Thinking about getting an Eco 8 ?

[jerrysimon]

Hi guys,

I mostly post in the Piccolo forum but am thinking of getting an ECO 8.

Been flying my Piccolo in Hover incl nose in and slow FF for about 6 monts now. Want something a bit bigger to do the same outside and perhaps slow circuits ? The alternative looks like a Logo 10 but that is out of my price range as is a brushless set up.

This is in my price range and I can use many of my spare bits from FW birds incl my Naro servos, spare RX and my PG-03 gyro.

I also have a FF8. So the question is which motor and what batteries. I notice the Hurricane 650 from Overlander gets a good write up. Will I need 8 or 10 sanyo cells (2400mha nicd) for this ? Also which ESC Jeti 350 ? I notice overlander also do Kontronic Sun 3000. These only go up to 30amps discharge should I be looking at a Jeti 500 or Sun 4000 ?

I reckon with my spare gear and this motor I can be in the air for about £180-£200.

Also presumably I need this free wheel hub as a minimum upgrade ? How much and where can I get one from ?

Been reading Malcolm's web page which provides some excellent info

I notice he mentions Inwood Models which I also use living in Cambridge UK.

Regards

Jerry

[Luxor]

Hi Jerry.
Sounds like you've got Eco8 bug.
The setup you've mentioned will work great on 8 cells.
I don't have any experience with Overlander, but from what Malcom has been through it sound like the perfect motor on 8 cells. The Jeti cont. will also work just fine, the one way is the only tuning part I highly recommend.
One of my 8s is totaly box stock and mechanicaly mixed, using the Ikarus brushed motor and Jeti cont. and can say it flies just fine, actually, better then fine, it flies great. I am using 8 CP1700s and can manage 5 to 7 mins. of flight time.
Aside from the usual Ikarus quirks, this is a great heli, heck, It must be as I have 4 of them.

[Malcolm]

Thanks for the kind comments on my web site - it makes all the effort worth it if someone finds it useful

Most of the guys here are probably more experienced flyers, but these are my suggestions, based on my experiences.

Inwood models are excellent and often have the cheapest deals around. I purchased my JR 3810 TX from them for £250 inc charger and no other shop could beat the price at the time. The guys there are always willing to help and provide advice. I have also had excellent service from Skyline models, and several other suppliers, but I stear clear of Midland helicopters (this has been well documented elsewhere in this BB)

The Overlander Hurricane 650 motor is a nice motor with plenty of tourque, on my heli with MS carbon blades, 12t pinion and 8 cells (2100s) the power delivery is smooth and predictable. For £4:50 plus £1:50 for the suppression kit it's excellent value for money. Andy has likened the performance on 10 cells and 14t pinion to a 30 class heli. However there are stacks of 540 class motors aimed at the model car market which provide good alternatives to the Ikarus motors and start from £10. I also use the Jeti 350 (replaced the eco version after the crash I had back in May) and this is Ok although if your thinking of playing with motors you should note that the low voltage cut off (LVC) is higher on the Jeti controllers than most other. I am looking at getting one of the 65 amp controllers from Fly-electric which are cheaper than any other ESC in its class

Suggested upgrades, well the first is the auto unit - this is a must. Others would be a rear tail servo mount and CF con rod to the tail, CF boom (not essential, but the stock boom is soooo flimbsy !)

If you have most of the equipment (servos, etc) then you should be able to get in the air for the budget you have set yourself.

Lastly if you live in Cambridge area, try contacting Mark (MRP tag on this BB) and come along to the next get to gether in Welwyn on Thursday - Mail me for full details

Has anyone tried the controller from Fly-electric? Seems low priced, I wonder how it compares to a 40-3 from jedy or hacker..

[jerrysimon]

Malcolm and others,

Thanks for the replies. I have contacted that ECO 8 seller highlighted on the Piccolo BBS, as £150 for a ECO 8 complete (less RX) seems like a good deal. Bit of a risk though without seeing it. He does claim that it's only been flown 10 times though ?

Let you all know what happens.

PS meant to add that I have met Mark at the Impington club near Cambridge when he and another guy from here Stefan bought their Piccolos along. Mark keeps inviting me along and I have let him down so far [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Can you send details about the meet this week incl map as I would love to come along and see your Pics and hopefully an Eco 8 which I understand one of you bring along sometimes [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Regards

Jerry

[MRP]

I'm listening you know !! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Hope you can make it on Thursday Jerry - and I hope that ECO works out. We need more ECOs in Cambridge !!

See Ya (maybe !)

How often do you Cambridge boys fly indoors? I rather fancy the idea of flying the Eco indoors.
This week is out but I'd be up for it next time.

[MRP]

Hi Andy,

We fly at Welwyn roughly every two weeks - usually on a Thursday night. Malcolm and TAW usually manage a bit of Eco hovering - the hall is not really big enough to do real circuits (although TAW tries [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

mail any of us if you want dates/directions etc.

Cheers

Mark

Cheers Mark.

Let me know when the next one is and I'll try to get over.

[Malcolm]

Andy,
5th December - Last one this year. mail me if you want directions. As Mark stated the hall is OK for hovering an Eco 8 but not much else (or poss "straight" circuits if you get my drift !)