Sub Micro

[The Broker]

Hi There,
Has anyone bought the Micron FP sub micro.
I have seen the video of it and the revue in Rotor World was positive so I am debating getting one but would like to know the opinion of someone who has actually built and flown it what the good and bad points are.
:)

[eddiemoth]

The Broker, this heli is kind of new to me. I appreciate it if you can post more about it here. Is there any pictures or videos on it.

[eddiemoth]

I googled with Micron FP Sub Micro and I found a video link here
http://www.helihobby.com/videos/MicronHeliFP.wmv
This is the Pricision sub micro that is always catching my eyes. It might be good for indoor flying this comming Winter.

[The Broker]

Hi eddiemoth,
Yes I think it would be great for messing around indoors with. I wanted to find someone who owned one before I bought it but it looks like I am just going to have to get it and hope its ok.
Its probably one of those heli's that everyone thinks are a great idea but nobody buys.
I am just finishing my Raptor Titan at the moment but it will be next on the production line :lol:
Maybe an early xmas present for myself :D

[eddiemoth]

I read on RR that is difficult to set up. I think it may be because the tiny parts it has. I found the complete review on the Spookycopters' website here. (http://www.maxrpm.rchomepage.com/rcgroupshome_000001.html). Also it seems like people think that the price is kind of high compared to other helis.

It would be nice to see micro FP sits next to your Raptor. What size is your Raptor?

[The Broker]

The tiny parts did worry me a bit and I also thought the price was a bit high but what can you do, if you want it you have no choice but to pay.
I am also concerned about spares cos BuzzFlyer seem to be the only ones selling it in the Uk.

My Raptor is a 50 size nitro heli and a picture of the micron sitting on its canopy would look great. 8)
My husband is a bit jealous cos like most men he likes to measure everything and found that his T-Rex 600 was a bit shorter in length than the Rappy so now he's talking 90 size heli.
Men!!! can't live with em, cant live without em. :lol:

[G-MRM]

That looks a nice stable model when looking at the video, just that you may need use one of those magnifying lamps when building! :)

I am sure your huaband can't be jealous if he has the T-Rex 600 !! :lol:

:P :P :P :P :P it is fun to see both of you here competing with your toys. You are such a nice couple. I can't take my wife off from Dr. Phill's show. I don't know if they do it in UK.

One of you might win this http://helitown.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84 by just being here and you don't have to buy the Mircon FP fly indoor in this winter. Who knows?

[thanhTran]

That heli looks so stable. It seems the price has dropped or what? The barebone kit is like $89? I remember seeing some 200+ something when it first came out and people were complaining about part price being so expensive!

I checked the price with Helihobby. They still sell it for $299.99 for the complete package and $140 and something for the bare bone. Does anybody know what is RX they use on it. Is it 4 in 1 similar to what Blade CX uses?

[Arclite5]

I had a Micron FP.

It is very difficult to set up.. You absolutely must have patience and at least moderate knowledge of helicopters to understand how to set it up, because the instructions it comes with are terrible (mostly exploded views and vague suggestions as to what you should assemble, usually out of order).

It is durable. ;)

It is extremely weight sensitive.

It is stable-ish once in a hover 1 or more feet off of the ground. In ground effect, it is extremely squirrely.

I have a few suggestions to increase its power, increase stability, and increase runtimes:

Go to www.bsdmicrorc.com and buy the 2s1p 220mah Atomic Workshop lithium cell(s) for this helicopter. The stock PrecisionHeli batteries are mediocre and will give you weak lift and low runtimes (2-3 minutes tops, then you have to land and wait a minute to get another couple minutes in the air before charging).

Install the flybar weights for higher stability (reduces control response, however, so if you're a good pilot these are a no-no).

Buy the 9t pinion and install that on your motor. The Stock 8t pinion is optmimal for a 3cell lipo, but since we're using 2cell, 9t is best. Also the increased headspeed from 9t will help stability.

Overall it's a very fun helicopter to fly, but you have to be a tinkerer to enjoy it. You need a steady hand and a gentle touch to build it.
As per modifications to increase performance: You will find that the servo leads can be cut down about 1" each to save .3g, you can cut the battery leads down about 1.5" to save .2g, you can remove the plastic wrap from the battery to save .1g, etc etc etc. Every gram that you shave off of this heli makes it perform ~2% better! It adds up fast.

-Kyle

[thanhTran]

Thanks very much for the valuable info Kyle.

Thanh

[Phenom]

Looks like the have a V2 out now as well as a CX version .. if only they wernt so expinsive :evil:
http://www.precisionheli.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=c002

[eddiemoth]

I agree about the price. Does anybody know what is good about this heli that they can price it as it is?

[Phenom]

Im not srue, is it because they are fully functinal 4 ch heli's and are that small? They do not give very much information on the website.

[The Broker]

I still very much like the look of it but the one thing that really made me think "do I really want it" is that Arclite5 in his post said you need to be a tinkerer and I don't consider myself to be one.
You can have real fun with the co-axials so why bother with the extra expense of the Micron when it could be a bit of a headache mechanically, that was my thinking anyway, mind you if it was bought as a present well thats another whole ball game. Also I don't like the fact there isn't much info on it.
Sue

[NeilM]

There are a pair of Micron on my fav UK auction site at present. I'm sure the prices will go sky hi, but it got me looking.

What strikes me looking at Buzz Flyer is the price of parts. Almost everything is around £6.00 with main blades at £7.00. Now call me a cynic, but these prices look very contrived and I simply cannot believe a tiny piece of 2mm carbon rod (flybar) is worth any more than about 0.20p. I use 2mm carbon on a couple of my indoor kites and it cost a few pounds for a metre of the stuff.

Nice little heli, and very tempting given the weather in the UK right now, but those prices.......

Neil

[austintyler]

I have the V2, and I love it. If you want one I would wait because around June of 07' they are releasing the "Micron X," which according to some guys on RCGroups is smaller and more stable, maybe even collective pitch

[NeilM]

Thanks for the info. The Micros reached an outlandish value, as have others since. I like the idea of a tiny heli, but I'm not keen on paying silly money for one.

I'll watch out for the new model.

Neil

[swatson144]

Sounds like where I am with them, Neil. They are expensive because they are very limited production. Like most limited production helis they are limited production because they are expensive. :(

It also sounds like a project. How hard can it be to moth a moth and change the main motor to a 12mm BL with a small brushed motor on the tail? Loose some weight as best you can but leave the head fairly massive. A little portly will raise the HS and make it more docil for ID flying. Maybe I'll play with that this winter. Not the worlds smallest, but simply a very good indoor flyer.

Mario had on his web site at on time the evolution of the blades. At one point he was making under camber blades from corrogated FG sheeting and still would but for it being labor intensive.

Steve

[ranger306ci]

Man steve, you took the thought right out of my head! I was reading this post, right before making a new post on "mothing a moth" That is still going to be a new thread.