Welcome to The FlyingGiants! - please login or click this bar to join our community...

HobbyKing.com New Products Flash Sale
 

Welcome to The FlyingGiants Community! We're all about fun, and inside you'll find the greatest, friendliest, and most helpful group of people around! If this is your first time visiting, please check out site, and click here to sign up! We hope to see you soon!!

Go Back   FlyingGiants > R/C Topics > Helicopters
Forgot your password? Create a new account


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 08-08-2008, 02:21 AM   #1
rcroll!!
Flyin' Around
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 10
Default what is the best heli to start with?

Hi,folks
now,post your views about this topic.I think our views will useful for rc heli beginners.I sincerely hope everyone can say something about it.
rcroll!! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2008, 04:49 AM   #2
adjonym
Gettin' Lower!
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 49
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

The question is impossible to answer.
It's like asking what socket wrench size is the best. For a 1/2 nut, a 1/2 size socket would be best, but that doesn't mean that it's the best for all sizes

It depends on so many variables;
Flying area
Glow or electric
Technical level(on both the heli and the user)
Price range
Parts at the LHS
Friends helis(for help with setup/questions)


Rule of thumb is, bigger is better, or at least easier to fly.


Just to give an example.

If you live somewhere where your flying space is really small(a small/normal back yard). You've been told that a large heli is easier to learn on, and you buy a '50 size heli.
Now you'll discover that the heli is just to big to fly in your back yard. You have to go to a real r/c field to fly it. This cuts your flying time down to 1/100 of what you would have gotten in your back yard. So, in this example, you have a heli thats easier to learn on, but you just can't get the stick time in, since you need to go to the field every time you want to fly.
In this case a smaller heli would have been better. It's harder to fly, but you'll get much more stick time.

So, IMHO this question is impossible to answer
__________________
We are just grown-ups, playing with expensive toys
adjonym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2008, 06:26 AM   #3
Charrua
WKA Test Pilot
 
Charrua's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Uruguay, Soriano
Posts: 172
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

Quote: Originally Posted by rcroll!!
View Post
Hi,folks
now,post your views about this topic.I think our views will useful for rc heli beginners.I sincerely hope everyone can say something about it.

You should try buying one of those cheapo helis you got for sell there and see if they are any good!!!
__________________
Sure I use Mixing ,,,BALSA & DIRT!!!!!!
www.whiteknuckleairlines.com
Charrua is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2008, 08:42 AM   #4
bzrogers
Bad-ass Super Contributer!
 
bzrogers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: United States, OH, Dayton
Posts: 423
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

Whatever is the cheapest!!!

You want something that is easy and cheap to fix!

It is a helicopter it is going to break/ware out or it is going to crash!

I went with a Raptor 50... cheap parts. I know there are some other good ones out there...

Electrics might be the way to go if you have never flown a heli. Something like the Blade or Heli-Max starter sets could be a really good way to go.

Do you have a flight sim...???
bzrogers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2008, 09:28 AM   #5
BarracudaHockey
Multi Platform Pilot
 
BarracudaHockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Age: 46
Posts: 1,473
Send a message via AIM to BarracudaHockey
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

Most important question to address is............

What is your budget?
__________________
3D Bowl March 23-25 Jax RC!
Andy
AMA 77227
http://www.jaxrc.com
Florida Freestyle Aerobatics Association
BarracudaHockey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2008, 12:38 PM   #6
mporlier
Gettin' Lower!
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Montreal, Canada
Age: 44
Posts: 40
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

Do you have a simulator, do you practice on helis? What is your skill level?

If you start with a counter rotating small heli you could be disappointed after 2 weeks. I know I did. If on the sim you can hover, do small circuits and maybe some nose in hover you could start with a real variable pitch heli. I suggest the Aling T-Rex 450 se V2. Easy to assemble, lowest cost per crash and lots of fun. Than, if you like this, you can upgrade to a larger size heli like the Raptor 50 or better the Aling T-Rex 600 E or N.
__________________
I came from the other side!
I fly helis
mporlier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2008, 06:20 PM   #7
Walt
Bad-ass Super Contributer!
 
Walt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In
Age: 57
Posts: 746
Awards Showcase
Norm Abrams Master Craftsman Award: Master Craftsman. Simply an amazing builder! - Issue reason: The MANY amazing built threads you have graced FG with! FlyingGiants Good Dude Award: For stepping up to the plate, being a part of a fundraising effort for a good cause. Thank you. - Issue reason: Thank you very much for helping with the recent donation drive. Master Build Threader!: Awarded to FlyingGiants Members who take the time and show us how to Git R Dun! Excellent build Threads. - Issue reason: Walt recieves the MBT award, well, cuz he's Walt. Master builder, and supporter of The Giants. Thanks Walt!! Check it: http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9024 
Total Awards: 3
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

Check with your LHS and see what he supplies. See what others if any at your field are flying, you going to need help. My suggestion for a beginner which I basically am would be to look at the Century Hawk Pro..They fly great, are very reasonable to buy and parts are also. If you go with an OS32 its easy on fuel. This is a good basic beginner ship and it will do some 3D cranked up. I would also suggest getting the kit version. Century has a very good assembly manual and most of the head and tail comes pre assembled. Its good to assemble one to get familiar with the mechanics and working's as later on it'll be a benefit, your going to break it..This is just an opinion, other's naturally will disagree, but it worked for me and was intially suggested that I go this way...Mine flew from the assembly manual set up great..Hope this helps, Walt
__________________
In memory of Andy Fabian
SRV
Thanks to: Harry @
www.sunstarweb.com
Big Lew
Wayne Geffon
Jerry Worth
pitsbros.com
Walt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2008, 11:38 AM   #8
cadman83
Gettin' Lower!
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Midlothian
Age: 40
Posts: 31
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

By far, the best way for a beginner to get started is with a simulator like Realflight. I started out with a small electric from Helimax and almost gave up on the whole idea of helicopters. It's not that it was a piece of junk, just that a small Heli is generally unstable. And not to mention that on the simulator when you "crash" all you need to do is hit the reset button. After I learned to properly hover I went out a got a T-rex heli and couldn't be happier.
__________________
Well, I reckon I can crash just about anything.
cadman83 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2008, 06:59 AM   #9
Tailspin90
Super Contributer
 
Tailspin90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 130
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

Yep, what Walt said!!!
__________________
Mind what you have learned.Save you it can.

.....Joe H. ....Tailspin90
Tailspin90 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2008, 09:25 AM   #10
wkfg
Gettin' Lower!
 
wkfg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Michigan
Age: 49
Posts: 34
Default Re: what is the best heli to start with?

After the sim, my vote goes to the Thunder Tiger Mini Titan 325E. I wish that I would of started with it instead of a Raptor 50. The Mini T is very stable in the wind and much less intimidating than the nitro machine. Plus it is quicker to get into the air with less area needed for flying, will give you a more regular practice time while learning.
wkfg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Which Electric Heli ??? moose Helicopters 9 11-06-2008 10:45 PM
Cactus Aviation - Customer Service reyn3545 Gas Engines 37 04-23-2008 02:33 PM
So you wanna try a heli ? Toro Helicopters 1 12-11-2007 02:19 PM
Heli Seminar and Heli Demonstration dvdking Event Announcements and Discussion 0 05-14-2007 02:04 PM
DA150 Will Not Start AUFlyer Gas Engines 26 05-10-2007 04:15 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:23 AM.

All Flyinggiants.com content copyright 2006-2012 by RCGroups.com, LLC except where otherwise indicated. The Flyinggiants.com logo is a trademark of RCGroups.com, LLC.
Please report any misuse of our trademarks or copyright violations using the contact form.
RCGroups Network :: RCGroups :: The E Zone :: Lift Zone :: RC Power :: Crackroll :: RC Cars

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.