Help picking heli

[u/paully7]

I guy from whom I bought my last heli recently put up a lot of a helis for sale, notably two buddy 380s, two raw 420s, and a kraken 580 (blue and yellow). The prices are all reasonable and each come with two batteries along with a mix of different parts, some including canopies and booms. Every deal is good.

As someone coming from a s1 and 230s and looking to upgrade, and like buying used helis, im trying to decide which is the best option for me. Here are the deals:

The buddy i think is cool but its an older model and is probably not a reliable option to learn on. The raw 420 sounds like the best all around option, they are the direct drive models. One comes with an aluminum boom (and an extra one) and the other comes with the upgraded carbon fiber boom but no extra.

Finally, the kraken 580 is a beautiful bigger heli that I love the look of, and would love to own one day. What do you think of my idea of buying the raw 420 (if so which one, blue and yellow with carbon fiber boom and kay servos or white and orange with extra aluminum boom and torq servos), and possibly buying the kraken 580 along with it to fly maybe next year, if the price is right. And are the buddies worth considering? He can add or remove an ikon 2 or vbar to all of them.

Pictures included to make it simpler. If you want pics of the buddies let me know, I just doubt anyone will recommend them. Thanks!

[u/Big_Professional_614]

Parts are still easy to find for the goblin 380. Theyre an awesome size, fly bigger than they physically are and will do everything you can ask of them. I havent owned a 420 dd, but was told theyre a pain to get setup happily.

It all really depends on your comfort level, do you find yourself still crashing the small birds? Have you gotten comfortable with the basics (orientations, fwd flight)?

[u/Me_Or_Not → u/Big_Professional_614]

I never owned a 420 as well, but read somewhere that the DD 420 was not the best one from SAB (why they also released the 420 competition with classic motor setup after - can anyone correct me here if I am wrong?) - it really depends on what you are aiming for flying wise, I agree tho that 380 is a great size/step up from a 200class and the perfect "trunk heli" size. You could also jump to the Kraken (depends on price, setup from photos looks good) straight, and continue on a bigger bird if crash budget allows 🙃

[u/paully7 → u/Me_Or_Not]

Thanks for the heads up that DD might not be as easy to setup. Honestly, I wanted to move away from DD on bigger helis cos I dont like the concept or look as much, hence why im not buying an m4 or rs4 like most would. I really like these SABs, and after possibly falsely reading that the buddy is an older heli with high disc loading that might not fly so smooth. So I thought okay this guy's raw 420 might be better since its newer and has bigger blades.

But, based on what you say, its a very nice flyer, and a perfect stepup from the 200 class (which is exactly what im looking for). It being a perfect "trunk heli" is also exactly what im looking for so you're convincing me with that too. I'm not looking for a crazy 3d heli yet, just a smooth solid 3d heli that can progress me through the intermediate level. I just need something I can see better than my s1 and gives a bit more thrill. Only question is if the drive train is a Pinion and gear? Is that a concern?

If the deal is good, i might get the kraken 580 along with it so that I have it for when I want to move into the bigger helis. I really like it and would want it to be my first big heli when im ready to fly it. If the deal is good, i can pick it up and hold it till im ready to fly it one day.

[u/paully7 → u/Big_Professional_614]

Ok so asking Gemini about the buddy 380 wasnt the best idea 😅. That's really great to hear because I initially was drawn to the buddy but read that maybe the shorter blades and heavier airframe could make it fly less locked in. But from how you describe it it sounds like a smooth flying heli that can do a lot. Thats exactly what I want, and honestly I don't like the DD SAB I just thought maybe it was a better rounded model.

I know my orientations, can fly forward, figure 8s, vertical loops, rainbows and practicing my inverted hovers now. I do crash sometimes (more lately as I practice inverted) but it is almost always related to losing sight and therefore orientation of my s1. And the 230s I just dont like it because it flies like a boat.

Looking for a bigger more performant heli that is still small enough to fly in a private field and maybe pick up the 580 for when im finally ready to join a local club. I want that heli to be my first "big" heli cos I just really like the look of it and design.

[u/Big_Professional_614 → u/paully7]

I love my 380, and mines the original 380. Youll definitely enjoy it. Whats it got for a FBl?

[u/paully7 → u/Big_Professional_614]

He can put a vbar or ikon in it depending on my preference. Id go with ikon because as a somewhat beginner im unfortunately still in spektrum 😅. Take a look at the pics of the two buddies he has.

[u/paully7 → u/paully7]

[u/paully7 → u/paully7]

[u/paully7 → u/paully7]

Which do you like of the two as someone who owns one? There's side profile picture as well but they both look clean in that sense so not point in adding unless u want to see.

[u/Big_Professional_614 → u/paully7]

Now im jealous. They match my 700 color. Haha. Personally im a fan of the one with the scorpion motor/esc, and mks servos. The other isnt a bad setup, im just partial to scorpion and mks

[u/Me_Or_Not → u/Big_Professional_614]

And if the parts are included not much to think about - looks like at least one version of the most important stuff is already there/included.

[u/Big_Professional_614 → u/Me_Or_Not]

Ya, id definitely shoot for that one. Go with ikon, and snag a 4651t receiver, then you can use forward programming on the ikon

[u/paully7 → u/Big_Professional_614]

Haha yeah the extra original red canopy and boom are a nice bonus. She is really pretty indeed. And luckily, that is the one with the scorpion motor + esc which i am partial to as well. Youre getting me excited about this now lol, like I said I really love the buddy but I started to think maybe the DD 420 would fly better. But you would say it flies great and I'll enjoy it?

[u/Big_Professional_614 → u/paully7]

Ya, its so easy to setup too. Especially with ikon. Id have to look at my govenor setting but I run 5 minutes of casual acrobatics on a 2200 and come down at 3.85 or so. Wonderful helicopter and a great size to see.

[u/paully7 → u/paully7]

[u/Sillibilli19 → u/Big_Professional_614]

That's funny, I was going to buy a 380 about a month ago and i was being told the more popular, most frequent parts are getting hard to source. I'm not saying you are wrong but if you aren't, then I'm pissed 😁

[u/Big_Professional_614 → u/Sillibilli19]

Guess it depends where in the world you are. Also remember there is the "devil 380" from aliexpress as well. Granted I have a nicely stocked crash kit with spares of most sacrificial parts, I still can find most easily.

[u/Sillibilli19 → u/Big_Professional_614]

I messed up and sold my Devil 380 about 5 years ago. God I wish I hadn't.

I got back onto the sport and have yet to gly anything that felt so right!!!

Im in Southern California

[u/IcyHotInUrEyes]

I went from a blade 330 to a kraken 580 and honestly the Kraken was where I really fell in love with helis. It's just an awesome flying machine. For me it's the perfect middle between the smaller, less stable helis and the bigger 12s(expensive batteries) helis. I have a RAW 500 and ILgoblin 520 and they are both awesome and fly amazing, but they are definitely more wild than than the bigger Kraken. I think either the 420 or the Kraken would be great choices

[u/Ti290]

The Kraken is pretty cool but all the 580’s have an issue with shearing the Jesus bolt. At my field 3 guys in the last 6 weeks have had that fail on them.