Rv7garage

My Feedback: (10)

Hi gang, I'm starting to think about aquiring a fully-functional (CCPM) electric heli, and would appreciate any insight into which models might be better (read, higher quality). I have past heli experience, and lots of plank time as well, so I'm looking for something I can grow with. Any recommendations? Thanks! [sm=thumbup.gif]

Edwinssiv

I just recently moved up to the TRex 450...it has the capability to do more than I am able to fly it...but I am working on it!
I love it...it is a very stable heli, easy to assemble, repair and has the ability to easily upgrade. You might consider the TRex, HDX 450, Copter X of one of the other clones out there. Lots of support and parts are readily available...

Rv7garage

My Feedback: (10)

What kind of LiPo's are you using with your T-Rex? I already have 2 3s packs, 1800 & 2100 mAh respectively. Would these work with that machine?

Edwinssiv

Yes, they would work....the 1800 depending on C rating might be a very short flight. The 2100 again depends on the C rating.
I run mostly Flight Power 2170mah 25C, plus one thunder power 2050mah 25C and I can fly no problem for 7-8 minutes. I have a flight power 2500mah 25C that I can fly for 9-10 minutes depending if I am in idle up...if I am just hovering and FF, I get more time on the battries. I also have 3 2200mah 12C batteries that I can do hovering and FF with for 7 minutes but they can not handle idle up...it drains them immediately

noobflyer01

you got my vote for the trex 450. i don't have a trex but i have something very similar. the exi 450(trex 450 clone). at this point there is 50 percent trex parts in it.
the motor and esc you get with the kit is excellent. its more than most noobs can handle. if i had to do all over again i would of got the trex from day one with the dx7.

thats another thing. don't skimp on the transmitter. get something good and expensive. you'll won't regret it. i also just found out that the dx7 have 2 idle up modes.

stump3r

I'm flying the CopterX 450 and my 1800 25C lipos don't like the bird at all. Good flight times but come off so stinkin hot I'm scared to fly them in fear of cookin the lipo. My Kong Powers on the other hand 2200's fly great, 6 and half minutes flight time and loads of power.
Jump on the CopterX clone, quality is on par with the Trex and fly exactly the same, plus parts are fully interchangable.

xodarap1

My vote would be the plastic head and tailed Dragonus II.

The Dragonus is rugged and the parts are inexpensive.. so overall much cheaper to fly and upkeep than most other 450's.

The Kong Power 2200's work great in it.. so do Thunder Power 2100's, Esky 1800's, Art-Tech 2200's, Mega Power 2100's etc..

Your best bet would be to fly a Trex, Copterx and some other clones before you purchase anything, so you know what "feels" best in the air to YOU, and are able to compare them from first hand perspective to accurately judge all the factors before you make your final decision.

Once you fly a few of them the decisions get much easier.

RC David

flycfii,

Make sure you check out the Thunder Tiger mini-Titan. I have flown a T-Rex SE for comparison and I can tell you the MT is a little easier to fly (and work on) than the T-Rex. Also, Al's hobby in Elmhurst carries parts for it.

I can also put you in touch with a local heli "guru" who can help you set the heli up (T-Rex or Mini-Titan) including fine tuning the gyro, servo trim, etc.


Dave D.

H3li

I will have to second the Post above by RC David,

I recently bought a Thunder Tiger Mini Titan - 450 e-CCPM Heli.
(my previous experience being a Blade cx2 co-axial heli!).

The build quality of the Mini Titan is superb with Raptor pedigree - very nicely designed. More straight-forward to build/rebuild than the Trex too!

Mine came with an AcePower 2200 25C 3S Lipo. Appears nicely suited to this Heli.
Get around 7 - 8 minutes of nice hovering / FFF.

The MT provides a rock solid hover (as said, possibly more so than a 450 TRex), however capable of full 3D, thanks to the E-CCPM, as and when you want the extra excitement!

You might also like to checkout the Mini Titan SE - which has full carbon fibre tail boom/fin + full metal head and tail components.

The MT is available in a number of built stages - from basic kit, to kit + electrics, to ARTF (everything included - requiring just the main blades and tail be fitted)!

Definately include the MT as an option!

GRR_Mojo

I have a mini titan its my first heli. I love this thing. Built,setup and learned to hover all by my self(with a little help from FMS)
Now that I can hover and fine tune the setup its almost hands off hover. You have to go slow and take babby steps but this is a good bird.

Druss

Don't forget the Beam E4, I don't have one but have flown one. I've also flown the mini titan and own a trex 450se and I think the beam is better than both.

dicharry

My Feedback: (16)

Druss,
Please tell us where you found the Beam E4, and how it is equipped.
Thanks,
Don

Druss

Here is a link to the beam site.

http://www.beamheliusa.com/

It has a list of dealers.

I also want to add the Hurricane 550 to the mix here.... about the same cost as a well equipped 450 but 50% larger. Uses 2 3S batteries in series so you don't need to buy any more.

Skarn

Easy...TREX 450 SE v2. And with the Finless Bob vids, building, setup, programming radio, etc. is VERY easy.

Skarn

Flypaper 2

Another LITTLE heli that works well is the Hurricane 200. Very stable and will handle a bit of wind for such a dinky helli.

RC David

Flypaper 2,

Is your GAUI 200 REALLY that stable???

EVERYONE I've talked to has said it's pretty squirrely. I'm wondering if people just aren't putting enough expo in the swash.

I'm contemplating ONE LAST heli to complete my fleet so besides recommending the mini-Titan to flycfii, I'm researching now for the smallest (excellent quality) heli available. I want a non-coaxial micro that I can practice with in my 10x15 living room.

I now have the:

- Blade CX-2 (coaxial)
- Thunder Tiger E325 mini-Titan
- Thunder Tiger E550 Raptor

The ones I'm thinking about are:

1) GAUI 200 (I understand this will take my 2s 800mah CX-2 packs)
2) Honey Bee FP
3) Blade CP (chosen mainly for local parts support)
4) ???

Dave D.

Druss

There is also that new Hirobo srb quark, foam blades, quick connect battery, very stable if flown indoors.

Flypaper 2

Your right about the expo Dave. I'm using 40 % on elev. and ail. and 20 % on rudder. Biggest difference is when I added flybar weight. Will hover about 5 secs. hands off. I'm running an 800 2 cell pack which is more than enough.

Druss

I don't think anyone ever asked you your budget???

RC David

Thanks Druss.

I was thinking about that Hirobo Quark but it's very expensive for what it is and takes a special size battery pack. The cost is the main deterrent though.

I also found out today that the main shafts in the E-Flight Blade CP/CP-Pro (and clones) are VERY soft. I don't think newbie pilots and soft main shafts go together

I think that narrows it down to:

- GAUI 200
- Honey Bee FP

But I'll add one that I've been interested in since last winter...

- Walkera 4#3 (which now comes in 2.4 Ghz) I know some people think they're junk though but my living room (open area) is actually more like 6' X 10' so the smaller I go the better. My LHS carries GAUI 200 parts though so that's a big plus.


Dave D.

dicharry

My Feedback: (16)

If you're flying in a small area, don't overlook the Gaui Mini Zoom Pro collective pitch. They are very well made - full metal head- and once set up are a real joy to fly, especially indoors. I got brave yesterday and took it outside and flew it in a mild breeze, and it handled it like a champ.
I know if you saw it up close and personal you would agree there's no way to describe it other than cute. These little gems are quite managable especially with a computer TX. I have never used the flybar weights, and I can do circles and nose in with it.

RC David

dicharry,

I "am" looking for a heli for a really small area. I also thought the GAUI mini zoom was just an earlier version of the 200.

Are they really that different in size? Are there any side-by-side pics to compare?

I'm definitely interested. I would like to use my DX7 and put digital micro servos on it.


Dave

dicharry

My Feedback: (16)

Dave,
I've included a video clip of a Mini Zoom Pro hovering. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attac...mentid=1049814
That should give you some idea of it's size since it's next to a Tx. I would consider the larger 200 size if I were you because it's inherently more stable with it's larger size and you can take it outdoors under more windy conditions. Check out the micro heli forum. There's discussions on all
types of indoor helis.
Here's a clip of the Gaui 200 doing 3D. This guy is a serious pilot ! http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=877575
Don

RC David

Thanks Don.

From what I've read lately however, the Zoom or GAUI 200 would be a little too much for a small living room. I'm not sure if that would be best for me. I have a mini-Titan (450) and an E550 Raptor (size is same as T-Rex 600) so I have no need for this micro heli to go outdoors.

I also found out the Hirobo Quark will NOT work with my DX7 and I have no desire to have another radio (especially 72Mhz).

That brings me to think about the Walkera 4#3.

Then again, there seems to be a new heli introduced every other month now so I think I'll keep looking until the i-Hobby show in Oct.


Dave D.