New pilot - advice appreciated

[thomasfuller]

Hi,

I have not flown a RC Helicopter before, but like most, I've had 1 or 2 RC Cars. I want to get a heli sometime in the near future, but I'm unsure about what type I should invest in. I rang a local hobby shop, and enquired about the Kyosho M24. They recommended me the Twister Bell Medevac for $200AU. That price seems a little high, when I can get a Walkera Dragonfly 4 Channel for $125AU with training gear + sim cd etc from eBay (I have a fractured wrist at the moment, and being unable to work means this student is low on funds).

If you could suggest some entry level Heli's that don't require upgrade after upgrade to provide acceptable flight, it would be much appreciated.

P.S. Comments on these 2 ebay items would be good aswell.

Walkera Dragonfly 4 Channel

Colco Lynx-380XL 6 Channel

[thomasfuller]

Have done abit more reading. Seems like the medevac/bell 47 is the way to go. I have read on the forum that they are the similar to a Blade CX2? eBay has the Medevac for roughly $200, but no Blade copters. :S I like the look of the CX2 more. I'll have to ring around tomorrow.

[chaos]

Check on a source and availability of parts. You sure don't want something that you can't get parts for.

[Heliboy]

I started with the walkera 22e from ebay at $130 and now my brother is hooked and bought the same. We both like this heli and parts are available. You realy need to get used to the controls before flying any of the helis. lots of patience is a must. I ran through several batteries before I even thought about lifting off. This saves on having to buy lots of parts.

[chaos]

You did right, Heliboy. The right attitude saves a lot of money.

[thomasfuller]

I have a copy of G3 and have been using that with the keyboard. The 22E looks good, Heliboy. Was it your first heli, if so, how did you find learning on it? Providing the LHS stocks enough parts for this heli, I can pick one up for $160AU. Thanks for your responses Chaos and Heliboy. If anyone has more advice, don't hold back, the more I can get the better.

EDIT:
Problem: Rang a LHS, and they said no Australian hobby shop stocks Walkera parts.

If you could choose between a Venom Night Ranger 2 for $150 or a Twister Bell Medevac for $200, what would you do? Spare parts are no issue. I have read that the Bell 47 is great, but haven't heard much about the Night Ranger 2. Both are 4 channel. I'd rather spend less incase I find that it's not for me, but I don't want to get put off it by what might be a poor choice in a heli (eg. night ranger).

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[hawkman]

I am the proud owner of a Bell 47 (Twister) its a great heli provided you have plenty of indoor space......you can fly outside but it has to be totally flat calm......because this heli doesnt have the power to cope otherwise.

Li Po battery means flight times of around 13 mins.....a bit more if you land and put the power off so the motors can cool down......I started flying a nitro heli first....got the B

[hawkman]

46467£$£$%"$£% !!!!! computer!!!!!!! I will carry on

Got the Bell 47 for something to play with indoors.....never regretted buying it....its been fun since it came out of its box.

If you do go for it then I would strongly advise:

to get the alloy hub set because if you do crash the plastic hubs have stupid spindles which break off.....Blades can be superglued if needed....those plastic spindles can be glued but its a pain....and requires extreme patience.

Get a couple of sets of blades....the 47 does come with a spare set....but it pays to get more.

Put some yellow or white tape on the blade ends....its easier to see the edge of the rotor when you are flying and showing off!!!!

Spare battery? you could get one but the motors do get hot.....recharge time is around an hour or so.....hour and a half I think.

Its a cracking little heli.....with scope to make a new fuselage if you get fed up with the bell 47 shape.....might change mine into one of those Russian helis....Kamov something or other


Rob