I have been obsessed with cars for years now, having spent a considerable amount of my download usage reading about them i know more about my neighbours cars than they do.

 Learning about RC cars was a bonus and i wanted one more than i wanted my next breath. Again i returned to my faithful friend - the internet. But they seem to be expenssive for a student like me (for now >).

And then i came across this forum, few weeks later i was converted. After reading the posts here i learnt so much!! So now i am a car and heli fan

I plan to start with a Raptor 90 SE.

ok just kidding 

The posts here suggest the best way to start is with a coaxial heli. Read about the LAMA V4 and now i know what i want  After the LAMA i will graduate to a BELT CP.

My budget is 5k so the heli at RCD fits the bill and its in Bangalore so save on shipping!

1. I would like to know if there are any FP 4ch helis available? (since budget is a matter i prefer buying from India)
2. Are there any other coaxials i can consider? (within 5.5k)
3. Training skids are a must and i plan to make them myself (iv seen in on a post here)
4. Anther reason i picked the LAMA is because i can use the SIM. Does the SIM come as standard or is it a freebie by RCD?

One main comment.  While the LAMA was the original stable indoor heli and hence frequently recommended for beginners, the new 3ch ones like the Model Art one (with gyros, as a must) are also very stable and can be a more cost effective substitute.  If you are planning to go to a Belt CP type of heli soon, then this may be a better option.  The SIM is an attractive part of the LAMA package, not sure if anything like that comes with the Model Art one (probably not... so that may still leave the Lama as a good deal).

All the electric helis at RCD are sold out as far as I know...
Chech this 1 out... A 4ch FP heli... 1k out of your budget
http://rotor.co.in/show-detail.asp?prodid={34D7EC61-E085-470A-A736-5239E921F6DE}&pn=1

Very old version though...

One of my friends wanted to buy a heli.He has no idea what to go for.I advised him to start with a car or an airplane and then get into helis.helis are harder to fly right?If there is any beginner heli please let me know.

The ones with regular/full capability are harder to fly, but the 3 channel ones are easier to fly indoors (which is sort of impossible with planes).  Of course cars are the easiest, but 3channel or even 4channel indoor helis (Model Art, Nine Eagles, Lama etc) are an excellent way to start in this hobby for true green beginners.

@Anwar:
 The ModelArt one does not come with a sim.
 Its 3ch so yaw control will be missing right?
 What kind of range can one expect with the Lama's and ModelArts 3ch tx?

@Divyam:
Thanks mate. Missed than one while searching.

The 3 channel ones have yaw control by using differential torque.. They dont have roll.. i.e. they can turn sideways but cant slide sideways.. so in order to go in any direction either the nose or tail has to be pointed that way..

Right. Now it seems obvious The 3 ch helis do not use any servos do they? Two motors for the coaxial rotor which control elevation and yaw,third motor with horizontal rotor to provide fwd/aft. Is this right?

Pretty much.  There is also a gyro on the better models (in an all-in-one board that has receiver, gyro and speed controllers) that helps with stability.

The key here is that one is just getting the very basic (also minimal) stick feel with these.  To get the feeling of a real RC heli, it would take a 4 channel single rotor FP at least.

For anyone who is into this for the longer term, and has an experienced heli pilot around, I would strongly suggest the 450 size/clones (the route Vinay went). That is a solid foundation for heli flying, and something you can keep around for pretty much forever, even when you move on to more complicated stuff.

I am a beginner.I dont know anything about  RC helis .But i wish to buy one at least  of Rs 2000-3000 .Can anyone help me?Please

Welcome to RC India

Please go through the beginner section, and use the "Search" functionality. It would really help you with an overall picture of this hobby. 

PS: Merged with the existing thread on the same.

Anwar bhaiya.. The 450 clone prices look tempting.. But how much does the entire set of parts add up to? i.e. inclusive of gyro/servoes/motor/esc etc..

Please go through the various 450 threads (from Vinay and others).  They would list the components used, and sources. That way you can get the current prices.

Anwar bhaiya, i have been going thru the various threads, but some of the smaller parts like smaller tools end up adding a lot to the end cost.. So was just wondering how much money should one be prepared so shell out overall in order to get the 450 in flying condition.. Just a approximate figure..

I will defer to this to someone like Vinay, since he did this recently.

I was reading Vinay's build thread.. all the parts, throttle curves, pitch this that.. gave me a headache! Man those things are complicated!
Oh n i just got back from prateek13's house, we fixed his syma 9053 3-ch heli and had a blast flying it!

@prajwaltheawesome

ModelArt heli cost Rs.1750 without gyro and Rs.2250 with gyro. You can get it at many stores, ModelArt at FORUM MALL, BIGBAZAR, any SAPPHIRE store, TOY's N TOY's Indiranagar have many 3ch rc helis from Rs.1850 to Rs.5500. PM me if you need any help with this

@Everyone

1. Thankyou for the replies

2. I'v read many posts which say "The ModelArt heli is fun and almost industructable but it will not prepare one for further heli flying" and "the controls do not feel accurate". Is this true? Will this heli prepare one for a CCPM like Belt-CP?

3. Can someone shead light on the range the Lama tx and infrared tx provide? just curious .

4. I dont intend to use this (whatever i buy) outside, its to get a good fell of what a propotional rc system is like, orientation, coordination between hand movement and what i see, basic understanding on how everything works. The 3ch is very basic and does not have a servo or any trim adjustments. Keeping this in mind isnt it better to not go in fot the ModelArt heli?

5. The sim is mainly whats pulling my strings towards the Lama V4. Its a sweet thing to get the heli and the sim for 5.5k isn't it?. This is what i feel. Any thoughts?

@Anwar:
I will read through 450 threads once i get my net set right. It keeps getting disconnected now and then! Had to type all this twice

2. No, in my opinion it won't... The sim is the way to go!! You can learn all your orientation and all on that very easily...1

3. From what I know, Lama comes with a 2.4g radio which has more range than your ever gonna need... Modelart one comes with infrared which should give you about 10m range in proper lighting.. Too much light and there's disturbance...

Hmm.. so the ModelArt heli is a no no.

Anyone got a clue as to when RCD may stock the Lama V4? It's been out of stock for more than a month now

W/o TX and RX. It will cost you around 9 k To have one flying and with some spares lying around which you will need. I wanted to start with Co axials, but believe me, its better to learn on a sim and start with a CCPM heli directly. Once you fly CCPMs, co axials feels just like kids toys.

9k is above my budget as of now. This is just a stepping stone - not that its going to be the last heli for me so i dont mind starting small Rather enjoj a coaxial heli now as a beginer that jump to CCPM and then not experience a coaxial at all right? Any way this is just my opinion on the subject.

I would suggest you go for a simple 3-ch, and plan for a heli capable radio with sim. If you invest 5k to 7k on a Lama, you will end up upgrading everything later on. 

Guys, How many of you are using Co-axials regularly for entertainment. I have heard many say that after a while it gets boring. Anwar bhai can we have a vote for this? This will help people step up the right path. COz if people invest 5 k on a co ax, and then not use, its not worth it. But the case with ccpm is diff, its addictive. 

If you have a co-axial only, they can be quite a bit of fun, especially if you try to fly it in patterns (like backwards figure 8 etc). 

But if you have other helis, these tend to be for the rainy days or quick demos for guests (their kids, actually ) !

my suggestion to the begginers dont buy this 2, 3 thousands  helis and waist money, start with araptor 30 nitro helicopter thats the best one for the begginers  only the kit and the electronics will costs 20000 rs, but its worth .rx tx all oither than that. as per my advise raptors are the best spares are availble plenty .