My first outdoor flight of my new RCERA C159 RC helicopter sold by BRILLIANT DEER TOYS store at AliExpress com. Here is a link:
www.aliexpress...
Replacement parts:
www.aliexpress...
Be assured that I paid for this helicopter, so my review is sincere.
The C159 is the latest entry into the beginner scale helicopter category. The RCERA C186 / Eachine E120 was the first with the C187 to follow.
Helicopters in this group feature brushed main and tail motors, fixed-pitch main rotors, self-takeoff and landing capability, altitude hold via barometer (measuring air pressure), self leveling and bank angle limits, 2 or 3 "speeds" and automatic main rotor RPM control. The latter makes it almost impossible to cut the motor and fall out of the sky.
The C159 moves away from the others by offering a small, foldable transmitter that can fit in most pockets (snuggly). This TX has some unique features such as a "trim mode" that lets you use the control stick to adjust trim and a "circle mode" that starts the aircraft flying in a very small left-hand circle pattern by itself for 3 full circuits, then settles into a hover again.
The diameter of the circle flight path is small enough to fit in some large indoor rooms, but use care if you try. I did and clipped a wall that chipped the red paint from one of my tail fins. Fortunately spare parts are available (link in the description below the video).
Trimming is done by holding the trim button for 2 seconds until you hear the TX sound off. At that point you can adjust the trim by flicking the sticks left/right/ for or aft repeatedly to trim in increments. The TX makes a short tone for each click of trim and along tone when you reach the center position of the trim range. Another quick push on the trim mode button cancels trim mode and goes back to flight mode.
I was concerned about this unusual trim method, but I had no problem using it in flight short of the wind trying to blow it away. I have that issue trimming with regular radios too on windy days, so no biggie. I can live with it. The stabilized hover of the C159 made it rather simple to do.
The helicopter felt quite stable outdoors. It does not have anything like GPS or low altitude "optical flow" position holding, so it will drift in the wind and require manual position holding. But that is typical for these new flyer helicopters. Personally I think it makes for better flyers in the end when you have to do some of the work. ;-)
Auto take-off lifts the heli up about 2-3 feet, after which you can make it climb or gradually lose altitude with the spring-loaded and centered "throttle" stick, which is actually an altitude control stick that you use to tell the C159 to go up or down. You do not have direct control of the head speed or collective pitch. This is a fixed-pitch heli, so altitude is controlled by main rotor RPM. It does have typical proportional cyclic control of the swash plate, but again bank angles are limited.
Advanced pilots take note that nobody will be flying 3D or even basic loops or rolls with this bird. It is for beginners and minimum-skilled flyers most of all.
All in all it is a fun bird with a compact transmitter you can put in your backpack for park trips or whatever, or buzz around in the back yard practicing landings in tricky locations or making smooth figure 8s or what-have-you. Maybe hang a string and hook underneath and try picking up plastic toy figurines or objects. The possibilities for indoor fun are vast.
This is a good bird for new flyers who want to try helicopters to give a second look to. It will not teach you to fly a non-stabilized 3D helicopter bu t it will get you started with learning cyclic and tail control and orientation.
Brilliant Deer Toys is currently having a sale,so take advantage of it. Their stocks are getting low as people snap these up, but more C159's are coming!
Happy flying!