The Best RC Helicopter: You Decide
Now that you've decided what type of helicopter and the completion type you would like, its time to determine your RC radio. Please note, if you've decided on getting a beginner coaxial or FP heli, you may not need to read this page. Still, the information presented here will help you and may cause you to change your mind. So what should you look for?
Computerized vs. non-computerized
Click here to read my page about Computerized Radios and their benefits over non-computerized radios.
If you are getting a collective pitch helicopter, please don't get a non-computerized radio. Here are five big arguments why you should only consider a computerized radio.
Timer: Talk about convenience! Computerized radios generally have a built in timer so you never overdraw a battery again! Recall from Charging / Battery Tips that running a battery to LVC (low voltage cut-off; when the helicopter automatically shuts down due to low power) kills battery life by 4-5 times. That equates to loosing almost $40 for a $10 battery; in other words, spending $50 on 5 batteries would get you the same amount of flight time as taking care of 1 battery. Timer helps you stay away from LVC by reminding you when the battery is probably close to running low. In summary: Timer saves you money.
Programmable Dual Rates: Make learning to fly as easy as possible! With programmable dual rate settings, you can make Flight School much easier, less frustrating, and your learning quicker and more enjoyable. Experience shows that around 45% Dual Rate is the best setting for learning to fly a CP Heli. Contrast that with the at lowest 70% Dual Rate found on non computerized radios, and you'll understand why programmable Dual Rates are so nice. Plus, you can slowly increase dual rates throughout the learning process to keep the helicopter's responsiveness precisely where you're comfortable, all the way up to when you are 100% comfortable at 100%. In other words: Programmable Dual Rates save you time and lots of money (from crashes when you're learning).
Programmable Throttle Curves: Customize your flight experience to exactly fit your style. Unlike non computerized radios, which make your heli hover at a different position every time a you add or decrease weight (such as with training gear), a programmable throttle curve allows you to always hover at mid stick, regardless of the circumstances. Adding a scale fuselage is no problem when you can adjust the throttle curve to hover at the same spot as before. In addition, once you begin attempting 3D Flying and aerobatics, you can change your smooth, beginner-friendly throttle curve into a "V" 3D Throttle curve with simply the flick of a switch. Aka: Programmable Throttle Curves save you frustration and increase your heli's abilities.
Programmable Pitch Curves: Whether a beginner or an expert, there is a pitch curve that will fit you. When learning to fly, a beginner-friendly pitch curve will keep you from grinding your heli into the dirt if you need to make a quick landing. In addition, it will make height control much easier because there is a larger margin of error. When you begin to fly high in the air, a more general pitch curve will allow you to lose altitude easier when you start getting too high. And when first trying loops, rolls, and inverted flight, customizing your pitch curve can make it much easier and less scary. And when you're a 3D Monster, you can set your pitch curve exactly how you want to do extreme 3D. One radio stays with you from your first venture off the ground to your greatest 3D Maneuver. In short: Programmable Pitch Curves save you money.
Programmable Model Memory: As soon as you get more than one or two RC Aircraft, you'll really know why programmable model memory is so nice. This means that each aircraft that uses your radio's type of system can be flown with that radio. You only need one! I can assure you from experience that this is such a must-have feature. The radio stores all the data of that aircraft, including throttle / pitch curves, trim, timer, and the whole shebang. Once programmed into the memory, you could fly a very gentle, underpowered, tiny heli and then in under 30 seconds switch to an extreme, over-powered, huge 3D monster without having to make any changes. And after flying your 3D thriller you could switch to an RC glider just as quickly. Can I say it enough: Programmable Model Memory Saves you BIG!
Also stay away from anything that isn't 2.4GHz (of course if you're getting a coaxial or FP heli, this doesn't necessarily apply to you). PCM radios are almost already phased out, and getting one will just saddle you with compatibility problems. Plus 2.4GHz is so much better.
If you are getting a collective pitch helicopter, please don't get a non-computerized radio. Here are five big arguments why you should only consider a computerized radio.
Timer: Talk about convenience! Computerized radios generally have a built in timer so you never overdraw a battery again! Recall from Charging / Battery Tips that running a battery to LVC (low voltage cut-off; when the helicopter automatically shuts down due to low power) kills battery life by 4-5 times. That equates to loosing almost $40 for a $10 battery; in other words, spending $50 on 5 batteries would get you the same amount of flight time as taking care of 1 battery. Timer helps you stay away from LVC by reminding you when the battery is probably close to running low. In summary: Timer saves you money.
Programmable Dual Rates: Make learning to fly as easy as possible! With programmable dual rate settings, you can make Flight School much easier, less frustrating, and your learning quicker and more enjoyable. Experience shows that around 45% Dual Rate is the best setting for learning to fly a CP Heli. Contrast that with the at lowest 70% Dual Rate found on non computerized radios, and you'll understand why programmable Dual Rates are so nice. Plus, you can slowly increase dual rates throughout the learning process to keep the helicopter's responsiveness precisely where you're comfortable, all the way up to when you are 100% comfortable at 100%. In other words: Programmable Dual Rates save you time and lots of money (from crashes when you're learning).
Programmable Throttle Curves: Customize your flight experience to exactly fit your style. Unlike non computerized radios, which make your heli hover at a different position every time a you add or decrease weight (such as with training gear), a programmable throttle curve allows you to always hover at mid stick, regardless of the circumstances. Adding a scale fuselage is no problem when you can adjust the throttle curve to hover at the same spot as before. In addition, once you begin attempting 3D Flying and aerobatics, you can change your smooth, beginner-friendly throttle curve into a "V" 3D Throttle curve with simply the flick of a switch. Aka: Programmable Throttle Curves save you frustration and increase your heli's abilities.
Programmable Pitch Curves: Whether a beginner or an expert, there is a pitch curve that will fit you. When learning to fly, a beginner-friendly pitch curve will keep you from grinding your heli into the dirt if you need to make a quick landing. In addition, it will make height control much easier because there is a larger margin of error. When you begin to fly high in the air, a more general pitch curve will allow you to lose altitude easier when you start getting too high. And when first trying loops, rolls, and inverted flight, customizing your pitch curve can make it much easier and less scary. And when you're a 3D Monster, you can set your pitch curve exactly how you want to do extreme 3D. One radio stays with you from your first venture off the ground to your greatest 3D Maneuver. In short: Programmable Pitch Curves save you money.
Programmable Model Memory: As soon as you get more than one or two RC Aircraft, you'll really know why programmable model memory is so nice. This means that each aircraft that uses your radio's type of system can be flown with that radio. You only need one! I can assure you from experience that this is such a must-have feature. The radio stores all the data of that aircraft, including throttle / pitch curves, trim, timer, and the whole shebang. Once programmed into the memory, you could fly a very gentle, underpowered, tiny heli and then in under 30 seconds switch to an extreme, over-powered, huge 3D monster without having to make any changes. And after flying your 3D thriller you could switch to an RC glider just as quickly. Can I say it enough: Programmable Model Memory Saves you BIG!
Also stay away from anything that isn't 2.4GHz (of course if you're getting a coaxial or FP heli, this doesn't necessarily apply to you). PCM radios are almost already phased out, and getting one will just saddle you with compatibility problems. Plus 2.4GHz is so much better.
Compatibility:
Currently, most radios only work with receivers of the same brand. This means that once you invest in a radio, you'll probably stay with that brand for a long time, if not the rest of your life. So, CHOOSE WISELY! On my Computerized Radios Page I mention the 5 top Radio brands that I have found nearly universally acclaimed as such. My research tells me that the biggest two are Spektrum / JR (I believe they have merged and are the same company now) and Futaba. I don't think you can go wrong if you go with either of these two brands, but the same could probably be said of the other 2, Hitec and Airtronics.
My Radio brand of choice is Spektrum, mainly because I believe it to make the best entry to mid level radios and also because it works with Blade Helicopters, which I think are some of the best value per dollar helicopters for beginning pilots. Obviously if you start out with a good heli brand like Align this won't be a feature of Spektrum you care for.
Align has recently come out with a 450 size RTF Heli complete with a Futaba 6 channel radio, if you can afford to make this initial investment then Futaba will serve you well. I haven't used Futaba so i can only repeat the praise I have heard.
Remember, though, Radio brand is up to you. If you want, you can bypass this step in choosing an RC Heli and narrow down other options first, then see which helicopter of those left is best for you and go with the brand of radio that works best with it. As long as you stay with a good name brand, this may make your Radio Compatibility decision easier.
Note, I haven't mentioned IR Control here. IR is popular on micro coaxials, such as the Syma S07, but generally is avoided on higher quality helicopters due to its numerous range inadequacies. Feel free if you've decided on a coaxial to get an IR version because it will probably cost much less (saving money for future large purchases) and it is very unlikely you will be flying a micro coaxial outside anyways. However, if you want a FP or CP Heli stay away from IR at all costs! It is grossly inadequate for these helis and you will discover that very shortly.
Now on to Size . . . One of the largest decisions you will make :)
My Radio brand of choice is Spektrum, mainly because I believe it to make the best entry to mid level radios and also because it works with Blade Helicopters, which I think are some of the best value per dollar helicopters for beginning pilots. Obviously if you start out with a good heli brand like Align this won't be a feature of Spektrum you care for.
Align has recently come out with a 450 size RTF Heli complete with a Futaba 6 channel radio, if you can afford to make this initial investment then Futaba will serve you well. I haven't used Futaba so i can only repeat the praise I have heard.
Remember, though, Radio brand is up to you. If you want, you can bypass this step in choosing an RC Heli and narrow down other options first, then see which helicopter of those left is best for you and go with the brand of radio that works best with it. As long as you stay with a good name brand, this may make your Radio Compatibility decision easier.
Note, I haven't mentioned IR Control here. IR is popular on micro coaxials, such as the Syma S07, but generally is avoided on higher quality helicopters due to its numerous range inadequacies. Feel free if you've decided on a coaxial to get an IR version because it will probably cost much less (saving money for future large purchases) and it is very unlikely you will be flying a micro coaxial outside anyways. However, if you want a FP or CP Heli stay away from IR at all costs! It is grossly inadequate for these helis and you will discover that very shortly.
Now on to Size . . . One of the largest decisions you will make :)