The Best RC Helicopter: You Decide
Now that you've determined what type of helicopter you would like, its time to determine product completion!
Kit:
If you have prior experience or you simply want to try something new, a kit may be for you! Kits save you money, but require an investment of time. You must also be precise and know your way around an RC Heli. No, 99.9% of the people out there can't build an RC Heli from scratch. Bummer, for me.
In all kits you have to buy a few items yourself, but depending on the kit it will tell you what you have to buy. Some only require the purchase of a suitable receiver, battery, and charger and radio (unless you already have one or both). Others may be less complete, require separate purchases of servos, ESCs, gyros, etc. You get to decide what kind of kit best suits you.
I would recommend if you have no prior experience with RC or even RC Helis that you stay away from kits. Only if you have a quality hobby grade (ie, interchangeable parts) RC Heli or two would I recommend you venture into the world of kit making.
Note, if you decide to get a coaxial helicopter you basically decide not to get a kit. I believe there are a few FP Heli kits out there, but in general those looking for a FP heli are excluded from a kit. Only those who are getting a CP heli really have the option of deciding to get a kit.
In all kits you have to buy a few items yourself, but depending on the kit it will tell you what you have to buy. Some only require the purchase of a suitable receiver, battery, and charger and radio (unless you already have one or both). Others may be less complete, require separate purchases of servos, ESCs, gyros, etc. You get to decide what kind of kit best suits you.
I would recommend if you have no prior experience with RC or even RC Helis that you stay away from kits. Only if you have a quality hobby grade (ie, interchangeable parts) RC Heli or two would I recommend you venture into the world of kit making.
Note, if you decide to get a coaxial helicopter you basically decide not to get a kit. I believe there are a few FP Heli kits out there, but in general those looking for a FP heli are excluded from a kit. Only those who are getting a CP heli really have the option of deciding to get a kit.
RTF:
This basically means that everything - helicopter, receiver, transmitter, lipo battery(s), and sometimes transmitter batteries - are included in the helicopter purchase. RTF packs are typically the easiest way to get a new helicopter: the helicopter flies right out of the box after charging the battery(s). However, they typically are only available on beginner helis and with a controller that is not computerized. That being said, more and more quality RTF aircraft are out there now, and many do come RTF with a computerized radio.
If this is your first heli, then I strongly recommend getting an RTF package. You won't be able to make any compatibility mistakes if you do, and your first flight should go smoother. As mentioned before, there are RTF coaxial, FP, and CP helis, so no matter what your type, there is an RTF package. This was my first heli choice.
If this is your first heli, then I strongly recommend getting an RTF package. You won't be able to make any compatibility mistakes if you do, and your first flight should go smoother. As mentioned before, there are RTF coaxial, FP, and CP helis, so no matter what your type, there is an RTF package. This was my first heli choice.
BNF:
BNF aircraft typically come with everything needed except the transmitter and usually the batteries and charger. However, some BNF aircraft do come with a charger and / or battery(s). The mCP X is an example of a heli that comes BNF with both.
BNF Aircraft are typically only available from Blade, but other manufacturers have Plug and Play (PNF) which is similar to BNF. BNF (or PNF / anything else that has a completely assembled heli) Helis are another good choice if this is one of your first helis. You don't need to worry about getting helicopter parts separately, and the manufacturer usually describes suitable controllers / batteries. I strongly recommend if you are getting a BNF aircraft to get a computerized controller with it. This will save you money and headache. This was my choice on my second heli.
BNF Aircraft are typically only available from Blade, but other manufacturers have Plug and Play (PNF) which is similar to BNF. BNF (or PNF / anything else that has a completely assembled heli) Helis are another good choice if this is one of your first helis. You don't need to worry about getting helicopter parts separately, and the manufacturer usually describes suitable controllers / batteries. I strongly recommend if you are getting a BNF aircraft to get a computerized controller with it. This will save you money and headache. This was my choice on my second heli.