RC hobbist helicopter, which is the best for your money?
Microcontrolled
Posts: 2,461
I'll admit, this is only somewhat connected with parallax, but anyway.
My younger brother has recently shown interest in RC helicopters as a hobby. He consulted me, the "electronics guy" for some help and advice. Although I could tell him about the electronics side of things, and what I could do with it, I have no idea what to look for in hardware for these devices. Since I've seen several projects involving RC aviation, like the quad-blade helicopter built a while back, I thought this might be a good place to ask. If anyone has any opinions on this subject, please post a message. Our budget isn't too big, so no multi-hundred dollar investments. :-) Also, I enjoy messing around with the electronics, so hardware only kits are also welcome to the list. We have been looking at this model: http://www.xheli.com/exi450arfrar.html this is a good size and allows for plenty of electronics and add ons.
Thanks In advance for any suggestions or opinions you may have!
Microcontrolled
My younger brother has recently shown interest in RC helicopters as a hobby. He consulted me, the "electronics guy" for some help and advice. Although I could tell him about the electronics side of things, and what I could do with it, I have no idea what to look for in hardware for these devices. Since I've seen several projects involving RC aviation, like the quad-blade helicopter built a while back, I thought this might be a good place to ask. If anyone has any opinions on this subject, please post a message. Our budget isn't too big, so no multi-hundred dollar investments. :-) Also, I enjoy messing around with the electronics, so hardware only kits are also welcome to the list. We have been looking at this model: http://www.xheli.com/exi450arfrar.html this is a good size and allows for plenty of electronics and add ons.
Thanks In advance for any suggestions or opinions you may have!
Microcontrolled
Comments
How much are the Blades? and How long will it take to get them?
and yes..You will need the training skids..(the sticks with ping pong balls on the ends)
That Platform(exi450) looks like it has alot of room for custom stuff.
I fly and spend most of my day hanging around my friends Hobby Shop. The shop is pretty much all RC helicopter's its a specialty shop. I have worked on all shapes and size's. So I'll give you the same 2 cents worth I give everyone who walks through the doors. Keep in mind this is only my opinion and experience watching people for the last couple years try and get into the hobby.
Like anything else you get what you pay for. I have seen in the last few years at least 100 + people walk in with those EXI clones. You can throw all the best electronics at it, and it still wont fly half as good as the heli it was copied from, we have tried to make them fly well, there is just to much slop in the hardware IMO. Most people who have them start replacing parts with TREX and by the time they are done they might as well bought a real TREX. I am not rooting for Align TREX here I don't even own one. IMO they are the best for a beginner though parts are usually available all over and are very reasonably priced. The first thing you want to consider parts availability and price. Go to your local hobby shop and see what they are selling.
As I am writhing this I realized that most people cannot be talked out of those EXI clones. They are priced so low. So I am not going to try and talk you out of it. But just give you some advice. Don't buy cheap servos! I have seen some bad cuts from cheap servos. Remember your head speed is going to be around 2500 RPM those blades are like knives at that speed. And the only thing between those blades and you are your flying skills and heli setup. IMO there is no such thing as a cheap cyclic servo the best or don't fly. Do your self a favor and get nothing less than HITEC HS65HB's or better HS65MG's. The MG's are about 35 bucks a piece HB's are around 28.
Well I could talk about this forever and we haven't even discussed Radio, Gyro ect.
If you have any questions please ask. I have been around RC Heli's every day for a few years.
-Ron
I agree with RonP. You get what you pay for. That EXI clone has a very attractive price but I would NEVER buy one or recommend anyone else to do so, if for no other reason than you are directly supporting a company that has copied someone else's design. I like my money to go to good people. Secondly, trying to learn to fly on an inferior machine may end up frustrating you to the point of giving up. I think you would be better off waiting until you can afford a quality product. Flying helis is difficult enough without the extra complications of poor mechanics and electronics.
Rich H
As Rich mentioned trying to learn on an inferior machine is difficult Heli's are not easy to learn on the best machine but you chances of being successful on a good machine are much better. All the people who I've seen try and go the cheap way are not around very long they get frustrated and quit. Something I forgot to mention is getting a good simulator. I use Real Flight I have used Phoenix and liked it also. A good simulator will save you tons of cash in the long run you might want to look at starting there. Both simulators are just under $ 200.
-Ron
If not that I would go with a Blade heli. I have two mcx that are fairly good quality; much better than cheaper brands.
Get a good sim and crash there until you get orientations down. Not the same as in the wild, but helps immensely.
For a reasonable introduction, the coax helis can provide a quick gratification better than a standard cp (collective pitch).
There are some inexpensive helis that aren't a waste of money. I like the little Blade helicopters. The coaxil are relatively easy to fly. I have a mCX and I let my little neices and nephews fly it.
I also have a Blace mSR. That's a lot of fun but not a good first helicopter.
Okay now I need/want to brag. I can fly both my mCX and mSR helis with a Wii Nunchuck (look Ma, one handed). Pretty cool. (Yes, a Parallax microcontroller (Propeller) is involved. Hey, now we're taking about Parallax stuff.)
I see others have suggested the mCX. I'd get the new mCX2 if I were to buy one again. It just looks cool.