worth it on a budget?

[Crunchy409]

Hey folks!

Thanks for a great website and some great discussions. I've wanted a heli or rc plane since I was a little boy and I'm looking into it again. Unfortunately I just don't feel like I can sink $300 or even $200 into it at the moment as I am buying a house, getting married, etc. Is it possible to start the hobby on $150-$200 or should I not even bother, and simply save up over time?

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much everyone I appreciate your help.

[hawkman]

Blade CX co axial electric heli is what you want....really stable and good value for money.

Rob

[dooleyje]

We can't afford it either. We save our pennys and often get a piece at a time. Is it worth it? got the bug 40 years ago. warning!! there is no cure as it is terminal
jim

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Hello,

What I will suggest is that you take your money and buy yourself a flight training simulator. This way you will be able to practice the hobby of Helicopter flight without it costing you anything else.
With a flight simulator you will get all the benefit of actually learning how to fly and you will have many different types of model to practice flying with. If you crash (and you will) you will not have to worry about any extra costs for the repair of the helicopter.

The best thing is you will get a good insight into flying and you will be learning all the correct inputs to boot. Whilst doing this you can wait till you can afford the heli you want and then you should be able to fly it. If you decide that the hobby is not for you then you can sell your flight simulator on and you won't have lost much money in the hobby.

I Highly recommend this route and would always advise to people I teach that they get a flight simulator first. There are plenty that come with a dummy transmitter that does everything you want on the simulator itself.

Flight simulators that I recommend are the Reflex XTR, Real flight G3 or better if there is better, Or anything that has a simulator tranny with it. It will save you money throughout your hobby time.

What ever you choose to do good luck and hope you have fun.

[hawkman]

There is one heli I would consider...it comes with a simulator as well....and its the 'Mini Predator' which I am sure is from Century Helicopters of the USA.

Century make some nice gear.....cheap for what you get....with a sensible price on parts.....in case you crash your pride and joy.

Simulators? I got one called 'Phoenix' which might be out on the market in the USA....its just as good as 'Reflex xtr' and the other sims.

The Mini Predator is about £200 sterling in the UK....not sure of prices where you are.

Rob

[Crunchy409]

Thank you all for your input.

Are any of you interested in rc airplanes as well? I've read that it is sometimes a good idea to start the hobby on a plane and then 'graduate' to a heli. Should I spend my $150-$200 on a hobbyzone super cub or something and wait for a heli in the future when I can perhaps spend a little more?

The Blade CX does look inviting though...

Thanks again all for your input

[hawkman]

You can go the plane route....I did...it was while messing about with a simulator to improve my plane flying that I got the hang of rc heli flying....forward flight is very much the same.

the difference is this otherwise....once you take off with a plane...you are committed to flying it back, doing an approach and landing it....chances are...with a plane that is fitted with ailerons...you could end up with it getting smashed.

With helis you can simply hop around...and then do some hovering....once you are happy with that...you then hover...fly forwards and land....thats the good thing....you can land when you want.

Helis are tricky to fly...but thats the fun.

I still fly planes....but I must admit that I find it easy....Its still fun but I prefer helis...they are much more interesting.

Rob

ps get the CX by all means....just take it gently...just hop about and be super gentle with the controls....you will be hovering before you know it.

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

I too started in the hobby with airplanes when I was 8yrs old. I can tell you I still remember the plane but not the model. It was a fantastic time for me and flying the airplane sowed the seeds for the years I have loved this hobby.
I am sure that if you should go into planes first that you will have a great time. Not as great as learning to fly helis as the sense of achievement in these is on par to the difficulty. But planes will give you a good start.

I would advise that you go to your LHS (local Hobby Store) and discus which plane would best suite you as a beginner. There are many to choose from and you have different models with different abilities. There are indoor/outdoor models that are great fun on days with light to no wind.

which ever you choose to do, a simulator will aid you a lot if you have nobody to teach you.

whatever you decide, Good luck and have fun.