A comparison between the Esky Belt CP and the 
Interceptor 400 helicopters for beginners

   

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I am often asked what the differences are between the well known Esky Belt CP, and the less well known Interceptor 400.

On this page I have tried to show that there is very little difference in cost, and the reasons why I now advise new pilots to go for the Interceptor rather than the Esky Belt CP.

Basic Esky Belt CP Helicopter – RTF  

Standard Belt CP (with basic Esky 6 channel radio)   £150.00  
Alien Command for Belt CP (Advanced version required)  £117.50  
Fitting fee for Alien Command £65.00
TOTAL  (With non programmable radio) £332.50  
Belt CP (Radio) Options
Belt CP with Alien Command Advanced & programmable RadioLink radio system (Recommended) £410.00
Belt CP with advanced Spektrum DX6i                             
(Highly Recommended)          		£464.50  
Interceptor 400 Helicopter – RTF
Interceptor 400 with basic Esky 6 channel radio £260.00  
Alien Command for Interceptor (Only basic version required) £57.50
Fitting fee for Alien Command £45.00
TOTAL (With non programmable radio) £362.50
Interceptor 400 (Radio) Options
Interceptor 400 with Alien Command Advanced & programmable RadioLink T6EHP radio system (Recommended) £439.50
Interceptor 400 with advanced Spektrum DX6i                         
 (Highly Recommended)   		£497.00

So as you can see, although the prices for the basic helicopters with the non programmable radio system are quite large, that difference drops to only around £30 if you go with the recommended Alien Command auto stabilisation system fitted.

This makes the choice between them almost a no brainer to my personal view, and I would go for the Interceptor with Alien Command for all of the reasons shown below…

DIFFERENCES

1 - The Belt CP has a plastic frame 
The Interceptor has a far stronger aluminium frame

 2 – The Belt CP has an all plastic head assembly
The Interceptor has a CNC mast head top and central swash plate.

3 – The Belt CP uses a 120 degree CCPM swash plate arrangement
The Interceptor uses the 90 degree NON CCPM swash plate agreement.

4 – Maintenance of the Belt CP is a little harder than for the Interceptor due to the design differences

5 – The ESC on the Belt CP is only rated at 25 Amps, and is known to fail quite regularly. 
The ESC on the Interceptor is a more powerful 40 Amp unit that rarely fails and is full programmable

6 – The plastic main gear on the Esky Belt is well know for being VERY weak, and prone to stripping the teeth of far too easily.

The main gear of the Interceptor is made from a lot stronger nylon and does not get damaged half as easily.

7 – The ESC on the Belt CP does not have a soft start setting or any other programmable features.

The far better ESC on the Interceptor allows you to set it up to have a very soft start to protect the teeth on the main gear, and it even has a governor mode to allow you to set up a far better IDLE UP mode when you are ready to do so.

8 – The spare parts most needed for the Belt CP are generally a little more expensive than the parts for the Interceptor 400

Eg:  Esky Belt CP
Feathering shafts (2 off) £ 3.89
Main blades                                £ 6.80
Main shaft (2 off) £ 4.83
Boom                                         £ 3.89
Main gear                                   £ 5.76
Flybar holder                              £ 4.77
Skid set                                      £ 6.80
TOTAL £36.74
Eg:  Interceptor 400
Feathering shafts (2 off) £ 1.61
Main blades                                £ 6.99
Main shaft (2 off) £ 4.62
Boom                                         £ 3.89
Main gear                                   £ 6.79
Flybar holder                              £ 3.02
Skid set                                      £ 7.13
TOTAL £34.05

9 – The way that the Belt CP is setup using the stock radio leaves a great deal to be desired for a beginner as it is far too twitchy due to excessive swash plate movement that can only be altered by changing the servo horns and readjusting the entire head geometry to soften it down sufficiently for a beginner.

The Interceptor with the stock Esky radio can be softened down for a beginner very easily by changing the hole used on the servo horns that are provided, and it far easier to readjust the head geometry to make it suitable for learning to fly with.

10 – Differences in radio systems

The stock Esky 6 channel radio only provides a standard throttle and pitch curve and an idle up throttle and pitch curve.  The Idle up curve is certainly not usable by any learner pilot.  It does has a control on the Tx to vary the Hovering throttle/Pitch ratio which is helpful, and a gain control to set up the gyro gain rate correctly.

The RadioLink T6EHP 6 channel radio is a fully computerised radio that allows you to store 5 different aircraft setups totally independent of each other.  It also has configuration options for almost EVERYTHING you might ever need.  With a T6EHP radio, you can set up both the Belt CP and the Interceptor using the radio alone to suit any level of flying skill.  

The Spektrum 6 channel DX6i radio is a fully computerised radio that allows you to store 10 different aircraft setups totally independent of each other.  It also has configuration options for EVERYTHING you might ever want or need.  With a DX6i, you can set up both the Belt CP and the Interceptor using the radio alone to suit any level of flying skill.  

11- The Esky Belt CP does indeed fly quite well, ONCE IT HAS BEEN SET UP CORRECTLY BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO SO.  

The Interceptor flies a great deal more smoothly than the Belt CP ONCE IT HAS BEEN SET UP CORRECTLY BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO SO.  

CAUTION- Both helicopters, straight out of the box from a normal dealer will NOT ACTUALLY BE READY TO FLY, despite the RTF label given to them.  Do read up on how to do the mechanical setup correctly, there are plenty of tutorial around to tell you how to do this successfully.

If you purchase your Interceptor from me, I will personally set it up mechanically, and set up the radio if you choose a RadioLink T6EHP or Spektrum DX6i, and it will have been test flown by me as well, so I can guarantee that the helicopter is in complete flying condition when you receive it.

I am also happy to fit your own existing radio system if you have one. I charge an extra £20 to fit your own radio and set it up to match the helicopter you are buying.

CLICK HERE to visit my Interceptor SPECIAL DEALS Page (in a new window)  

 

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