Which helicopter?

[Barry]

Originally Posted by moonsnake

Ok Barry,

I know about the Century HB V3, its a very well made helicopter, but again I will say if you are starting in a new hobby that you are not sure if you are going to pursue it after the 'Honeymoon' then people like me will go for the cheapest and if their interest is still there and funds are available then as I've said before we progress to a better product.

My first camera that I bought 45 years ago was a very very cheap 110, why did I buy it?

I bought it because I wasn't sure if photography was for me, in later years I bought more expensive camera's, Why? because the cheap ones I started off with were limited for what I wanted for a hobby that I knew would stay with me.

I bought a Walkera 4 for the same reason as my first camera, and it turned out that the walkera has given me a lot of pleasure and still does.

Yes I will progress to a better one, when I've got the complete hang of the walkera, even if I could afford a better one I would stay with it until I feel it is time to progress upwards and onwards.

Ok Barry tell us what happened to your walkera 4, did the parts burn out?

Did you crash it - if so how many times and why?

I ask you this as this is a forum for learning, people cannot learn if other people just make statements such as " Walkera's 4 are crap", what kind of advice is that to give to a neewbie? - what they need here is constructive advice, once again I will say I have had NO troubles at all with my walkera 4, neither has my son, and also my son in law, who have just bought one.

I am NOT a walkera 4 champion, I know they have issues, my point is for a beginner I am happy with it.


It was very embarrassing for my friend who after buying a T rex wrecked it on his first flight, despite spending time on a sim, he told me "It was too complex I should have bought a FP walkera like you ".


So please if you have had experiences of walkera 4's or any other model either good or bad share them with details on this forum, that way people can then make up their own mind, it's no good at all simply to condemn them without giving detailed reasons, as that will not help anyone.

Thank you for your post Barry.

Joe

Hi Joe
Thanks for your response. You made some very good points. Your reasons for staying with the #4 are very valid indeed.

I have now 5 electrics, two of those five are walkera's DF#22A and a DF#36.
I think both of them can fly well. The problem I have with them is, they are sort of like a woman - you can't tell what mood they will be in from one flight to another. Also I found that the parts they are made of are very poor quality, they break easily in some cases. But, I think the biggest problem I have with them is the electrics-very unstable, and unpredictable

I am VERY VERY far from being anything other than a novice at heli flight. I have done much in fixed wing and so little in heli's.
Two days ago I bought heli #5. It is an unknown I believe, all metal construction. It seems to be like the design of the DF#36. I'll post a thread on it, once I complete it and fly it.
Back to Walkera's = I had replaced the electrics in the #36, with Futaba electrics. Worked better but still have problems with the stock GYRO. Works fine one time but not the next.

You know Joe, the most important factor with you and your #4, is the fact that YOU like it and enjoy it. Nothing else really matters does it??
Thanks again,
Regards,
Barry

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Barry you can bet your bottom dollar the Caliber 50 will be good. However I am wondering if you mean the Caliber 5 or the offical Caliber 50?
Yes there both 50 class but there is a difference. The caliber 5 is a fantastic heli from what I have read and seen, The Caliber 50 is even better.
You can see both on Kyoshos web sight. That is unless I was seeing things.

Anyway I am sure that you will be more than happy with either of them. I was told that the caliber 30 was going to fail when it came out because the parts were not very cheap. It turned out to be a dammed good heli even with the week servo frame. I have been told the same about the Caliber 5 from the same sorce. This time I aint listening, I am even intending to get one soon enough.

Good luck with the flying, Have a great time with it.

[Barry]

Hi Darren.
I received a copy of MAN mag today. It showed a Caliber5. They sure look alike huh?

The fact of the matter is I bought mine slightly used and feelI got a great deal. Let me know if you think so. Be honest
It has=
Caliber 50 (coversion) (Was originally a Cal 30)FT canopy, longer anodised boom
OS 50 SH-X Ringed ( not even dusty yet)
8 Channel Futaba Receiver (high band)
4 Fut 9202's
Futaba 401 Gyro - 9253 tail servo
Upgrades include =
Carbon servo tray stiffeners
KSJ head-aluminum swasplate
Quick UK grips, & mixing arms
Throttlejockey pro governor
Mavrikk wide landing gear
Mavrikk Carbon 600 mm mains
remote glow
header tank
Extra pair thunder tiger main rotors
Extra brand new canopy
Never crashed, not a scratch on it. Guy was just reducing his fleet, and flying mainly 90 size birds.
From what you said, I don't think I will be sorry I bought it. He had $1600 in it. I gave $650.00
I'm excited to get it going, waiting on a starting shaft
Thanks for letting me know your opinion. I appreciate it.
Regards
Barry

http://www.helifever.com/forums/721-...-new-post.html

[jimco]

Good luck on the 50. Have not had the Caliber experience, but plenty on Raptors. All I can say about the 50, is get ready for a totally new experience. , and also, be careful. Get with a very experienced nitro pilot. In comparison to a 30 size, the 50 has awsumn power, and will require some getting used to. After flying 30's, the first time I fired up a 50, I swear, I could feel the ground shake. Then, I got the 60, and same thing, quite a jump from one size to the other. If you have been flying electrics, do get some help. You will save many dollars in the long run. Crash costs on nitro's can get out of hand, if you let em. Don't be bashful about training gear either. Until you can trim it out perfect and bring it into a 3 or 4 foot hover, without being nervous, don't even think of taking off the wheels. I'm past the training gear stage now, but it took almost a year to be really at ease. Later, Jimco

[jimco]

Just watched the video, ain't youth wonderful. Makes me want to smack him, I couldn't do that. hehehe

I have enjoyed the Heli hobby for only a month now, I fly (try!) a Blade CP. I researched for months prior to buying and weighed opinions, actual flight demos, etc. Initial investment, cost of repairs, user/beginner friendly and the ability for me to grow into its capabilities were my points. I've never used a simulator and made two trips and two phone calls to my local Heli expert during set-up, my point is, the Blade CP fulfilled my initial parameters and has performed flawlessly (Except for when I run it into things!) and has made learning this challenging hobby a true joy. Good luck with your search!

[jimco]

Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade. Why can't you guys figure out that you will eventually be doing nitro. Thats got to be your ultimate goal. With all the money that you spend, trying to get these Chinese gold mines to fly, you could actually have a real heli. Not trying to to be a smart a$$, but damn it man, this is not rocket science. Just like planks, bigger is better. I tried one of these electrics, and would not give you a dime for a bucket full of em. That $199.00 price , is a sucker bet. Get you hooked, and turn on the tap. You got to buy upgrades, just because you spent the initial money. I wish all of you real luck, but I personally don't want the expense that you boys are putting up with. Later, Jimco

Hi,
I am new to helis (about 6 months) and thought I would throw my weight into my experience of what heli.

I started with a twister cp2 TOTAL PANTS !! never got it off the ground and then it literally burnt out.

I then invested £225 in a fully modified new WALKERA 36 with brushless moter and decent charger. I was able to hover it out of the box, but found the tail servo so slow you could go have lunch and return before it had responded. So back to the supplier who fitted a tower servo, repalced all my other servos with the ones salvaged from my twister (esky) replaced the gyro with a better one, £50 later i have a heli that can hover with zero imput from the left stick ( can you tell im new to this !!) and responds amazingly well.

i personally would recommend this model BUT upgrade ALL the electrics and you will have one hell of a heli.

I got it from a guy in the new forest hampshire UK, hae fully sets them up for you and will even demostrate it before you take it away ( if you live local) he does a rebuild service for only £15 plus parts

Also found the walkera amazingly stable in abreeze
Cheers
Michael