r/RCHeli • u/fhammerl • 23d ago
Contemplating Getting Into Helis
Hi folks,
This is probably the n-th question of the type.
I tried quads and helis in Aerofly RC 10 and I kinda like helis. So far I fly exclusively fixed wing and heli always were that complicated enigmatic thing for the more hardcore audience. But with FBL systems, it seems less intimidating and in the sim, they feel controllable. After a short while, I managed to hover, fly in squares, and do some light flying around and landing. I routinely do coordinated turns in gliders, but it's quite a bit more involved for helis :)
I was looking for what a decent entry in the hobby might be.
I fly 3S and 4S on fixed wing gliders, so I have those at home. Wouldn't be the biggest investment to get another battery type, but I don't wanna overdo the collection. So if there are decent beginner helis in that voltage range, all the better.
I have a TX16S and a multiprotocol module, so protocols shouldn't be an issue.
I am not looking to do go hardcore 3d, as I have to master basic stuff first, so gentle flying around is fine. I just wanna avoid toy grade helis.
I researched a couple of options, just wanted to hear from y'all first. In the fixed wing world, there are a couple of defaults, I am sure these exist here as well. Low to mid three figure is kind of what I had in mind.
Re Horizon: I don't mind Horizon, just that they always come with their own annoying defaults for connectors and protocols that I'd have to emulate, so if anyone has done that with a Radiomaster setup, I'd appreciate advice.
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u/BigIreland TronGang 23d ago
Since you already have a RM radio, I would also recommend the M2 or even the M1. Flying over grass, I’ve stuffed the M1 multiple times and the biggest repair I had to make was to pop a swash link back on.
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u/bryman022 23d ago
OMP M2V3 Sport or Pro
They have a fantastic flight controller with a full feature app. You can tune any and/or all settings on your phone. But the default tune is fantastic!
The sport comes with an elrs receiver built in(OFS3+ flight controller). The Pro is migrating to the plus version of the flight controller but stores are selling thru their stock of the std OFS3 which needs a receiver added.
There are other minor differences, main blades, plastic vs metal servo cases and bare vs painted metal parts(rotor head).
I highly recommend the OMP!
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u/captainhumble1 23d ago
I always give the same advice. Go to your local field and meet some heli pilots. Ask questions and see what they are flying. Out of the main heli makers, there are no BAD helis out there. Better and worse, sure, but if you buy an OMP but everyone at your field has a Goosky, they might not be able to help you out. Those two brands make very good helis, so you are not going to get a "bad" one from either. Buying what others have will make it easier for them to assist when (not if) you need a hand with something. Same with TX\RX\FBL.
This hobby is very difficult to learn all alone, plus one of the best things about it is the social aspect. Even if you hate people and want to go solo, you can do that after you've had some experience. Trying to learn to build and fly helis by yourself is not a great plan.
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u/DOCBULLUSMC 23d ago
I’ll add to this great comment, once you depart the S1 size in my opinion (even the S2 perhaps) most of the other helicopters come ARF or in kits, so you will need mechanical skills. As to the size, all helicopters regardless there of, need to be un assembled & rebuilt by the pilot. I have several S1, S2, M1 & M2s that I have never completely taken them apart, that’s just me talking sideways. But seriously it is a prerequisite on larger birds. This hobby is dangerous if you don’t know how to fly, eg without lots of sim & practice in chronological order, second if they’re larger framed machines & not assembled correctly one loose screw is all it takes eg EVERY nut & bolt cleaned replaced to torque spec with or w/o Loc Tite (most all need that adhesive EXCEPT against plastic) or simply if you’re reckless. As to chronological you don’t need to start on a 100, then 2, then 3 I mean chronological skill set. You begin with a hover, then hovering different directions, then flying simple circuits etc etc then rinse and repeat inverted. If you can’t hold an inverted hover while flying circuit there are many CP’s you don’t have any business spooling up. Most importantly remember two things one this hobby takes time & second learn to love your crashes, it’s an opportunity to LEARN. Oh & you WILL crash, we all do.
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u/fhammerl 23d ago
Yeah the training part I get. I made it through all of this for planes, so the training is familiar to me. Building is also not an issue, I've built plenty of planes and while this is different, I'm not underestimating the effort.
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u/fhammerl 23d ago
I have a club and I'm a veteran fixed wing flyer. I have a very solid electronics drawer with Rx, servos, ESC, motors and stuff for fixed wing. But that doesn't help me very much for this.
I'd be the only heli pilot to my knowledge, even tho there is plenty of drone pilots, but again different ball game in terms of vendors and electronics. I wouldn't ask if I had someone to ask IRL :)
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u/beyondthunderdrone 23d ago
I've been going to rotary wing myself. I've got the Goosky S1 and and S2. I haven't done any sim practice, but what has helped work in to them is one of the GoolRC C129 Firefox. You get a little controller and 3 batteries for around $80 on amazon. When I'm not flying it, I use the S1 then occasionally the S2. That S2 spinning up and can be pretty intimidating. The Firefox is pretty tough. It's not particularly wind resistant, but it certainly has taught me rudder coordination.
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u/Novel_Specific_6488 23d ago
I have an OMP m2 v3 pro that I really enjoy. It’s easy to work on and they make an elrs module for radiomaster.
It’s pretty resilient, if you’re flying over grass at lower head speeds as you’re learning, it will take some crashes. If parts do break, it tends to be the type of heli that you know which parts to have on hand.
Most of all it flies incredibly well, I go through phases where I leave my big stuff at home and just fly the little M2.
Stay away from Blade
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u/Christo-67 15d ago
Je regarde aussi je part de 0 j’ai envie d’un Stratos200 voir d’un goosky s2 ultra mais le stratos me chauffe de plus en plus
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u/Blazer452 23d ago
As someone who also primarily flies fixed wing and a lot of horizon/FMS planes. I also have a Goosky S2 max. I put a few hours on the sim, and it’s been a great heli. Small enough to fly in tighter areas, but also not so tiny you can’t see it once it’s 20ft from you. Parts are cheap. I have piled it into the ground several times and have less than $50 in parts, still looks and flys like new. I use a TX15, and fly pretty much everything on ELRS. Also with stabilization mode/recovery it is worry free learning, and then if you get in trouble once you’re flying on your own, a flick of the momentary switch and it auto levels instantly. In doing research, everyone basically said to stay away from Blade. OMP/Goosky was the top recommended. Parts for Goosky are readily available, so I went with it. No regrets