Replacement Helicopter?

jstraten · Fully Charged Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

I previously owned a small indoor helicopter with dual rotors. It was a basic 3 channel model. However, the heck rotor stopped working and I am not sure if it is worthwhile to replace it or if I can even find a spare part for it. The whole thing cost me about $40...

Since I enjoyed flying it a lot I started looking for a replacement. I could fly my previous model very easily, but I still consider myself a beginner and so it seems that the Blade mCX or MSR would be a good match for me to step up.

Now, my questions are?
1. Is there an indoor helicopter with a battery life better than 10 minutes?
2. Are there any indoor helicopters that are not made of plastic?
3. Are there any other helicopters beside the Blade mCX/MSR I should consider?
4. What transmitter should I get?
5. It seems that there are 5 and 6 channel models that are also compatible with the Blade mCX/MSR. Does it make sense to get one of those?
7. I understand that the MSR is a single rotor and so it would be much harder to fly. Are there any other differences?

Thank you for your feedback!

Cheers,
Jens

Crashagain · Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:15 am Post subject:

I would suggest the MSR, it will come with a transmitter so you don't have an extra expense.
8 min is the norm for these little heli's and maybe even less if all your doing is hovering. Once you transition into forward flight, your flight times will be a little longer.
You can get a battery charger for the MSR that will charge 4 batteries at a time, and the batteries are cheap for it too.
Being a fixed pitch heli it is pretty stable, and it's a tough little bird too.
The MXC is an OK heli, but I think you would get bored with it.

jstraten · Fully Charged Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

Thank you for your feedback!

Well, I was initially thinking the same, but then I got worried about the MSR being more tough to fly. You don't think that the learning curve from 3 channels to a one rotor MSR is going to be quite steep for me? I mean my previous helicopter was pretty much flying itself...

However, I do see your point about getting bored. That makes sense.

Does the MSR have a built-in gyro or do I need to keep it even at all times?

I guess I am still a beginner when it comes to helicopters...

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

No need to apologize for being a beginner, we all started out from there.
The MSR has a gyro for the rudder & works great at keeping the heli pointed in the direction you want it to fly.
However, it can drift more then a coaxial heli and if you don't correct, it will take off in that direction till other forces act on it (like a wall or tree).

jstraten · Fully Charged Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

I have one more question. Well, for now I guess... Wink

Would it make sense to get a Phoenix RC plus controller package and Blade MSR BNR package?

http://www.redrockethobbies.com/Phoenix_R_C_Pro_Flight_Simulator_2_5_w_DX5e_p/rtm25r5500.htm

I guess my underlying question is if it makes sense to get a better controller so that I can upgrade to a different model (e.g. outdoors) later?

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:49 am Post subject:

If you are planning on getting a larger heli in the future then a sim is a great learning tool for that. However that controller won't work with larger, 6 channel helis.
If you were able to control the coaixal you had, then I'd bet you could learn to fly an MSR without a simm just fine.
Nice thing about the MSR is if you get into trouble, just chop the throttle and 9 times out of 10 nothing will break.

jstraten · Fully Charged Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks. Your replies are really helpful to me.

So, I think I will hold off on getting a sim for now and trust in my flight skills. If I get a sim and a bigger helicopter later, would I still be able to use the controller from the MSR for the sim?

I guess I am trying to understand the criteria that makes a controller usable for a sim...

If the local store has an MSR I might already get one tomorrow (assuming that they will be open tomorrow).

Crashagain · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject:

The radio that comes with the MSR is not compatible with a sim.
The radio has to have the ability to have a trainer cord attached to it.
That would mean a real radio such as a futaba 6 channel up, or the DX6i up thru the 9303 type radio.
If you get a sim, such as Realflight, then it will come with it's own radio.

jstraten · Fully Charged Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 5

I had to return the first helicopter because the heck rotor not working. Luckily, my local store had a replacement in stock. Smile

Flying the MSR is really much more fun, but I still have to learn a lot and I am stuck with hovering and easy maneuvers so far.

A few things I noticed:
-MSR has a tendency to fall to the left on startup even when it is trimmed; I counter this with a slight push aileron push to the right
-When it is in a stable hover it is really stable (speak handsfree); that said it can be tricky to get it to hover once you moved it
-My MSR occasionally hovers with a light circle movement
-ANY light breeze (e.g. open window) and hell breaks loose; it seems to be more responsive to wind than the controller...

Well, it is just my first day... Let me know if I should be worried about any of the observations above!

Crashagain · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject:

The heli going to the left as you lift off is normal.
This is caused by the puch of air off the tail rotor.
It sounds like your off to a running start.. Keep it up..