Looking for some opinions on the Venom Air Corps Night Ranger CP 3D RTF.. From what it looks like, it's pretty sturdy and should be able to handle a few bumps without issue. Any opinions on it? I just want something to piddle around with in the yard, but it does look like it can do basic 3D decently.
I don't know anybody who owns one or who claims to have flown one. I usually check out user reviews at RC Universe if I can't find anything more thorough:
"A very nicely built micro that performs well, and is easy to fly if your at least intermediate. I learned on mine, and it was a handful. I am very pleased with the design and mechanics of it. It's extremely easy to work on, and I would call it a great little hot rod heli, but not a trainer necessarily."
Doug Sucher (2.5 out of 5):
"THE 3D VENOM FLIES OK BUT I GUESS THE BEST WAY TO SAY THIS IS ITS NOT VERY CRASH FREINDLY I DONT MEAN A NOSE DIVE TYPE CRASH BUT A LEAN OVER WHERE THE MAIN BLADE BRUSHES THE GROUND LIGHTLY YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE A SET OF BLADES,FLY BAR SEE SAW AND AN ADJUSTMENT ROD OR TWO THE PLASTIC BALL SET UP IS VERY BRITTLE LETS SAY,THE TAIL BOOM DENTS EASILY WHEN THE FLY BAR GOES AND THE REAR BLADE COULD USE SOME SORT OF SHROUD MAYBE IF YOUR LANDING EVEN WITH THE SLIGHTEST TAIL BACK ATTITUDE YOU WILL LOOSE THE REAR BLADE AND BREAK THE TAIL MOTOR HOUSING AS WELL A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER TUBE HELPS ELEVATE THAT A LITTLE PROTECTION AT BEST.DONT REC THIS HELI FOR A NUBEE WHICH I AM"
Doug Sucher was disappointed that his 3D helicopter wasn't crash-proof. He's also apparently only barely literate.
Both owners agree, this isn't a good choice for your first trainer helicopter.
It is not, by any means, sturdy. Like any small helo, it's constructed of very lightweight materials that bend and break easily. I speak from experience, as I am in the process of putting a new frame on my Venom 3D. A bit - and I do mean a bit - of a tail strike broke the frame where the tail boom attaches, which cracked the frame. The tail boom was bent and the tail rotor was broken at the same time.
As was mentioned in another post, it is a handful. I would not recommend it to anyone that has not already flown - successfully - something a little less responsive and maneuverable (which can equate to squirrely, if you don't have much experience). If you don't have any experience with helo flight, you're "piddling" will consist mainly of very short flights and repairs. Cheers, jc
Hi JC.. Thanks alot for the input! :) I actually learned on an LMH (which I LOVED) and had a Nexus 30 as well. I've been out of the hobby for a while though so looking to get back in with an e-heli..
Anyway, after looking around and doing alot of research I'm leaning to the Blade CP at this moment. From the sounds of it (and the videos) it can take a leaning blade scrape or a hard bounce and do fine. Plus there are ALOT of upgrades for it.
As for piddling, all I'm looking for for about a year is just standard re-learning curve. hover/nose in/box flight/lazy 8s/etc..
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