Remote Controlled Helicopters

[VegasD]

Anyone into this?  I've been thinking of trying it out, but I don't know where to start.  As with any hobby there is an abundance of confusing information available online.

I'd like to know what a good starter model is, one that won't burst into tiny pieces when I inevitably crash it, and where I can get it.

I found a local store where I live, but I think they might be crooks.  For example, they had this on display and told me it was $200.

http://rcflightsim.com/index.html

Not exactly the guys I want to be helping me out.

[Bullwinkle]

Look into the Airhogs line.  They have a pretty cheap version that doesn't move forward or back, but is still fun.  Then they have a bulkier, more expensive version (I think it was $60 when I bought one a couple of years back) that has full control. 

Both are meant for indoor flying, and, while you couldn't thread a needle with either, both are fun to try to get to go where you want.

The first was called the Havoc, the other was called the Reflex, IIRC.  Also, Airhog stuff always seems to go on sale.

[MonkeyFinger]

Anyone into this?  I've been thinking of trying it out, but I don't know where to start.  As with any hobby there is an abundance of confusing information available online.

I'd like to know what a good starter model is, one that won't burst into tiny pieces when I inevitably crash it, and where I can get it.

I found a local store where I live, but I think they might be crooks.  For example, they had this on display and told me it was $200.

http://rcflightsim.com/index.html

Not exactly the guys I want to be helping me out.

What's the "this" they had on display? $40 software for $200? 

I'm in the same boat, would love to get into RC helos but really don't know where to start. And I'm afraid to go into the RC store near my house as I know I'll end up buying something, dagnabbit. Plus I hear that they are the most difficult thing to learn to fly, more so than the planes, what with no "seat of the pants" guidance information available.

[Toe]

I got one a while back (not sure of what kind it was). It was fun for a while but then the on-board battery got drained and the helicoptor was worthless because it was not accessable to be replaced. So I would recommend to get a model that has a replaceable on-board battery.

[VegasD]

What's the "this" they had on display? $40 software for $200? 

Exactly.

It uses a USB controller that is identical to what you use for the real thing.  So walking in off the street I had no perception of what the real value of that product (software + controller) was.  In fact, if they were a bit more friendly I might have even bought it!

I'm looking for something a little more advanced than indoor only.  My reason for getting into this is a giant open soccer field across the street from my house.

[Rich]

I bought the Realflight G4 Sim a few years ago along with a plane for my dad for Xmas, I've borrowed the disc and messed with the Sim a few times and thought it was pretty damn good, flying remote control planes/helicopters seems harder than the real thing since your perspective is all off.  My dad has yet to take the plane out of the box, it sits in his attic next to his metal detector he also asked for when he retired. 

[DonD]

It depends on how serious you are about RC heli flying.  The larger models are more stable and easier to fly and easier to see when flying.

There are toys like the microhelis that can be flown indoors that are super cheap if you just want to play for a bit.

There are a little larger electric helis like the Eflight Blade series, which have been favorably reviewed (but mine had a motor problem day 1 and neither the company nor the store would replace/repair it without a charge).

And there are larger models.  I now fly the Align T-Rex.  It comes as a kit but with the main chassis prebuilt.  In practice, I ended up taking apart the chassis as my main gear chipped during a crash and I had to replace it.  The whole kit with batteries, charger, motor, etc cost about $1k.  My crash cost me around $70 in replacement parts.

I definitely recommend electric over gas as the power is very smooth with electric and doesn't have jumps and spurts that a gas engine can get at times.

There are a wealth of resources on the 'net on how to train and how to get started flying.  I used Realflight until I was comfortable, and found it helpful in understanding how little you actually move the control sticks to keep the craft balanced and steady.

[Knightshade Dragon]

I own an Esky Belt CP V2 Electric Heli.  It's a big boy but not quite as big as the T-Rex for instance.  My chopper cost me about 200 bucks with a spare set of blades.  I have a simulator that I'm playing with before I take the maiden voyage with the chopper. (I've done a few minor successful hover and landing / balance tests)  My recommendation is to get a sim that can use the same controller you will be using on your heli so you can get used to the subtle nuance of flying.  Flying choppers is a game of patience if there ever was one.

http://www.xheli.com/20esbecpv26c.html

[MonkeyFinger]

Very nice. Interesting "anti-crash" kit you can add on to the package. 

[Canuck]

They sure look like fun-I love how you can add a camera onto the  copters.  You could spy on that good looking girl skinny dipping in the pool next to your house

Why do the helis have to sets of rotors?  Does a single set not produce enough lift?  And what's up with this helicopters flying upside down?  How do they do that?  Is that possible (obviously I can see why no one would try it) with conventional helicopters?

[Alefroth]

They sure look like fun-I love how you can add a camera onto the  copters.  You could spy on that good looking girl skinny dipping in the pool next to your house

Why do the helis have to sets of rotors?  Does a single set not produce enough lift?  And what's up with this helicopters flying upside down?  How do they do that?  Is that possible (obviously I can see why no one would try it) with conventional helicopters?

I'm not sure of the technical term, but I believe that is for counter-torque, to prevent the copter itself from spinning the opposite direction of the main rotors.

Ale

[Rich]

They sure look like fun-I love how you can add a camera onto the  copters.  You could spy on that good looking girl skinny dipping in the pool next to your house

Why do the helis have to sets of rotors?  Does a single set not produce enough lift?  And what's up with this helicopters flying upside down?  How do they do that?  Is that possible (obviously I can see why no one would try it) with conventional helicopters?

I'm not sure of the technical term, but I believe that is for counter-torque, to prevent the copter itself from spinning the opposite direction of the main rotors.

Ale

Pretty sure he's dead on, I don't know if they make RC choppers with working tail rotors or not so they need 2 sets of blades spinning in opposite directions.

[Knightshade Dragon]

They sure look like fun-I love how you can add a camera onto the  copters.  You could spy on that good looking girl skinny dipping in the pool next to your house

Why do the helis have to sets of rotors?  Does a single set not produce enough lift?  And what's up with this helicopters flying upside down?  How do they do that?  Is that possible (obviously I can see why no one would try it) with conventional helicopters?

I'm not sure of the technical term, but I believe that is for counter-torque, to prevent the copter itself from spinning the opposite direction of the main rotors.

Ale

Pretty sure he's dead on, I don't know if they make RC choppers with working tail rotors or not so they need 2 sets of blades spinning in opposite directions.

It depends on the chopper.  Mine, for instance, has a working rotor so I'd imagine those little nubbins are for counterbalance.  Those blades throw a lot of torque and the chopper is light as a feather.

[Crusis]

I get into these sporadically. Last week I bought a Heli-max Novus FP for indoor flying but it is so jumpy I needed to try something a little bit easier. The new Blade mSR just came out and I managed to get it flying with about 5 minutes of practice. This morning I was doing circles around the room which is unheard of for a copter this size. It weighs less than an oz and takes a tiny 120mah battery. I don't think I have the patience for a CP, they just take too much dedication and I can barely get my Axe CP to hover.

I found some unboxing-porn of it but the guy does a flight toward the middle of the vid so you can see how small this sucker is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohJnddxcTk. Anyway, after a couple of years of casual RC Heli's I think I found the perfect toy. I just wish it wasn't raining today so I can take it outside.

-Crusis

[Daehawk]

I have a small one like the Airhogs thats the size of my hand. Cost about $20. You recharge it on the rc controller. Its fun and I haven't broken it yet even with tons of crashes.

Id like a big old Huey like this one  

[Crusis]

Holy hell! That thing looks expensive to crash. 

[drifter]

I have this one and its pretty easy to fly and small enough to do a bit of zooming indoors for practice.

http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH1250

pretty sure I posted this for someone before.  Blades and skids are pretty cheap; those are the parts you will break the most.