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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2011 19:10:05 GMT
I've been looking through all sorts of things and wondered about people who may be interested in flying a heli but don't want to go as far as a Blade, which is, I must admit, a superior heli to the ones I previously had. However, the skills that I learned on the other ones were transferable (easily) and the MCX2 gave me a step up into 'banking' the heli left and right rather than straight turns. However, if you fancy a 'dabble' but don't want to spend money or have to go outside to fly, these little things are cheap and come with a mains charger which I much prefer to a USB charge from a computer. No one wants to leave the computer charging a heli for two hours!! These helis charge from the mains (unlike many others at this price) and have three channels. That means you can go forwards and backwards, left and right, up and down and hover. Because it has two sets of rotors, it's extremely stable and gives you the skills to at least get it into the air and practice left/right going away from you and coming back to you. You can't use it outside, but it gives a flavour of the fun that you can have at a good price. From £19.89 or £24. If you tried one, it wouldn't be long before you'd be asking ..... what next? It's truly addictive and a cheap way to try it for yourself. You must be interested since the MCX thread was read over 2000 times!!!!! www.amazon.co.uk/Channel-Firey-Dragon-Control-Helicopter/dp/B003UUKSWC/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1318359584&sr=1-1 The worst thing about it is the time for the charge and then the flight time, whereas with the MCX2, you just change the battery. You can't do that on these unfortunately but if you're handy, there is a way. The batteries are normally just stuck inside the canopy and putting a connector in there would make sense so that you could pop in other batteries. However, you'd start to understand the addictiveness of these machines and start to see the 'challenge' of a serious model heli. Ian
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XTRProf
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Pssst ! Got any spare capacitors ?
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Post by XTRProf on Oct 12, 2011 7:54:54 GMT
Actually, these minis are a tad too small and meant more for the small kids. Big kids fly models outside and are much bigger but not as big as those jets I had shown. Of course, we have to take into consideration the cost differential involved. I think the outside models are more fun.
So what say you?
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toad
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Post by toad on Oct 12, 2011 9:01:00 GMT
Funny you should post this Ian. I ordered a mini x gyro like Mike's off ebay a couple of days ago, Just waiting for it to arrive. I should at least have some fun with my daughter and it. I'm sure she'll take great delight in telling me where to fly it @ Chong. Big kids start small I can't afford another expensive hobby so a little heli will have to do for me. Besides most of the videos on youtube that I've seen re this Mini x seem to contain adults (Big Kids) flying it. LOL
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2011 9:26:52 GMT
Funny you should post this Ian. I ordered a mini x gyro like Mike's off ebay a couple of days ago, Just waiting for it to arrive. I can't afford another expensive hobby so a little heli will have to do for me. Hi Toad, do you realise the contradiction in your above post? You can't afford another expensive hobby but you've just taken the first step towards doing exactly that ;D . Mike and Ian started like that in what seems like a few short days ago and, IIRC, they've both upgraded (read 'spent more') twice since then. If I'd a pound for every time one or the other has used the word 'addictive' in their posts on the subject I'd easily be able to afford a helli-toy myself. You have been warned!! Dave.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2011 10:13:38 GMT
I've flown the 'toy' ones for a couple of years. It wasn't until Mike mentioned the MCX2 that I got a couple and then moved on. The 'Toy' ones are a cheap way to try it and you won't easily crash it. £70 - £80 for an MCX and £25 for a toy. You can see what I mean when I say about crashes. If you get into it, then go MCX2 and no further or you are asking for crashes. If you're not an addictive personality then you won't go any further. If you have money to spend like me, then you'll develop very fast!! However, I'm not kidding when I say it takes your mind off work. You really have to concentrate in order to fly them so you completely forget work. For me, it's been a relaxation that has just gone into the fast lane and I'm just trying to stop people making a mistake by buying something that they can't handle and it lasts 30 seconds in the air. You really have to be able to 'fly' them and they are no longer toys at that level!! Funny you should post this Ian. I ordered a mini x gyro like Mike's off ebay a couple of days ago, Just waiting for it to arrive. I should at least have some fun with my daughter and it. I'm sure she'll take great delight in telling me where to fly it Kids love it Ian. My daughter had a couple of friends over yesterday and they went metal when they saw the helis flying. They start to give orders as to where it should go. Really funny. Also, it's a way for you to try it but as Dave says, if you like flying, you will move on, but don't buy blind. There really is a straight upgrade path and deviating normally results in crashes and breakages!! I flew Bladez helis for quite a long time. (Mainly 'cos I was given them by the owner of the company!!) Great fun and really docile, but then again, it depends where you're coming from. Give yourself plenty of space at first, or you'll hit objects. It's a great pastime!!! You can't afford another expensive hobby but you've just taken the first step towards doing exactly that Helis work out at about the same price as a headphone. (A decent headphone) So to me, it's no different than hi fi and actually gets me outdoors in the garden at every opportunity. Also, a new challenge is a great buzz and that's exactly what Mike likes as well. The challenge!!! When you fly them, you'd understand exactly why but until you do, it seems a very strange hobby. I've had people say to me, 'Boy's Toys' etc. However, they stay and watch, so obviously they are actually interested. They normally then ask, how much they are and where do you get them. However, many people make mistakes in what they buy and end up with an expensive accident. That's when it becomes really expensive. Ian
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toad
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Post by toad on Oct 12, 2011 10:47:51 GMT
As addictive as it no doubt is flying helis, for me I need the challenge of competition to get really addicted to something (other than music ofc) and currently my Fix is World of Tanks on the PC. There's nothing like blowing up virtual tanks on a map filled with 29 other virtual tanks all trying to destroy the other blokes I'm hoping that WoT will stop me becoming too addicted to helis Besides, if the helis prove too addictive I'll just have to sell some amps and headphones. That'll fund me for a while and please the other half too
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2011 17:40:37 GMT
It does get a hold, Ian. For me, it's a great relaxation as well. When forced to take my girl to the swings, I can take a heli and have a fly. It normally gathers an audience too so I tell you, people are very interested and sit there watching the 'mini' acrobatics!! The main thing imo is to really learn each stage well so that when/if you move up, you are prepared. The Honey Bee was a step too far for me so I stepped back. If you saw the size of it, with the noise on take off, you'd have been worried!!! It's about 2 feet long so I've gone back to a one footer for safety's sake. The minis are dead safe but still keep away in any case. You don't want a blade in the eye. Eventually, Ian, the scoffers will buy one. Then the challenge starts ......... Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 13, 2011 21:45:46 GMT
Funny you should post this Ian. I ordered a mini x gyro like Mike's off ebay a couple of days ago, Just waiting for it to arrive. I should at least have some fun with my daughter and it. I'm sure she'll take great delight in telling me where to fly it @ Chong. Big kids start small I can't afford another expensive hobby so a little heli will have to do for me. Besides most of the videos on youtube that I've seen re this Mini x seem to contain adults (Big Kids) flying it. LOL Ian, they are a DODDLE to fly and the ONLY helicopter I haven't crashed! They go pretty fast and, to be totally honest, it is my favourite flying machine.... they are simple to trim (the wheel on the right hand side).... there is also a wheel on the L/H side but it is redundant (does nothing) it's just a dummy wheel. Get the copter in the air and trim with the R/H wheel until she hovers straight. You can plug the lead into an ipod charger and charge time is about 20 minutes.... you will know when it is fully charged as the USB connector glows bright red. They are fantastic little things, extremely stable and have a fly time of about 7 minutes once the battery is fully formed. You get two spare blades and two spare rotor blades with it.... much faster to charge them by plugging into an ipod wallwart.... I got mine from this guy www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150482596244?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649This was about my third flight.... they are a piece of cake!!
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toad
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Post by toad on Oct 14, 2011 8:28:59 GMT
It was your vid of the Mini x that made me look into it Mike (well that and the low price ). From impressions I've read, it's easy to fly and great fun. Several people seem to like it more than their other much more expensive heli's. The only down side I've seen other than the odd duff one is bad battery life on some. But that was when it was released so it's most likely better now. Besides, replacing a battery shouldn't be too much of a problem, so I thought I'd take a punt. I'd guess it'll be here next week. I'll keep you informed. @ Ian. The relaxation part is one of the things that enticed me to have a go. My job as a hands on IT manager varies between relaxed and chaos (think user errors, server crashes and network down scenarios) It's not all "Have you tried turning it off and on again" so It'll be great to chil with the heli. If I get into it I'll buy one for work to fly 'round the office at lunchtime.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2011 22:58:26 GMT
I love it Ian. I stayed on little minis for nearly two years. Never bothered looking around until Mike posted. In fact, I took a couple to Guernsey and was doing quiet evening flights. I took two so I had double flying time.
Nothing wrong with them, but I now realise that they were limited really.
I used to send them right up in the sky. Quite amazing really.
I had to fly at dusk because they're infa red and the sun stops you having control of them. One went into the swimming pool because of the sun!!
In all honesty, the blade MCX or MCX2 are fantastic helis that are so easy to fly.
If you move on from them, it gets much more difficult.
I really do relax with them. That's why I enjoy it so much.
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 15, 2011 9:11:26 GMT
The Mini X is a fantastic little thing, almost indestructable (not that you are likely to crash it anyway!) Once the battery is formed you get about 5 -7 minutes flight time.
You will know when it's time to recharge the battery, the helicopter will start losing power and will make it's way slowly down to the floor. Simply plug the recharge cable back into the MiniX and 20 minutes later she'll be ready to go again.
I've had a look inside and there is room in there for a slightly larget "higher capacity" battery so when the battery does eventually pack in it shouldn't be too hard picking up a suitable replacement from ebay.
I charge mine by plugging the cable into my iphone wallwart charger.... seems to charge faster than the computer's USB.... if you have one at work, though, then the computer's USB is ideal..... you will see when it is fully charged as the USB connector that plugs into the computer will glow bright red. When you first plug it in there will be a small red dot, that red dot will get bigger and bigger until it's a nice big red glow... you will soon get used to it and know when it's fully charged, 20 minutes is about right.
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