spec a non electric heli for newbie

Rochie IRL

Hi,
I'm going to get myself a r\c heli and I want to know what would you guys think is best. I don't want to start off with electric, I'd rather go straight for the nitro and get something I can put trainers on. Any suggestion what would be good. I was looking at the raptor but don't know what to go for.

coolwings

Can you fly yet?
You should know that you will trash it many times while learning to fly and learning to tune nitro engines.
An electric heli or an nitro airplane is a wise starter.
The inevitable "learning to fly " mistakes (we all do them! )cost less on both airplanes and electric helis.
Then you can move up to your nitro heli later and have two models, and a bunch of €€€€ that you didn't spend replacing the tenth set of rotor blades and fifth tail boom!

To answer the question you asked - the Raptor is a very popular heli in the US (most talked about on the internet) and to a certain extent here in Ireland. The marketing is designed to appeal to the beginner with no appreciation of the reasons to avoid "going it alone".

I suggest you get and build a Starlet 50 and learn how they work as you make it. Because you will need to know the workings later when it needs maintenance. The reason for this particulare model is that it is a "50" but with a "60" size chassis. The chassis is therefore a lot stronger, than a "30" or "40" and that robustness is just what you need while you are going through the " thumping it into ground every so often" stage! It also handles the much more windy weather we tend to have in Ireland compared with other countries with calmer continentental climates, and where smaller nitro helis are so popular.

Another (older ) make popular here is the Hirobo Shuttle, but I am not a lover of these myself.

Whatever make you choose - your first nitro heli should have an OS engine, not any other type - no matter what the brochures say about the others being "just as good but costing less".

But I still think you should (first) do it with a leccie for half the money especially if you have no prior experience of flying. An average "bumpy landing" will cost about €50 less each time. The Twister 2 or Twister 3D would be my preferred models of this type.

syl77

If your starting from scratch, buy a good heli radio and simiulator and practice on it loads!! This will help with the real thing.
After that I'd go straight for the nitro raptor 50 (unless your going to buy a good electric like a t-rex 450se), with definetly an OS engine in it. It will be alot more stable and parts are not to expensive.

It all depends on what your budget is as you will have a good few things to buy - Radio, heli, engine, giro + good tail servo, throttle jockey, 7+Rx and servos, starter, fuel and a few extras.

Rochie IRL

Thanks for the helpful information. I've never flown before, so I don't really have a clue where to start. I think Coolwings is right by going for an electric because I will crash it. Which one is good for outside and will give me some good training as I go. I'll hold back on getting the Nitro one for awhile. Ok so guys what elec heli do I get then. Preferably something with a full kit, i.e radio etc. I will buy seperates at some stage but for a beginner I'd prefer one big lump is possible because I don't know whats good or not.

coolwings

What syl said about the simulator is important. They are worth their weight in gold.
You can practise with no cost (except the sim! ) on every maneuver (until youi have it off pat) before trying that maneuver out on your hard earned real heli.
You can also be practising after dark in the winter.

The Doktor

I bought myself a Hirobo Sceadu to start. Small mistakes were costing me a fair few quid. And one problem I had was where to fly it.
So I got a small electric (Zoom 400), and found I could practice in my backgarden, which is of a reasonable size. Just for hovering etc.
Also there was a bit of a green beside my house, where I could also practice, without disturbing anyone, whereas with a nitro one you cannot be anywhere near houses.
One thing a set of main blades for the Zoom is a tenner, where for the sceadu they are over 50. Parts for the zoom are cheap, and you can hop it up with cool parts fairly cheap.
I would advise getting a Simulator too. Will save u at least a few crashes!
I have to say, since I bought the Zoom, the Sceadu hasnt come out at all. The Zoom is so much fun.

Im sure other lads here can advise you of different brands, and types of heli, but the above are my experiences.