Hellho! Newbie around.

[BFFB]

Hello guys!
First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Bruno, Im a 22yo aircraft maintenance student, U/C modeler (but addicted to all those little machines) and I live in Brazil.
Well, since I was a child I wanted a r/c helicopter, but in Brazil they are really, and I mean REALLY, expensive. Now, with the electric helis, they got more acessible for me, and I will buy one.
Iv'e been reading these and other forums, about wich heli to buy, and now I think the best option is the HBCP2. But sometimes I read something about it that scares me, things like engines with 15 flights life and so on. The problem is that in Brazil we do not have any importer that brings the HB line, so any spares I must get I'll be buying directly from china. The only electric heli that have a full stock os spares in Brazil is the GWS dragonfly, but its very expensive. Even with 70 bucks shipping cost, the HBCP2 will cost to me 1/3 of the price of the GWS here in Brazil. So I think its better to get the spares from abroad.
But the questions are: Is the HBCP2 still the best option, remembering that I must bring any spare from china? Everybody is getting a 15 flights life from those engines, or its possible to get more? Is there any other heli that would be better than the HBCP2 for its price? I thought about the Jabo 2, but there isn't much written about it.
And one last question: Does anyone has bought from hobbyjapan2000? I must buy from them or trough ebay, I've found them with the best prices.
Well, thats it for now. Sorry for my english, It needs a lot of practice, i hope I can do it here
Thank you guys!

[hawkman]

Hi there, I live not too far away from you....I live in the Falklands/Malvinas....

My Boss at work has just got a TRex helicopter....its a real work of art and its nearly finished...it just needs setting up.

Why not think about this model? I have heard good reports about this helicopter.....its quite small but will fly outside ok.

The Company is called 'Align' and the manufacturing is based in Taiwan...I think.


Rob

[uneverno]

Hey Bruno,
first off, your English is fine. Better than most English speakers that post on the web anyway

I don't have any experience with the CP2, but I have a V4 and an Elite 3d. V4 is fixed pitch and very touchy outside. I just got the 3d and am modifying it with some new parts before it will be flying. The machine is well designed, and a bit of an upgrade from the CP2 - single motor as opposed to two, etc. (It does cost a bit more as well though.)

I just saw a built up T-Rex at my local hobby shop, and agree with hawk - that is a sweet machine. The 400 series is slightly bigger than the Hummingbirds, but will be correspondingly more wind resistant. Bigger almost always means more stable in the air.

As for motor life, I've got 40-50 batteries (8-10 mins each) on my V4 without having to replace either motor. I think what most people do is put as big (High voltage - e.g. 9.6v or even 11.1) a battery on them as they can, and that will definitely shorten your motor life, especially the tail motor. The advantage of the Elite over the CP2 is that it only has one motor and it's brushless, which will mean longer motor life. T-Rex is belt driven tail out of the box, though and the Elite is gear drive. Belt is definitely better as mainshaft gears won't strip on a boom strike.

If you can afford it, I'd go with the T-Rex. Parts/upgrades are readily available on the net and it's a really nicely designed machine. Can you purchase from US sources? T-Rex and parts are all over on line here.

Hope this helps. Good luck and happy flying

Emil

[hawkman]

I am really impressed by what I have seen of the TRex.....I want one!!!!! but I cant have one....just yet....just bought a Predator gasser


Rob

[uneverno]

I'm in the same boat - just what I need - another helicopter
Especially when the Elite I'm outfitting isn't even airborn yet. Close though - belt drive mod went in last night. Not long now...

[hawkman]

That belt drive sounds a good idea....let us know how it goes

Rob

[uneverno]

Belt drive is sweeeeeeettttt!!!!!
Test fitted everything last night. Went together like a charm. It's smooth, slop free and quiet. Notchiness (is that a word?) in the tail pitch slider went away too, so won't need aftermarket one of those. I also replaced the struts with aftermarket lexan ones from the same place. Wider and virtually bulletproof. All I need to get flying is a tail rudder servo.
I took pics along the way of the disassembly and reasembly and will post soon.
The guy that makes the parts is working on a CF frame for the heli too. I can't wait for that - It'll be a mini T-rex once it's done


For pics of the tail unit and struts see here:
http://www.techglass.com/helitech/products.htm