RC Heli (1 Viewer)

[CruisinMT]

My brother built an EXI 450 with a mishmash of other part brands from the ground up for me for christmas. I've flown smaller helis but nothing this powerful. It's pretty nerve racking trying to learn how to fly it. I got some training gear put on it but need way more practice. I know there are flight sims out there that you can use to practice without fear of destroying the real deal. Anyone have a reccomendation or a used rc flight sim setup they want to get rid of?

I'll get a photo of it posted up tonight, it's pretty awesome, but so far I've only had it airborne for about 10 seconds and only about 10 feet off the ground.



Update: Photos as promised.

 

[Jimmy B]

Nice little bird,I just got back into the hobby a few years ago,started with the coaxle then a Blade Sr and am now flying a Trex 500.The bigger the bird the more stable they get,I also have a very small Blade Msr that I fly in the house,this little guy has to be the most fun out of all of them,very durable,have hit curtains,lamps and chairs and have not broken anything yet, you can fly it anytime inside no matter the weather,can even go outside on very calm days.

I find for me hands on is the best experience,there is a download for a free flight sim I will see if I can find it.You can use your transmitter if it has a training port,just buy a USB connector,they list them on *bay with a sim for fairly cheap,you might be able to find the connector at a electronics store.I have the Realflight sim but another popular model is the Phoenix,used the sim mainly for learing nose in but prefer to fly rather than site in front of the computer.
Stick with the training gear it will save you alot of down time,once you start forward flight then think about taking it off,nothing wrong with keeping it on,have seen a few flyers thinking they were done with it crash and could have been saved by the gear,just take your time.

Flight simulators
free http://www.heliguy.com/nexus/fms.html
purchase online http://rcflightsim.com/download.html
http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/rc-flight-simulator.html


James..

 

[CruisinMT]

I have a futaba 6ex control, just need the cable from trainer port to usb to make it work on my computer. which sim would you recommend, and do you know of any place to get the cable thats not in china? Also I have expo set up on both left and right stick to keep the heli from being too twitchy initially. I'll try to get it up in the air again this weekend, I get off work and it's always dark so no flying during the week for me.

My brother also gave me a full aluminum head to replace the plastic one shown and wrecked frame to scavenge from. Only thing that makes me nervous is after I wreck it how do I fix it...pretty complicated RC.

 

[Jimmy B]

Do you have any hobby shops local to you?If any of them deal with airplanes or helis they should sell the simulators,the Realflight or Phoenix seem to be the most popular but cost between $150-$200 depending on model,some use your radio or they provide a radio set up,all will come with the USB connector,The free download version I linked is fairly decent,a good web site for helis is Helifreak,lots of good info,I think they had a section on this simulator,where to find cables etc.Check with Radio Shack to see if they might carry a cable,or some of the computer supply stores.
Parts for your EXI are fairly popular,it is a clone/copy of the Trex 450,I think the original version or version 2.
Is there any local flying sites close to you?You night be able to find someone there or at a local shop who might be able to help,you can buddy box with a more experienced flyer,or if you brother has some experience with him.
Does your brother still fly?,which small helis have you flown?
Unfortunatly helis are one of the hardest rc out there BUT if you can learn it they are alot of fun,if you have to learn by yourself then practice on a simulator is going to help alot,but you have to have the heli set up well or it is a very frustrating experience,check out Helifreak and in the newbies section there is alot of info/videos on how to build and set up the little 450..

This site in the US carries all the parts for your heli as well as a couple of simulator set ups for under $20 http://www.xheli.com/new6chflsico.html or
http://www.xheli.com/rc-flight-simulator.html

 

[nspctr1]

You seem to be on the right track with the training gear. Take your time and learn the basics. I practiced in a bldg/warehouse that was under construction. It gave me plenty of room to manuever and the walls kept the wind from blowing the chopper around. I only learned to hover and then fly circles around myself but crashed and totalled the bird and haven't flown a chopper since. I would find out what parts are what so when you do crash you know what brand/model to replace. And unless things have changed in the last few years be ready to open your wallet nice and wide when you crash because rebuilding them aren't cheap and balancing the main rotors are a beotch......

Kinda like owning a 40....

 

[Jimmy B]

Sorry CruisinMt did not see you had also a post on the Slash,you mentioned there your brother has been flying for a few years,hope he will help you out with any set up help.
Keep a eye on the motor mount bearing on the slash 4x4,this is about the only weak area on these trucks, there are aftermarket alloy ones available that have a larger bearing installed or you can bore out the stock plastic one and install a larger 10x19mm bearing.If you can,try to seal the center drive shaft at the front so no dirt makes it way under the clear cover,a simple piece of foam placed in the front opening and at the rear or cut a slit in a piece of tape and slide the shaft thru,check the Traxxas site for lots of tips.Sand tires on rear will help alot for either the 4wd or 2wd in the snow.I have a Platinum 4wd also and they are very reliable and tough.
Lipos are not a big fan of the cold keep them inside your jacket before you use them to keep them warm,same with the heli,the plastic parts become more fragile and keep a eye on the gyro,place the heli outside in the cold for about 5 minutes for the gyro to acclimatize to the cold or it will give you trouble..

James...

 

[CruisinMT]

Sorry CruisinMt did not see you had also a post on the Slash,you mentioned there your brother has been flying for a few years,hope he will help you out with any set up help.
Keep a eye on the motor mount bearing on the slash 4x4,this is about the only weak area on these trucks, there are aftermarket alloy ones available that have a larger bearing installed or you can bore out the stock plastic one and install a larger 10x19mm bearing.If you can,try to seal the center drive shaft at the front so no dirt makes it way under the clear cover,a simple piece of foam placed in the front opening and at the rear or cut a slit in a piece of tape and slide the shaft thru,check the Traxxas site for lots of tips.Sand tires on rear will help alot for either the 4wd or 2wd in the snow.I have a Platinum 4wd also and they are very reliable and tough.
Lipos are not a big fan of the cold keep them inside your jacket before you use them to keep them warm,same with the heli,the plastic parts become more fragile and keep a eye on the gyro,place the heli outside in the cold for about 5 minutes for the gyro to acclimatize to the cold or it will give you trouble..

James...

I've been thinking about getting an undertray and overtray for the slash to keep junk out of it. havent had anything get into my driveshaft yet. I did see on youtube where a guy made chains using zipties for the snow. New tires are next on my list for the 4x4. I'm going to get some proline split six one piece wheels and trenchers.

I'm sure my bro will answer any questions should i wreck the heli and need to rebuild. He is 6 hrs away so I'll have to trial and error as far as flying practice.

 

[concretejungle]

wow that is a serious one! I have a fun little guy that was only $35. Pretty fun in the house but not so fun outside.

I'm sure i would break that one on it's maiden voyage.

 

[CruisinMT]

wow that is a serious one! I have a fun little guy that was only $35. Pretty fun in the house but not so fun outside.

I'm sure i would break that one on it's maiden voyage.

Yeah I'm waiting on a new tail rotors already. put it down and it caught on a chunk of ice. One rotor vanished the other got banged up. It's intense trying not to trash a $200-$300 RC that is pretty difficult to fly right off the bat.