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e-Lite Machines Corona > My 1st corona 120 basic + upgrade questions
 
 
MOZZERSenior Heliman - Location: St. Peters Missouri -
Hello, I've been doing a lot of research for my first heli, but this is the first time I've asked a question. I've been practicing on the Realflight 2 for some time and I'm wanting a real rc heli. Through research, I've come to the conclusion that the Corona electric 120 is the best beginner heli for me. But, it appears as though these package deals give parts that range from junk, to very average, at best. Please give me your opinion on the following set-up. For instance, am I waisting money upgrading a fixed pitch heli, wrong upgrades,etc? Okay--Bare bones corona 120 kit--Motor: Hacker Brushless C40-12T, Swashplate Servo: Hitec HS-85 BB+, Tail servo: Hitec HS-81, Electric speed controller: Phoenix 35 Brushless sensorless ESC, Battery Connectors: Asroflight "zero loss" 50 amp connectors, Batteries and charger I'm still undecided on. I guess one of the Sanyo batteries and one of the hitec chargers. Please let me know if this is over-kill, or other opinions you may have. Also, is it true that if I have a brusless motor, I must also install an autorotation gear too? Last, if I put together this heli, which will cost quite a bit, will I regret investing this amount of money in a fixed-pitch heli, and later wish I had a collective pitch. Or, will the Corona with all the upgrades appear all that I need? Thanks for your time. Please respond if you can help me. Oh yea, please enlighten me on what more I may need. Undecided on transmitter, thanks, Mozzer.
11-28-2003 Over year old.
 
 
KnimRod
Senior Heliman
Location: Central Michigan

Opinions will vary but a Corona was my first heli and its a keeper. It flys well and is an excellent trainer. I still use it to practice new, aggressive flying maneuvers as the lawn dart fear factor is much lower than with my Voyager E. The crash/repair costs are usually in the single digits and repair time measured in minutes, sometimes seconds.

It looks like your have a great combination to start with, maybe even overkill for a beginner but great nonetheless. The one-way clutch is a nice add-on for a brushed motor or a brusless motor that "cogs" but the Hacker will not need it.

I recommend 7-cell, GP3300 packs from www.battlepack.com . If you can afford the extra $ get matched cell packs. I can fly over 15 minutes with a matched pack in mine. My charger preference is a SuperNova/Simprop or an Orbit if you plan to go to LiPos at some point.

Good luck!

Lance
11-28-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
MOZZER
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Peters Missouri

Hey Lance, thanks for the info. I contacted the Battlepack Battery company. I like how they make every pack to-order, encluding the shapes. He recommended stick + 1 for Corona. Now I need to know the right battery gauge of wire before I can order it. If you or anyone else can let me know, I'd appreciate it. By the way, I'm gonna have to comprimise building the heli because the upgrades I wanted costs over $800.00 (not including Transmitter). Back to the drawing board. Thanks, Steve.
11-29-2003 Over year old.
 
 
KnimRod
Senior Heliman
Location: Central Michigan

Get the 12 gauge wire and I highly recommend using the Dean's Ultra connectors.

Lance
11-29-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
utahrc
Heliman
Location: Provo, UT - USA

Don't worry about the upgrades, especially if you are on a budget. The Corona will fly great stock. You can add the hop-up's later on when you can afford it. I'd suggest going to the brushless motor as your first upgrade, since that will provide the most noticable improvement in performance - longer flights AND more power.

I second the recommendation on Dean's Ultra connectors. They are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the Astroflight connectors. They are also more commonly used so you are more likely to be able to share a charger at the field or find used equipment already equipped with them.

I don't see a gyro in your list. The Futaba GY-240 ($100) seems to be the preferred model. The GWS GW-03 is a big step down, but costs about have as much and will tide you over, if necessary.

As far as regrets about buying this heli - it's a great learning machine. You will want a CP machine eventually, but it'll cost you a lot less to learn on this machine because of the durability. Once you are ready to move up, you'll find that the Corona has a reasonable resale value if you want to sell it. A lot of people keep their Coronas to have some low-stress fun even after they've got a CP machine.

Matt
12-02-2003 Over year old.
 
 
MOZZER
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Peters Missouri

THanks

I appreciate your comments. I did purchase the Corona. Since I'm a begginer, I didn' buy the Hacker motor. I'll learn on the Atomic Force. Thanks for your comments, Steve.
12-14-2003 Over year old.
 
 
KnimRod
Senior Heliman
Location: Central Michigan

Did you order the battery pack? I personally didn't care for the Atomic Force motor as I found it to be underpowered for the Corona on 7 cells. If you're stuck on the Atomic Force, my advice would be to use 8-cell packs. Good luck!

Lance
12-14-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
skyhawknut
Heliman
Location: Vancouver B.C.

I've been flying the corona since about may. I have an Atomic force motor and 8 cell HRSC 2600 battery and it has lots of power. Flys really good.
12-14-2003 Over year old.
 
 
MOZZER
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Peters Missouri

Thanks-another question please

Thank you all for your advice. Lance, I havn't ordered the battery packs yet. Now, I'll have to wait until sometime after Christmas because of buying others gifts. See, I'm getting the stock Fusion motor with the kit. I was going to install the Atomic Force right from the start. But, after looking at some of the past forum discussions on the Atomic, I'm thinking of first installing the stock Fusion--when that screws up (probably between 5-15 flights), I was going to install the Atomic Force, in hopes it would be a little better until I can upgrade to the Hacker brushless. However, what I have in mind in the long-run is a brushless set-up with the 7-cell battery packs that you suggested from Battlepack. I want to buy two packs for longer fun. But, do you guys think that the fusion or the Atomic motors will present a problem with 7-cell? The less times I have to re-purchase battery packs, the sooner I'll have my brusless heli! Skyhawknut, I hope to have luck with the Atomic Force like you do. But considering the discussion boards, it's not too promising. THanks. I'd appreciate further comments on the battery cell situation, Steve.
12-15-2003 Over year old.
 
 
KnimRod
Senior Heliman
Location: Central Michigan

That's what I did initially. Started with the EF7 motor (which performs great with 7 cells) and then tried an Atomic Force. The AF motor is great motor, it's just not quite up to snuff with 7 cells. There are other options for you. Check out the "EndoPlasma" and "Krypton Krystal" motors from Kyosho. They are siblings to the Atomic Force and IMO, better suited to a Corona on 7-cells.

Lance
12-15-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
MOZZER
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Peters Missouri

Lance, thanks for info

Hi Lance, I already purchased the Atomic Force motor along with the kit. It's already being shipped. But, I am going to look into the other two motors you suggested. Chances are, I'll end up purchasing one of these motor's before I can afford the brushless upgrades anyway. Your onfo was reassuring since I don't want to have a heli that won't fly from the beginning. Thanks, Steve.
12-15-2003 Over year old.
 
 
quags
Heliman
Location: Miami, FL

I have no problems with my AF on 7 GP3300s. I like to beat the hell out of my Corona flying it around the trees in front of the house. I'm not a beginer but I sure as hell love messing around with Corona. I think you will be ok with the 7 cells.
12-31-2003 Over year old.
 
 
KnimRod
Senior Heliman
Location: Central Michigan

I'm not suggesting that the AF motor is unusable with 7-cell packs, rather that the AF motor will be pretty lethargic when compared to the stock Fusion motor. The biggest complaint I had was the lack of response that I needed as a learner when trying to avoid unintended ground contact. Also, if your cells are not well matched, Your flight times will reflect the capacity of your weakest cell. Adding an 8th cell was an option but I never liked the thought of adding the weight of an extra cell. I experimented with many motors and something in the range of 14-15 turns seemed to be the best compromise between performance and duration.

By all means, give it a shot and let us know how you're making out.

Lance
12-31-2003 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
MOZZER
Senior Heliman
Location: St. Peters Missouri

I've decided brushless anyway

Hello Lance and Quags, thanks for info--However, when I opened my Corona at Christmas, I discovered that the stock Fusion really didn't come with the basic kit. So, I called up the people I bought it from and asked if I could return the un-opened Atomic Force & ESC for store credit. He let me do it. I already have 3 servo's (2 HS-85mg's for cyclic, 1 HS-81 for tail). So, I still need the Hacker C40-12, Jeti ESC, Schulze isl 6-33 charger, 7- cell Batt. pack, RD6000 Super radio, GY240. A lot more money than planned and longer time because of expense, but it will be well worth it once its done. I'm in the proccess of building it now, please answer my new question concerning assembly on the forum if you have time, Thanks, Steve.
01-01-2004 Over year old.
 
 
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e-Lite Machines Corona > My 1st corona 120 basic + upgrade questions
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