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CANOMOD . Experience RC . Heli-Max

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Main Discussion > The Ultimate Guide on what heli to get.
 
 
Dave_D
Key Veteran
Location: Philippines

My Posts This: Topic  Forum

Rappy, Volare,

Interesting point... noted...

The intent of that paragraph was that no matter if your first heli ended up costing $400 (complete) or $2500 if you're financially capable, both have an equal chance of success if you put time and effort into it.

My 2 cents,

In the pecking order of things, hobbies are "supposed" to be funded with what is called disposable income.

Disposable income can mean lots of things to lots of people, it could be that trip to mexico, that new car in the showroom or even as simple as dinner out with your loved ones.

I don't wanna sound lame here, but if you're scrimping on the first heli, then that means either save some more, or earn more so that you do have enough to dispose. This is one reason I never recommend this hobby to anyone who at least doesn't have a stable job (sorry if I offend anyone) and ask them immediately if they can afford the budget of $1200 for the first year ASIDE from the initial outlay for equipment.

I went into the hobby with at least $1500 DISPOSABLE, meaning I am willing to gamble that if nothing comes out of it, I will not lose my house or will ANY way affect my current lifestyle at the time. Initially, I opted not to get the sim, but experience (2 crashes) taught me otherwise.

Plus, I have set aside a budget of at least $100 from my income for fuel and maintenance, so in essense, I have already allowed myself at least $1200 a year for fuel and crashes. With the sim, I know it's doable, but without it (which happened to me,) my first year cost me $2000 from crash parts.

After the first year, you will be able to live with the $1200 budget since if you can already autorotate and fly circuits, you will be meeting the ground less often unexpectedly. If you end that year saving money from not having to get crash parts, it will be this budget surplus that you can use to finance your TREAT.

Gosh, now I'm sounding like a financial analyst. It's just that I'm very fortunate that I now thank those college professors for teaching those boring lectures which seemed so useless at the time that I am practicing them both in business and in my personal life.
03-01-2002 Over year old.
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Greg Takacs
Veteran
Location: Fort Worth, TX

My Posts This: Topic  Forum		Actually I've switched over to helis from r/c cars because it is CHEAPER! Car racing used to cost me at least $100 a weekend ($80 just in tires) Two races a month was $200 just for races, not to mention extra parts, bodies and fuel. Helis are a LOT cheaper for me to maintain and a lot more challengine and fun. I really liked the racing aspect of r/c cars but with the helis the individual acomplishemnt that counts, at least for me!
03-01-2002 Over year old.
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Dave_D
Key Veteran
Location: Philippines

My Posts This: Topic  Forum		Good to hear from you again Greg,

Yes I do know it's cheaper AFTER you get through the most difficult parts (circuits and autos). I thank the lord I made it through my first year and I know it's getting alot cheaper.

Now, I figure I have saved over $300 from my monthly budget usually allocated to the hobby and by the end of the year, I can easily afford my TREAT.

My brother who's into r/c electrics who has LESS disposable income started with r/c cars (both of us started over a year and a half ago) and he NOW spends more for his hobby than me.

I actually sometimes get "antsy" during the evenings when I get home because I got used to constantly fixing my stuff. Now I suddenly find I have lots more spare time since the heli's are a-ok and to wean myself off the urge to buy something just to find something to do, I've taken in to myself to repair OTHER people's r/c stuff for them (they pay for the parts, I provide the labor free) so at least my urges quenched.
03-01-2002 Over year old.
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Darkstar
Senior Heliman
Location: USA

My Posts This: Topic  Forum		Where do I fit in?

Hi guys,

I have a lot of "disposible" income (I'm divorced, not due to this hobby though), I'm past the beginner stage, and I buy mostly used equipment. I do this because many times you can benefit from the common dropouts from the hobby.

I've found many machines that were like new for half the price. Since I'm experienced, I can usually determine if the machine is in good shape, or if it has some problems, I can easily fix them. Since I enjoy working on them, this keeps me happy.

Other times I buy crashed helis for parts for next to nothing. I currently have 8 machines in my fleet doing this, including recently a nearly new Tsurugi with a new O.S. .61 SX, all 4131's and was expertly built for only $400.00. In addition, this included three plank kits! Someone received it for payment on a financial obligation, and had no use for it. I realize this is an old model, but it's perfect for what I need it it for...FAI practice.

Since I've saved so much on my initial costs, I more left over for upgrades and repairs.

As for beginners, I think a good way to go would be to seek out advise from local heli flyers, get someone you can trust, and he may be able get you started much cheaper with second hand equipment from someone they are familiar with. Also, most likely he will choose a popular model with good parts support.

I do not recommend that someone start out by themselves. Most likely they will give up due to so many variables involved, and if they buy used, they do not know what they are getting.

Tim.
03-01-2002 Over year old.
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Dave_D
Key Veteran
Location: Philippines

My Posts This: Topic  Forum		-- START DEAR ABBY WRITING MODE ---

Dear Darkstar,

From my analogy of your situation, you seem to be a very logical person, not easily swayed by your desires. You think things through which was formed through your past experiences both personally and professionally. I would gander that you are at least in your early or mid thirties if not older so your priorities are set and you take care of all things tasked to you.

Since you state that you have experience, the guide doesn't really apply to you anymore since you would probably know what a good heli is from a mediocre one both in terms of flying and setting them up.

I do also buy used from those unfortunate people who dropped out, but I too have experience fixing and tuning. If a beginner wanted to start out used, I take the extra effort to ensure that the first helicopter we get has to be thoroughly checked for wear and was not abused.

All too many times, I've seen beginners show up bragging they saved money, but in the end, they still have a less chance sticking it out in the hobby. These flyers tend to not understand that it's the maintenance cost (in terms of crash parts) that determines your willingness to succeed flying r/c helicopters because you cannot buy the crash parts 2nd hand and you have to pay retail just like the rest of us. If they paid $300 to $400 for the entire first heli, they are more likely unwilling to pay letsay $150 for a typical crash in the thinking they should be able to get parts for half what it costs retail.

P.S. I also get the impression that you are a builder/flyer since maintaining a large fleet of differing brands is something most flyer/builders find tedious and a waste of precious hobby time better spent going to the field and burning fuel.

--- DEAR ABBY WRITING MODE OFF!---
03-04-2002 Over year old.
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miataguy
Veteran
Location: Santa Barbara, CA

My Posts This: Topic  Forum		Nice post Dave! After hanging out around RCO and RunRyder last year, I pretty much followed your guide to at "T". I trained on G2 for several months before getting a used Raptor 30. I was able to hover the first day without much problem. The next few months were spent learning circuits, stall turns, nose-in, and beginning aerobatics. After 6 months, I got my second heli, a used Freya with YS61st2. I've had crashes with both helis and learned a lot after each rebuild. I'm now moving on to more advanced aerobatics and am considering a scale heli project. The only other thing I would add is to consider taking some lessons. I went to Todd Bennett's Freestyle3D school and I immediately overcame several mental hurdles. The combination of sim work and expert buddy boxing is definitely a powerful one! I feel very lucky to have gotten involved in this hobby when I did. The technology available today for learning and flying is incredible. The journey so far has been a blast!

Official RunRyder Googlewhacker!
03-04-2002 Over year old.
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