Hey everybody, just came across this fantastic forum.

I'm looking to pickup my first helicopter and I want to seriously get in into the hobby. I have a couple of option to pick from..

1. 3ch Coaxial Double Horse 9077 (Available for ~2k through a friend)
2. 4ch single rotor (No clue about availability or price in India)

I've read that there's a lot of difference between a 3ch coax and 4ch single rotor and most places have said to start off with a 4ch single rotor.

If that's the case, does anybody know where I can pickup a decent 4ch single rotor like the Exceed Falcon 40?

Thanks a ton!

Hi Anish,

I have just bought my first intermediate Heli. It is a 3 Ch Co Ax. I was overcharged and ended up paying 5K for it. Similar types are available on Ebay for 3K.

It is big (24 inches +) and has full function 3 Ch controls. Up, Down, Forward, Reverse, Left and Right. It also has a rather decent hovering capability.

On ebay, look for a Heli that has the cockpit painted to look like an Eagle. Seems to be a similar type.

However, I am a Heli novice and I would advise you to wait till the real Heli experts comment on this thread.

Welcome to this forum and we hope you enjoy your stay here.

Regards,

VC

hi mate,
if you are seriouse about starting to fly helis......................
don't go below 4 channel, they are basicly toys not hobby machines.there is very little if any. [depends on the vendor....]  spares backup.
THEY ARE THROW AWAY TOYS......................
next it depends on your budget.uk prices GBP........... FROM £180 Upwards ready to fly, some come with good tx others come with cheap tx fixed pitch 'fp' is not a bad way to start as they are far cheaper to repair, the slightest thing with 'enable gravity' and then there is a repair bill. it is THE MOST EXPENSIVE hobby out there so be aware
do you fly planks??
this is nothing like it........................but at least you would know the importance of a good tx......
go for a 'brand name' with advertised 'instock' spares...........you will need them.
when I was learning it cost me an average of £100 PER MONTH in spares
choose between fuel or electric..............this depends where you will fly.
here it is hard to fly a fuel machine anywhere now because of restrictions.
so electric would be a cheaper safer bet for starting out.
as for the two you mention............................. they are 'worlds apart' both cost wise and abilaty wise.......the coaxial will 'almost' fly itsself...a toy standard realy...with very limited spares backup.
the falcon is a 'top end' standard heli....very expensive and will 'NOT' come with any radio equipment.something I hear you will have to buy localy, you would need a 6ch min radio for this heli as it is a 6ch cp heli as in collective pitch................ both main blades alter pitch to control the heli . a much more complicated heli to
[a] setup
fly
and [c] rebuild....................and you will be doing this believe me.
get a 4chanel fp heli [single rotor] like a walkera or esky which will come with a cheaper radio and will teach you the fundamentals of heli flight. with minimal repare bills. WHEN you can hover this inside a 3ft box and flyit around 'where you want it to go' not like a naughty dog then go for a 450 size cp heli .and decent radio system.

regards
don

If you are serious, go for a 4ch, but make sure you can hover very well on a sim first.  Don't know of Falcon 40 sources in India, some people have reported starting with Honeybee FP models.

The HK 450 models are another choice, and certainly a better long term choice. But a separate radio would push the costs up, unless you are planning to get a good radio for the long term anyways.

Quote from: VC on June 03, 2010, 12:24:41 PM
I have just bought my first intermediate Heli. It is a 3 Ch Co Ax. I was overcharged and ended up paying 5K for it. Similar types are available on Ebay for 3K.

It is big (24 inches +) and has full function 3 Ch controls. Up, Down, Forward, Reverse, Left and Right. It also has a rather decent hovering capability.

Please post a link.

Thanks a ton VC, Don and Anwar.

What 4ch would you suggest to start off with? And where can I source one with proper spares support in India.

Thanks!

Is this your heli, VC?

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-94582326164583_2106_34421416

Sorry Administrator,

I won't post the link as I do not wish to give this seller any more business as I have been fleeced thoroughly on this purchase as well as on the MiG 29. (Now you know who I am talking about  )

However, for a cheap 3 Ch Co Ax she does fly outdoors, in moderate breeze, surprisingly well. The paint and decals add a cheapness to it and I am in the process of modifying it now. Will post the pics and maiden video soon.

Regards,

VC

No that isn't my Heli, that is the one available on ebay. It seems to be similar to mine. Anwar Sahab, can you please remove the duplicate post above? Thanks!

Quote from: VC on June 03, 2010, 12:57:20 PM
I won't post the link as I do not wish to give this seller any more business as I have been fleeced thoroughly on this purchase as well as on the MiG 29. (Now you know who I am talking about  )

People need to know the model, not the seller I am sure it is available from multiple sources, and even a direct link from the manufacturer website is probably a good idea.

hi mate,
start with your 'local model shop' speak with them, they will know which models are popular out there and what models 'they carry spares for'  but in uk esky and walkera are the two makes that are popular 'starter' helis both flywell and should have good spares backup and come compleat with cheap radio.
check on the motor they use if one is brushed and another 'similar' heli is brushless go for the brushless heli as these motors last far longer. also get a good charger , a battery alarm....to save your batterys........... and a few spare battery...........only 10 min flight with one battery.......... and a few spares, if plastic head get a few center hubbs and blade holders and main gears, plastic blades usualy last well.
regards
don

Posting pics in a few minutes....................

This is it. Please note the extremely cheap Tx. The tail rotor was white with red lightning bolts! The tail section was transparent plastic and there were 2 ridiculous missiles on either side of the body with twinkling LED's!!! I have removed them and painted the tail grey.

Now there is a red/blue tail navigation light and two bright headlamps under the nose that look realistic. The cockpit interior has a weak red LED, this is not offensive. Thankfully the Tx comes equipped with a switch that can kill the lights for daytime flying and conserve battery.

I plan to repaint the canopy and get rid of the decals.

Regards,

VC

Don't know of any RC Helicopter dealers in my state.

Any known reliable sources for Honeybee / Lama 4ch Helis with good spare support?

hi VC
get rid of those training gear mate, when taking off give a good burp of power to get up then back off a bit, if you go slow taking off that is what tips it over.
much better without training gear.
regards
don

Don! 

How dare you make fun of my lovingly crafted, bio degradable, state of the art training gear!

Good to see you back in full flow mate!

VC

So it is the QS8004.

http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products/6504061/Big_3ch_metal_rc_helicopter_with_LED.html

http://www.google.com.qa/search?hl=en&safe=active&q=QS8004+heli

Please post some videos of it flying outside.

hahaha
back with a vengence 

Anwar could you guide me to any sellers who stock Esky Honeybee/Lama in India?

Training gear on a co-axial?? That is definitely a first 

Hey Anish, nice to hear from someone from Goa.. There is someone in North Goa who is into heli.. But i dont think he's on this forum.. I think u'll have to bump up ur budget quite a bit to get something decent..

Quote from: Anish on June 03, 2010, 01:41:29 PM
Anwar could you guide me to any sellers who stock Esky Honeybee/Lama in India?

Start with the list : http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/mega-list-of-all-rc-outlets-in-india/ and go through the sites of the major ones (especially the heli specialists, like http://www.rotor.co.in).

The stock keeps changing in various stores. For example, here are some beginner electric helis : http://www.rcskyhobby.com/products.php?main_page=productDisplay&cat=17

QuoteTraining gear on a co-axial?? That is definitely a first

I would rather feel stupid after reading your post than sit back with a crashed Heli that is irreparable due to my lack of expertise.

Quote from: VC on June 03, 2010, 01:48:53 PM
"Training gear on a co-axial?? That is definitely a first"

I would rather feel stupid after reading your post than sit back with a crashed Heli that is irreparable due to my lack of expertise.

Sorry man.. Didn't mean to offend you  What is the training gear made of anyway? I had one of those tiny IR co-axial indoor helis and after it was trimmed it was pretty much impossible to crash.. I was thinking of ordering that heli with the eagle decals from ebay (its supposed to be really good) but then decided to save the money n spend it on my nitro plane instead..

Medicineman..  don't worry, you are not alone in wondering whether these coaxial ones still need training gear.  See this :

http://www.rcindia.org/helis/need-training-gear-2314/msg21843/#msg21843

But I do realize now that it is a matter of realization of ones strengths (or weaknesses, depending on how you look at it), and is quite a rational thing to do

@VC - Just read about ur landing gear from the other post.. Bamboo sticks, cello tape n foam balls.. impressive 

@Anwar - Thanks for the link