[Q] Regarding RC Helicopters

blueren

blueren

Adept
Hi,

Note - I'm unsure as to where to place this thread. Mods, kindly request you to move it to relevant sections if need be, thanks!

I've always been interested in buying a beginner RC helo. Kindly help me out with this. The below are the ones i've shortlisted. I have no clue about how they work or anything pertaining to their operation. A complete noob.

I'm leaning on the 1st option based on it's flight time (20 mins) as against 10 mins of the second one. Kindly help me decide. Any pointers will helo.

1. http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221275056299#ht_5620wt_1271http://cgi.ebay.in/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221275056299#ht_5620wt_1271

2. http://www.ebay.in/itm/INTRODUCING-...ff&hash=item2c720fac25&_uhb=1#ht_10619wt_1271
 
even though they say large, they are crap, don't buy one unless you can afford a 1/8 scale one or bigger :(

Also, you won't be able to fly them outdoor with much control, since they are light and small,and outside wind are much more strong :(

I had already got two of the same size, and was really disappointed from it.
 
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Being.smart said:
even though they say large, they are crap, don't buy one unless you can afford a 1/8 scale one or bigger :(
Also, you won't be able to fly them outdoor with much control, since they are light and small,and outside wind are much more strong :(
I had already got two of the same size, and was really disappointed from it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm looking for something easy to use and simple. (don't want it to do backflips or play dead n all :p ) Any idea where I can buy them online? Don't want the price to be too steep either.
 
I am trying to get into RC helicopters and planes so I did a lot of reading up to understand RC helis. Will be getting a Align Trex 450 soon to build from scratch.

First of all if you are getting into RC heli you have to understand what are the different helicopter types.
Basically you have 3 types
1. Coaxial Helicopters - 2 blades (likes the ones you linked now). Very stable and maybe ok to learn how to fly but when you get a real helis listed below it may become learning from scratch. Not recommeded to fly in wind and mostly for indoor flying. Most cheap toy RC heli are coxial.
2. Fixed pitch helicopter (FP) these are helicopter which have one main blade and the back rotor. Main rotor is at an fixed angle so throttle control everything. 4 radio channels can handle this heli.
3. Collective pitch (CP) these are the last type which has all the bells and whistles of RC helis. You can change the pitch of the main rotor blades (angle it) so you can do pretty much all the stunts and 3d flying you want. Not recommended for beginners if its large size as they can be very dangerous if you dont know whats going on. Needs 6 radio channel transmitter.

Read more here
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=167543
http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/collective-pitch.html

Now back to you question.
The helis you mentioned are not worth it if you wanna learn to fly proper. I would say to learn on a simulator first to understand flying which is what I am doing now. Free simulator FMS or good one like Phoenix simulator.
But for beginners I think you should get a proper micro heli which is FP or CP. Not coaxial.

Few shops. Its a expensive hobby so be warned. As crashes will happen. You would want a heli which you can find spare parts for. Not a toy which would be junk after crash
http://www.rotor.co.in/details.php?id=944 (something like this is good but maybe expensive)
http://thehobbyshop.in/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=130_133&products_id=64
http://www.indiaatv.com/New/display1.php?item=heli

This is a very good heli to learn on (linked shop in singapore).Try to find one in India.
http://radiocontrol-sports.com/helicopters/blade/msr-x-rtf.html
 
Also to stress the point of RC Heli if you get a proper heli like a 450 size or even a 250 size be very careful... Do not treat them as toys... Always be wary of where you fly. Never near people and dont stand too close... A 450 can take your finger off with those carbon or wooden blades rotating at 3000+ rpm... Have fun if you are getting one and keep us posted :D
 
Um. Wow! So much info here! Thanks guys! The thing is, I have photography as a hobby and we all know how expensive that is! So I really don't wanna empty my buckets over this. I'm looking for in the range of 5k ish. It would be nice to learn, but I'd rather not spend you much over this. What I'd like to have as of now is... half an hour or so of fun time. If I really begin to like it, then I'll buy up a good set of blades.
 
ronnie_gogs said:
Found one which is FP and within your budget V911

http://rc4all.co.in/product_info.php?cPath=33_123&products_id=629
http://www.rcskyhobby.com/products.php?prd_id=899&main_page=products

Thread on it
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1548027

But you wanna have fun of just flying around... get the ones you linked...
Click to expand...

These are quite a few good options! I'm currently reading through the threads you've mentioned. Seems very interesting. Liked the v911, but it seems to have poor batt time? Also, those sites are trustable right? I've never heard of them :|
 
blueren said:
These are quite a few good options! I'm currently reading through the threads you've mentioned. Seems very interesting. Liked the v911, but it seems to have poor batt time? Also, those sites are trustable right? I've never heard of them :|
Click to expand...
bah, if you are new to this RC, then how would you expect to know them ? :p
 
You have to read up more on those sites maybe in Indian RC forums.... Also I am not sure its possible but see if you can get things from this site

www.hobbyking.com

It makes RC a whole lot cheaper than most shops and I recently bought a whole lot of goodies from them Link... Hard to beat any of their prices too
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24469__Turnigy_FBL100_3D_Micro_Helicopter_RTF_Mode_1_.html

And a 450 size kit for just
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor..._Helicopter_Kit_Align_T_rex_Compat_Ver_2.html

Together with motors, gyros, servos, receivers, batteries and transmitters it will still be around $150

A member here into aeromodelling @freeflyer mentioned hobbyking might be restricted... But I am not sure... maybe he was referring to only transmitters and radio equipment

Imagine paying Rs 25000 for normal good heli...
 
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ronnie_gogs said:
It makes RC a whole lot cheaper than most shops and I recently bought a whole lot of goodies from them Link... Hard to beat any of their prices too
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24469__Turnigy_FBL100_3D_Micro_Helicopter_RTF_Mode_1_.html

And a 450 size kit for just
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor..._Helicopter_Kit_Align_T_rex_Compat_Ver_2.html

Together with motors, gyros, servos, receivers, batteries and transmitters it will still be around $150
Click to expand...

The first link - I believe this is a FP heli? It *looks* amazing. I would like to know if it's directly buyable from that site. India shipping n all.
The second link - I believe this is just the body right? I'd like to understand the buzzwords n all - servo, swash something etc etc.

Heck! I'm already overwhelmed by all the info :)[DOUBLEPOST=1378355035][/DOUBLEPOST]
ronnie_gogs said:
This is a very good heli to learn on (linked shop in singapore).Try to find one in India.
http://radiocontrol-sports.com/helicopters/blade/msr-x-rtf.html
Click to expand...


I have a friend of mine coming from Singapore next week itself. I'd like to know if i can pick up a good one from the Singa site that was mentioned. Could you please help. [On par with the Turnigy FBL100 mentioned above]
 
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gauravH said:
some of the radios will be confiscated by customs if you are importing the inappropriate ones to India :p so be careful
Click to expand...

I had already imported 1/8 RC car >> they didn't created any problem

While importing 2x RC helicopter, they asked me to get written permission from some Govt agency regarding it, got some calls made via Rajbhawan, and item cleared within minutes without any duty :D :D

So beware importing RC helicopter from USA
 
Being.smart said:
I had already imported 1/8 RC car >> they didn't created any problem

While importing 2x RC helicopter, they asked me to get written permission from some Govt agency regarding it, got some calls made via Rajbhawan, and item cleared within minutes without any duty :D :D

So beware importing RC helicopter from USA
Click to expand...
And if someone is physically bringing it? Will it also fall under the same category?
 
Being.smart said:
... without any duty :D :D

So beware importing RC helicopter from USA
Click to expand...

it's not just about paying duty. According to our govt, some radios can be used to: detonate bombs, perform unsolicited aerial photography, interfere with military radios, etc., and hence they restrict their entry to India. Some importers bring heavy duty devices under license and our govt asks those resellers to keep track of all the buyers (address, photo etc).

I am pretty much sure that either your or your source in rajbhawan's details are with customs; just to follow the protocol.

blueren said:
And if someone is physically bringing it? Will it also fall under the same category?
Click to expand...

Yes they'll confiscate it, if they thoroughly check luggage and a banned radio is found on person.
 
Yup I stay in Singapore... The heli you choose would be a very good choice for a first heli as I plan to get it myself. But it comes with a radio which can be a restricted item...

Its a CP heli but its small so most you can do is damage something in your house or get a scratch... Should be safe for first time flyer...

If you friend is coming ask him to get the http://radiocontrol-sports.com/msr-x-rtf.html which you choose... The HK FBL100 is a clone of the blade so a better product in a way. Comes with a radio if its RTF

Few terms to know

RTF - Ready to fly (comes with everything you need including batteries, radio and chargers)
ATF - Almost ready to fly (mostly missing, radio, servos, gyro, motor)
BNF - Bind and fly (Need radio transmitter which is compatible)
Kit - You have assemble it yourself... Comes with just the frame and gears straucture

Singa hobby is kind of expensive as they mostly keep pro kits

another website to consider - http://shop.rotor.com.sg/ I am going tomorrow to pick up a kit .,... look out in the show off section:p
 
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