RE: Pondering my first CP
so I decided to get the mCPx with a DX6i so the heli choice is settled for now. Now I just need to learn how to fly it. Thanks for all the support and suggestions.
Posted on: 2/5/2012 9:16 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10945024

RE: Pondering my first CP
Thanks Matty> I am leaning towards the mCPx and the moving onto one of the Blades. There is also a 300X coming out. So eother that or the 450 after the mCPx. Functionally, I guess I am a loner. Not really by choice. I have contacted the local clubs asked if they have heli flyers and the answer was "very few". I just go to a nearby park to fly. Mostly people seem to like my small heli's and often watch. I think if I get a 500, I will need to find somewhere more isolated to fly.
Posted on: 2/4/2012 7:52 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10943318

RE: Pondering my first CP
I am not budget limited within reason. My thinking for going cheap for a first CP is if I am going to crash a lot in the beginning, I would not be wrecking up an expensive heli. But if the Esky don't fly well out of the box and/or need immediate upgrades like my Lama then I am not really saving anything; time or money. Through on top of all that the Eskys low stock level and I am sying away. I actually emailed Esky and asked them what was up. They said they are coming out with new models sometimes soon but they were not specific.
Posted on: 2/3/2012 12:05 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10942167

RE: Pondering my first CP
can you elaborate? Which model? Belt CP, Belt CPX, HB King4? Inventory seems low everywhere in USA. Was thing leaning towars Esky, but now I am not so sure. All the guidance suggests getting a programmable TX which means messing a round buying receivers etc. By the time I do all that, I'd be around the price of the Blade 450.
Posted on: 2/3/2012 7:40 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10941750

RE: Big Lama is acting like washing machine in flight
I'll be interested to hear how the gyro adjustment works out. With mods, there is wide agreement that an extended shaft is important to keep the blades from hitting. I found the stock blades broke very easily so I switched to the Xtreme Blades. I have not broken the blades since that swicth but I also now fly only over grass. While it started to get expensive (about $60), I think the canopy/skid/tail boom was worthwhile. The stock body is very thin and was tearing after a few uses.
Posted on: 2/2/2012 7:28 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10940076

1#A as a first CP?
Is there a 1#A thread here. I searched and did not find one. I have read the negatives about Wow but they have 1#A and describe them as a good first CP. Any support for this concept?
Posted on: 2/1/2012 4:47 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Walkera Helis - Dragonfly, etc.."
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10939191

Pondering my first CP
<![if gte mso 9]> <![endif]><![if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE <w:LidThemeComplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexscript> <![endif]><![if gte mso 9]> <![endif]><![if gte mso 10]><![endif]> I’ve been mulling over the possibilities for a first CP purchase. I know there are a number of similar threads but I have my own perspective so I hope you will read my thoughts and have constructive input. Since I am an engineer, I look at making such a choice from an engineering perspective. So I have constraints. The first is I want it to be fun to fly. I am moving up from a Big Outdoor Lama which is super fun. I am interested in sport flying. I would prefer ease of flight and stability over super agility. I also surf and the longboard/shortboard analogy comes to mind. I am very content with longboard surfing. Shortboards are much more maneuverable but much more difficult. I am hoping there is a range in CP helis that is similar. Cost is a factor but not a huge one. I have read the “buy cheap, buy twice” mantra but I am ok buying twice if the first cheap one is fun and helps me learn. I do not want to build a kit. I don’t mind modifying and repairing but I want a pre-built heli. I have been reading and researching extensively. I am considering alternatives by Esky, Walkera, Blade, and something like Copter X. Frankly, I am really enjoying my Esky Big Lama so I have been looking at their belt CP V2, or Belt CPX. I think the main draw back with Esky is that they do not have a BNF version so every new Esky comes with a new (nonprogrammable) radio. I do like the idea of getting a programmable radio and they don’t seem to have that option. There are not a lot of Belt CP’s around but parts seem plentiful. Walkera has the 1#A which they claim is a good first CP, less intimidating than a 450 class. Wow sells it with an 8 ch programmable TX. This seems like a good option but I read that parts can be hard to get for Walkera in general and I have read some bad stuff about Wow in general. Wow also has assembled Copter X’s but I am thinking this might be a good second CP. Maybe by the time I want a second CP, I’ll want to build a kit. The Blade 450 seems like a choice but it is a big jump in price from the Esky and my experience with my new Blade 120SR has me really concerned about Blade’s price/quality. They charge more but their quality is not impressive. People say good things about Horizon but as I write this, I have been on hold for 45 minutes trying to get a replacement tail motor that burned about in 10 minutes of use. One bitten twice shy? There are also some outliers like Art Tech but parts seem even harder to get than Walkera. There are other Walkera models as well. So if you read through all this, thanks for reading. Please keep my main constraints in mind: I want it to be fun and prefer stability over high performance. I am willing to buy twice. I would prefer a BNF scheme. I have a positive experience with Esky so far. My experience with Blade is mixed: good with mCX2 but very poor with 120 SR. If I was not nervous about dealing with Wow, the 1#A and then a Copter X seems like a good path forward with a 2801 TX. Otherwise, I am drawn towards the Esky Belt CP/X barring other good suggestions.
Posted on: 2/1/2012 1:46 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10938924

RE: Big Lama is acting like washing machine in flight
I love my Big Lama. Think about adjusting the gyro gain. Its a little screw accessed from the left side. Its mentioned in the manual. If the gyro gain is too high, the tail makes small, fast oscillations back and forth especially when you are trying to fly circles or its reacting to any wind. If the gain is too low, the tail makes larger back and forth motions. This sounds like your situation. My gain was a little high so I had the small oscillations. Also, I did do some Xtreme upgrades:extended shaft, blades, canopy, tail boom, landing skid. I think it flys much better this way. The stock body has a lot of surface area hence a lot of drag to sideways flight. Coax do not have much motional power in the first place, so less drag is a plus when outside.
Posted on: 2/1/2012 1:45 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10938922

RE: FP ?
just my 2cents. I just bought a 120SR. Watch out for the tail motor. Mine burned out second evening of operation. Stock battery was also bad. HH is sending me a brand new one but I am grounded until it arrives. Indoors vs outdoors: If you can get it off the floor, you can hover indoors but it tends to pendulum around alot if you try moving it much. This is intrinsic to the 45 degree flybar design. Until the tail died, I had better luck flying outdoors over soft grass where there is enough room for the thing to swoosh around. If you do loose control, its better to dump into soft grass than your wall or in my case, refrigerator. Just don't fly in any wind until you get the hang of it.
Posted on: 2/1/2012 1:36 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "RC Helicopter Beginners Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10938912

RE: BIG LAMA
I think he is talking about this http://www.art-tech.cn/english/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=355 available here http://www.parkflyers.com/Falcon_400_Trainer_RC_Heli_RTF_p/2800.htm Its actually a CP but has a 45 degree self stabilizing flybar. Intertesting.
Posted on: 1/29/2012 6:26 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10934302

RE: BIG LAMA
those are good ideas. I have a traninggear set, but rather than chop it up. I went with this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VXGHM/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details I found other sources for 3mm rod but they were in China and the shipping was too high because of the required shipping tube. Another training kit would have worked. Thanks.
Posted on: 1/29/2012 1:57 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10933969

RE: BIG LAMA
Buzz: do you have the model number of the Art Tech heli? I am looking for a larger FP type heli.
Posted on: 1/29/2012 1:14 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10933905

RE: BIG LAMA
3mm rod stock: The good thing about flying over lawn is that crashes are not too damaging. The bad news is that if anything falls off, its impossible to find. I lost one of the tail boom supports from the Xtreme tail boom kit. I could buy a spare supports kit (about $4) or if i can find a source for 3mm black palstic rod stock, I could perhaps make a repalcement. Anyone know of a source?
Posted on: 1/28/2012 5:02 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10932838

RE: BIG LAMA
can you pots a larger photo? I can't make out your account number.
Posted on: 1/28/2012 4:16 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10932773

RE: BIG LAMA
it available here http://www.eskyhelicopters.com/part-ek1-0373-000659-esky-stabilizer-p-88.html They are California (as am I). Except for maybe Berkeley, most of California is still in the US.
Posted on: 1/26/2012 3:18 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10929376

RE: BIG LAMA
maybe just get another stock flybar which seem to work fine. Storm has a battery that fits perfectly.<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Storm 11.1V 900mAh 25C LiPo Battery Pack (for Big Lama) I bought two from helipal.
Posted on: 1/26/2012 8:21 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10928705

RE: BIG LAMA
what type of surface are you crashing on? Grass? pavement? last weekend I broke an Xtreme top blade just by tipping sideways when i brought it down. It was not even a crash. The stock blades broke in a similar manner the weekend before but that was from blade stike before I put in the extended shaft. I am not sure about flying performance difference but the stock blades seem very brittle and prone to breaking. I am now flying over a lawn area so minor tipoves when it comes down are not breaking blades. I have not really dumped it hard from any height yet with the Xtreme set up. I am still using the stock blade grips and don't see any issues with them.
Posted on: 1/22/2012 11:05 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10921527

RE: BIG LAMA
Just had my upgraded Lama out for three batteries. Either I am getting better or the xtreme canopy/tail/skid upgrade flies better. This is also with the extended shaft and the Xtreme black blades. I think there is less crossectional area with the boom/canopy kit so side winds produce force. Lots of fun. So how excatly do I remove the glued upper rod?
Posted on: 1/22/2012 10:17 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10921444

RE: BIG LAMA
I have the xtreme inner shaft, blade, canop, tail, and skid. The stock blade are super brittle and break easily. The stock canopy is super thin and tore after a few uses. the extended shaft does seem to keep the blades from hitting. The stock skid either arrived broken or broked after a few drops. As I posted earlier, it would be nice if they just made it better to start. I don't know if its worth the money. Thats a subjective opinion. It still performs like a coax.
Posted on: 1/21/2012 10:11 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10920722

RE: BIG LAMA
I just did the canopy/tail/skid upgrade. The acnopy comes with two black rods to hold it in place. However, the upper rod from the stock setup seems glued in place. Seems like just the lower rod is enough to hold the canopy in place but I'm wondering if that is the intention. or, am i suppoed to get the short upper rod out and replace with the longer one that comes with the canopy? One oberservation is that it is a bit of a hassle to have to take the canopy off to install/remove the batery. Otherwise its definately more rugged but that's not saying much. The stock canopy was paper thin and torn after only a handful f uses. Why don't they just make the helicopters wit these better parts in the first place?
Posted on: 1/20/2012 11:12 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10919513

RE: Spektrum DX6i compatible helicopters
ok thanks. That is what I need to know.
Posted on: 1/15/2012 9:38 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10909900

RE: BIG LAMA
Thanks guys. I fiund the siurce of the rattle. It was pretty simple. The vertical linkages were hitting the fuselage on one side. I simply trimmed the plastic with scissors. All fixed.
Posted on: 1/14/2012 10:19 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10909322

RE: Big Lama rattles on forward stick
cool. I have been looking at the Xtreme mods. I already changed to their inner shaft and blades. Wasn't sure about putting more money into it if the basic mechanism was loose. Now I see its ok so I'll probaly get the skid, the tail boom, and the canopy.
Posted on: 1/14/2012 3:52 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908893

RE: Big Lama rattles on forward stick
aicrash: Thanks for the tips. I fixed the rattle. One of the vertical rods going to the upper rotor was hitting the fusalage. on one side. I just trimmed the plastic with scissors. Question about moving the battery. If I move it forward, what's a good way to hold in place. The little velcro on the end of the battery won't be attached anymore.
Posted on: 1/14/2012 10:04 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908433

Big Lama rattles on forward stick
I bought an esky Big lama last week. It works well except it makes a rattling sound when I give it forward elevator (right stick forward). The other directions(backward, left, or right) do not make this noise. Any idea how I can fix this?
Posted on: 1/13/2012 6:13 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10907616

Big Lama rattles on forward elvator
I bought an esky Big lama from you last week. It works well except it makes a rattling sound when I give it forward elevator (right stick forward). The other directions(backward, left, or right) do not make this noise. Any idea how I can fix this?
Posted on: 1/13/2012 6:12 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "XHeli.com Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10907613

RE: BIG LAMA
aircrash: thanks for the reply. I am really new to the heli stuff. I know where the swashplate is locted but how do I check it. What am I looking for? Loose scews? What might be the adjustment or fix to the swashplate.
Posted on: 1/13/2012 8:50 AM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10906800

RE: BIG LAMA
Rattles on forward elevator. Just getting used to my Big Lama. I notice that when i give it forward elevator, I hear a rattling sound. Is this known situation and is there a cure.
Posted on: 1/12/2012 10:42 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10906300

RE: BIG LAMA
Questions about Xteme canopy upgrade. If I want to use the Xtreme canopy upgrade, what other parts do I need: tail boom kit? landing skid? tail boom? tail boom fins? Graphite frame? Don't really want to gut the whole thing. Was thinking about maybe just the canopy and the tail.
Posted on: 1/12/2012 4:01 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Esky Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10905705

need 129mm 2mm dia inner shaft
Hi all. I have a brand x 3 ch heli that has no apparent source for parts. I am looking for an equivlent helipcopter for whcih parts are available. The heli is about 16 incheas long. The cheap plastic head on the inner shaft broke after a couple of uses. I have been looking at walkera, syma, esky, etc to find something usable. It seems close to an Esky Lama 4 but I understand the Lama 4 inner shaft is too short . I need at least 129mm of shaft below the head. Can someone hlep? Noone seems to post parts dimensions. I looked at Xtreme Productions for example and can't tell how long their shafts are. Shaft diameter is 2mm.
Posted on: 1/11/2012 4:05 PM by Author "rhodesengr" in the forum "Electric RC Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10904085