I am getting into helis. Have been playing with a micro for about a month now. I was until yesterday decided on building the hiller 450pro belt drive, however I had a chance to lay hands(not fly) on a 550 sized heli and it seeded this frustrating uncertainty in my mind . Some say the bigger helis more stable because of their weight and others say start small. I am a beginner in helis with just a few hours into the sim. my initial budget for the 450 was between 15 to 20K. What do you  think....safe and smaller or go ahead and get the bigger one....

Hi, i am a beginner and i am having hiller sport,
after build i flown for twice and crashed and now i am going fbl with avionic x5.
all these made expensive for me.

so, my suggestion would be go with hiller beginner kit and then go for a bigger one,
surely u will be crashing. so, that will be cheaper and once ur good with that u can go for 550.

smaller to go, 550 would make serious dents in you pockets if you crash. 450's are not that hard to fly but yes probably a bit harder than 550's. Just make sure you dont fly 450's in potent winds.

Thanks dinesh.... Could you tell me the difference in the flight characteristics between the beginner and the sport model. Is the beginner inherently more stable because of the design/size or stability mainly depends on the electronics we put in?  i know all play a major role from what i have researched, but how about from a practical point of view as I have never flown one till now?  Is a smaller heli with better electronics as stable a bigger heli with average ones? or should you invest in higher end electronics in a bigger heli to make the most of its size and then it would increase the cost substantially....

well thanks avesh. That is what I was worried about. the constant dents on the pocket that might make me averse to the hobby.

450 minor crash would cost you around - main shaft, spindle shaft, main gear, blades.
main shaft 32rs
spindle 42 rs
main gear 55rs
blades -- depends

No need of premium electronis if you are beginner, just get a premium gyro..

Hi,

Start with a 450 machine...Align makes very good combos...Even without a 3gx system...You can get good clone also.

Another point to consider is that apart from crash costs, 550 size is an intimidating machine..I wouldnt advice it for a beginner.

A beginner can get freaked out with a 550 very easily...

Still if you want a bigger get a tarot 500 kit and build it..

Hi drksargod i haven't flown a beginner heli, i have only sport and that's my first heli.
But there will be a change in flying characteristics between both these helis,
beginner will fly more stable when compare to sport.

As u r building for first time u will be doing lot of mistakes so start with cheaper one and build it and learn from it then go for a bigger one.

With cheaper electronics u can build a stable heli, stable heli depends on the perfect setup not only on the better electronics,
just buy hiller beginner and avionic servos cheap and best with avionic G560 gyro, make a good setup then go for bigger size with better electronics.
As avesh said there is no need for a premium electronics

thanks

If you have never flown a heli before start with a V911 heli. and invest in a programmable radio and then practice on Simulator. otherwise start with a 450 heli (which ever fits in your budget) as this size is most economical reasonably stable.

Hellyflyer

If you're pockets are deep.  Just go for it

Thanks all.... Think I will start small and climb up.... worried about the durability of the beginner kit as compared to the v2 which has more metal.... intend to make my helis last for quite a while......

v3/sports or pro all the way..