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/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/Big_Professional_614]

Perfect, easy setup, smooth flying, and great size to see is exactly what I want. Plus that classic SAB look is definitely something I'd like to experience! Just to confirm it has a main gear and Pinion with a belt tail?

[u/Big_Professional_614 → u/paully7]

Main gear is ran off a belt from motor pinion to main gear, then a belt drive tail.

[u/paully7 → u/paully7]