up building for him
), The quality wasn't too bad for the money (around £120). Collective pitch, 6 channels and a decent size to learn on.Heavy enough to handle a reasonable breeze but the size isn't too intimidating for a beginner. Parts are also easy to get hold of and cheap. If you go for something this size, make sure you fit training legs while you get used to hovering and basic flight. They look crap but can save alot of money in broken bits. Generally, the bigger the heli, the more stable it is and usually easier to fly.
I suppose the other thing which has already been mentioned is buying a sim. Something I ignored to start with and regretted later. Phoenix is one of the better ones although pretty pricey (around £79 new although plenty second hand on ebay for around £40). I still practice on Phoenix even now and all new tricks are generally tried out on there before I do it for real in the air.
This is one of my current fleet.
It all depends what you are after and how far you think you will get into it! My obsession started with a cheapo xmas present from Mrs Hovis. I think it was a 3 channel Syma. Quality was absolutely crap but it was a good laugh while it lasted. You learn nothing flying 3 channel though. The fun starts with 4 channel. That extra channel really does increase the difficulty, especially nose in flying. I moved onto to a relatively cheap 4 channel fixed pitch Walkera (around £90). I went for a smallish one with the thought of flying inside but in hindsight it was a mistake. When you are learning, you need alot more space than you think.
If you are thinking of flying outside, I would recommend a collective pitch heli. They handle the wind far better than fixed pitch. A friend of mine bought a Copter X 450 off ebay to learn how to build one (Which I ended up building for him
), The quality wasn't too bad for the money (around £120). Collective pitch, 6 channels and a decent size to learn on.Heavy enough to handle a reasonable breeze but the size isn't too intimidating for a beginner. Parts are also easy to get hold of and cheap. If you go for something this size, make sure you fit training legs while you get used to hovering and basic flight. They look crap but can save alot of money in broken bits. Generally, the bigger the heli, the more stable it is and usually easier to fly. I suppose the other thing which has already been mentioned is buying a sim. Something I ignored to start with and regretted later. Phoenix is one of the better ones although pretty pricey (around £79 new although plenty second hand on ebay for around £40). I still practice on Phoenix even now and all new tricks are generally tried out on there before I do it for real in the air.
This is one of my current fleet.
some consideration to where you live with regards to flying outside.....
.....my blarge outdoor heli is VERY sensitive to wind...not just wind but the slightest breeze will have it away.
my house/garden is pretty open and rural so it is breezy all the time, the Heli is as good as useless.
just something to bear in mind.
.....my blarge outdoor heli is VERY sensitive to wind...not just wind but the slightest breeze will have it away.
my house/garden is pretty open and rural so it is breezy all the time, the Heli is as good as useless.
just something to bear in mind.
Thanks Guys,
interesting reading and I have ordered the training legs and sim.
I have brought one of these with a loads of spares and 4 batteries to keep me up in the air.
Century Evolution 180SE
http://www.centuryuk.com/RC-Helicopters/Experience...
interesting reading and I have ordered the training legs and sim.
I have brought one of these with a loads of spares and 4 batteries to keep me up in the air.
Century Evolution 180SE
http://www.centuryuk.com/RC-Helicopters/Experience...
Ok, one of those replies (about the copterx 450 for £120) got me excited with the idea of building one of these bigger boys before flying, but a quick google of them suggests £120 is very much the starting point and you're looking at £300-350 once you've added all the electrics.
I'm currently flying a little dealextreme 4 channel gyro heli but would like something bigger that will cope with a little bit of wind. And I'd ~love~ to build one
I may have a bit of extra cash coming soonish
.... can anyone point me at a decent quality kit copter, in the maybe £300 - £400 range all in; or perhaps recommend some good seller websites to browse?
I'm currently flying a little dealextreme 4 channel gyro heli but would like something bigger that will cope with a little bit of wind. And I'd ~love~ to build one
I may have a bit of extra cash coming soonish
.... can anyone point me at a decent quality kit copter, in the maybe £300 - £400 range all in; or perhaps recommend some good seller websites to browse?These guys sell decent machines. http://www.skylinemodels.co.uk/Electric/
jay140285 said:
Thanks Guys,
interesting reading and I have ordered the training legs and sim.
I have brought one of these with a loads of spares and 4 batteries to keep me up in the air.
Century Evolution 180SE
http://www.centuryuk.com/RC-Helicopters/Experience...
Not too bad those. Basically a rebranded Walkera. I borrowed a Century (Neon Blaze SE) for a weekend and it flew very well. They are a bit fragile though but the training legs should help a bit initially. Have fun!interesting reading and I have ordered the training legs and sim.
I have brought one of these with a loads of spares and 4 batteries to keep me up in the air.
Century Evolution 180SE
http://www.centuryuk.com/RC-Helicopters/Experience...
defblade said:
Ok, one of those replies (about the copterx 450 for £120) got me excited with the idea of building one of these bigger boys before flying, but a quick google of them suggests £120 is very much the starting point and you're looking at £300-350 once you've added all the electrics.
I'm currently flying a little dealextreme 4 channel gyro heli but would like something bigger that will cope with a little bit of wind. And I'd ~love~ to build one
I may have a bit of extra cash coming soonish .... can anyone point me at a decent quality kit copter, in the maybe £300 - £400 range all in; or perhaps recommend some good seller websites to browse?
If you are going to spend upwards of 400 quid, you need to be looking at something like an Align 450 or maybe even the 500E if your budget can stretch to it. Remember though, you'll also need to budget for a transmitter, receiver and some lipo's. Second hand maybe the way to go as you'll sometimes get the complete package, although you'll lose out on the fun of building it and setting your own pitch. Building really is beneficial to learn about set up and gives you a better understanding when things go wrong or you accidently bin it;)I'm currently flying a little dealextreme 4 channel gyro heli but would like something bigger that will cope with a little bit of wind. And I'd ~love~ to build one
I may have a bit of extra cash coming soonish
.... can anyone point me at a decent quality kit copter, in the maybe £300 - £400 range all in; or perhaps recommend some good seller websites to browse?FrankHovis said:
If you are going to spend upwards of 400 quid, you need to be looking at something like an Align 450 or maybe even the 500E if your budget can stretch to it. Remember though, you'll also need to budget for a transmitter, receiver and some lipo's. Second hand maybe the way to go as you'll sometimes get the complete package, although you'll lose out on the fun of building it and setting your own pitch. Building really is beneficial to learn about set up and gives you a better understanding when things go wrong or you accidently bin it;)
No, not wanting to stretch that budget; really just thinking of a starter "proper" 'copter; budget has to be all the bits included; and I'd REALLY like to build it!Some very reasonably priced kits here,
http://www.giantcod.co.uk/helicopter-kits-c-220_22...
I went the second hand route from heliguy and got the trex 450s with radio for a decent price.
http://www.heliguy.com/Electric-RC-Helicopters/Par...
http://www.giantcod.co.uk/helicopter-kits-c-220_22...
I went the second hand route from heliguy and got the trex 450s with radio for a decent price.
http://www.heliguy.com/Electric-RC-Helicopters/Par...
Check out this ehirobo page for all in one kits (sale time as well)
{nothing to do with me, have just used them before and seem pretty OK)
http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/advanced_search_result...
{nothing to do with me, have just used them before and seem pretty OK)
http://www.ehirobo.com/shop/advanced_search_result...
Just to let you all know,
1st flight was entertaining - ended in a epic crash into my kitchen ceiling then the breakfast bar and finally the floor!
So went to the model shop by work, had them put a new main gear on and then set it up properly.
2nd flight outside keeping the heli to about 6feet off the ground and it was much better.
Landing wasnt great as a potted plant got in the way, so another new set of rotor blades on and waiting for the training kit to arrive so I can practice landing.
Are there are more robust blades I can get, I saw the ones on the blade 120 and they were bendy, mine are quite brittle and any minor rough landing doesnt do them much good.
Cheers
James
1st flight was entertaining - ended in a epic crash into my kitchen ceiling then the breakfast bar and finally the floor!
So went to the model shop by work, had them put a new main gear on and then set it up properly.
2nd flight outside keeping the heli to about 6feet off the ground and it was much better.
Landing wasnt great as a potted plant got in the way, so another new set of rotor blades on and waiting for the training kit to arrive so I can practice landing.
Are there are more robust blades I can get, I saw the ones on the blade 120 and they were bendy, mine are quite brittle and any minor rough landing doesnt do them much good.
Cheers
James
jay140285 said:
Just to let you all know,
1st flight was entertaining - ended in a epic crash into my kitchen ceiling then the breakfast bar and finally the floor!
So went to the model shop by work, had them put a new main gear on and then set it up properly.
2nd flight outside keeping the heli to about 6feet off the ground and it was much better.
Landing wasnt great as a potted plant got in the way, so another new set of rotor blades on and waiting for the training kit to arrive so I can practice landing.
Are there are more robust blades I can get, I saw the ones on the blade 120 and they were bendy, mine are quite brittle and any minor rough landing doesnt do them much good.
Cheers
James
tbh, I'd stick with the brittle blades while you are 1st flight was entertaining - ended in a epic crash into my kitchen ceiling then the breakfast bar and finally the floor!
So went to the model shop by work, had them put a new main gear on and then set it up properly.
2nd flight outside keeping the heli to about 6feet off the ground and it was much better.
Landing wasnt great as a potted plant got in the way, so another new set of rotor blades on and waiting for the training kit to arrive so I can practice landing.
Are there are more robust blades I can get, I saw the ones on the blade 120 and they were bendy, mine are quite brittle and any minor rough landing doesnt do them much good.
Cheers
James
HoHoHo said:
By 'eck - when I were a lad, a crash in a model 'elicopter would see no change this side of £300, often more.....
Kids today just don't know they're born
Are you takint' piss out of my northern 'elicopter roots? It's dear tha knows, for us poor northern monkeys. Planks are chepper, but less fun. Kids today just don't know they're born
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