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Beginners Corner > Help with selecting parts for building my first Heli.
 
 
maniatwo
Heliman
Location: hagerstown, MD USA

I have a Blade CX 2 now and I am ready to move on. This time I want to build one. I know there are many kits out there. I am torn between the T-Rex 500 and the Logo 500 DX.

But that aside, I need help with selecting the parts. I was told that Futaba has the best Gyro's and the very best Radio. There servo's were also very good but so were High tech. As for motors, NEU and for Batteries, Thunder Power W/ Fail Safe (for a beginner like me). Speed Controllers Castle Creations were the best. As for Chargers, no clue. I want one that cuts off when the battery is fully charged and will not over charge even if left plugged in.

Myself, I have no clue about any of these brands. Just want the hobby stores I have called have told me. So any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks
TY...
06-09-2008 12:33 AM
 
 
Heli_Man_Bob
Heliman
Location: Miamisburg, Ohio, US

Nothing you mentioned sounds bad The big brands like JR and Futaba both have a loyal following and are good for radio gear servos and gyros. Be sure to take advantage of the new 2.4 gear as opposed to FM.

This being your first collective pitch heli have you considered joining a club where you can meet other heli enthusiast and get tips and advice in person? The hobby shops you called should be able to tell you where the clubs are in your area check them out.

Also good to have someone experienced check out your build and setup as this will be very different from your CX.

Do research on line visit the different manufactures websites quite often you can download instruction manuals and learn about the product.

Start assembling your list of components and share them here you will get lots of opinions and if there is a dog in the list many will point it out.


Good luck with your choices.



Bob
06-09-2008 01:40 AM
 
 
speeddemon370
Veteran
Location: Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada

It sounds like you have you're proverbial $#!? together and you're going through all the right motions and such. As far as radio's go I'm a jr guy but I think it's only minor details that separate jr and fut. Either way as long as you go for 2.4 you're gonna be fine. I would certinaly reccomend getting a minimum of a 7ch with model memory. Everything else is just gravy. As far as the chargers go, I don't really have alot of experience with them so I can't really say much. Personally I just buy the stock eflite 3s one's (I have 5 of them) and they work just fine. They balance, charge, and stop when they're done. As an added bonus they're only 30bucks full retail and there's deals to be found everywhere.

The only other thing I can suggest is to start visiting some of these local hobby stores and clubs and see what the "flavour of the week" is for electronics. Now I'm not generally one to follow the crowd but during noobness it certianly dosen't hurt. That way you have the guys in the know that have already found all the quirks with your equipment. Plus if it's popular locally chances are you're not gonna end up twiddleing your thumbs watching and waiting for the ups truck.

Good luck and enjoy you're first build, don't rush and be meticulous as possible.

with 2 ears and 1 mouth you should listen twice as much as you talk
06-09-2008 03:03 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
FBoss
Veteran
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Looks like you are starting out the right way, ask and research before you buy. The posts to date are all spot on. Both your heli choices are good ones. The Trex may be less expensive for your 1st CP heli but the quality of the Logo is better. Your first purchase needs to be a SIM,you may already own one, if not get one before any of the rest. Unlike most opinions here on RR I doubt anyone will say otherwise.

A very good starting radio is the DX7 by spekrtum (but really a JR) Lots of radio for $300. Sell the included servos as there have been quality issues and they are not to be used on larger than a 30 size (not an issue for your choices). Cant really help you on the servos because I do not own a 500 size.

The Futaba 401 gyro and servo combo, is a standard by which most other gyros are measured hard to go wrong with that choice.

There are alot of good chargers thunder power has a good one, so does Hyperion and many others. A note here, DO NOT charge your batteries unattended even if and they all do, the charger will shut off by its self. Lipo fires are very bad and very hard to put out. I am using A123 batteries and you may want to check into them. Cheaper, no fire hazard, 1000 cycles, hardy but limited flight time. Most new chargers will charge them.
Keep reading and researching!
Hope this helped.

The good ole times are now ,000132
06-09-2008 04:26 PM
 
 
maniatwo
Heliman
Location: hagerstown, MD USA

Thanks for everyone's input. I am still a little confused on the radio. I was dead set on getting the Specktrum DX7. Then after talking to a few hobby shops, they said nothing compares to Futaba Radio's as well has their gyros and servo's.

I do have a Real flight G4 Sims and today I hope to buy service pack 5. That way I get the new T-Rex 500.

I have also been told that the Logo is the Lamborghini of all heli's. However, the cost goes way up as well has the parts. But you get what you part for I always say.

Then back to that charger. I still cannot figure out why they have not made a charger like most power tools. You drop in the battery, leave and your good to go. I have left mine in for days and on problems at all. Power tools that is. They never under nor over charge. So what makes these charges so different? Why do you need a volt meter?

Second. I like close to a club so I have lots of help setting it up and a biggggg flying field. My fear with the T-Rex 500 is that it is new and still has several bugs like most new heli's. It is only natural. In a few months, they will the bugs fixed and it will be one hell of a machine. But then back to Logo. They have been around for a long time and have master the art of making Heli's. Granted, you pay for what you get. But who would not spend a few more dollars to have the best, instead of the second best?

Keep in mind, I am very new, and this is ONLY MY OPINION. A newbie.

I have much to learn and look to you all for help and guidance. After all, you all will offer me non-bias opinions and no sale pitch.

So please feel more then welcome to correct me or add input. I am only trying to learn from those who have walked in my shoes and have learned the hard way.

Thank you kindly and have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,
Ty
06-09-2008 06:56 PM
 
 
FBoss
Veteran
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Oh contraire, alot advise here will be biased. Its natural to recommend whay you have spent your hard earned $$ on!! Look for good davise in concensis and by being around awhile, youll see who knows and who dont!
Heli batterys hold ALOT more power than any power tool. do a search on Lipo fires. Not a big huge deal you just need to use some caution.
If my budget was not as limited as it is I would have choosen the JR 9 chnl. 2.7 job. I hear its the shizzzzzzz. But the Futaba 2.7 has its advantages. If money is no object then I envy you! just save soem jack for parts, you are gonna need em.
A very highly reguarded charger line is the thunder power. They have a 6s capable for about $140. I bought a hyperion and they has a good line as well.
Its true you do get what you pay for and its a good idea to stick with a highly reguarded line, I do and Im a true budget flyer. I dont like to pay for a name but I do want top quality stuff. BUT as an example: (and this does not apply directly to a 500 class)
Today the BEST of the best servo is generally considered to be the JR8717, know as a crack pack. Very fast very powerful and extreamly expensive (too big for a 500). If you were getting a 50 nitro or a 600 class electric, those would be the best you could get. BUT do YOU as a newbe need a $120 servo? Honestly you dont and wont for some time. your skills and mine just dont and cant use that good a servo. On the other hand, same birds, yesterdays Best of the Best was a Futaba 9252, today thats a $75 servo. One is better than the other but both will do our job very well. For that matter the Futaba sport digital at $35 would most likley do us just fine. My point is that over the long haul we do need the good stuff. No dont buy "Johns discount servo Co." servo because its cheap. Do get a good quality respected over time servo (or whatever).
I have a DX7 and LOVE it. I wish I would have had the jack for the 9303 from JR but I didnt so here I am, still happy and makin the hard choices a budget flyer needs to make. Even on a budget there are quality lines that will cost you if you cross them.
If you got ther Jack get the LOGO, but know if you get the REX or since im a century guy the SWIFT you will be able to CRASH into the upgrades, promise. BTW the SWIFT is a good bird at a good price, in my unbiased oppinion!!!

The good ole times are now ,000132
06-09-2008 07:25 PM
 
 
dhollein
Key Veteran
Location: Tucson, AZ

T-Rex 500. Gotta love the quality and availabilty of Align parts all over the place.
06-09-2008 07:26 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
JRjoe
Elite Veteran
Location: Portage, IN

DX7 is a GREAT radio.



9303 would be better but the cost is quite a bit more.....

It also a good idea to find out what radio the guys in your area are using. It's a lot easier to get help from guys that use the same equipment.


JRjoe
06-09-2008 07:34 PM
 
 
dhollein
Key Veteran
Location: Tucson, AZ

If you buy a DX7, that's only money that could be put towards the 9303 which you will most likely have for a very long time
06-09-2008 07:35 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
whoamis
Heliman
Location: san francisco, ca

One semi-n00b to another, I'd echo/amplify/offer these points:

- get a radio which is owned by helpful people at your club, particularly if those people will buddy-box you. From what I hear, buddy boxing with a real good pilot will save you, over the course of your learning curve, more than the cost of any radio.

- same for gyro; if you're on your own, futaba's are particularly easy to set up

- buy servos for which your LHS stocks gear replacement sets

- if your knowledgeable LHS stocks align and not logo, get the t-rex. You'll be shopping for more helis before you know it, get the one you can keep flying for your first one.

- save budget for multiple battery packs

- save budget for lots of repairs. After your first crash, stock up on about 3 sets of everything you broke.

- i don't know if it's true for 500's, but for 450's, "fly pro woodies" and save the carbons for "later"

- i wish I would have saved my SE V2 fiberglass canopy, and painted up a plastic canopy with neon visibility at the outset

- save budget for (lots of) tools. Your charger will need a power supply; save budget.

- fly your sim with your neckstrap on, not in your lap; if you don't hold the sticks between two fingers, switch to that style now.

- join AMA, so you get insured

- once you're done shopping, shift your focus from optimizing the gear purchases to "just go fly."
06-09-2008 08:32 PM
 
 
dhollein
Key Veteran
Location: Tucson, AZ

That's great advice too, get a radio that people around you in the area are using as well.
06-09-2008 10:02 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
JRjoe
Elite Veteran
Location: Portage, IN

Quote 
fly your sim with your neckstrap on, not in your lap; if you don't hold the sticks between two fingers, switch to that style now.

100% not true!!!!


Watched a guy over the weekend fly thumbs. For sure one of the best i've seen in a while. No doubt XFC type flying style...


JRjoe
06-09-2008 10:36 PM
 
 
Pistol_Pete
Elite Veteran
Location: Tampa Bay non-Buccaneer

http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t385377p1/


since you mentioned logo 500.

<><>...the lunatic is in my head...<><>
06-23-2008 04:30 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
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Beginners Corner > Help with selecting parts for building my first Heli.
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