r/c Helicopter for less than £50?

[michael]

My dad has got it into his head that he needs a radio controlled helicopter for his birthday, since he retired he's been a bit odd like that.

 

Anyway I would like to get him one by the weekend if possible and spotted this:

 

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=221207&doy=14m8

 

Is it likely to be utter crap?

 

What others should I consider on this low budget? If necessary I'll print him a picture out and he can have it later.

 

If anyone has one they want rid of or wants to p/x for a HPI MT with MT2 body and lots of extras then give me a shout.

[TRACIE_LOU]

should have a chat with lui he is well into all that im sure he had a few up for sale not long ago.But if its your dads first one prob best to get a cheap one lol

[michael]

My old man used to do a lot of flying when I was really young but I'm going to treat him as though he's 12 and getting his first one, it's safer that way

[JamieP]

Iirc you need 4 channel to be able to fly with any degree of control.

[Pabs]

3 channel is a bit limited TBH - 6 channel is where the real fun is had, but you won't get one in that price.

[SupraStar 3000]

Like pabs has said, you need 6chl for full control.

 

Anything less is a waste of time.

 

I recommend a honey bee CP2.

Have a google or look at

 

Buzzflyer.com

and

Heliguy.com

[scooby_doo_do]

I've got a honey bee CP2, 6ch.. However it came out the box, and then went a little crazy becuase i hit the wrong button. I grabbed hold of it just as it took off, and it's not been airbourne since. I've changed the main shaft, bought new servo's and a few other bits. Bought the screwdriver set, training kit, roter degree thingy and the flight sim with usb controller (i'm really goo at that) - however, can i get it airbourne.....

 

 

 

Can i chuff.. It just spins round on the floor.

 

Total flying time, less than one minute, now it's in the loft.

[Pete]

My dads friend bought one, he wanted one too. Then he changed his mind once his mate crashed it hard into the ground and irreparably broke it on the maiden flight.

[michael]

Total flying time, less than one minute, now it's in the loft.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the honey bee, looks like a nice bit of kit for the money, a bit over my budget but it looks like you can buy lots of spares for those less than perfect flights

 

I'll give you £30 for yours

[SupraStar 3000]

Trust me, sick with the Cp2 and you'll soon get it.

Stay behind the helicopter (called 'in-tail flight') so the controls relate to your position.

 

Flying the helicopter facing you is REALLY difficult.

[Pabs]

Ed - I thought it was "tail-in" flight, not "in-tail" flight lol... only messin'

 

Agree totally with the rest though - I've been flying for about 6 months (real) and probably around a year on sim, and still only just progressing on from tail-in - now trying it with the heli at 90 degree's to me... it's tricky!

 

Grounded now though with a dead Lipo battery, and no cash to get new one at mo

[ADL Mark]

Damn this forum, just when I think I have enough hobbies, I find another one that will probably cost me a lot of money that I really want to get in to!

 

So given the option of the CP-2, King II or Belt-CP, brand new and out of the box would you guys go for the Belt-CP because of the better motors and belt drive? Have just been reading the 13-page thread on it and getting an idea. Seen some bargains on eBay that I'm quite interested in..

[SupraStar 3000]

The independent tail motor and lack of power is the biggest issue I have with the CP2.

Thats said,.. its a great starter model.

 

The KingII, providing you get the motor upgrade to brushless is worth the extra money for build quality alone. The only problem is, you need to make a DIY mod to the tail assembly as the belt slips. Only needs an extra washer.

 

The Beltcp is alittle more unforgiving if your after your 1st helicopter.

The power is great, steady in the air but repairs are a pain and very expensive.

[SupraStar 3000]

Ed - I thought it was "tail-in" flight, not "in-tail" flight lol... only messin'

 

LOL

 

Bloody show off

[bluecoup]

if its for dad keep with the conra rotating helis they are easish to fly and can almost hover themselves when trimmed up right, if you can stretch slightly over £50 id recommend the twister bell medevac, i got mine in the navy colours with optional floats set and navi lights so i can land in the pond and scare the fish, its a great heli small enough to practice inside with and stable enough for the back garden when the wind drops, everything in the one box, even spare blade for when you crash

[Aero-M]

hi, same as above really, i got the twister hawk as my first heli. very good for controlable indoor flight or calm outdoor flight. my local model shop have them on a very good deal at the moment of £69 with a spare lipo battery, i got the army one but they do a coastgaurd one too.

http://www.galaxymodels.co.uk/results.asp?subt=Helicopters%20(Electric)

[Aero-M]

link doesn't seem to take you straight there, just click helicopters on the right, then electric and scroll down. If you fancy something a bit nicer i have a t rex 450 for sale, but this is more of an experienced pilots helicopter.

[Swampy442]

I just bought something similar to that today! Except mine is like the old MASH choppers, is 4 channel, and cost 55 (with discount)from Ripspeed. Contra rotating blades too. Ive never flown an rc object before, but had it up and about inside 5 mins, really easy and stable to fly

[jim_supra]

Just bought one of these sub-micro helicopters off ebay;

 

http://www.buzzflyer.co.uk/Sub-Micro-RC-Helicopters/Buzz-Fly-CX-2.4G/p-97-903/

 

Just wanted a fun little helicopter that can be flown indoors and out with some degree of control to start me off.