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Beginners Corner > Newbie here.

Smacka
Heliman
Location: Weedville, PA

Quote
I don't mean to sound rude or anything but if you are just starting out, a Trex 600 is quite the heli to start with. Crashing is going to happen and will be pretty expensive with a heli like that. Its just part of the learning process. But I'm sure you already know that and are probably prepared $$ wise. At least with a heli that size, it will be more stable than a smaller "trainer" heli.

You answered your own inquiry. Not only is this bird more stable than ANY smaller sized heli on the market, it is extremely affordable, with replacement parts dirt cheap.

I have read post after post on this site whereby pilots have started out with a blade CX/2, then a Blade 400, then an Align 450, then an Align 500...only to finally arrive at the next destination....a Trex 600.

This is extremely costly and not at all necessary! My wife just built her first copter, a Trex 600 Super Pro. She flew it for the first time last weekend, via a buddy cord compliments of Heli3DMax. She flew the nuts off this bird, a testament to the quality and stability of this kit.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning to fly with a 50-sized copter. It is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying all of those other nonsense birds that in no way teach you to fly. All they do is teach you to repair them after a small gust of wind blows it off course and into the ground.

Please do not get me wrong. Each RC experience is very much a private affair, with the pilot deciding how he/she will spend their hard earned money. I just get worked up each time I read another post pistol whipping a pilot for having the foresight to see the forest through the trees and buying what he really wants because he can afford to do so.

Hoffman's did it right!

Hoffman's
Having said that, please join a local flying club and maiden your bird on a buddy cord with an experienced pilot. As Pyrock already stated, the power of this copter is wicked and it comes on instantly, pending on your setup. A Spartan Gyro (for example) and the correct servos could cause a Trex 600 to do major damage to yourself and/or anyone around you (spectators stay the heck back!!!) at the speed of light!!

Nothing beats a good instructor at your side. In that way, you will have saved even more valuable time and money by not crashing your investment.

Respectfully,
Smacka

07-18-2008 10:17 PM

Pyrock
Key Veteran
Location: SF Bay Area

Well said Smacka!

Blinged Trex 450SE, Stretched Logo 10 3D, Ion-X

07-18-2008 10:31 PM

HOFFMANs
New Heliman
Location: Smithville, Texas

Thanks again for all the input I am soaking it up like a sponge. I am really pumped about this hobby and I havent even flown yet.

Thanks
Shane

07-19-2008 02:52 AM

nmrs
Senior Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

Quote
I have read post after post on this site whereby pilots have started out with a blade CX/2, then a Blade 400, then an Align 450, then an Align 500...only to finally arrive at the next destination....a Trex 600.

I have to disagree somewhat here. I think Hoffman's choice of a 600 is a fantastic one if that works for him, but a 50 or 90 isn't necessarily the end all or be all for everyone. Sure I'd like one of the big boys, but it would be my weekend toy, the one I could fly once or twice a month when I could make it out to the flying field (40 minutes away). For a lot of folks a 450 or 500 is a fantastic heli. I can fly my 450 every day, often a couple of times a day (2 or 3 batts each time) because I can fly it at the junior high football field behind my house.

I think a lot of the time (maybe most of the time) when you see someone step up in size, they are not trading in the smaller heli for the bigger one, they are adding the bigger one to the stable. For me, if I could only have one heli (and I do), it would be a 450 because my flying locations are so much more open. There are 3 spots I can fly a 450 within a 2 minute drive from my house. Where can I fly a 50 or a 90? At the flying field 40 minutes away.... Sure the big helis are nice if you live close to a flying field, but don't for a minute think that a 450 isn't enough heli...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=np5XSTwv4vA

This isn't to say that I won't add a 500 and maybe a 600 to the stable someday, but for now with only one heli, the 450 makes the most sense because it will let me get in the most stick time.

450 se v2

07-19-2008 03:51 AM

Smacka
Heliman
Location: Weedville, PA

Quote
I have to disagree somewhat here. I think Hoffman's choice of a 600 is a fantastic one if that works for him, but a 50 or 90 isn't necessarily the end all or be all for everyone.

Absolutely! But to be fair, you took one comment from my post and set it alone by itself and spoke to it. By doing so, it takes on a completely different meaning.

That was not the flavor of my post. I was speaking about that faction of folks who believe, and have posted to the "fact" that a new pilot "should" start out flying a coaxial (such as a Blade CX/2) to learn how to fly helicopters before they ever think about graduating up to the big leagues (.50 to .90 size). This is the most expensive path to take, and does little in the way of teaching a new pilot how to truly fly helicopters. A new pilot does not get the most bang for his buck choosing this path. If he/she knows she wants, and can afford a .50-.90 sized helicopter, then they should be encouraged to do so. Even then, the choice is still their own, as I did say in the last post.

I know VERY good pilots that made the active choice to fly 450's or 500's. They made the purchase and have been shreding the skies ever since. I only wish I had even half of their abilities. But I digress.

Redirecting the conversation back on track, please consider my thoughts in the context of which they were written...together. To consider each of them separately completely loses the original meaning and context, and is not fair to me.

If I were to pass along anything I have learned, it would be to buy a nice flight simulator ( I have a Phoenix but there are many good choices available) to get stick time. Then, consider what type of flying options are available to him/her (In your case 40-mintues from the field, in my case 1-hour) and what kind of money they are willing/able to spend. Lastly, I would encourage "anyone" to join a local flying club and fly with an instructor. This tremendously shortens the learning curve, and is the the safest way to go. Can you become a good pilot without an instructor, you bet! But why not take advantage of the expertise. You also gain a new friend in the process...win-win.

What I would discourage is the notion you "have to" follow the path of the ever graduating copter...Blade CX/2, Blade CP+, Blade CP Pro, Blade 400, Align 450, Align 500, Align 600, Align 700...then ta da...Avant Aurora. Holy crap, I can learn to fly just fine using a flight sim, a .50-.90 sized copter and an instructor....then go on a wild arse vacation with myself, my wife AND my instructor on the money I saved.

Warm Regards,
Smacka

07-19-2008 09:42 AM

nmrs
Senior Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

Quote
Absolutely! But to be fair, you took one comment from my post and set it alone by itself and spoke to it. By doing so, it takes on a completely different meaning.

Yes, I'll admit your whole post isn't quite as direct as I made it sound, but in other threads, you are essentially making this same point:

Quote
This is why, in my opinion, a newbie should fly the nuts off the simulator and go straight for a Trex 600. This is where he will graduate to anyway...I have seen it time and time again.

(From http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/...1/?p=3605598#RR)

(+1 on the simulator there by the way. We do both agree that a sim is definitely the place to start.)

In yet another thread, you admit that you don't even fly helis yet, but want to start with a 90:

Quote

There are extremely knowledgeable folks on this site (I am not one of them) that love to help out when they can.

I have not crossed over to the dark side...yet. My wife built a beautiful TRex 600 Super Pro Nitro. It is a little hard watching her fly the copter, as it looks too fun to be a spectator sport!

"IF" I do take the plunge, it will be a 90-sized...either a TRex 700 or an Avant Aurora.

If you hadn't already noticed, I have this thing about buying intermediate copters. For what I pay for a TRex 600 Super Pro Nitro, I am well on my way to a TRex 700, or even an Avant Aurora.

(http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/...2/?p=3605774#RR)

I think it's great you have joined the community, and I think your choice of going right to a 90 is great for you if you can afford the repair costs and get to the flying field and fly it regularly (at an hour away, can you?).

I generally don't recommend that anyone start with anything smaller than a 450 size, but I don't think you have to start with a 50 either. If you can fly at the field every day, fantastic, get a 50. I know I would. If not, you'd be better served getting a smaller heli that you can fly everyday. I think stick time is more important than immediately starting with the heli you will eventually "graduate to". I don't see myself graduating to a 50. I'm sure I'll get one some day, but it will still never be my daily flyer unless I move closer to a flying field.

450 se v2

07-19-2008 02:06 PM

nmrs
Senior Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

Hoffmans, sorry about hijacking this thread. I think your choice of the 600 sounds like a great one for you. It'll be super stable and will take you through all of your levels of development. You can tune it mild when learning, then adjust it as you progress to be as aggressive as you need it. Hope to see you at the flying field one of these Saturday mornings (which is where I am off to now...)

450 se v2

07-19-2008 02:10 PM

Smacka
Heliman
Location: Weedville, PA

Quote
think it's great you have joined the community, and I think your choice of going right to a 90 is great for you if you can afford the repair costs and get to the flying field and fly it regularly (at an hour away, can you?).

Holy cow NMRS?!?!
Did I sleep with your wife, girlfriend or daughter without knowing it?!

You sure are going out of your way to try to make me look bad. Why???????

My last response to you is with respect to your statement above. I am going to be less tactful this time, since you apparently have set the tone. Whether or not I go to the flying field once a month OR once a year to fly a $10,000.00 copter is absolutely none of your business. You worry about you, and I will do the same. What I can afford to do is, once again, my business and not yours.

You almost seem jealous. I just do not understand you motive for coming at me this way, nor do I care. That is what the ignore feature is for. If you do not like my post(s), ignore me and move on with your life. I refuse to get into a pee pee bumping contest over trivial chit, man...

I do wish you well in all of your endeavors,
Smacka

07-19-2008 05:50 PM

nmrs
Senior Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

Sorry for coming off so harsh. I really didn't mean to be attacking you and I apologize. Reading back over my posts, I did go a little overboard.

My intention wasn't to attack you (though reading it over now, I can see how it could come across that way); I was simply challenging the opinion that a 50 is always the best size to start with. I think starting with a 50 can be fantastic or a 450 can be fantastic. Everyone is going to have a different budget, different availability of flying locations, etc. I think a safe bet is to get the biggest heli that you can that meets a couple of criteria:

1) You can fly it as often as you like. For some this may be daily, for others it may be monthly.

2) That you can afford to fix when you need to. Again for some a 450 may be all they can afford, while others can swing a few crashes a year on a 90.

For you Smacka, a 50 or 90 probably meets these criteria, so I think it's a great choice. The same is probably true for Hoffmans. As for me, while I would love to get a 50, I'd only be able to fly it once or twice a month, and I want to fly every day, so a 450 fits the bill best for me.

Again, sorry for the flaming post(s) above. It's a little too easy to come off harsh in forums where you don't have to actually face the person you're talking to.

450 se v2

07-19-2008 07:15 PM

Smacka
Heliman
Location: Weedville, PA

Quote
Again, sorry for the flaming post(s) above. It's a little too easy to come off harsh in forums where you don't have to actually face the person you're talking to.

Hi NMRS:
Your apology is not only accepted, it is greatly appreciated. You are a gentleman, and I thank you.

You have made an extremely valuable comment above. Not only is it very easy to come off harsh, as you put it, but it is as equally difficult to understand the meaning of the written word when you cannot see facial expressions or hear inflections in the voice. It is in this light that a great many misunderstandings take place.

Having said that, if I took your meaning out of contxt or more harsh than meant, then I too would like to apologize to you.

You have very well thought out points in your last post

Have a great afternoon!
Smacka

07-19-2008 07:28 PM

HOFFMANs
New Heliman
Location: Smithville, Texas

I think everyone has a right to their own opinion. I do realize that by typing on here you cant see facial expressions and see where someone is coming from. I take everything in as people trying to help me out since I am new to this hobby. I am glad to see you worked it out and moved on.

Peace
Thanks
Shane

07-20-2008 03:04 AM

phred
Heliman
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Just as a late contribution to this discussion, I am looking at getting into this hobby as well. I have little money at this time and what money I do have eventually will need to be spent wisely.
I've been looking initially at the smaller end of town (Honey Bee King II or Trex or HDX 450 etc).
Then I saw the Trex 500 come out and thought that's middle of the rd for me and an ideal starting point.

But then yesterday went down to the local Hobby Shop here in Perth and the bloke there said forget Trex's they're junk. Poor quality aluminium, crappy heads, poor components etc. He said go for the likes of a Lepton EX, Super Voyager E (is that a JR?) or even the Logo400 when it arrives as being higher quality in components, motors, esc's heads with better aluminium parts. But probably highter costs.

I'm tempted to go for a quick sale via Ebay for a Trex 500 with everything (including Spektrum DX7 - although someone else warned me that importing one could cause problems as they're more likely to have frequency probs that a locally bought one?).

Any opinions on this? Be gratefull for advice.

Thanks

Dave

08-26-2008 06:30 AM

f penfold
Senior Heliman
Location: uk

no probs with 2.4 as for the guy in your lhs all you have to do is look on here to find out what most people think of trexs they cant all be wrong

08-26-2008 04:48 PM

ruddernate
Senior Heliman
Location: sulphur,Ok.

you should get a trex and the dx7. then go back to the lhs and tell the guy how much you love it. i love my trex 450 and i really love the dx7. 2.4ghz will eliminate so many of the old problems. i was debating on getting the rex 500 but went nitro instead. the trex 450 is very good quality, especially for the price. quality above this,i believe, steps up in price quite exponentially. one of these days i'll own some of the top end high dollar jobs but for now, you can't beat the bang for the buck.got a raptor 50 which i love as well but i can fly the 450 anytime, anywhere, and that's definately a bonus. good luck whatever you get. just remember there are no drugs to get you off helis.

had to edit , just noticed where you live and keep in mind parts availability is another decision maker. however i stand by my rex quality statements.

fly it like you stole it

08-27-2008 06:25 AM

phred
Heliman
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Thank you

Thanks to all for those comments.
Very helpfull stuff.
Yes cost is a huge consideration for me. I am tossing up between about 4 different heli's right now. trex 450, Trex 500, Lepton Ex, and a Thunder Tiger E325 (which I think is a nice little heli). Prefer the size of the Trex 500. However the new Logo 400 is bigger I believe and a really nice heli. But once again the wallet will decide.
Need to afford a sim yet! Sigh... so many demands, so little dolero's!

08-27-2008 12:05 PM

daytona7
Heliman
Location: Ocala, FL USA

Wallet size

phred,
You hit the nail square on the head. The size of the wallet is the major determination on what a newbie gets. Same goes for RTF, ARTF and Kit. Pros and cons on all. RTF, all you have to do is unpack, charge the batteries and find a SAFE place to practice, perferrably with an experienced flyer. ARTF, You better know more than what the instructions show since they are not always 100% perfect and accurate. Kits, Sure you will learn a lot about the workings of the heli for later repairs, BUT with a kit, you better have Experience and more than just limited knowledge and do not expect to have it built in a matter of hours. More like days since you will run into some kind of problem where you will need to seek help. Then you need to worry about broken parts. Where are you going to get parts to replace after a crash?
I know I'm contradicting myself on earlier posts but after reading a PM, the main word that stuck out was "EXPERIENCE". So when I get a few extra $$, I'll go to a LHS where most if not all of the staff also fly what they sell and get whatever they recommend, knowing that when I do crash, I do not have to send away for replacement parts. When I get ready to go larger, then MAYBE, I'll try one of the vendors here on RR.
One last thing. DO get a sim first if at all possible before attempting to make your first flight. Get training gear and add just enough weight to the skids to keep it from getting off the ground the first time so you can get a feel of the controls.
Just my 2 cents worth

08-27-2008 03:23 PM

ruddernate
Senior Heliman
Location: sulphur,Ok.

definately fly the sim first. most people who think my toy helis are cute i put them on the sim and their first several flights usually last a couple seconds ending with the helis entertaining demise.you don't want that to be the fate of your bird. the hobby will teach you great patience and baby steps are a must. if you've never flown a heli of any kind the difficulty to get off the ground may surprise you. i use clearview simulator, it's $40 bucks online download. you'll need a controller or compatible transmitter. fly the sim first. FMS is another basic sim to research. good luck.

fly it like you stole it

08-27-2008 03:52 PM

blt4ice
Senior Heliman
Location: Newark, DE

Get on that sim, also check out helifreak for building tips and hints in the finless bob videos that he has done.

If you are close to Ron's then when you get finished with the build, or get stuck, take it over to the shop, they would be more than happy to help you out I am sure.

Find a local club and hang out and ask questions while you are building. Also while you are building, start flying on a simulator, that is where you will do most of your flying and learning, they are pretty much a must have these days.

Brian
Heli tools used: Torch, Pipe Wrench, 4 ft. crowbar

08-29-2008 04:34 PM

louk05
Veteran
Location: Flying in BelAir Maryland

Yes

Most important thing you will buy is a SIM. Great planes also is a nice on G4. You should fly there for a few days before you try it on the 600. Get a local pilot and see if you guys can do a buddy box system. great way to learn as well. The 600 is easier to fly than the 450 but not really a good beginner bird. You already have it so you midas well learn on it. Any ways welcome to the world of helis and please go get a sim and be careful. that 600 can kill you if you are not safe. Get some one local to help you out on your 1st few flights. And don't rush into it. Just practice hovering. And lots and lots of sim time so you get a feel for it. Good luck

Fly Hard,Crash Hard,Upgrade, Align,AMA#906056

08-29-2008 11:56 PM

mirmanchuck
Heliman
Location: Venice Fl.

The bigger the Heli is, the easier it is to fly. I learned on a 50 sized nitro, and picked it up quick. The small 450 sized electrics are twichy and harder to control. A friend of mine is trying to learn with a Blade 400 and is having a hard time. Practice, practice, practice.

09-03-2008 09:29 PM

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