Register Now

**HAL9KPCM** · 03-29-2013, 12:35 PM

Years ago when I flew helicopters, I had a Hirobo Shuttle and an X-Cell 60. I loved the smooth, easy handling characteristics of the X-Cell, but whenever I wanted to try something new, like loops, rolls, inverted flight and so on, I tried it on the Shuttle first. Why? Because it was cheap and super easy to repair. I think the worst crash I had with one, I had it up and running again the same day for less than $100.

So, as such, I'm looking for something similar. A good flyer, preferably nitro powered, cheap, cheap and easy to repair with a readily available supply of replacement parts. I might consider an electric, but I don't care for the smaller helis. The shuttle rotor diameter was around 4', and that's small enough for me. I live in Saskatchewan and wind is a fact of life.

Phil Noel · 03-29-2013, 04:33 PM

Check out the current model of the Century Hawk Pro that sells here in Canada from various sources for about $230.00. It uses blades from 530mm to 570mm...depending on the motor you put with it. The venerable OS 32 would be comfortable with 530mm to 550mm blades while the new more powerful OS37 would be better suited to 550 t0 570mm blades.

You will find it easy to set up, as it uses the same mCCPM style of control system as your Shuttle did. Of course as a newer design, you will find it much more durable and requiring far less maintenance, while having a much more extensive flight envelop....from that of a mild trainer to a pretty capable sport 3D heli. Of course parts are alos

The parts are all relatively low cost and available from a number of sources in Canada.

**HAL9KPCM** · 03-29-2013, 06:12 PM

That one looks interesting so far. Any crash that is going to be substantial for parts, might as well buy another kit.

*flycrazy = Darcy Creighton* · 03-30-2013, 09:36 AM

Take a peek at the Gaui NX4, it's the newest on the market and swings 425mm main blades.

Unfortunately, the nitro market has shrunk significantly.

**HAL9KPCM** · 03-30-2013, 09:49 AM

Ya, I realize a nitro choice isn't easy as electric has really taken over. I'm not totally opposed to an electric choice, I just find batteries more of a pain in the butt than field equipment.

More important to me is the "if I crash it, oh well" aspect. I want something that I can toss around and not have to spend a fortune and a week to repair.

SArmeneau · 03-30-2013, 10:02 AM

hmmm cheap and heli in the same sentence

.

**HAL9KPCM** · 03-30-2013, 10:09 AM

Well, cheap in terms of helicopters. I don't mind spending some cash on the initial kit and setup, I just don't want a fortune in parts later if you know what I mean.

*flycrazy = Darcy Creighton* · 03-30-2013, 10:51 AM

Well, if you're not opposed to electric... look at the Compass Warp 360 (very floaty and gives lots of time for correction when practicing 3D) or the Compass Atom 500.

The Atom 500 is a proven machine that's been around a while, but never needed updates. It's built like a tank and crashes very well (trust me... I know! lol!) and parts are easily accessible and relatively inexpensive.

If you're going to SHAG and you can wait, I'll be there with both, as will several others .... you can check 'em out in person.

The Gaui X2 is also a great choice since parts costs are super cheap, but it's considerably smaller and more twitchy ... but when you go back to the larger birds, they feel like they are on rails.

mikekimc · 03-30-2013, 11:02 AM

All these helis will be over Over a thousand to build I have an Outrage Velocity in the want ads for 1200 BNF if you use a JR or Spektrum radio and I'll tell you and others on here will tell you that this heli is mint! The motor is practically new. I never built a 600 size heli that cost less then $2000.00 to build. By the time you put a Trex 500 in the air your looking at over $1000.00 with batteries then you need a decent charger. This Velocity is cheap and its capable of 620mm blades with no issues.

Cheers
Mike

**HAL9KPCM** · 03-30-2013, 11:52 AM

I guess I worded it wrong when I was stressing cheap. I don't mind spending a few bucks for a good machine, I just want repair to be quick, easy, and cheap. I have a charger, so charging an electric isn't an issue.

Sorry Mike, nothing against JR/Spektrum, I'm just a Futaba guy... you know, Coke/Pepsi, Chev/Ford, etc LOL.

03-29-2013, 12:35 PM	#1
HAL9KPCM Level 3 Supporter ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: Dave Z Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Radio of choice: Futaba 18MZ # of RCs: 9 Feedback: 21 / 100% Posts: 3,868 Total Props: 128	Recommended cheap helicopter Remove this ad - become a site supporter! Years ago when I flew helicopters, I had a Hirobo Shuttle and an X-Cell 60. I loved the smooth, easy handling characteristics of the X-Cell, but whenever I wanted to try something new, like loops, rolls, inverted flight and so on, I tried it on the Shuttle first. Why? Because it was cheap and super easy to repair. I think the worst crash I had with one, I had it up and running again the same day for less than $100. So, as such, I'm looking for something similar. A good flyer, preferably nitro powered, cheap, cheap and easy to repair with a readily available supply of replacement parts. I might consider an electric, but I don't care for the smaller helis. The shuttle rotor diameter was around 4', and that's small enough for me. I live in Saskatchewan and wind is a fact of life. __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights will make an airplane.
	.

03-29-2013, 04:33 PM	#2
Phil Noel RCC Expert Contributor I am: Phil N. Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lower Mainland B.C. Radio of choice: Futaba 14MZ # of RCs: 15+ Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 951 Total Props: 11	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter Check out the current model of the Century Hawk Pro that sells here in Canada from various sources for about $230.00. It uses blades from 530mm to 570mm...depending on the motor you put with it. The venerable OS 32 would be comfortable with 530mm to 550mm blades while the new more powerful OS37 would be better suited to 550 t0 570mm blades. You will find it easy to set up, as it uses the same mCCPM style of control system as your Shuttle did. Of course as a newer design, you will find it much more durable and requiring far less maintenance, while having a much more extensive flight envelop....from that of a mild trainer to a pretty capable sport 3D heli. Of course parts are alos The parts are all relatively low cost and available from a number of sources in Canada. __________________ Phil Noel Leisure-Tech Products
	.

03-29-2013, 06:12 PM	#3
HAL9KPCM Level 3 Supporter ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: Dave Z Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Radio of choice: Futaba 18MZ # of RCs: 9 Feedback: 21 / 100% Posts: 3,868 Total Props: 128	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter That one looks interesting so far. Any crash that is going to be substantial for parts, might as well buy another kit. __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights will make an airplane.
	.

03-30-2013, 09:36 AM	#4
flycrazy = Darcy Creighton ~~BANNED PEOPLE~~ I am: Darcy Creighton Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Palmerston,ont Radio of choice: spektrum dx9 # of RCs: 10 Feedback: 10 / 92% Posts: 754 Total Props: 2	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter Take a peek at the Gaui NX4, it's the newest on the market and swings 425mm main blades. Unfortunately, the nitro market has shrunk significantly.
	.

03-30-2013, 09:49 AM	#5
HAL9KPCM Level 3 Supporter ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: Dave Z Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Radio of choice: Futaba 18MZ # of RCs: 9 Feedback: 21 / 100% Posts: 3,868 Total Props: 128	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter Ya, I realize a nitro choice isn't easy as electric has really taken over. I'm not totally opposed to an electric choice, I just find batteries more of a pain in the butt than field equipment. More important to me is the "if I crash it, oh well" aspect. I want something that I can toss around and not have to spend a fortune and a week to repair. __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights will make an airplane.
	.

03-30-2013, 10:02 AM	#6
SArmeneau RCC Junior Contributor I am: Scott A Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Country B.C. # of RCs: 7 Feedback: 7 / 100% Posts: 171 Total Props: 0	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter hmmm cheap and heli in the same sentence . __________________ TREX 500 ESP/DFC SAB GOBLIN 630
	.

03-30-2013, 10:09 AM	#7
HAL9KPCM Level 3 Supporter ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: Dave Z Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Radio of choice: Futaba 18MZ # of RCs: 9 Feedback: 21 / 100% Posts: 3,868 Total Props: 128	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter Well, cheap in terms of helicopters. I don't mind spending some cash on the initial kit and setup, I just don't want a fortune in parts later if you know what I mean. __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights will make an airplane.
	.

03-30-2013, 10:51 AM	#8
flycrazy = Darcy Creighton ~~BANNED PEOPLE~~ I am: Darcy Creighton Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Palmerston,ont Radio of choice: spektrum dx9 # of RCs: 10 Feedback: 10 / 92% Posts: 754 Total Props: 2	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter Well, if you're not opposed to electric... look at the Compass Warp 360 (very floaty and gives lots of time for correction when practicing 3D) or the Compass Atom 500. The Atom 500 is a proven machine that's been around a while, but never needed updates. It's built like a tank and crashes very well (trust me... I know! lol!) and parts are easily accessible and relatively inexpensive. If you're going to SHAG and you can wait, I'll be there with both, as will several others .... you can check 'em out in person. The Gaui X2 is also a great choice since parts costs are super cheap, but it's considerably smaller and more twitchy ... but when you go back to the larger birds, they feel like they are on rails. Last edited by flycrazy = Darcy Creighton; 03-30-2013 at 11:02 AM.
	.

03-30-2013, 11:02 AM	#9
mikekimc RCC Pro Contributor I am: MikeC Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sudbury Ontario Radio of choice: RCA Feedback: 55 / 97% Posts: 1,855 Total Props: 41	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter All these helis will be over Over a thousand to build I have an Outrage Velocity in the want ads for 1200 BNF if you use a JR or Spektrum radio and I'll tell you and others on here will tell you that this heli is mint! The motor is practically new. I never built a 600 size heli that cost less then $2000.00 to build. By the time you put a Trex 500 in the air your looking at over $1000.00 with batteries then you need a decent charger. This Velocity is cheap and its capable of 620mm blades with no issues. Cheers Mike
	.

03-30-2013, 11:52 AM	#10
HAL9KPCM Level 3 Supporter ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: Dave Z Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Radio of choice: Futaba 18MZ # of RCs: 9 Feedback: 21 / 100% Posts: 3,868 Total Props: 128	Re: Recommended cheap helicopter I guess I worded it wrong when I was stressing cheap. I don't mind spending a few bucks for a good machine, I just want repair to be quick, easy, and cheap. I have a charger, so charging an electric isn't an issue. Sorry Mike, nothing against JR/Spektrum, I'm just a Futaba guy... you know, Coke/Pepsi, Chev/Ford, etc LOL. __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights will make an airplane.
	.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Can you change remote on cheap helicopter.	acadian	General RC Aircraft Discussion	11	06-19-2012 02:45 PM
Recommended starter??	planecrazy	Large Engines	13	03-03-2009 08:41 AM
Cheap Helicopter	imported_wes	General RC Car & Truck discussion	3	03-22-2008 08:49 PM
Recommended 4 Stroke	dutchy	Engines	11	01-16-2006 05:10 PM
Recommended Servos	imported_offroader	General RC Car & Truck discussion	17	09-22-2005 08:24 PM

vBulletin Message

Cancel Changes

Register Now

Log-in