R/C helicopter bit the dust. Replacement advice

[BillPaxton]

I crashed my Dragonfly II RC helicopter for the last time - I must have had bad interference or something but at about 60' up it just veered sideways and practically rammed the sidewalk at full speed. A whole field of grass all around and it just made it to the concrete.

Anyway, I am looking to replace it and figure someone else on this forum probably has some good adice. Has to be a good hover in place copter though,, the dragonfly was kind of hellish to control even in light wind.

[jgbackes]

One of the newer models of dragonfly is what you want.

If you have only flown the Dragonflys, you have zero stick time on regular R/C helicopters. They are MUCH harder to fly and the control feel is totally different. It would be like trying to ride a bike for the first time only having experience with a Segway.

Just my opinion.

I crashed my Dragonfly II RC helicopter for the last time - I must have had bad interference or something but at about 60' up it just veered sideways and practically rammed the sidewalk at full speed. A whole field of grass all around and it just made it to the concrete.

Anyway, I am looking to replace it and figure someone else on this forum probably has some good adice. Has to be a good hover in place copter though,, the dragonfly was kind of hellish to control even in light wind.

[BillPaxton]

... you have zero stick time on regular R/C helicopters...
I only have flown dragonfly II, never any other model so I guess I'm a big rookie, but all I really care about it ability to go up/down/hover in place, yaw, and go forward. I have seen and think I would prefer a more sophisticated control system.
I'm doing alot of research and will relearn how to fly if I need to but I want to get a top knotch model that is extremely maneuverable even if it takes me a year to learn to do what I want with it.

(oh and thank you for the advice)

[hellphish]

Probably less than what you are looking for, but the Air Hogs Havoc Heli (aka Silverlit PiccoZ) is a great indoor flier. It is only two channel, but it is still great fun to fly, and cheap to boot. I got mine for 25 earth bucks.

[BillPaxton]

Probably less than what you are looking for, but the Air Hogs Havoc Heli (aka Silverlit PiccoZ) is a great indoor flier. It is only two channel, but it is still great fun to fly, and cheap to boot. I got mine for 25 earth bucks.
Holy cow for that I'll pick one up one the way home for rainy days and still get a big one!
any thanks!!

[hellphish]

You won't regret it. I actually brought mine to work today and everyone loves it.

[BillPaxton]

You won't regret it. I actually brought mine to work today and everyone loves it.
My toys-r-us didn't have it in stock so I ordered online. Now I can't wait. What's the battery time on it? I think I may still get a gas one as well.

[ryan_walters]

I'm an RC guy too, but stick to flying planes. Much cheaper to buy, and much cheaper if (and when) you crash them. A good 3d capable airplane with do most things a heli will. But the heli is harder to see, harder to learn, more expensive to buy, and more expensive to fix. Once your past the learning stage on a heli, you have to risk the heli a lot more than an airplane to get anywhere further, otherwise you get bored.

All of this refers to the serious rc models, and not the small cheap ones from toys r us, or similar.

Just my opinion..

[BillPaxton]

I've never flown an r/c plane before but I'm open to suggestions. I've seen some amazing stuff (in fact Antony [Madsegs] has r/c boat that he flew up the wall in his office and made it hover very easily) - what would you recommend as a starter plane? I have a giant field behind my house and a night long sidewalk & driveway for a landing strip. I can always have both!

[ryan_walters]

I would check out your local hobby shops first. You'll want an entry level electric. They should have inexpensive 3 channel "trainers" around. Probably $100-$200 depending.

Learning how to fly is much easier if you have someone who can help, who knows how to fly already. But if you don't, it is quite possible without, just a bit harder. There may be local RC club's around your area. I would look into that as well. I think that the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) would have links to local clubs. Try here:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

[Klerkan]

Il have some hillis to, Hirobo, Trex 450 V2, and some Raptor's. im trying to do some 3D but is very hard, im mostly in to scale models.

[BillPaxton]

Il have some hillis to, Hirobo, Trex 450 V2, and some Raptor's. im trying to do some 3D but is very hard, im mostly in to scale models.
whats a 3d? and what scale?

[BillPaxton]

I would check out your local hobby shops first.
We don't have any, and I have an assistant but not with r/c flight experience. But you are right, my first crash in years with my heli was completely fatal.

[Klerkan]

whats a 3d? and what scale?

A scale helicopter is a helo thats look next to the realthing and try to fly it like one,
3D is a acrobatic helicopter. il post some movies that il found on YouTube.

3D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8t41avFuCc

Scale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYm8fGbOY8k&mode=related&search=

Il can post some pics of my hellis soon, just need to get a cam.
My Scale models are Jetranger, Bell 222, and a hughes 500

/klerkan

[ryan_walters]

whats a 3d? and what scale?

Here's a 3d airplane video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtIr0kU-34

[BillPaxton]

You won't regret it. I actually brought mine to work today and everyone loves it.
I got it tonight - SMALL! its not a third of the size of the old one. Can't wait to play with it Thursday. Would play tomorrow but promised the kids I'd show them how to make a tennis ball cannon. Maybe they can shoot that and i can practice evading flak.

[hellphish]

I got it tonight - SMALL! its not a third of the size of the old one. Can't wait to play with it Thursday. Would play tomorrow but promised the kids I'd show them how to make a tennis ball cannon. Maybe they can shoot that and i can practice evading flak.

Yep, its a tiny little thing. Touchy too. You really have to stay on top of it but it is loads of fun. I wouldn't even put the aluminum weights on it, as you can adjust the forward speed with a twist of the tail mast.

[BillPaxton]

Yep, its a tiny little thing. Touchy too. You really have to stay on top of it but it is loads of fun. I wouldn't even put the aluminum weights on it, as you can adjust the forward speed with a twist of the tail mast.
Well it handles just like my dragonfly, and its fun to tease the dogs with but there is no blade pitch control so I can't figure out how to make it do anything but hover and slightly yaw left or right. I think I'm going to get a collective pitch r/c - looking at the Falcon 3D pro - it will roll and can even do inverted flight...but also 10x the Havoc's cost...

[hellphish]

To make it go forward, hold the heli so the tail is facing you, then give the mast a clockwise twist. The idea is to make the tail rotor face ever so slighly downward instead of square to the right. When you give a little bit of right rudder, the prop tilts the heli forward a little and forward control is possible. A quick touch of left rudder stops it in its tracks.

[BillPaxton]

can't wait to try it. Thanks again...the rep point machine is being uppity or I'd give you reps again

[hellphish]

No worries, I appreciate it though! :) I'm having some issues with my SC account which are probably affecting the rep system, but I'm sure they will be sorted out within a few weeks.