sgbfly

Edmund, thats a great looking hanger! My mate let me maiden his Belt CP V2 today. Really enjoyed having a go. Thankfully I gave it back to him in one piece!

SImon

rikybob

Hi again Peter,

Yes my hands shake, but not as bad as previous times. I come from a (violins please) background and it makes it haaaarrrddd to tolerate a crash because of the expense of rebuilding and being without a bird. Probably one of the hardest things to get over, for me, is crashing! It would bum me out for days and if I could not put the bird back together, I would not be satisified until done!

I am over that now!

I recall flying my Thunder Chicken before its crash thinking, it's going to make a neat sound when it finally hits the dirt.[:@] I swear it was 8 minutes later when my left alerion servo died and it did just that.[:'(] I did the post mortum and ordered a bunch of necessary parts (some unnessary) and rebuilt same and flew it this morning.

The I HEART Heli Guy put it right when he said flying is fun but the "art" of being a mechanic and the fellowship of flying helis is where it's at. He is right!

I was shocked this morning after having replaced the main shaft, spindle, flybar, bad servo (and for fun CF Blades and paddles) that the little son of a gun lifted right off!

Best to all!

Brian

rikybob

Hi Peter,

I miss my shorts

I was picking boogers however while whatching Richard (I have redundant shorts that are only nearly as bad as the ones I trashed!) and recall that episode. I will rewatch same and see if I can more clearly get it. He is great!

Sorry you aren't getting stick time. I really haven't got into Clearview much as I tend to like the "real thing". I see it will be useful for bad weather and developing mad skills such as loops, rolls, funnels and anything 3D!

Thanx for your great advice as always!

Brian

rikybob

Hi all!

(Danger, waxing philosohic ahead!)

I was listening to a talk radio show some time back when the presenter presented the idea of asking the audience what they thought were milestones of modern man?[8D]

Callers called in with Nuclear power, the Salk vaccine, aircraft etc.[&:]

One caller called in and stated that the modern marvels that he thought were the most important were as follows:

A three inch drywall screw and a zip tie! He said "Hell, their ain't nuthin that you can't do with a three inch drywall screw and a zip tie!" It was awesome!

I am a HUGE fan of [link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_razor]Occum's Razor [/link] and as much as I love to over analyze and over engineer, I find that the simplest solution, as unelegant as it may seem, is often the best!

Make it so Jerry!

Brian

PS you may return to your previously uninterrupted channel!

rikybob

Edmund!

That is a lovely fleet! But alas, I am going to tell you 'ole lady on you!

Sorry, I am just a little EVIL![sm=bananahead.gif]

Brian

rikybob

Danger, nearing post limit!

Simon,

I would have been NERVOUS!

He must be a close friend!

Further, he must have seen your videos and great flying prowess!

Glad it was uneventful!

Brian

kiwigeoff

I have been offered a DX6i for a price of a few beers. Can this bind with the standard 2.4Ghz 6 Channel Esky 001367 (EK2-0426) or will I have to buy thethisas mentioned by Simon? A search of all the Esky threads here seems to indicated Spiros & Peter had information it would bind, but I could not find conculsive links or information.

Geoff
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rikybob

Hi Geoff!

Get it now!

I too have never been conclusively told no but all points to NO! Same frequency.........different technology!

I don't want to end up like Peter (tongue in cheek) in that I only want one Tx! Peter has, at last count 135 Tx! I am willing to part with, what I think is about 40 bux to mod my BOL (it is a brushless RC711 model) to keep me down to one TX aaaaannnnddd a smoother bird!

My 2p!

Brian

Buz

I don't think mine is ever going to get here!~ Wow, yours weighs 2.64 ounces more than mine. Zip ties, eh? Boy, I hope that's the way it installs. I have hundreds of zip ties. The most weight I've carried with the BOL is the weight of a 9 volt battery and 5 or 6 strobe lights. It was struggling to fly with stock blades. I think Spiros (Peter?)... well whoever said it may be right... we're going to need to use full length 400 blades. I see your fuselage is longer than mine also.... should be interesting to see how they work out. Post your progress so I can copy it. LOL

Buzz

aircrash

Hi Geoff,

No, it will not bind to the esky Rx.
You must get a spectrum or compatible receiver.

Spiros

aircrash

As for me, Ihave already three esky Tx, all 2.4ghz, one Tx runs all the BOL`s and the other are used as a "spare" one.
I`m happy with it, it needs only 4 batteries, they last long, it offers a long distance radio control, and more enough it did not cost me more than the BOL.
If one radio goes off in case I drop it or something I`ll have the other two. If one Rx goes off by a crash I`ll have the other.
As for the control I don`t think it needs any more than the stock radio.

So for me the "better" radio is only to the feeling you own a "better" radio. At least when your fleet is full of BOL`s.
It`s a different story when you own a CP bird though. Where you do need programmable items.

As for the memory.
If you have only BOL`s then you can make them fly with the trim at the center. So all BOL`s you have do not need any trimming adjustment through the Tx.

I hope Ican get another BOL, so I`ll have four of them now. This makes it 4x Tx and 4x Rx...

Sky Soldier

Aye, Aye, Captain Hero! Mr. Zulu, take us to warp speed smartly or I'll see yer nekked butt sliding down Occum's Rusty Razor!!

Ya had to know something like this was coming, Brain.

Brian, I hope you have a great day!

Calm winds and Crazy crashes,
Jerry

ps. Buzz, I will keep you posted. I'm not in a rush and don't even have all the parts to finish scratch building the BOL yet.

pps. Pinky?? Oh boy, a new aka!!

kiwigeoff

Brian &amp; Spiros,

Thanks for the replies.

My rational is if I can use the DX6i I can then also upgrade the HoneyBeeKing II and get more time on that too. I have a few Esky receivers lying around ( Maximum spares akla Spiros) and could change the HBKII to 24Ghz. Like Brian I would like to reduce the amount of transmitters I need to throw into the truck. I arrived at my big flight site last week, with 2 BOL , I HKBII and one plane - only to find I had only loaded the plane transceiver Maybe I should look at the unit Simon is using? Comments Simon

Geoff

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sgbfly

Hi Geoff,

I would grab the dx6i.

The Flysky 6 channel I have is good but it has no built in model memory so you would need to take a laptop to the field. I think also dx6i has more programming options. But, as discussed you will have to buy dx6i compatible receivers.

Simon

Buz

Before you buy a Spektrum radio.... consider the DX-7. The DX6 and DX6i will fade from the market with some pilots because they are not necessarily compatible. I see this new receiver everyone is considering has only one stub antenna for the Rx. You can get the DX-7 helicopter radio, receiver, stronger servos for larger heli's... or use your own....and if you're flying a 4 channel helicopter with it... you have TWO sets of antennae boats with two antennas each...4 antennas for a helicopter. Then you have the rest of the empty receiver sockets to put in remote lights, stabilization units, etc. There are a LOT of switches and buttons at the top of the DX7 which can be programmed to turn functions on and off also. The other reason I bought it is because it's 7 channels for $200...total package. It will also bind with any other Specktrum receiver. Best money I've spent for larger helicopters...but can also be used in a coaxial.

sgbfly

Hi Mike,

Just to let you know I'm currently putting some of the components I recommended to you on my BOL that I'm rebuilding. It bench tests OK so I'm going to call it a night! I'm also building another boardless BOL that will have a slightly different setup.

Simon

aircrash

Hi there,

My new BOL is ready!

Weighs 449g and I have done:
<ul>[*]Taped fuselage[*]leds[*]heatsinks[*]replaced ring link rod bars to the swashplate, so there is no exposed bolts.[*]xtreme extended shaft[*]xtreme bearing cup[*]glue to the antenna of the Rx[*]motor`s shafts lubricated by Wurth HSS 2000 (only a drop to the upper side, so it can`t go to the brushes)[*]adjust gear mesh and tighten the motor screws[*]replaced double sided foam tape to the Rx &amp; 3in1[*]battery tray mod -&gt; no more flexing of the frame, so gear mesh is always right / battery can be moved /skids &amp; battery holder &amp;frame is durable[/list]With all these the weight increased by 46g. The fuselage itself weighs 49g now.

Tested it with the stock blades and the battery at the stock position.
It does not fly as good as the previous one, but still is great. I`ll test it with the battery moved a bit and then with the HPblades.

I can`t wait to make it fly the same as the missing one...

Spiros

Buz

OMG! I just cannot justify spending $90+ for a BOL....which flies perfectly out of the box....and then spending an equal amount to totally change it around, re engineer the entire thing.... and put in all new components. Why?
I'll never understand it. I have brushless motors in much larger helicopters.....but the Lama is nearly a throw away helicopter. By the way... I'm selling all of my BOL's as parts helicopters. If anyone is interested let me know by email please. I have two more new BOL's on the way.... I'm going to concentrate a lot more on the 450 and the Blade SR. (But, I'll always own at least one BOL)....

aircrash

Hi Buzz,

If you look at it only by the logical view then spending so much on a "cheap" heli is not so logical.
But the logical part is you can have so much fun that money cannot buy.
Because the conversion will not only make it fly better (or at least differently) but you have the joy of spending some hours on something you like, and then you get the result as a reward.

I may had told that the boardless brushless conversion is not cheap, is not economical in the long term either if you consider the brushed motors last so long so the brushless won`t make it even by some time, but I had made one eventually.
Cause Iliked to build one. And for another reason also. If I had not bought so many RTF, if I had not spare brushed motors, then who knows if I could find a 3in1 and motors for the BOL in a few years... So at least I can have an alternative.

As for the rest heli there, I do not give a penny. I`m a BOLmaniac, cause I can have fun out of it.

Spiros

Edmund2

Having watched you on first 450 lipo video, I just wonder why my ESKY training kit that clips onto the skids let the heli stand so high up in the air (20+ cm). Yours are almost on the ground with only a "slight" downwards trend upon lift off. Looks funny when landing and the kit takes up any uneveness and the heli weight.

HAVE AGREAT FLYING DAY ALL.

Edmund2

sgbfly

Hi Edmund,

My friends CP had that esky kit. The clips onto the skids are quite a good idea &amp; probably better than the cable ties mine are fixed to the skids with. I also noticed the Esky training kit was a little more rigid. I don't suppose it matters much both types of training gear seem effective.

It was quite funny yesterday. My friend watched me "fly" my 450 and then said have a go with mine. He proudly passed it to me and said, I've set it all up. I took the tx from him and noticed it was in idle up! lol. After this observation I proceeded with caution and set his bird down next to mine to make sure elevator, aileron, rudder and gyro all had the desired effect. Thankfully idle up was his only error! My first hop with the Belt cp tested the training gear because the gyro had failed to initialise correctly. Tried again and it was second time lucky!

Simon

aircrash

Good morning everybody,

I just tested my second PR301 charger. It`s OK as it should be.
Now I have to test the third and the forth charger I got.

Spiros

sgbfly

Hi Buzz,

That's fair enough &amp; I guess looking at it very simply it depends on whether you see the BOL as a toy or a hobby.

Having done the boardless brushless (bb) upgrade I suggest the main advantages are performance, flyability, can fly back to back lipos, reliability &amp; its even possible to make a tentative economic argument. My point of view is probably the opposite bias to yours lol.

Performance: The bbBOL has approximately double power over stock. It can fly faster, ascend faster and the extra power is very useful if you get into trouble as you can power out of some situations. The extra power is useful in the wind too &amp; for banked turns!
Flyability: I've heard many complain of dift and having to re-trim during and between lipos. With a well set up bbBOL this problem goes away. A Head Hold gyro keeps the heading better in a breeze. Performance and flyability combined the bbBOL does fly better. The upgraded bbBOL can also carry more weight no sweat!
Back to back lipos. The advice from a famous rc pilot (Dave Herbert) for a brushed motored helicopter is fly for 5 mins cool for 10 mins. With brushless motors you don't need to allow the motors and electronics to cool between flights. For many the window of opportunity for flying a BOL is small so with a bbBOL you can take full advantage.
Reliability: In a stock setup the brushed motors wear out relatively quickly and don't like crashes. The 3in1 has given many stock BOL owners trouble. If you get to 50+ flights on a stock BOL without problems then you are doing well. On my bbBOL I have flown 100's of lipos through it and no problems. Perhaps I am lucky - I don't know &amp; I accept that one persons experience does not make a trend.
Economics: Ok this is the weakest part of the "for" argument but after 5 months of brushed motors I was on my 3rd 3in1 and 3rd set of motors. The $100 bb upgrade suddenly does not look so bad!

Speaking from a personal point of view the upgrade has helped me to learn to fly better because it raised the limits of what is possible with the BOL. Also I learnt a lot form it before things like esc'c, KV's &amp; programming cards were foreign to me. The upgrade might not be for everyone and it comes down to whatever is right for A.N. Other and that persons circumstances! For example, the BOL is a better for a "back yard" than a 450 TRex!

Simon

pgroom_68

Hey again Jerry,

I had hoped you'd understand what I was trying to say re. the frame mounting mate! Hmmm - it really needs a design engineer to HELP out![sm=wink_smile.gif]
You will adapt and "find a way" for it to work I hope!!

Thanks for the explanation of your handle also - I didn't know "sky soldiers" was actually a nick-name...... Zip ties ARE a great invention.....![sm=regular_smile.gif]

I remember another flier zip-tied his servos in place but inadvertently warped the frame stripping his main gears. [sm=72_72.gif]This was with a smaller coaxial - but the principle still applied. Be careful what you squeeze "in them puppies"....[sm=teeth_smile.gif] They can apply a lot of tension!!!!

Peter[sm=shades_smile.gif]

pgroom_68

Hey again Simon,

In my country it is actually against the law to fly a CP in a suburban backyard - due to the noise polution!

I agree with BOTH points of view. I can actually do that you know - because they are not mutually exclusive!

Whether a hobby or a toy - both sides of the coin (or arguements) are valid here.

I think you have had better luck than me with the BOLs in general - maybe that is because of my learning "carefree" attitudes from Southern Gentlemen's flying styles, but there is no doubt in my mind that the BOL is a great learning tool.....!![sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Peter[sm=shades_smile.gif]
P.S. "Each to his own" - as they say[sm=49_49.gif]
P.P.S. It is actually illegal to start up a leaf blower before 6 am HERE too - but most residents overlook this[sm=wink_smile.gif]