mini rc helicopter how to
image
Chance
My dad is going to be getting me something for Christmas, $85 limit. I want a rc helicopter. Ive only had cheap walmart ones before, so i need some expertise. Im wanting a namebrand fairly decent sized helicopter that will be able take some minor crashes. I did a little research and it seems that the Align T-Rex 250 is decent. Any ideas? Remember I have $85 to spend, including taxes and shipping.
Answer
I wouldn't recommend the Align T-Rex 250, and it's over the budget anyways? The smaller the helicopter, the more crashes it can resist, and the cheaper the replacement parts are. Just the battery looks like it's 3 times more expensive than a mini helicopter, and you will need extra batteries if you would like to fly for more than 10 minutes.
Do you have a radio/controller already? If you do, you could buy the BNF version of the helicopter and it will be cheaper. If you don't, then look for the RTF version that comes with a radio/controller.
The Blade MCX RTF is $80 at Horizon Hobby
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/blade-mcx-rtf-EFLH2200
It's a coaxil heli, so you will have to fly it indoors and outdoors only when it's not too windy. It can take a good beating, better than the t-rex, and the parts are pretty cheap.
These 3 are some I have looked at while I was doing research about rc helicopters when I wanted to purchase one. These are fun, you won't be able to do 3D tricks with them though. It depends how many channels was the one you had, these are 3 channels and good practice.
The Syma S107 is $27 at amazon. It's a beginner helicopter, but it's small and reviews say it does good in taking crashes (4 out of 5 stars).
The Helizone Combat fighter 3.5 Channels looks fun. It's $36.99 on amazon, and you can look up videos on youtube.
The Syma S107C has a built in camera, and it's $39 on amazon.
I purchased the Nano CP X BNF, and a DX6i receiver, and depending your age and experience, this is not a beginner one. But it's just something to look for in the future if you want to get into the hobby. The heli cost me $160 online, and the reciever/controller (DX6i) cost me $70 USED.
You could also suggest to him to look on craigslist for used ones, don't be uptight about it and demand a new one if your father can't afford ones over $85. I bought the DX6i for my boyfriend from craigslist, and it came in original box and everything, for less than half the price, and he loves it anyways. You could find a used Blade MCX or MCX2 for a really good price, and if it's from a person that looks like it's their hobby, it will probably be very well taken care of.
you or your father should check out this forum's for sale threads:
http://www.helifreak.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6
you can also feel free to ask questions on there, or check out the "newbie" section for advice, there has been many people also asking for a beginner heli, so you can read the responses.
Don't try to get a "professional" type helicopter because for those you need to make a bigger investment than just the helicopter. For an advanced heli you need an advanced radio, not the ones it comes with, and you will need to purchase a simulator to practice on because crashing the helicopter will cost you a lot of money!
Goodluck and have fun :)
Where can you buy or make a computer controlled RC helicopter with realtime video?
Where can you buy or make a computer controlled RC helicopter with realtime video? I can make it or buy but I don't know where to find it.
Answer
Computer controlled is really hard to make and you will have to know a lot about or just know a person who does electrical engineering to build your own system.
What I would suggest you do is to get a RC helicopter that is very stable to fly like this http://www.xheli.com/50h33-warhawk300-q4-comancheblue.html. This is a coaxial helicopter, it's hover by itself and you wouldn't need to worry much about it. The reason I would use a big one is because there would be more space to store a camera. Most of the cheap coaxial helicopter are only made from plastic with no metal bearings and can only fly up and down anyway.
After you have your copter set up, something like this will help you:
http://hackedgadgets.com/2005/08/10/computer-controlled-rc-helicopter/
http://www.endurance-rc.com/pctx.html <buy an adapter to connect to your transmitter, it should come with software
Note: You may have to re-program the controls in order to control your helicopter from computer.
For the camera, get something like a mini helicopter cam like http://www.xheli.com/72p-90-carcam.html or http://www.xheli.com/72p-52-voicecam.html. Get a electrician to help you design a wireless connection system between your computer and the camera. OR buy a wireless camera out of a shop that can fit into your heli. This website has the technology you talk about: http://www.geekalerts.com/real-time-video-rc-helicopter/
What you may want to search up is UAV helicopter designs. Many people use bluetooth to control their helicopter but I would stick to radio transmitter.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
