RC Heli : Which one should I start with?

[radhak]

On a whim, I ordered the SYMA S107G and the SYMA S108G. These are my first heli, and unsure how to rate my experience.

The S107G had to be returned because it would not move forward or back, and would stay up in the air just for a few seconds. That disappointed me because the customer feedback was overall very good, if warning about unreliability.

The S108 is better, somewhat controll-able, but not exactly precise. It sure is fun. Best of course is that it is still intact despite dozens of crashes with furniture, walls, ceilings and even the fan (once)! It charges in around 25 minutes, and runs for around 10 minutes.

So, now I want to get something better, for not much more money. I'd be okay going up to $50/$60 or so maybe even up to $100, but only if I'd see a marked improved performance in terms of precision - as in response to the remote control.

I don't care for speed, and definitely don't want something huge, seeing that my girls (aged 10 and 13) want in, and may not like to get hurt and also may not have great control.

If I gather correctly, co-axial is better for my needs, but feel free to correct me.

 

[Imyourzero]

What about this one?

 

[velillen]

Dont know for sure but you probably wont find much else in the 50-60 range thats all that much better. When i was looking it seemed more around 100-150 you realy got to the better ones.

But i will say this one is quite fun. Comes with 12 missiles so when you lose some you have more It flies pretty similar to the S108G but it is nicer in that the throttle isnt spring loaded. You can move it to half power and leave it there. Quite fun for indoor flying
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o02_s01_i00

I also picked up this one. But first off it is loud and not for indoor flying IMO. Its pretty powerful and goes from my floor to ceiling (~12ft) in no time. But it is big enough and heavy enough to be fun to fly around in the backyard. Range is probably around 75ft.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o02_s00_i00

 

[Mutilator]

If you're willing to actually go up to your $100 limit then get a Blade mCX2. I have an original mCX S300 and I enjoy flying that more than the full size CX & CX2. It's just more controllable and more responsive. I'd recommend getting one from a local hobby shop or at least making sure one nearby sells Blade products (they should) that way you can buy replacement rotor blades and maybe landing skids because you will break stuff, but at least they're replaceable.

Keep in mind what has been posted so far are toys, this is a real hobby quality helo. You definitely get what you pay for. Just don't try to fly these little guys outside unless there is 0 wind.

 

[Kaido]

If you're willing to actually go up to your $100 limit then get a Blade mCX2. I have an original mCX S300 and I enjoy flying that more than the full size CX & CX2. It's just more controllable and more responsive. I'd recommend getting one from a local hobby shop or at least making sure one nearby sells Blade products (they should) that way you can buy replacement rotor blades and maybe landing skids because you will break stuff, but at least they're replaceable.

Keep in mind what has been posted so far are toys, this is a real hobby quality helo. You definitely get what you pay for. Just don't try to fly these little guys outside unless there is 0 wind.

I was just coming in to suggest the Blade CX2:

http://www.amazon.com/E-Flite-CX2-El...dp/B000JL723S/

The double rotors make it really easy for a beginner (easier than the cheapo $20 palm-size choppers, imo), but are way more fun to fly due to the larger size & better controls. Bit more of an investment though at $179, but you're getting more into a hobby-grade model rather than a throw-away model.

 

[Raduque]

That Chinook is pretty awesome, I may have to get one.

I currently have an eSky Honeybee MK3 that needs a bunch of replacement rotor parts that I can't find anywhere. It's a 4-channel FP and very difficult for a beginner. I went from an Airhogs to the HBMK3. I should've gone to a Coaxial first, instead.

 

[Narse]

I fly RC Helis as a hobby and I would suggest you get a blade mcx2 if you want to ever move up. The blade uses the standard controls of pitch and rudder on the left stick and cyclic on the right. You will find it controls very responsive compared to what you have now.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Blade mCX2 for sure.

 

[SSSnail]

Something is wrong with your S107G, I had mine for a while now, performed multiple UN rescue missions, deep insertion, beach storming, etc... All worked pretty well.

 

[olds]

Just sold mine. It takes a lot of practice to fly well and I wasn't that interested.
Course, mine was a cheapy Xmas gift.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Timely thread. I just bought the Double Horse 9053 last week. I've only flown it once so far, but I'm enjoying it and I will need to mod it to get some better flight characteristics. Should be a fun hobby and this chopper is big (26" long).

http://www.amazon.com/Newest-Volitat...5721401&sr=1-1

Now, it gets mixed reviews but most say that if you're willing to mod it, it can be quite nice. Definitely needs weight added in the nose and probably a different flybar as well. The great thing is that there are tons of posts and videos about this specific helicopter with lots of mod advice.

 

[tranceport]

+1 to all of the Blade heli's.

I started with an MSR and it's a bit more difficult but the mcx2 would be my first choice.

 

[radhak]

What about this one?

heh, at that price I need it to be able to carry me...

If you're willing to actually go up to your $100 limit then get a Blade mCX2. I have an original mCX S300 and I enjoy flying that more than the full size CX & CX2. It's just more controllable and more responsive. I'd recommend getting one from a local hobby shop or at least making sure one nearby sells Blade products (they should) that way you can buy replacement rotor blades and maybe landing skids because you will break stuff, but at least they're replaceable.

Keep in mind what has been posted so far are toys, this is a real hobby quality helo. You definitely get what you pay for. Just don't try to fly these little guys outside unless there is 0 wind.

Thanks for the link; the mCX2 seems a good upgrade; I'll try and look up local shops.
Why is the mCX2 $60 cheaper than the CX2?

Something is wrong with your S107G, I had mine for a while now, performed multiple UN rescue missions, deep insertion, beach storming, etc... All worked pretty well.

I know - there seem to enough happy customers for it to be a fluke; but I don't have the stomach to keep returning to Amazon till I get a good one...

Some of your suggestions are tempting, but am daunted by the large sizes; being in South Florida, outdoors can be too windy, and I don't want the big-ones crashing around indoors.

Those missiles sure look cool!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Some of your suggestions are tempting, but am daunted by the large sizes; being in South Florida, outdoors can be too windy, and I don't want the big-ones crashing around indoors.

I flew my DH 9053 outside the day I got it. I crashed it hard SEVERAL times and it got a few scratches and the vertical stabilizer fin cracked, but otherwise, I am amazed at how durable it is. It has a metal flybar and unfortunately, it does bend and will sometimes collide with the upper rotors and cause the chopper to come crashing down. That's why I need to mod it with a newer plastic flybar and perform some rotor mods to increase their distance to avoid those collisions.

I had it up about 30 ft in the air and it was drifting towards a tree and I panicked and killed the throttle. I managed to re-engage throttle as it neared the ground but not soon enough and it hit pretty hard. I am amazed it is still in such good shape.

 

[randay]

mcx is the bare minimum really. anything cheaper is just a toy, and any cheap imitations just wont fly well. if youre serious about learning how to fly, start with the mcx.

 

[Mutilator]

Thanks for the link; the mCX2 seems a good upgrade; I'll try and look up local shops.
Why is the mCX2 $60 cheaper than the CX2?

Mostly size. The mCX2 weighs 1oz and has a rotor diameter of 7.5 inches and is 7.9 inches long.
The CX2 weighs 8.0oz and has a rotor diameter of 13.6 inches and is 16.42 inches long.

For flying indoors I recommend the mcx2 just because of it's size & weight it won't break anything (other than itself if you crash hard enough ) and doesn't create as much wind of it's own that knocks it around off of furniture and what not like the larger CX2 does.

 

[mmntech]

If you want something bigger, the Walkers Lama 400 is a great choice. Big enough that it can be flown outside on a calm day. Very stable. Larger models are inherently more stale than micro ones. Basically, any fixed pitch co-axial helicopter will be a good beginner choice though. Don't get ones with the tail motor. They're just toys and cannot be fixed if you crash.

 

[AgentUnknown]

eflite mcpx look at the youtube vids. Heli's are crack though.

 

[SSSnail]

Start this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8rZWw9HE7o

Then this http://www.flickr.com/photos/79629041@N06/7127226583/in/photostream

I'm perfectly happy with my "toy" RC Heli (FYI, when the S107G came out, it was $120, due to volume, the price dropped). Later snobs.

I can buy the entire replacement kit for a few bucks, or if I don't bother fixing it, $20 for a brand new one.

 

[randay]

I'm perfectly happy with my "toy" RC Heli (FYI, when the S107G came out, it was $120, due to volume, the price dropped). Later snobs.

I can buy the entire replacement kit for a few bucks, or if I don't bother fixing it, $20 for a brand new one.

that 3 channel heli is definitely a toy.

 

[SSSnail]

that 3 channel heli is definitely a toy.

As oppose to a... what?

 

[Lifted]

As oppose to a... what?

4+ channel.

I have an mCX2 and MSR. No room to fly the MSR so it broke (I guess I broke it). Haven't bothered to get it fixed, though after reading this thread earlier I pulled out the mCX2 after about a year in the closet and gave it a whirl. I should probably get the MSR repaired and flying again as I actually have a large, open, and empty indoor place I can fly it now.

 

[SSSnail]

Well, like I said, the 3+ channel toy is good enough, and it does what I want it to do as a helicopter toy. It hovers, it moves about as I want it to.

Also, I've crashed the darn thing so many times, it's not even funny. The blades have nicks on them (although I have another set of spare parts that I can replace, but why bother when the thing still flies?). Hey, best $20 I've ever spent if you ask me. Good luck with the fragile 4 channel though.

Quick question though, I know the mCX2 is 4 channel, but looking at the remote, where's the fourth channel control? (strafing - yaw left right, I suppose?). Wow!

 

[MasterAndCommander]

The Hobby King 136 should suit your needs. Got one for about $40 shipped. Make sure you get a Mode-2 transmitter. Very stable, easy to fly indoors. Can go outdoors with no wind. Has 4-channels so you can also go side-to-side. Radio controlled and not IR like the SYMA's. Definitely a step up without spending too much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8aiV_MWcWc&feature=related

On a whim, I ordered the SYMA S107G and the SYMA S108G. These are my first heli, and unsure how to rate my experience.

The S107G had to be returned because it would not move forward or back, and would stay up in the air just for a few seconds. That disappointed me because the customer feedback was overall very good, if warning about unreliability.

The S108 is better, somewhat controll-able, but not exactly precise. It sure is fun. Best of course is that it is still intact despite dozens of crashes with furniture, walls, ceilings and even the fan (once)! It charges in around 25 minutes, and runs for around 10 minutes.

So, now I want to get something better, for not much more money. I'd be okay going up to $50/$60 or so maybe even up to $100, but only if I'd see a marked improved performance in terms of precision - as in response to the remote control.

I don't care for speed, and definitely don't want something huge, seeing that my girls (aged 10 and 13) want in, and may not like to get hurt and also may not have great control.

If I gather correctly, co-axial is better for my needs, but feel free to correct me.

 

[brainhulk]

is there one with a camera that can stream to your computer?