Eco-8

What Do I Need?
This isn't an all inclusive list, but it should give a good breakdown of what you need to purchase for your Eco. There are many different parts that you can use. Many are based on preference. You can do a search on the Ikarus BB to see what others are using and if there are known problems or not. I am not suggesting one particular gyro over another, nor recommending a specific radio. But here is an example. If you pay $40.00 for a CG-340 battery charger, you get a $40.00 battery charger. It will probably charge your batteries, but will be limited in what it can do, whereas if you go to a $130.00 Triton charger, it will do just about everything you will need. Now, I'm not saying you need the Triton, but after 2 weeks, I didn't think the CG-340 was doing what it really needed to do, and went out and got the Triton. Could have saved $40.00 right off the top by going to the Triton.

This you should get
1. Eco-8 Kit
2. Transmitter (preferably a computer transmitter)
3. Receiver (at least 6 channels)
4. 4 Servos (many use 3 HiTec HH-85's and 1 HH-81 for tail).
5. Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
6. Motor (Brushed or Brushless). Depending on your preference and price range. A brushless motor and controller will cost over $200.00 (USD), where you can get a Brushed setup (MMR and Pegasus 35 for about $85.00 with a set of extra brushed and bearings)
7. Gyro
8. Battery (NiCd or NiMh, 8 or 10 cell).
9. Battery Charger
10. Receiver battery or UBEC
11. Autorotation Hub (upgrade part), highly recommended.
12. Pinion gears (depending on what motor and battery you choose).
13. Tailboom servo mount (another highly recommended upgrade.
14. CF Pushrod (for use with the Tailboom Servo Mount)
15. FlightSim (Aerofly or RealFlight G2)
16. Training Gear
17. Pitch Gauge
18. Tracking Tape
19. Tools (see FAQ Tools info)

This you might want to get
1. Scale
2. AC/DC Power converter (unless you can convert a PC Power Supply yourself).
3. Transmitter Storage Box (protects your Tx during transportation).

Upgrades
On top of that are a number of upgrades for the Eco itself. These can range from Aluminum frame, rotorhead and swashplate to CF Blades and Tailboom. Many of these parts can improve the performance of your Eco, where others are just cosmetic. Are they really needed. Not if you are just starting out. You are going to bend your tailboom at some point. Is it worth bending an $8.00 stock boom, or a $30.00 CF boom.

My goal was to try to keep my Eco-8 under $800.00 when I first purchased decided to get into this hobby. But it didn't take long to get over $1200.00.