mSR may have gotten me back into this - any other ones this easy to fly?

[bigdumbdane]

I started with a e-flite CX - it was fun, but every crash was more parts. Lots of trips to the store, lots of downtime. Then came the trim and vibration issues..
I then moved up to a esky Honeybee CP2 - It wasnt bad, but I spent a lot of time tuning it, fighting vibrations, and every crash was even more repairs. No local hobby store support, so I sold it and gave up.
Fast forward a few years, and I accidently wandered into a hobby shop again (big mistake). The guy behind the counter is playing with a mSR, and it is hovering hands free. Wow. I suddenly was dreaming of actually flying a heli again, he made it look so easy... it was like he could command it with his mind.
I went back the next day and picked up a RTF mSR, expecting to be dissapointed -
It is amazing. I was hovering nose in on first battery - no constant adjustments, you just point it where you want it to go. Still got lots to learn, but this thing may have gotten me hooked again. Plus, it takes a beating - no damage so far, countless wrecks.

So here is the question - are there any collective pitch helis this easy to fly that can take a hit or two without throwing off all the trim and requiring hours of tuning? I have not been in the RC world in a long time, and things either came a long way in the last few years or I just had a terrible experience with the honeybee..

[texasclouds]

yes, there are...at the end of the rainbow between the pot of gold and the little green guy...

have you looked in the the Blade SR. It is supposed to be a stepping stone type plane. That's been debated though.

click here to watch the video

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi
The Hirobo SRB Quark SG
http://model.hirobo.co.jp/products/0302-919/index.html
Do enjoy

click here to watch the video

click here to watch the video

Take care
Hank

[SBMcGuire]

I've been flying the crap out of my MSR in the week that I have had it. Such a fun, DURABLE little beast. Crashed plenty and no problems. Figure I will learn all i can on it, then step up to the BLADE SR. All the research i have done tells me it is the best CP to start off with. But my advice, for whatever its worth, is to get really good with your MSR first. Then you should be pretty good with any CP. Id suggest getting a programable TX so you can set up dual rates. One for training and starting with, then a more aggresive one for when your comfortable. I believe the SR, like the MSR has some physical adjustabilityo as well to make it more, or less, aggresive too.

[texasclouds]

Originally Posted by SBMcGuire

I've been flying the crap out of my MSR in the week that I have had it. Such a fun, DURABLE little beast. Crashed plenty and no problems. Figure I will learn all i can on it, then step up to the BLADE SR. All the research i have done tells me it is the best CP to start off with. But my advice, for whatever its worth, is to get really good with your MSR first. Then you should be pretty good with any CP. Id suggest getting a programable TX so you can set up dual rates. One for training and starting with, then a more aggresive one for when your comfortable. I believe the SR, like the MSR has some physical adjustabilityo as well to make it more, or less, aggresive too.

the SR comes very toned down with the stock RTR transmitter settings (from what I've read). The low rates setting on it is so low that it is really only for hovering training. Once you get it down, bind it to your dx6i dx7 or dx8 for wilder moves.

i was going to get the mSR, but the LHS sold me a 120SR instead. it gets really good reviews too.

the blade cp pro probably can be 'dumbed down' for CP training too. i think it is only around $175 RTR these days. it has a lighter, micro look to it.

[SBMcGuire]

Originally Posted by texasclouds

the SR comes very toned down with the stock RTR transmitter settings (from what I've read). The low rates setting on it is so low that it is really only for hovering training. Once you get it down, bind it to your dx6i dx7 or dx8 for wilder moves.

i was going to get the mSR, but the LHS sold me a 120SR instead. it gets really good reviews too.

the blade cp pro probably can be 'dumbed down' for CP training too. i think it is only around $175 RTR these days. it has a lighter, micro look to it.

Cool, thanks for the input. I don't have much exp here so dumbing down a CP pro probably isn't in my skill set yet. Plus I need to get a good tx first. Still on msr stock tx. I think the msr was a better choice for than the 120 with my exp level. I still may step into the 120 before a CP though. Just for the sake of not jumping ahead of myself. How does your 120 hold up to crashes?

[texasclouds]

Originally Posted by SBMcGuire

Cool, thanks for the input. I don't have much exp here so dumbing down a CP pro probably isn't in my skill set yet. Plus I need to get a good tx first. Still on msr stock tx. I think the msr was a better choice for than the 120 with my exp level. I still may step into the 120 before a CP though. Just for the sake of not jumping ahead of myself. How does your 120 hold up to crashes?

I've had several minor bumps...nothing broke yet. The swinging blades are nice when you clip something. Its a little big for indoor flight (hovering is fun though)

After about 10 flights I've changed to the advanced swashplate setting and 125% servo travel on dx6i for outdoor flight. I'm flying it in 7 mph winds! This heli truly can be flow in real outdoor conditions.

I give it a A+ rating...lots of fun! It is agile too!

[texasclouds]

Originally Posted by SBMcGuire

Cool, thanks for the input. I don't have much exp here so dumbing down a CP pro probably isn't in my skill set yet. Plus I need to get a good tx first. Still on msr stock tx. I think the msr was a better choice for than the 120 with my exp level. I still may step into the 120 before a CP though. Just for the sake of not jumping ahead of myself. How does your 120 hold up to crashes?

as for calming down the CP helicopter...if you bought the CP Pro and a DX6i...you could add exponential and dual rate settings to make the stick movements move less servo arms....thus calming it down. that could assist with smoother hovering when learning. i wish the SR and CP came in BNF!

i smacked the 120 hard...i mean hard...last week. it slid down the pavement 6-8 feet before stopping. a few minor scratches...no damage though! wow, this heli is tough. another day I hit low voltage up high....did a hard landing on the main gear...cracked tail fin was the only damage. super glued the plastic fin and taped straight....back in business i've even clipped the tail blades on stuff w/o loss of control/damage.

one thing i don't like about the 120 is that it favors right banking turns...not a big deal, but I can't seem to get as good of looking left turns with the 120. must be a fixed-pitch deal or something.

[SBMcGuire]

I've had the same turning issues with my MSR. I'm sure it has to do with the weight of the aircraft and the characteristics of helicopter flight in general. Combination of the spin direction of the main rotor plus the lateral force and drag of the tail rotor. Rotor blades have greater lift on left side of aircraft do to the relative direction of travel.

[Davethebluessinger]

Check out the Blade MCP X micro sized collective pitch heli. Due for release soon!

[baddad63]

Yep MCP is the way to go for small CP helicopter that can be flown indoors or out. I fly my MSR outside most of the time. I trim in a bunch of forward and surf the wind side to side making hard banks into the wind. The MCP has much more power and control authority than the MSR and it seems to handle better than the MSR outdoors so far.