Newbie To RC Helicopters

[rcbanni]

First I would like to say hello. I am a newbie to this forum and RC helicopters. I have wanted one for years,but the new electric heli's have come a long way and am looking to purchase. I am a helicopter mechanic by trade,so I know quality from crap when I see it. I was looking at the Walkers 22e for an initial purchase. However,I have been reading a lot of good and bad and am not sure if this would be a wise choice. I have looked over the heli pretty good and seems to be pretty well put together. There are quite a few mods one can do to improve on it at a pretty fair price. But I understand that the electrics are a major issue. I would hate to have to buy all new electrics just to be able to fly this thing reliably. I am interested in a convention heli and not a coaxial rotor. I want the CCPM as well. I would like to learn on this for myself,I am one to dive in head first.
So,can anybody suggest any alternatives to the 22e in the same relative price range,upgradeability,and overall quality with a better reputation? I flew a buddy's Blade CX yesterday with relative ease,but I'm more of a tail rotor type of guy and would like to eventually do aerobatic 3D flying in the future.

[mrmuffinmanvw]

Originally Posted by rcbanni

First I would like to say hello. I am a newbie to this forum and RC helicopters. I have wanted one for years,but the new electric heli's have come a long way and am looking to purchase. I am a helicopter mechanic by trade,so I know quality from crap when I see it. I was looking at the Walkers 22e for an initial purchase. However,I have been reading a lot of good and bad and am not sure if this would be a wise choice. I have looked over the heli pretty good and seems to be pretty well put together. There are quite a few mods one can do to improve on it at a pretty fair price. But I understand that the electrics are a major issue. I would hate to have to buy all new electrics just to be able to fly this thing reliably. I am interested in a convention heli and not a coaxial rotor. I want the CCPM as well. I would like to learn on this for myself,I am one to dive in head first.
So,can anybody suggest any alternatives to the 22e in the same relative price range,upgradeability,and overall quality with a better reputation? I flew a buddy's Blade CX yesterday with relative ease,but I'm more of a tail rotor type of guy and would like to eventually do aerobatic 3D flying in the future.

In one word Honey Bee CP2 they fly great has collective pitch and none of the electronics problems that walkera has spend the few extra bucks it will save you a bunch in the long run.

[rcbanni]

I have spent a few hours doing a little homework. It would seem that for a few extra $$,the Honey Bee CP2/Honey Bee King are VERY wise choices over the Walkera 22e. I haven't for the most part found any real complaints with the HB CP2/HB King at all,just minor issues that were quickly remedied. However,I have not found much info on upgrades for the HB CP2. Are there any? Also,I see Horizon Hobby has a Blade CP/CP Pro. Are these one in the same or different? The Blade CP has some upgrades available,but is more expensive. A little help would be nice. I am NOT going with any Walkera product at all,too many issues.

[mrmuffinmanvw]

The CP2 is rock solid in the air once its trimmed out stay away from the king to many issues with the gear drive tail. The cp2 is more advanced with the mixing of the rotor head than the blade cp the cp pro is about the same as the cp2 but lots more money [can you say double] for the same basic heli I don't think so. The honey bee fp is also a good choice for a heli to learn on I think its the most fun to fly in my fleet no stress just lots of smiles and they run forever stock on a 7.4 800 mAh lipo and about 90% of the time a crash is fold the blades back out take a quick look and back in the air you go.

[rcbanni]

Well a little more homework was in order after the last reply. I was a little leary about the fixed pitch thing. I see the Honey Bee FP is HIGHLY recommended. I didn't know the HB FP heli DOES have cyclic pitch control via a swashplate. It is much cheaper and an ideal learning platform on the road to CCPM. Every review I have read is nothing short of BRAVO! I think this will be my choice for a first heli. I wanted to go right into CCPM,but after a little reflection on that thought,it could get EXPENSIVE while learning. I will go with the HB FP and get a simulator for the advanced helis. This little heli looks like a gas to fly and is built like a tank. Thanx for the advice! Now,just to find a good deal without paying retail. Hobby Lobby has them for $178,but they are on E-Bay for $80. I'm just trying to find out from the seller what version it is. The newest is the MkIII and the first improved version was the MkII. I want the MkII or MkIII. The original is excellent,but you have to buy all the improvements after the fact.

[rcbanni]

When did the Honey Bee FP go from the MkII to the MkIII? The ones I am seeing were new for 2005.

[mrmuffinmanvw]

Originally Posted by rcbanni

When did the Honey Bee FP go from the MkII to the MkIII? The ones I am seeing were new for 2005.

The only difference between the mk2 and mk3 is the lipo battery they didn't even put the cp2 battery holder on the mk3. Get the mk2 off e-bay order a cp2 battery holder from www.bphobbies.com and order two 7.4 800mAh 8c or 10 c batterys from www.commonsenserc.com they sell them in two pack deals. and when you order the honey bee fp get a charger at the same time. With all of this you will still be cheaper than hobby lobby at 178. plus shipping. Heres a link to a seller I use on e-bay he ships priority mail you have your heli in 3 days.http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ESKY-HONEY-B...QQcmdZViewItem For a lipo and charger and extras its only $20 extra dollars this is a bang zoom deal. Check it out.

[rcbanni]

That is an awsome deal! Exactly what charger do they include in the package? Also is a set of Super Skids a good thing to add on for bore durability? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...2796&rd=1&rd=1

PS: Why the 7.4v and not the 8.4v lipo batteries?