toad
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Post by toad on Nov 16, 2011 20:20:23 GMT
I've admired Ian and Mike's Skytaxi and Skywolf respectively but they aren't for me. Not because they don't look awesome but more because I would rather stick to 3 channels for a while as I still find 4 channels a bit awkward. So after extensive research I decided to get a T series T34 3 channel co axial. A well respected docile but large (500mm body length) heli that likes little or no wind in stock form. Built with the beginner in mind it comes with a programmable controller that can be used to set parameters for the % of forwards, backwards, left, right, up and down. You can adjust the % up as you get more familiar with the helicopter. Blades are edged with Rubber to minimise damage and it's basically a very robust helicopter. With me at the controls it'll need to be The only complaint people seem to have is that the T34 has very poor forward capabilities. This is easily fixed with a tail rotor mod. In fact the T34 can be modded quite cheaply into a beast of a coaxial the likes of which has never been seen before. This is mostly down to a bloke called Trev who has an excellent youtube channel culminating in the following vid taken after a rotated tail rotor mod, added second rear rotor mod, carbon fibre rotor stiffening mod etc etc that turns this coaxial into something you can throw about as violently as you like with no blade strikes and fly in winds of 5-10 Mph This thing is awesome after the Trev treatment and I intend to apply his mods one at a time as I get more used to the T34. (Thanks Trev if you ever read this, you are an inspiration ) Ian is right flying these things indoors is scary. I've only flown the T34 once at work in the spare office and the sound and wind from a large helicopter is quite considerable. Vid coming, I haven't uploaded it yet. I can't get over the rotor sound compared to the little ones. BTW This heli is only £40.50 shipped at Amazon Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Nov 16, 2011 20:37:40 GMT
The T34 is a nice looking bird Ian I can't understand how you find 4 channel awkward? There's a lot more control with 4 channel as you can "yaw" (move from side to side) as well as forwards, backwards etc.... It may be different from 3 channel at first (because it IS different ) but once you get used to it you will find 3 channel very limited. Nice to see you getting into it man, they are good fun and the bigger ones are a lot easier to tweak cause the parts are bigger! I just replaced the swashplate on an MCX today and the damned screws were smaller than a pinhead... very fiddly indeed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2011 20:49:22 GMT
It looks like a really nice heli, Ian. Tough as well. For me, well, I can't go into 3 channel in case I crash the big 'uns but it does look fast for a coaxial.
That video where the German guy is bashing it and where he puts the blades on his arm apparently caused some guy to try the same thing with a Honey Bee and he lost some fingers.
The T-34 looks like a bit of fun though,
There's nothing like the bigger ones. They really look impressive in the air and are much less twitchy than the little ones.
To be honest, I do prefer the bigger ones for fun flying.
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Nov 16, 2011 20:50:11 GMT
My problem with 4 channel is that if I get into slight difficulty it becomes major difficulty because the rotation of the heli is on the opposite controller so I end up trying to rotate and yaw instead crashing into the nearest wall. I am getting used to my Z Century 4 channel though and could see myself with a single blade 4 channel outdoor heli by next summer. For now a 3 channel heli with the potential of Trevs mods looks to be more than exciting enough for me
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Nov 16, 2011 21:11:25 GMT
It looks like a really nice heli, Ian. Tough as well. For me, well, I can't go into 3 channel in case I crash the big 'uns but it does look fast for a coaxial. That video where the German guy is bashing it and where he puts the blades on his arm apparently caused some guy to try the same thing with a Honey Bee and he lost some fingers. The T-34 looks like a bit of fun though, There's nothing like the bigger ones. They really look impressive in the air and are much less twitchy than the little ones. To be honest, I do prefer the bigger ones for fun flying. Ouch! What a plonker though. I wouldn't even put my fingers in the T34s blades and they are designed to bend and have rubber edges. It would still hurt like buggery even if it didn't cut you. You're right about the bigger ones not being twitchy. They have a sort of solid feel in flight. My vid was my first flight so I am a bit low but I got her up to head height a few mins later and she was much more stable. Quite intimidating when they drift towards you though LOL Can't wait for a calm weekend now. ;D
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toad
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Post by toad on Nov 16, 2011 21:37:43 GMT
The first flight vids up.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2011 22:03:07 GMT
You can't help but love those LEDs I was soooo close to ordering one of these as my first but was swayed by the 4ch experience thaang. Enjoy it Ian and maybe slap a camera on it!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2011 22:17:34 GMT
That's not bad for a first go, Ian. It looks great. I presume the battery comes out so you can change them - not like the mini usb types? It would be nice if that one came out as a 4 channel. I really can't switch back to the old habits now I've got exclusively 4 channels. I've been flying a CX3 which is really nice as well. Just 16 inches but controls really nicely. Kind of halfway between the MCX2 and the Sky Taxi which is a bloated monster!!
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Nov 16, 2011 22:54:52 GMT
You can't help but love those LEDs I was soooo close to ordering one of these as my first but was swayed by the 4ch experience thaang. Enjoy it Ian and maybe slap a camera on it! If you can handle a 4 channel from the word go you're probably better off in the long run Chris. You're probably also a better pilot than me too I have my MD80 keycam charged and ready to go as soon as we get a nice weekend.
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Nov 16, 2011 22:59:52 GMT
That's not bad for a first go, Ian. It looks great. I presume the battery comes out so you can change them - not like the mini usb types? It would be nice if that one came out as a 4 channel. I really can't switch back to the old habits now I've got exclusively 4 channels. I've been flying a CX3 which is really nice as well. Just 16 inches but controls really nicely. Kind of halfway between the MCX2 and the Sky Taxi which is a bloated monster!! Thanks Ian. Yeah the battery comes out. I'm going to look into the best battery for the T34 and then get 2 or 3. 8 minutes on the stock battery is going to seem like nothing when you're having fun on a calm day.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2011 22:47:47 GMT
Ian, I just thought ..... if you use a lot of batteries, check that the tail rotor doesn't get too hot. With the 120 sr, the back rotor can get really hot so it needs a rest in between flights. The CX3 engine gets very hot and definitely has to rest after 12 minutes flying. In fact, it can get so hot, it's uncomfortable to touch when taking the battery out.
How are you getting on with it now? Are you getting her up into the air yet?
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Nov 23, 2011 22:15:08 GMT
I'll definately pause between batteries. I've still not ordered spares yet, I'm waiting for someone to list the kingmax t34 1200's they have a better C rating than the stock batteries plus an extra 100 Mah
Not had a chance to fly her outside yet. Our garden is too small. My Parents garden is a lot bigger and they have a nice field nearby that has very little use except for the odd dog walker. I'm hoping to go over this weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2011 22:23:17 GMT
If it's your first time outside, Ian, be careful of even tiny breezes. With coaxials, they really react big time to the slightest wisp. I find that they suddenly dive sometimes or basically go sideways so you're permanently compensating and if you get at a wrong angle to the wind, the heli takes a dive at the ground.
The worst thing is if you send it up even just 20-30 and a breeze gets it and even on full forward throttle, it won't cut through. Then it's a case of land it quick!! (Or else you'll lose it)
I had one daft moment with an MCX2 which is really too tiny for outdoors. I sent it a long way up and then the wind got it. To get it down, I literally cut the throttle and did a controlled 'fall'. In other words, cut for a second, rev, cut again and so on until I managed to get it near the ground and then hovered a couple of feel above the ground to get it back.
It's extremely different outside. Even my Sky Taxi gets buffeted by the wind and that's really heavy.
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Nov 23, 2011 22:53:23 GMT
I've already modded the T34 tail rotor with a skyking rotor. It's way bigger. It's supposed to make a major difference to the t34 in a breeze. 5-10 mph is supposed to be no problem although I'll probably try to make my first outdoor flight as near to 0 Mph as possible
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toad
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Post by toad on Dec 6, 2011 10:30:45 GMT
Damn these stiff breezes. The wind down here hasn't been anywhere near as low as 10 Mph let alone 5 or less for weeks Oh well, I may get a chance to fly the t34 at some point over the Christmas holidays. It's so frustrating looking at this nice big shiny helicopter and not being able to take her out for a spin.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2011 11:08:51 GMT
Is it too big to fly indoors. I still take the Sky Taxi up in the front room!!
Trouble with coaxials is that they react so strongly to very slight breezes and are difficult to hold.
Best time is first thing in the morning or just before the sun goes down, when the breezes can calm down.
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toad
Been here a while!
I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Dec 6, 2011 12:49:11 GMT
The T34 is about on par with the sky taxi for size I'd say. Well I can fly it in the spare office at work but the definition of fly is pretty limited when all you can do is hover and use tiny flicks of the controller to drift slowly about. Even in the mornings and evenings there are stiff breezes here at the moment. Oh well, I shall have to be patient
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