Firefly versus Honeybee V2

The Honeybee V2 has been put back into production in Dec 2012 and we will continue to supply both models going forward. *This was edited on 23-01-13 to update as to the fact of the discontinued Honeybee V2 being put back into production by the factory after originally being announced that the model had been discontinued - the comparison article is still relevant. The Honeybee was the 4 channel fixed pitch helicopter popular with first time buyers and its demise is not necessarily a bad thing as we think we have managed to replace the helicopter with a much better  option in many respects. The purpose of this article is to highlight the respects in which we believe the Firefly Helicopter supersedes the Honeybee V2.  Our selection of the Firefly stems from many years specialising in the R/C Helicopters industry and a deep knowledge of all the available RTF R/C Helicopter factories.  The Firefly was one of 5 samples matching the ‘4 channel fixed pitch’ beginner type helicopters that we brought over to flight test and out of all these samples there was no contest.

The Firefly is a significantly better flyer than the Honeybee V2 in the following respects:

1. More precise control stemming from a tighter control mechanism onboard the helicopter, there is no slop in this mechanism where there was on the Honeybee V2. An input on a Firefly is actioned quicker and more precisely than in relation to a Honeybee V2 where by the pilot had to develop more of a predictive control style rather than a real time actionable response capable with the Firefly.

2. Longer flight times probably resulting from a more efficient flight characteristics, we are talking approx 2-3 mins extra flight as compared to the Honeybee V2.

3. A better gyro, a fundamental aspect overlooked by any beginner and something people tend to think about as they become more advanced. The gyro on the Firefly as compared to the Honeybee V2 is a lot more solid and consistent long term giving essential tail control that is extremely vital when learning to fly.

4. Better tail control, again this is down to point 3 above with a superior gyro but again it has been combined with the superior positioning and control of the tail. Where the Firefly differs is the tail motor is larger than the Honeybee V2 but positioned centrally on the helicopter body keeping helicopter weight centralised and the tail as light as possible, making the tail lighter and more powerful contributes to this superior control. A torque tube is used to translate the tail motor power to the tail directly using bevelled gears made of a softer plastic rather than normal ABS plastic gear on the Honeybee V2 with no bevel.

5. Servo throw switch described as an indoor/outdoor setting, a simple push of the right control stick change the amount of response i.e. servo movement on the helicopter which is a handy setting in a windier environment or when you want to get more aggressive flight control.

We are waiting for our more professional looking video so in the meantime we have some amateur iPhone footage on one of the links shown below... Keywords: Beginners Guide for RC Helicopters  Firefly RC Helicopter