First 4CH helicopter suggestions

[Harlyn]

Hello all,

I have been flying a cheap 3CH IR for a while now, and have loved it. Now that it needs new parts, I want to upgrade to a 4CH, and have been spending a couple of days researching my options. Before I laid out any cash, I wanted to get some advice from actual users / hobbiests.

I live in Canada, but love the looks of the Walkera helicopters. The metal and brushless upgrades seem to more than compensate for not being able to get the Walkera's direct from Canada. The Walkera seems to be a sturdier looking / performing copter than the ones available available from the Canadian sites I have seen.

I am torn on what model to start out with. I do not want to spend a huge amount of money, as this is just a hobby for me, but want to get something better than the 3CH IR systems I have been using. My reseach to date is pointing me to the CB100, the 4#6 or the 4#6V. I am pretty good with the 3CH I have, but understand that the 4Ch are more difficult to control, so am trying to balance something that I can enjoy for quite a while vs something that is easy to use.

Most of my flying will be indoors (house, not a gym), but I would like to do some outdoors flying without being limited to only flying outdoors..

Thoughts?

[flangehead]

Since you are comming from a 3 channel heli, I would start with a coaxial (dual rotor system) heli such as the Walkera HM 53QD which is a new heli from that brand. If you like scale helis, this one is a pretty detailed Eurocopter Dauphin. Check her out here at the official Walkera site: http://www.walkera.com/en1/productClass.jsp?proId=Z&p=2

Hope this helps... at least this link will show you all of the available helis that Walkera sells. Please note that I personally starte out with the E-Flite CX2 when I grew out of the 3-channel heli world. Have fun and Happy Flying!

[john aeras]

Originally Posted by Harlyn

I am torn on what model to start out with. I do not want to spend a huge amount of money, as this is just a hobby for me, but want to get something better than the 3CH IR systems I have been using. My reseach to date is pointing me to the CB100, the 4#6 or the 4#6V. I am pretty good with the 3CH I have, but understand that the 4Ch are more difficult to control, so am trying to balance something that I can enjoy for quite a while vs something that is easy to use.

Most of my flying will be indoors (house, not a gym), but I would like to do some outdoors flying without being limited to only flying outdoors..

Thoughts?

Hey Harlyn, welcome to Helifreak! I think you should go for the CB100. Yes a coax may be the next "logical" step, but you will get bored of it soon. The CB100 offers more challenge, while still being quite easy to fly. I would also recomend you buy the 2801 TX as you will eventually get more helis.

As far as your quote: "I do not want to spend a huge amount of money, as this is just a hobby for me", you couldn't be more wrong, you're contradicting yourself in the same sentence! "Hobby" and "cheap" don't mix!!

[flangehead]

Originally Posted by john aeras

Hey Harlyn, welcome to Helifreak! I think you should go for the CB100. Yes a coax may be the next "logical" step, but you will get bored of it soon. The CB100 offers more challenge, while still being quite easy to fly. I would also recomend you buy the 2801 TX as you will eventually get more helis.

As far as your quote: "I do not want to spend a huge amount of money, as this is just a hobby for me", you couldn't be more wrong, you're contradicting yourself in the same sentence! "Hobby" and "cheap" don't mix!!

IF you decide to skip coaxials like I mentioned in my last post, the CB100 would be a good alternative. However, if you want to practice your orientation especially since most 3 channel helis have a different transmitter connection and feel, stick with the coaxials. Sure you will "grow out of them", but skipping this step is not a good idea if you aren't a "natural"... I certainly am not myself. I might have not been in this hobby as long as John (almost 2 years now), but I am thankful that I didn't skip the CX2 I used to have.