Author Topic: Electric RC helicopters (Read 3039 times)

Fly320s · « **on:** March 10, 2010, 09:14:26 PM »

Anyone here have an electric RC helicopter?

I'd like to have one just for fun, indoor use. If you have any recommendations, tips, tricks, etc let me know.

eyebrows · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2010, 11:41:35 PM »

I got a micro mosquito for my last birthday. Its kinda fun to chase the cats around with it.
While it is a cool little heli with good control, I'd do a little research and buy something a little more robust if I were you.

Best advice I can give is to buy repair kits for whatever helicopter you buy. The learning curve is steep.

Edited to add: Make sure to turn off any ceiling fans in your flight path.

Fjolnirsson · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2010, 11:54:28 PM »

I looked into this last year, but I don't recall the models I found to be recommended, as I did not follow through with the urge. However, I did find out most areas have RC plane/helicopter clubs, and they seem to be pretty friendly folks, for the most part. Might check around at the local RC shop.

Sergeant Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2010, 12:00:35 AM »

I had about the cheapest one that could be found ($10) so I don't know a lot about them but, one thing I would do is make sure to get one with a 3 channel radio.

Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2010, 12:35:41 AM »

Buy a good one. Attach a small MP3 player and put roman candles under the wings. Set the MP3 player to loop the Airwolf theme. Send to your neighbor's house around midnight.

BMacklem · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:01:04 AM »

Actually I bought an Airwolf double blade unit from ebay a while ago, but still haven't had much of a chance to try it out. Can't go outsideas the local hoodrats would pester me about it constantly. They see my cats in the windows, and every time I walk outside, they want to bother me about them.
I think I paid something like $35 for my little knockoff. It's chinese made, and isn't a perfect replica of airwolf, as it has these missle things attached to the "wings" Other than that it's a nice looking little unit.
I'd personally love to buy one of the virtual simulator r/c heli controllers that you can use to learn with on the PC, but those aren't too cheap either.
a decent USB controller and software is something like $50 or more.

Physics · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:46:04 AM »

Why not build one?

Boomhauer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:50:17 AM »

My father has thought about buying one for the sole purpose of messing with one of his cousins...

You see, his cousin is a guy who is heavily invested in the Reynold's Wrap. So...we thought we'd get one of these remote control helis (in black of course) and go park a plain white van across from his cousin's and well...send the RC heli over like it's looking for something.

BMacklem · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2010, 02:02:02 AM »

By reynolds wrap, you mean tin-foil correct?
I had to think for a second there.....why would your fathers cousin have a problem if he invests in stretch wrap?

bedlamite · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2010, 07:44:40 AM »

I'd start with one of the Eflite Blades, which one depends on your skill level. Their ready-to-fly package comes with a good 4 or 6 channel 2.4GHz Spektrum radio that can be used on several models. Stay away from the cheap 27 and 49MHz radios.

You probably have a better idea than most what it takes to fly a collective pitch heli. If you think you can handle that, go with the CP pro. That's about as big as can be flown indoors, and it can handle gentle winds outside too. Also, understand that larger helis are easier to control.

If you don't think you can handle collective pitch, and want to stay indoors, get one of the mCX helis. The twin rotor helis are stable enough just about anyone can fly them.

Harold Tuttle · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:51:14 AM »

too cool:
http://ardrone.parrot.com/parrot-ar-drone/en

Boomhauer · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2010, 11:14:26 AM »

Quote from: BMacklem on March 11, 2010, 02:02:02 AM

By reynolds wrap, you mean tin-foil correct?
I had to think for a second there.....why would your fathers cousin have a problem if he invests in stretch wrap?

Yes, the tin foil. http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/product.asp?cat_id=1337&prod_id=1789

mellestad · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2010, 02:17:15 PM »

I have one I got for $30 at Wal-Mart. It shoots little plastic rockets. Lots of fun :)

RevDisk · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2010, 03:03:56 PM »

Quote from: bedlamite on March 11, 2010, 07:44:40 AM

The twin rotor helis are stable enough just about anyone can fly them.

Ayep.

MillCreek · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2010, 03:32:04 PM »

^^^ Nice, but it needs stub wings and pylons for the missile launchers. However, this is probably a prototype, so we can expect that on the final model.

Fly320s · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2010, 04:17:40 PM »

Lots of good info, thanks. Trying to think of birthday ideas for me to give to wife, family.

That Ardrone Parrot looks awesome, but at $1200 per copy I think I'll pass.

sanglant · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2010, 12:00:29 AM »

hehe

oldcop1971 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2010, 11:16:29 AM »

check radio shack, they have some mini-choppers with twin blades for reasonable prices. probably not cat proof, tho.
gene

Ex-MA Hole · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2010, 12:53:11 PM »

Tony-

I have a well used airhog helicoptor you can have...

M

Fly320s · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2010, 03:02:10 PM »

RC or free flight?

And get some IDPA matches going!

Ex-MA Hole · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2010, 03:47:04 PM »

It's one of these....you figure out what it is!!!

5/1 first steel, 5/15 first IDPA....

IDPA will be third Saturday from May through Sept...BUG will be third sat in Oct...more to come...

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2010, 04:20:03 PM »

Hey 320, practice a little and you can fly one like this....

http://www.youtube.com/v/q6F-0rIpLJE&hl

(tried to embed the video with the YouTube prefab link but didn't have any luck. What am I doing wrong?)

Brad

mellestad · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2010, 04:51:04 PM »

Quote from: Brad Johnson on March 12, 2010, 04:20:03 PM

Hey 320, practice a little and you can fly one like this....

http://www.youtube.com/v/q6F-0rIpLJE&hl

(tried to embed the video with the YouTube prefab link but didn't have any luck. What am I doing wrong?)

Brad

I'm not familiar with what the capabilities are, but is that type of flight possible?

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2010, 06:09:16 PM »

I'm with mellestad on this one. There's something about that video that just makes me lean towards "fake". Not so much the aerobatics, but the almost instantaneous changes in direction, almost as if the helo has no momentum.

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2010, 06:14:15 PM »

Nope. 100% real. That's just the first in a list of vids on YouTube from guys that are, well... better at it than most all the rest of us!

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Author Topic: Electric RC helicopters (Read 3039 times)