Cheap Helicopter recommendations

[Devon8822]

Hey, I have just come apon this facinating hobby. And due to my very large aray of different very expensive hobbys I have decide not to go all out on this one. Unless of course I get addicted since i love it so much. Anyways, I am looking for a cheap helicopter. I dont think I will ever need to upgrade to a pro one, Im just looking for the best one for a cheap price. Prefferably under 75 bucks. If i get into the hobby than I will worry about that later but for now I need one that will do me forever. A tough one that can take a beating or one that comes with those balance protector things.
I have been looking at dragonfly ones so far. Can anyone recomend any other chopers?
Also, does the company that makes the dragonfly ones have a website? Where can I find a list of all the different dragonflys? thanks

[New-heli-pilot]

When I first got into this hobby I thought the same thing, under 75 with no way to go wrong. Well the truth seems to be that under 75 is the way to go wrong. Im not going to try to tell you what to do, I am just recomending that you check into something a little bit higher, like say an E-sky Lama v2 or a v3. Or maybe a Blade CX. I started with the CX for $189.99 USD, and have now spent $1000+ on my other two helicopters that I bought soon after the CX.

Is the Dragonfly you are talking about made by Walkera? If so, you might want to think twice about getting one. Many people seem to have problems with the electronics on these. By this I mean the radio and receiver seem to be the main problems. For example one person on here had a 22E , correct me if I am wrong, it had a glitch in the radio/reciever system and took off on its own. Last he saw it, it was climbing and heading away from him. I have read about a lot of Walkera glitches so I am just warning you so that you dont have to experience one for yourself.

Finally try to get at least a 4 channel helicopter. Something less than a 4-channel will not give you a true taste of what R/C helicopters are really like.

Anyways thats just my opinion,
John

[uneverno]

Originally Posted by New-heli-pilot

When I first got into this hobby I thought the same thing, under 75 with no way to go wrong. Well the truth seems to be that under 75 is the way to go wrong. Im not going to try to tell you what to do, I am just recomending that you check into something a little bit higher, like say an E-sky Lama v2 or a v3. Or maybe a Blade CX. I started with the CX for $189.99 USD, and have now spent $1000+ on my other two helicopters that I bought soon after the CX.

John

I heard that!!!
I have a Century V4 - same deal - 189 complete w/ all the radio gear. Tough little bird, flies well and takes a newbies beating. Not good outdoors, however.
Six weeks later bought my 2nd machine and have close to a grand in that and it's not even a T-rex...


Devon, most of the Ready To Fly kits in the under 200 range are quite good. I've heard that Walkera electrics (servos, receiver, etc.) are long term unreliable, but have no personnal experience with that.
Entry level machine is going to cost at least that regardless, unless you already have the radio gear.
Biggest thing I could tell you is get yourself a simulator. It will save you countless $$s in parts. FMS, for example, is free on-line (don't remember the link offhand, but you can google FMS). All you need is a controller/transmitter, which most RTF kits come with. (Again caution with Walkera, as I understand that their controller isn't compatible with some sims.) Make sure the transmitter has "trainer" capability. From there many of the manufacturers offer a cable that you can interface to your computer (serial or USB port) to use as a controller for the simulator. (WinXP requires a driver to recognize the controller via USB, which is also available as shareware - PPJOY)
Got a couple other expensive hobbies myself, so I know what you mean. Be careful - this one's by far the most fun

Take care,

Emil

[Devon8822]

Thanks for your help guys. I thought about it and i realize what your sayign abotu the cheap ones really being shite. You get what you pay for I guess. But, im not planing on get to into this hobby as I said. I mean, when I first saw one of these thign i was like damn , i gotta get one. So I just want a cheapy that I can fly for fun, until it breaks. Hopefully you understand...
So Im thinking my price range to be about 50 bucks, I know you can get real crappy ones for that at like radio shack. But, I know that you can get better ones for cheaper online. Anyways, If you guys could help me out on the best of the cheap choppers I would appreciate it. Thanks

[mrmuffinmanvw]

In as few words as possible [Honey Bee FP 2 ] made by Esky has none of the problems that walkera has with the electronics. This heli will take a beating and come back for more and esky has a sim that doesn't cost to much. The honey bee has gotten more people to be able to fly than just about any other copter out there.

[Devon8822]

Wow^^ Ill check her out. Anyone else have any reccomendations? thanks

[SSpringMD]

I've been happy with the E-Sky Lama V3, which you can pick up at Raidentech.com for $90, or Miracle-mart.com for $70! It's a coaxial, which I understand is the easiest design to start with. It will also fly outside fine on calm days.

I don't have experience with other helicopters of comparable or better quality, but I DO have experience with gifted toy helicopters costing $20 less. The difference is night and day. This helicopter is fully maneuverable, and challenging at first, and I understand that the jump to a larger helicopter is not that big once you've mastered this type. Cheaper than this only buys a toy for which you can't buy replacement parts. I'd suggest this as the minimum investment level for a hobby helicopter.

By the way, I fully agree with the recommendation to buy the simulator to start. ESky's is in the $20s, and the replacement parts you'll save will return that investment quickly.

[SKMoss]

Originally Posted by Devon8822

But, im not planing on get to into this hobby as I said. I mean, when I first saw one of these thign i was like damn , i gotta get one.

Devon,

I'm a rank newbie (less than 3 days of ownership) and can not possibly recommend a heli of any kind. (though i did get an Axe CP ready to fly kit and am very happy.)

I would like to take a moment and disabuse you of the idea of "buy one and fly it till it breaks." Depending on what you get, that might be <5 seconds.

I too, started the hobby because of seeing RC helis fly. I thought, like you. "I gotta get one". What I've found in a flat hurry, is that it will take me years of practice, and a ton of money to ever expect someone else to see me fly and think "I gotta get one". Unlike so many other hobbies I'm in, this isn't one where you just grab something cheep to learn on and expect to do much.

Right now, I'm lucky to get my heli more than 3 inches off the ground for more than a couple of seconds. Not too impressive, I know. But I can not wait till I get home and try it again.

I guess what I'm trying to say, if you don't expect to get into the hobby, you may be wasting what ever you initially spend. But it's really really easy to get hooked.