Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / January 2008

Don't make the financial mistake of "Priceing" match, some expensive
ones are crap for a beginer and some cheap ones are nothing but trash,
and some cheap ones fly well. So how do you know?
Fiirst of all log onto helifreak.com,  runryder.com, google these
forums, they are free to surf and post.
But last but not least GO TO YOUR NEAREST FLYING FIELD, OK sorry for
the yelling.
Nothing beats local support from Local people in your area for help.
In my area,
The TRex 450 is THEE helicopter of choice for stable tail rotor belt
driven electrics.
Your area might have alot of HeliMax brands, I had an MX400 for a wile
and it flew fine.
Beginer?  Well most people will tell you to start with a flight
simulator before crashing an even cheap helicopter.
Buy the way 500 dollars for heli electrics and radio transmitter is
concidered cheap, you don't want to crash that the first ten seconds
do you?

I started with a Walkera 39 , A total piece of crap, but it got me
started for 300 dollars radio and all.
The TRex 450 SA cost 189 for the body mechanics, 500 dollars whent
into the servos, 401 gyro and digital tail rotor servo, futaba 149 PCM
reciever and 3 battery packs at 70 dollars a pop. Through in the
Futaba 9CH Pro
Transmitter for another 300 dollars and well, That little TRex is now
over a grand, But, It flys like my Raptor Nitro Hyper 50 , It's stable
as a rock and very predictable, it even can take a little wind here
and there.

Now take that TRex and add less expensive electrics, Futaba 240 Gyro,
Cheapest digital tale rotor servo about 25 bucks [look around] cheaper
Radio transmitter and reciever combo about 150,  and so on, you
probably can get in the air for about 400 dollars in all but it wont
fly like a Raptor 50 hyper Titan!!!

Go to your local hobby store and or Fun fly field and be social and
ask what "They " are using, Now you have a free tech support line when
something goes wrong and whats more these guys know what NOT to buy.

No Field or store near you?  Hang out and surf the helifreak.com
runryder.com and severall other heli forums, you will find only a
handfull of desired brand names, BUY THOSE!!!

Most every one will tell you to start with a flight simulator, G4 and
other popular names are mentioned.
Don't jump into it without knowledge, I have spent over 6 grand on
this hobby with no regrets accept the few times I bought a astard
brand name to save money and it turned out to be crap.