subject: Remote Control Helicopters: What To Get? [print this page] In the field of remote control helicopters, it has been a never-ending debate of whether to get a gas powered of electric powered helicopter. A decade ago, the choice would have been a no brainer: about 9 out of 10 helicopters are nitro powered, and for good reason. Back then, 0.60 size gas or nitro remote control helicopters could always outperform the electric powered ones. It could fly loner, it was cheaper, it weighed less, and most importantly, it can perform better. However, in the last few years, there was a shift in the trend, and with the inventions of the high discharge lithium polymer batteries, powerful brushless motors, and new speed controller, a well out-fitted electric powered helicopter can be more powerful, more maneuverable, and more agile than its nitro-powered counterpart.
While it is true that you can start your RC aviation hobby by flying electric powered remote control helicopters at a much cheaper price than its nitro powered counterpart, a full-sized blinged out electric helicopter is way more expensive than a nitro, by the time that you take into account the speed controls, brushless motors, and the lithium polymer batteries. Also, you should note that electric helicopters have more delicate components, which make them more expensive and more likely to be ruined after a crash. In fact, a destroyed battery pack alone can set you bask by as much as $500.
For all its expenses, electric remote control helicopters are deemed to be more environment-friendly than its nitro counterparts. It is virtually silent and produces no fumes when in flight. However, with an increase in electric power set up, the noise levels of an electric helicopter can match the noise produced by nitro-powered helicopters. With electric helicopters, all you need to do is to charge the battery, plug it in, and fly. On the other hand, nitro-powered ones are messy, and require the right ratio of its oil and alcohol combination of fuel in order to run. Aside from that, it needs to be cleaned, tuned, adjusted, and maintained on a regular basis. Note however, that a good electric helicopter is more efficiency in terms of raw energy consumption and runs at about a 90-05% efficiency mark, whereas a nitro-powered helicopter runs at around the 50% mark.
A few more things that you should take into consideration when considering on settling for either electric or nitro powered remote control helicopters is the flight time. You should note that small electric helicopters have flight times of about 7 minutes compared to the 15-20 minutes of its nitro-powered counterpart. However, the flight times among larger electric lithium polymer battery powered helicopters can be virtually identical to its nitro-powered counterpart. An added plus of the nitro-powered helicopters is that they can fly immediately after being drained, as long as there is a nitro fuel handy. The electric-powered helicopters on the other hand, will have to have their batteries charged first, unless you have a charged spare. All in all, the choice will still be up to you, whether your specifications will be met by either helicopter types.
