New to RC Heli's

Bencher · Charging Joined: 10 Jan 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Folsom CA

For X-mas, I purchased two small air-hog heli's for my kids and we have had such a great time flying them, I decided to buy a SR 120 for myself. Now I wonder what have I got myself into?! Is this a good heli for a first timer and do I need a "training kit?" If so, where do I buy these kits?

tombo242 · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: New to RC Heli's

Welcome Bencher,

chopper54 · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:04 pm Post subject: post subject

Hi Bencher,
No need to wonder what you have got yourself into, i can tell you. Its a fun and addictive hobby for youngsters of all ages. The 120sr is a great starter heli, its quite stable but enough of a challenge to keep you happy for a good while until you fancy going collective pitch. Its a real tough bird too and can take quite a beating before it needs repairs. I found the parts i broke most often were the skids, flybar and the battery tray. Here is an interesting heli site wich you might find useful.
http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/ Have fun Cool

nick_onelove · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 11:08 pm Post subject:

If you do a Google search for "120 SR training gear", you'll see there's actually a fair amount of debate on this topic.

My opinion is that it's simply not necessary for this particular heli. The 120 SR uses a 45-degree flybar, which lends it self-stabilizing characteristics similar to your co-axial Air Hogs.

Beyond that, it's damn near indestructable anyway. I've had some pretty epic wrecks with mine and I'm always amazed that I can just pick it up and throw it back into the air.

Obviously you can do whatever you feel is best, but the 120 SR is kind of a weird size so there aren't any commercial training gear kits available for it as far as I know. You would need to build your own like Tom said. It's certainly not hard, but for this particular heli I think it's more trouble than it's worth.

Either way good luck and welcome to the forum!
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

chopper54 · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 12:04 am Post subject: post subject

I agree with nick on this. The 120sr is too light to carry the extra weight of T/G. Its best to start if you can on a fairly smooth surface with a bit of free space around you. As a single rotor heli it will drift left on lift off. This is normal and can be helped with a little bit of right aileron as you lift off.
you could have go at radds. Check this out.
http://www.dream-models.com/eco/flying-index.html

Bencher · Charging Joined: 10 Jan 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Folsom CA

Thanks for all of the input. I ordered the heli and it should arrive next Monday. Looking forward to seeing how much different it will be compared to the air-hogs. To be safe, I will probably initially fly it outdoors over grass where there will be plenty of space and not a lot of things to collide with!

chopper54 · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: post subject

If you think the 120sr is going to hit something or is getting too far away
quickly lower the throttle stick to zero and let the heli drop. Its the best way to limit damage which will often be nil. It is a tough heli but if you keep power (throttle) on and the rotors cant turn it will damage the main 5 in 1 board. You will soon be an addict. There is no escape.

kfrisbee · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:10 am Post subject:

I know this thread is over a week old BUT!!!!!!

+1 on the 120 SR, it is my first 4ch single rotor heli and it taught me how to have fun! I am gathering quite a collection of heli's and the 120 SR is perfect for me to fly outside.

I didn't need the training gear. I crashed a LOT. I have only broken a couple of things and only once was it broken bad enough that I had to make a special trip to LHS (full speed backwards into a garbage can = broken tail boom and wires ripped from motor).

Now after 3 weeks I have the 120 SR on high rates and on the long balls on the swash plate - fun times!!!!
_________________
Ken