RunRyder - Who's made the switch from thumbs to fingers?

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Aerial Photography and Video > Who's made the switch from thumbs to fingers?

Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Hi all,

I've been a thumbs-only flyer since I started flying models in 1998 ... but I'm wondering whether switching to a thumbs-and-fingers approach would help the precision of my heli-flying? Going against something I've been doing instinctively for 9 years would be hard, but I'm wondering whether it's worth it? I know it's a case of what feels most comfortable for the pilot, but I've heard many people saying their precision is better than with thumbs-only.

So, has anyone made the switch and if so, did you find it difficult and was it worth it?

Cheers!

David

PS. I'm aware that flying with thumbs-and-fingers requires the use of a tranny tray (with wrist-rests) ....

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

bill the greek
Veteran
Location: Greece

Im thumb flyer too and dont have any precision about smooth flying helis.Its like right hand and left hand writers.
With more fingers of cource you have a lot area of stick to hold, but prefer this way because i training my thumb last 20 years so its dificult to chance that and i dont find the reason.
If your movements its ok , no problem.

Thats me of cource.

Bill

Nobody is Perfect but who want to be Nobody...

07-19-2007 Over year old.

AZ ChopperCam
Veteran
Location: Arizona

I fly thumbs and use these

http://www.qualityrcproducts.com/pr...itterknobs.html

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Hmm, do you find those make a big difference to your flying over the standard sticks DJ? Am interested to know that you use thumbs-only too

Cheers,

David

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

TCGliderguy
Veteran
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

AHAH! The secret is finally out..... all except the part about DJ's gyro stabilized, cyber-bi-morphed thumbs that control those Madison Components thumb widgets...... :-)

-Taylor

07-19-2007 Over year old.

AZ ChopperCam
Veteran
Location: Arizona

Quote
ll except the part about DJ's gyro stabilized, cyber-bi-morphed thumbs that control those Madison Components thumb widgets

HA! YES... I debated whether I should reveal my secret!

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

How do you find they affect your flying over the normal sticks DJ?

Cheers,

David

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

dreslism
Veteran
Location: Rochester Hills, MI

I'll chime in. I had a set of those "knobs". I did not like them, I actually felt like I had less control. Hard to describe, but since they had such a large surface area against my thumbs, it was hard to feel movement in the sticks vs the spikey tips on my 9C.

Anyhow, just my opinion on them.

--Scott
GreatLakesAP.com

07-19-2007 Over year old.

Hogster
Key Veteran
Location: Surrey, UK

Yup I can fully appreciate that Scott ....

Ohh decisions decisions! I was planning to try making my own before buying a set, but I might not bother now!

David

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

AZ ChopperCam
Veteran
Location: Arizona

I don't mind them, but I haven't been using them long. Time will tell. I have them on my Futaba which is all my Logo 10's . My JR used on my L24's still has the stock tips.

They are cheap enough to try them out and see for yourself.

07-19-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

Zach Sparks
Veteran
Location: Norton Shores, MI

I really like the Big Stix

Nice machining and adjustable to really long or just a tad longer than stock. You get a concave top tip and a spiked top tip with them too. Either way I like them much better than the stock sticks and the price is good too.

http://www.3dhobbyshop.com/detail.aspx?ID=994

07-19-2007 Over year old.

paxaran
Heliman
Location: New York, New York

Hey everyone- I only got into the hobby almost two years ago, but I had experience growing up with boats and cars and I used my thumbs. When learning on a heli that felt much more natural than the pinching thing, maybe because I have short fingers? Anyway, I too worry that I will never get better than a certain level because I have heard thumbs are not optimal for flying. I would love a definitive answer.

PS I will give those thum tips a try.

07-19-2007 Over year old.

rtp70
Heliman
Location: Farmington, MN - USA

I was flying thumbs for more than 35 years flying planks. When I started flying helis 2 years ago, my mentor suggested I use the pinch method stating a more refined feeling in the sticks would be helpful when flying helis. It was hard to make the change but I do believe I feel more precise control inputs. I even use the pinch method when flying planks now. Doesn't work for everybody. I have noticed in the various videos even some of the most reviewed contest heli pilots are flying thumbs and some are pinch pilots. It is basically a personal choice.

Just my 2 cents,
Rick

07-19-2007 Over year old.

eyeinsky
Senior Heliman
Location: Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada

Some one told me awhile a go that you have better manual dexterity with you index finger. So I started flying with the index finger and thumb combined. I have tried the thumbs only it ok but I prefer both thumb and index fingers.

07-19-2007 Over year old.

Beauregard
Senior Heliman
Location: Steamboat Springs Co.

Hogster I like to fly thumb and fingers but I also like to grip the tx. I have tried a tray and I find it hard to anchor my position.. I do think AP is a much more precise type of flying and I know in time you will appreciate the added control of fingers.. A friend of mine switched to both buy flying on the simulator during the winter.. He now loves it..

Cedar

07-20-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

On the Skids
Heliman
Location: San Diego, California

I thought I'd never make the transition over to a tray and using anything but my thumbs on top of the sticks to fly, but I have... and I love it.

Not only do I use thumb and index finger, but also the middle finger as well. I'm using thumb and 2 fingers now and I have soooo much more control for precision flying. It took a little getting use to, but now I wouldn't fly any other way!

Using long stick on the TX also helps making the jump to fingers instead of thumbs.

Now if I can just find a decent tray for 9CHP radio I'd be very happy.

07-20-2007 Over year old.

jester4
Key Veteran
Location: Brampton, Ontario

Go with what feels natural. Some top pilots use thumbs with great precision.

07-20-2007 Over year old.

Zaneman007
Key Veteran
Location: Texas - USA

I pinch with the left hand and use my thumb on the right. I learned on the Blade CP. The throttle was ratcheted. So, I would pinch to get it to hold in between the ratchets. As I progress, I'm think of getting a tray?

By using the thumb only on the cyclic, I seem to be inputting a lot of slop.

I'd rather be flying

07-20-2007 Over year old.

LouInSD
Veteran
Location: San Diego CA USA

I do the opposite, pinch with the right and thumb with the left. I also noticed that my thumb is giving unwanted input to my tail...

working on that one...

07-20-2007 Over year old.

AZ ChopperCam
Veteran
Location: Arizona

I'm waiting for Futaba to perfect "thought" control

07-20-2007 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

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Aerial Photography and Video > Who's made the switch from thumbs to fingers?

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