If you had your druthers
01-04-2007, 09:01 PM
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If you had your druthers
Hi folks. Name is Steve and, I am seriously considering a DF VTI.
This will be my first RC chopper, and research has convinced me this is the way to go. My question to you gurus is the following:
To make sure I get the best overall experience, what parts/extras/mods should I consider getting with the VTI?
After reading many,many posts seems better/bigger lipo batteries and a charger to suit them may be a good step. I was also thinking of the folding blades, crash set, and frame bracing. Extra motors or gears needed? Would the SAV crash kit with all that included also work on the VTI?
Also is the stock radio ok or would an upgrade to the computer radio, or even a different one from another place be a good thought?
As you can see, I have many questions so your indulgence and patience will be appreciated.
Steve
This will be my first RC chopper, and research has convinced me this is the way to go. My question to you gurus is the following:
To make sure I get the best overall experience, what parts/extras/mods should I consider getting with the VTI?
After reading many,many posts seems better/bigger lipo batteries and a charger to suit them may be a good step. I was also thinking of the folding blades, crash set, and frame bracing. Extra motors or gears needed? Would the SAV crash kit with all that included also work on the VTI?
Also is the stock radio ok or would an upgrade to the computer radio, or even a different one from another place be a good thought?
As you can see, I have many questions so your indulgence and patience will be appreciated.
Steve
01-04-2007, 09:46 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
I would recommend having a couple of each of motor mounts, main gears, arms, and vertical risers on hand at all times. I have a frame stiffening kit. It's cheap and it stiffens the frame up a lot. Get a couple of spare motors too. I don't think you need to worry about the radio, it's a decent unit.
01-04-2007, 09:52 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Hi Steve,
I was in your shoes just a few months ago and decided on the DF. I am very happy with the decision, good company, service, etc...but I had a few issues up front, like learning about Ti and why not to calibrate over wet grass.
I asked the very same question when I started. I'm not sure what the kits are any more but I recommend the following things:
1. Motor mounts - several, repeat several.
2. Little white plastic screws.
3. An extra set of black nylon blades.
4. An extra gear or two - bad crashes usually result in lost teeth.
5. An extra battery = if you want to jump right in to the larger batteries and have the budget do it.
6. A couple of Riser arms.
7. Frame bracing
8. Scotch tape to secure the loose rods in the frame bracing - sometimes you can adjust the DF mainframe so the tolerance is perfect so that the frame bracing mounts nice and tight...the issue with that is when a frame brace pops out in a crash you need to unscrew the mount to get in back in.
9. Spare motors, should you have any suspects.
Take your time and learn - don't expect the DF to fly itself either - while it is easy it takes some getting used to.
I was in your shoes just a few months ago and decided on the DF. I am very happy with the decision, good company, service, etc...but I had a few issues up front, like learning about Ti and why not to calibrate over wet grass.
I asked the very same question when I started. I'm not sure what the kits are any more but I recommend the following things:
1. Motor mounts - several, repeat several.
2. Little white plastic screws.
3. An extra set of black nylon blades.
4. An extra gear or two - bad crashes usually result in lost teeth.
5. An extra battery = if you want to jump right in to the larger batteries and have the budget do it.
6. A couple of Riser arms.
7. Frame bracing
8. Scotch tape to secure the loose rods in the frame bracing - sometimes you can adjust the DF mainframe so the tolerance is perfect so that the frame bracing mounts nice and tight...the issue with that is when a frame brace pops out in a crash you need to unscrew the mount to get in back in.
9. Spare motors, should you have any suspects.
Take your time and learn - don't expect the DF to fly itself either - while it is easy it takes some getting used to.
01-04-2007, 09:58 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
ORIGINAL: Skymed
Hi folks. Name is Steve and, I am seriously considering a DF VTI.
This will be my first RC chopper, and research has convinced me this is the way to go. My question to you gurus is the following:
To make sure I get the best overall experience, what parts/extras/mods should I consider getting with the VTI?
After reading many,many posts seems better/bigger lipo batteries and a charger to suit them may be a good step. I was also thinking of the folding blades, crash set, and frame bracing. Extra motors or gears needed? Would the SAV crash kit with all that included also work on the VTI?
Also is the stock radio ok or would an upgrade to the computer radio, or even a different one from another place be a good thought?
As you can see, I have many questions so your indulgence and patience will be appreciated.
Steve
Hi folks. Name is Steve and, I am seriously considering a DF VTI.
This will be my first RC chopper, and research has convinced me this is the way to go. My question to you gurus is the following:
To make sure I get the best overall experience, what parts/extras/mods should I consider getting with the VTI?
After reading many,many posts seems better/bigger lipo batteries and a charger to suit them may be a good step. I was also thinking of the folding blades, crash set, and frame bracing. Extra motors or gears needed? Would the SAV crash kit with all that included also work on the VTI?
Also is the stock radio ok or would an upgrade to the computer radio, or even a different one from another place be a good thought?
As you can see, I have many questions so your indulgence and patience will be appreciated.
Steve
You can't go wrong with this one as your first Helicopter. I fly lots of different heli's and the DF is without a doubt the easiest most stable heli I've ever flown. It is just a lot of fun.
I would get a few extra batteries the 2000 - 2100 mAh give me 18 min flight times verus the the 12 min times on the 1300 mAh's. also provide better vertial climb power.
I have a SAVS and it came with the folding blades...I really like the one piece blades better. The SAV crash kit will work but you get a few things you don't need (rubber bands for the camera) and I like the one piece blade better, I would just buy the crash kit for the DF V.
Get a set of spare motors and gears...if ya fly alot you wear them out...I get about 75-100 flights per set.
Definately get the frame braces...they are a must.
As far as radio's go...the SAVS came with the Futaba 6EXAP computer radio... I Love this radio and the flexible, detachable antenna.
Hope that helps.
Happy Flyin,
Lacey
01-04-2007, 10:17 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Wow, you guys are fast 
Great info. My eyes are going like all 4 rotors having been here most of the afternoon reading posts.
I was also on RCTOYS website earlier and saw a link to live support. Never tried that before, so I gave it a click and was connected with a great guy called Devin who was patient and handled my questions knowledgeably.
Am a strong believer in researching before I part with my hard earned cash, and the best research is never be afraid to ask questions of those who know more than me.
So here is another question....
Do the bigger batteries require a good charger/balancer? Seen several posts regarding the stock one being not very good.
Steve
Great info. My eyes are going like all 4 rotors having been here most of the afternoon reading posts.
I was also on RCTOYS website earlier and saw a link to live support. Never tried that before, so I gave it a click and was connected with a great guy called Devin who was patient and handled my questions knowledgeably.
Am a strong believer in researching before I part with my hard earned cash, and the best research is never be afraid to ask questions of those who know more than me.
So here is another question....
Do the bigger batteries require a good charger/balancer? Seen several posts regarding the stock one being not very good.
Steve
01-04-2007, 10:17 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
I have had my DF SAVS for about 6 weeks and I have gone through about every part there is except for the boards. The one piece blades are a must! Today I busted one of the carbon fiber arms (50' free fall) but replacing parts is rather easy. The crash kit comes with the rods. Get a couple of fuses too, at least until you get good at shutting down the power as soon as you land/crash. The transmitter is just fine...Denny
PS - Just take your time and do the sim, and go easy.
PS - Just take your time and do the sim, and go easy.
01-04-2007, 10:18 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Not that far away just an hour or so. For some reason the thought of a DF joust came to mind. Now to work on getting the laser tag gadgets wired to the DF...Skymed practice up
01-04-2007, 10:20 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
festus is in Fredericton............................now thats handy. Festus , if you would you be willing to share info, I have a buddy who is also looking at getting a DF and maybe if we spring for a double double we could get together to pick your brain?
Steve
Steve
01-04-2007, 10:47 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
ORIGINAL: Skymed
Wow, you guys are fast
Great info. My eyes are going like all 4 rotors having been here most of the afternoon reading posts.
So here is another question....
Do the bigger batteries require a good charger/balancer? Seen several posts regarding the stock one being not very good.
Steve
Wow, you guys are fast
Great info. My eyes are going like all 4 rotors having been here most of the afternoon reading posts.
So here is another question....
Do the bigger batteries require a good charger/balancer? Seen several posts regarding the stock one being not very good.
Steve
I use the Thunder Power TP-425 and the 205v balancer...works great and they are pretty cheap.
Stock charger works...but it's not a balance charger and it takes much longer to charge the batteries.
Happy Flyin,
Lacey
P.S. You guys NEVER invite me for a double double....what's up with that???
Oh Yeah....I don't drink coffee!!!..Ha!.... [:-]
01-04-2007, 10:53 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
ORIGINAL: laceycopter
Ok us Guys...and GIRLS!!! are fast...
I use the Thunder Power TP-425 and the 205v balancer...works great and they are pretty cheap.
Stock charger works...but it's not a balance charger and it takes much longer to charge the batteries.
Happy Flyin,
Lacey
P.S. You guys NEVER invite me for a double double....what's up with that???
Oh Yeah....I don't drink coffee!!!..Ha!.... [:-]
ORIGINAL: Skymed
Wow, you guys are fast
Great info. My eyes are going like all 4 rotors having been here most of the afternoon reading posts.
So here is another question....
Do the bigger batteries require a good charger/balancer? Seen several posts regarding the stock one being not very good.
Steve
Wow, you guys are fast
Great info. My eyes are going like all 4 rotors having been here most of the afternoon reading posts.
So here is another question....
Do the bigger batteries require a good charger/balancer? Seen several posts regarding the stock one being not very good.
Steve
I use the Thunder Power TP-425 and the 205v balancer...works great and they are pretty cheap.
Stock charger works...but it's not a balance charger and it takes much longer to charge the batteries.
Happy Flyin,
Lacey
P.S. You guys NEVER invite me for a double double....what's up with that???
Oh Yeah....I don't drink coffee!!!..Ha!.... [:-]
[&o]
I suppose we could always fedex a double double to ya [8D]
01-04-2007, 11:30 PM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Skymed, welcome! I'll second everything said here with regard to crash kit parts...all good stuff to have, and "several," as Festus said, motor mounts is a must. A full set of spare motors is important, too. They're not that expensive.
The only other thing I'd add is that I'd lose those nylon screws. I had a bad crash caused by the heads shearing on those screws and I've been flying brass screws ever since. The weight difference isn't worth worrying about (at least not yet, for me).
Will
The only other thing I'd add is that I'd lose those nylon screws. I had a bad crash caused by the heads shearing on those screws and I've been flying brass screws ever since. The weight difference isn't worth worrying about (at least not yet, for me).
Will
01-11-2007, 09:01 AM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Now that looked liked my kind of coffee
Your all welcome here, Ill get the kettle on
maybe a coldie instead
marty
Your all welcome here, Ill get the kettle on
maybe a coldie instead
marty
01-11-2007, 09:05 AM
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RE: If you had your druthers
I think The Hindmost and I disagree on the plastic screws. I originally replaced mine with brass but found during my initial learning curve that when in a serious crash I have had to replace gears. When using plastic screws, they shear off in a bad crash (like a bumper crumple zone) and save further damage.
01-11-2007, 09:55 AM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Not to make you feel like you're being ganged up on Hindmost, but i'll have to side with Festus here. I'm all for nylon screws during my training/learning phase - they've saved a rotor and or gear for me on a number of occasions (no flying for me right now - bad weather and a mainboard with the death wobbles) BUT - i did find some sweet looking anodized aluminum screws that i may upgrade to when the time is right - link below.
http://www.tracksidercproducts.com/index.htm
Cheers
jhb
http://www.tracksidercproducts.com/index.htm
Cheers
jhb
01-11-2007, 11:22 AM
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RE: If you had your druthers
Oh, no, please stop ganging up on me!!! I can't take it!!!!!
Each to his own...It just took one incident of a nylon screw shearing off in flight to make me drop 'em...If they're working for you guys, that's great! I do see the point about the "crumple zone."
Will
Each to his own...It just took one incident of a nylon screw shearing off in flight to make me drop 'em...If they're working for you guys, that's great! I do see the point about the "crumple zone."
Will
