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Post by rcdbutz on Aug 12, 2009 12:51:06 GMT -6
What a roller coaster this hobby is...emotionally, physically, financially! ;D           ;D So much to it and it really becomes an addiction. I've run my credit card up so high on this hobby, and I just want to get more and more helis. I'm constantly crashing these things, and constantly rebuilding. I'm learning very fast, but I just don't know how to make the urge go away. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this hobby so much, but I need to practice some restraint! Right now I'm drooling over getting a Trex 250 kit. The little thing looks like loads of fun. Yet, I have a Trex 600 and an HK 500 with all Align electronics. I really don't think I'll be happy until I have a Trex 250, 450, 500, 600 and 700, but at that point I know I'll be flying them and crashing them and rebuilding them, often at over $100 per repair. There's a ton of folks with all of these helis over at Helifreak, I just can't afford it with my lack of skill right now. So what do you guys all do? I figure most of you have better restraint than I, but I know there are some of you out there that are seriously addicted to this hobby too. People ask me how much I pay for these things and I usually lie. I don't want people to know how much I've put into this hobby so far this year. shit, I don't even want to calculate it all, but with the helis, the simulators, the stabilizers, the parts and everything, I think it's been well over $10,000. There is that joy of having a great helicopter, built perfectly, tracking perfectly, no vibration, just perfect flying. Then there is the feeling when you try something new and it hits the ground...hard. What a devastating feeling! I know it's all part of the hobby, but when I've just gotten new upgrades and went up in the air, try something new, lose orientation and just drive it in to the ground, it stings so bad. I just end up being moody for a day. Then I have to assess the damage, order parts that are usually out of stock, so I have to buy some in China where they are available, pay $30 for shipping and wait two weeks to get my heli back in the air. Then, when I am finally back in the air, I'm on cloud 9, flying the heli every chance I can and within a week or so, I'm crashing and rebuilding again. Then, I never have the time to work on them when the parts DO finally come in. It can be so frustrating and joyful. I don't know, I'm thinking I need to just spend some more time on the simulator and less time flying in real life. After many many many more hours on the sim, I'm sure my flight:crash ratio will improve. Of course, I'm not going to stop pushing until I'm doing hardcore 3D, so it might be a lot of time on that simulator. It's just that I can do some cool things on the sim, consistently, and sometimes even in real life, but I'm always thinking "Just go for it!" Then I either pull something cool off and I'm extremely happy and excited, or I crash and feel stupid for even trying. I don't know, yesterday was a rough crash with the Blade 400 after some upgrades, so I'm a little bummed. On top of that, I lost my DX7 cable for the Phoenix Sim! I can't even fly the simulator and I can't find one to buy by itself anywhere. Sorry to sound negative, but I'm just venting and I figured some of you guys would be able to relate and might have some tips for me on practicing restraint. |
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Post by nunyabizniss34 on Aug 12, 2009 12:59:33 GMT -6
I don't think there is such a thing as restraint when it comes to heli's, only how much your budget is! I am still in the "honeymoon stage" and I have only been flying for about 4 months total but the urge to fly has not gone away, and I hope it never does. The money we spend and the time rebuilding doesn't seem to matter any more. I used to get stressed out over how much was being spent but now it doesn't matter, if the money is there, it's being spent ;D So.....my name is Colin, and I too am an addict!!! And damn proud to be one! Screw restraint!!!!
Colin
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Post by rcdbutz on Aug 12, 2009 14:56:16 GMT -6
LOL, you're avatar picture is fitting Colin.
I know, I'm the same way. After a big crash, I don't even think about it, I just order the replacement parts. The hobby does take some priority now, and my fiancee is great about it too. She says, "that's your thing, you love it, I'd never want you to give it up, we can budget for it." She's great, but she hates the mood I get in right after a big crash. Usually it's more despair than anger though.
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19000rpm
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Post by 19000rpm on Aug 12, 2009 16:19:52 GMT -6
Most of us can relate. We're addicted. Some are "recreationally" addicted and some are main line abusers. ;D I used to get really bummed when I'd crash. My wife would get more upset than I was seeing me upset, so I quit getting upset. Some kind of zen thing: mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I see the crash, have a drink, relax (that would be the zen part) and start a parts inventory the next day.  You've got to remember these things are going to break. It's inevitable. You haven't broken a leg or physically injured a person. So, what's the big deal? Crashes and fixin' is a big part of the learning curve and will happen from time to time no matter how good a heli you're flying or how good a pilot you become. And something else we should remember; we all learn to fly at different rates, so find that sim cable and have at it. Some day it will all come together as long as you keep at it. ;D And, yeah it costs money, whew! But, there are a lot more expensive hobbies; been there, done that. ;D Happy landings |
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Post by nunyabizniss34 on Aug 12, 2009 16:57:00 GMT -6
I certainly fall under the "main-line abuser" category, and it's going to get worse ;D I am thinking of buying an EXI 450 But I just came in from hovering 3 straight packs on my BH 450, so I gotta calm down and resist the urge to spend a sh!tload of money on something that I don't really need at the moment. The BH 450 is so stable I am thinking of selling my King 3, and I love my King 3, that's how much I am enjoying the 450. Also just spent over $200 at Ka-Planes shopping for a new gyro, super skids, carbon fiber blades, etc etc etc ;D See what I mean??? Take care guys Colin |
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McKrackin
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Flippin' the bird!
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Post by McKrackin on Aug 12, 2009 17:10:43 GMT -6
No problem here except for the fact that I have had a completely negative cashflow for a couple years now.lol...  |
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Post by rcdbutz on Aug 12, 2009 17:33:28 GMT -6
That's the thing Ern, something tells me that if I stick to this hobby, by the time I'm too old to do it, I'll have spent enough money to buy a house, lol....
It's all good though, it's worth it. We only have so much time in this world and we've got to enjoy it while we can, and I do enjoy flying these things. Now where is that damn cable?!
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McKrackin
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Flippin' the bird!
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Post by McKrackin on Aug 12, 2009 19:49:41 GMT -6
That's the thing Ern, something tells me that if I stick to this hobby, by the time I'm too old to do it, I'll have spent enough money to buy a house, lol.... It's all good though, it's worth it. We only have so much time in this world and we've got to enjoy it while we can, and I do enjoy flying these things. Now where is that damn cable?! I'm sure I saw that cable for individual sale on Phoenix's web site. Maybe not though. |
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Post by rcdbutz on Aug 13, 2009 10:47:23 GMT -6
Nope, it turns out that the copyright information is all contained in the USB adapter, so they would not replace it. I would have to buy another complete package.
Anyone with a Phoenix sim, don't lose your cables! They are worth $125.
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19000rpm
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Post by 19000rpm on Aug 13, 2009 16:26:38 GMT -6
You've got to be kidding me. In the USB cable? Someone needs to go break one of their legs. Better yet; strangle them with one of their cables. ;D
Happy landings
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akent
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Post by akent on Aug 15, 2009 16:44:00 GMT -6
I have two USB dongles at work that do nothing other than copy protection.
One is the copy protection for a $10k cad package.
The other is for a $25k design/cad package.
If I ever 'lose' the USB dongle for either, then I am hosed out of the above amounts of stupid money.
But, I also have this funny little cable for my DX7 for Phoenix. I happen to love that! I can happily move it from my main computer to my laptop! Phoenix is really awesome!
Do NOT misplace this little part. It is also the interface to your transmitter, so without it, you can't do much else anyway.
Kent
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Post by rcdbutz on Aug 17, 2009 12:48:28 GMT -6
Yeah, I've got an expensive dongle for the IAR compiler and it's so small, very easy to lose.
I managed to find the Phoenix cable though. Got the fiancee moving in and she cleaned up and moved it without knowing. I KNEW SHE DID IT! I cleaned the whole house trying to find it and it ended up being in a pile of her crap. Oh, the joys of being newlywed will be so educational. Good thing the heli stuff is practicing my patience already.
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;D So much to it and it really becomes an addiction. I've run my credit card up so high on this hobby, and I just want to get more and more helis. I'm constantly crashing these things, and constantly rebuilding. I'm learning very fast, but I just don't know how to make the urge go away. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this hobby so much, but I need to practice some restraint!
