RC Era C189 MD500 Helicopter Update - Do not use optical Flow unit

Welcome to another flight of RC Era C189 MD500 RC Helicopter. As many of you have asked whether you should use Optical flow unit with this helicopter or not? well watch the video and find out the truth if you should really use it or not.
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[@alishanmao]

I am giving away one of these Scale RC Helicopters. It just went live. Enter the Contest here: bit.ly/rcheliga1 Invite more friends to join and share on your social media to increase your chances to win. #giveaway #rc #helicopter #rcgiveaway #rchelicoptergiveaway #raffle

[@markbeeston8145]

Good to hear your thoughts and experience flying the C189. I have just received my one in the same colour scheme as yours. Thanks for trying the optical glow upgrade and warning against it. I shall keep mine as is and can’t wait to take to the air with it. Have a great day.

[@alishanmao]

Thanks, you too!

[@jeffkraus1457]

optical FLOW

[@NickVillecco]

Hey Ali, just wanted to say I remember back 10 years ago when you used to to Nitro RC cars and redcat racing. I’m glad you’re still making content! Brings back memories. Cheers!

[@alishanmao]

Welcome back! and thank you buddy

[@jdnic1]

Also very important! The swashball link was loose on mine causing the blades to not track properly, if that ball link unscrews mid flight, you will crash. I managed to use a 1.3mm hex to thighten the ball link again.

[@alishanmao]

pre flight checks are necessary

[@peteheymes259]

Sorry, what is a swashball link?

[@jdnic1]

@@peteheymes259 you look at your swash plate, there's a ball your linkage connects to.

[@jonspikes4935]

I took mines out for a few mns yesterday and i did the exact sequence you showed & it did good 💯 SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SCALE HELICOPTER 💯

[@alishanmao]

have fun buddy

[@jonspikes4935]

@@alishanmao how yours holding holding holding up

[@alishanmao]

so far superb@@jonspikes4935

[@steveblackbird]

Excellent review Ali!! Very late but it's been a while since I flew 4 channel "fixed pitch" heli's. Was never confident enough to go for full collective pitch. Did you find the main rotor and tail rotors were balanced ok from the factory on these RC Era helicopters? My old Dragonfly needed quite a bit of balancing to get the gyro to actually do a proper job.

[@alishanmao]

Thanks for comment. the new rc era helis like C123, C138 are really good. this one was the first good heli from them.

[@CgitEinsteins]

Hi Ali. Thank for the information about protokol use on multi protokol module. Its working really good.

[@alishanmao]

you are welcome

[@AerialRCFun]

Optical flow is not needed. The barometer does fine indoors but I believe outdoors in much wind conditions the wind can effect the pressure sensing barometer causing intermittent altitude excursions. I wish even the barometer could be disabled when flying outdoors. This is an awesome helicopter but I would not go into a wind of more than about 5-8 mph. Mine was taken by the wind the other day and it was my fault. I was heartbroken and searched all around but never found it again so ordered a second one. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS HELICOPTER, it's not perfect but close enough to make it my favorite so far and I have owned quite a few different micro-helis since 2013.

[@alishanmao]

well said

[@jonspikes4935]

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL ROBUST HELICOPTER 💯

[@alishanmao]

Thank you

[@jonspikes4935]

I installed the battery and the tail light you barely see blinking it a make a beep sound but no functions 😮 i got it from Bometoys and i talked with tech support it wasn't much help i checked the connections and couldn't figure out the problem so ended up crashing it but i like the helicopter so much i ordered another one hopefully all goes well 💯🙏🏿

[@alishanmao]

you should order using my links. they are very responsible and supporting

[@Flight6677]

The barometric sensor on one of mine is acting up and sometimes decides to refuse descending regardless of how long I hold the low throttle. I need to push the stop button. Any idea why this is? Faulty controller?

[@alishanmao]

probably the barometic sensor. before flight make a gyro calibration by putting both sticks down and left and hold few seconds. hear beeps, and blinking lights, leave sticks to center and once done, then fly

[@MrHeliwong]

Ali , thanks for information, no need to think about the optical sensor anymore ,you have nice house !

[@alishanmao]

Thanks, its not my house :D its my sisters house

[@0R10N_CL1PS]

So i have a question, since i saw the unboxing of this, is it possible to mount an Fpv camera after unplugging the front light?

[@TheSnow520lee]

Totally agree, one of the best micro out there

[@alishanmao]

Thanks

[@zinafta]

Hi, I was intrigued by your review, so I decided to install the optical flow sensor, I noticed that the flight is definitely more stable in hovering, for the rest the dynamics do not change, if there is wind, then the sensor tries to counteract the effect of the wind, but if it does not succeed then in this case the reaction becomes unstable, just exclude it with the right button.

[@alishanmao]

we remove optical flow and you installed it? remove it asap

[@zinafta]

@@alishanmao no my friend, the optical flow sensor, is useful if you know how to use, normally during the normal flight, is not necessary, and it is blocked with the trim switch on the right stick, if you need to stop the flight and rest in hovering, is necessary to switch again the same switch, to check the modality, the led of the radio blink when the sensor is off and is solid when the sensor is on. If you use the sensor on, during the normal flight, the algorithms of the stabilizer sum the stick input with the correction of the sensor, the result is crazy flight😉 this is my personal experience after many tests, with wind and without wind.

[@davidrivero7943]

Bladegrip tension will do that , good advise The lil Bird was shinning bright w/o unnessesary gizmos , you just got me to take a closer look @ them. TY.

[@alishanmao]

agreed :)

[@andresolide3400]

Hello 👋🏾 from Montréal Québec it in Canada 🇨🇦 nice to see again please 🙏🏾 post more ✌🏾

[@alishanmao]

Thanks more vids coming soon

[@Richard-3068]

Hi Ali, this is also a great Helicopter. I also ordered it, but I have the red and white version. Finally arrived today. Ali Happy flying. 🖐😃👍

[@alishanmao]

happy flying

[@Richard-3068]

@@alishanmao 🖐😃👍

[@peteheymes259]

Thank again to you! It's interesting; I updated myself a modster BO105( barometer altitudehold only) with a tiny opticalflow board bought somewere. The effect was simular to your's desribed on the C189: the BO behaved strange and not so much on my commands.. no fun to fly! Board: Upixels upflow LC-30

[@alishanmao]

these are shady gadgets, helis fly well without them

[@Flight6677]

What made you want to add an optical sensor? Is there any background as to why you wanted to add it?

[@alishanmao]

i did not want to but as the company said its a good feature for beginners pilots where helicopter holds its position without GPS. i wanted to try it and give honest opinion to my followers whether they should use it or not.

[@user-wp9mz]

Thank you for showing everyone the calibration technique at the beginning most people don't do this and they wonder why it takes off LOL. RC ERA makes great helicopters I have many hours on mine

[@alishanmao]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cjb405]

They will prob add the optical flow with new software in a v2 version! But i really want them to just scale up this md format to a 400size! 😅

[@alishanmao]

true, me too

[@UlisesBatalla]

I need your help, Sir. My units came with OF sensor installed and I have the Army and the Sand Camo. (color should not matter) the Army unit came with two left landing gears. Not the issue either. I have a unit that when I give rudder inputs the heli will seem to dip into forward flight. So I can not do a pirouette. The other thing is that bad Heli when you let go of the sticks, will try to stop in the position when you let go of the controls aggressively like a DJI on GPS (jerky stop motion) The body shakes into the direction of flight then shakes out of the lean when the sticks are let go. It is completely different than the other unit. I love one Heli and I am scared to fly the other. It makes me feel like I am not in control. Should I pull out the three-wire OF plug from the main board or should I look for some kind of GAIN +- potentiometer on the boards? HELP

[@alishanmao]

remove optical flow and it should fly good

[@0UTCAST247]

It's the optical flow sensor for sure I have a C187 that is uncontrollabe even with the sensor removed, the need to stop with the optical flow so the pilot can do the flying, all the other RC Era helis I have that didn't come with the sensor fly much better!

[@jdnic1]

The heli gets confused if you fly backwards. Also if you manually take off, push the throttle down a bit after take off, if you just hover without lowering the throttle, it will jump up. I just kinda find it weird.

[@alishanmao]

yes the barometers always act this way

[@RCCopterLove]

Very good review! I hope that easy to fly helis like this one bring in more new pilots and infect them with the love and passion to fly helicopters. Slowly with getting orientations and finger coordination right they might go on to fly more advanced helis that might bring some frustration if you start right away with them. So for sure a very good thing!

[@alishanmao]

You and me both!

[@klausmuller775]

Great Informations Thank You I would like to by this Modell but the Sound is very nervously Is that thrue Sound? Greatings from Germany

[@alishanmao]

all electric helis of this size with tail sound like this

[@peteheymes259]

Sehen Sie Andrej Sturm: Direct Driven Tail Rotor - NOISE Reduction Method 100% Free & Simple & Effective Greetings from De

[@kimzim2001]

Hi! Is it fixed or collective pitch? Thanks.

[@alishanmao]

collective in a sense that it only gives you mostly positive and zero pitches. no 3d possible

[@jonspikes4935]

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SCALE HELICOPTER I JUST GOT IN FROM ANOTHER FLIGHT & I CAN'T COMPLAIN SHE FLYS REALLY STABLE AND LOOKS REAL 💯💯❤️

[@alishanmao]

thank you

[@jonspikes4935]

@@alishanmao Welcome i will be buying me a couple more next will be the one you have 💯

[@AlexBongRCFunLand]

Beauty scale heli， will it bind to Opentx tx?

[@alishanmao]

someone did i believe. but you have to upgrade the firmware of your TX16s EdgeTx

[@diegoruizgaribay2700]

Hi, i bought the C187 and it does exactly what you say about the circles out of control, what can i do? I am so frustrated

[@alishanmao]

C187 is not very stable. C189 and latest Bell 206 is amazing stable

[@pahlevan1352]

i liked my first one so much that i now own 4 of them

[@alishanmao]

wow

[@joseernestohuertaaristizab6062]

Hello, how are you? I congratulate you for your videos. I have bought 2 helicopters thanks to you. I am new to this. Can you make a video configuring the MD500 1:28 C189 with the RadioMaster TX16 .Thank you!

[@alishanmao]

thank you for your comment. i do not have this heli anymore and also its pretty complicated to do so. you have to download a special firmware to your radio to be able to bind this helicopter

[@joseernestohuertaaristizab6062]

@@alishanmao ok thanks bro!

[@dradden1556]

That's a cool little heli.

[@alishanmao]

Thanks buddy 👍😀

[@stefan-norge]

Great information, good to know about the flow sensor 👍🏻

[@alishanmao]

thanks

[@HeRacesTheSun]

I just got mine on Jan. 20th 2024 and I can't find an 'optical flow sensor' option anywhere, I don't see a way to add it because it's not available to order anywhere. Maybe they removed the 'optical flow sensor' option because it wasn't working well?

[@alishanmao]

best to not install it. it flies better without it

[@fklotaloi]

Mr. Alishanmao, We have seen lots of vids of C189 by many KZbinrs, but no one still have not come up with binding this bird with Radiomaster TX16. So, would u show us that kindly? Thnx. UAE is so nice, wsih to visit. 😂

[@alishanmao]

there is a way but i have not tried it because i have to update my TX16s firmware to get that protocol. will try once i have moved and settle in properly in my rented home

[@fklotaloi]

@@alishanmao Thank u sir. 🙂

[@colinfalck1637]

Could you please make a video on how to setup the helicopter on a Radiomaster TX16S

[@alishanmao]

I will try to set this up. need time because my TX16s does not have the right protocol

[@philanthonyd9911]

I want to buy a TX 16 to be able to bind this helicopter, which protocol and version of the radio would you suggest is needed for the US?

[@smahanto]

It uses same protocol as Eachine E120, tested it and it worked. There’s previous video from Ali on how to bind TX16S to Eachine E120, just do the same and it’ll work 😊 good luck.

[@lynsmith1096]

Good informative video Ali.

[@alishanmao]

Much appreciated

[@petera545215]

Hi Ali, can i disable optical flow on the rc era , i had already ordered from banggood before i watched your video ,Regards Peter

[@alishanmao]

disconnect it.

[@sachleroux4985]

@@alishanmao Is this easy to do?

[@alishanmao]

@@sachleroux4985 yes its connected to flight controller, just remove it from body, follow the wire and disconnected it

[@ronaldcobbs5260]

I have the Yu Xiang Coast Guard MD500 Version. Twice when I lifted off it kept rising more than 100 feet. I pushed left stick down. I hit land button several times. After multiple attempts it responded and came back down. I still had cyclic control the entire time. I ordered a new transmitter to try just in cases. Any suggestions Ali?

[@andreasfilitz4389]

I have the same problem with the coast guard version 😢

[@2005silver]

I had a black version do the same thing twice. The first time it landed safely by pressing the land button. It flew fine after that. The second time didn’t end as well. It took off again and then lost power, crashing to the ground and bending the main rotor shaft. Hopefully I can fix it. I too wondered if it was a controller issue. I have a green one that still flies great.

[@alishanmao]

Yuxiang helis seems to be having some issues lately and sadly the company is not very supporting to customers too. mine from RC Era (which is Yuxiang owners cousin's company) is working so far very well, no issues

[@ronaldcobbs5260]

​@andreasfilitz4389 a new transmitter fixed the problem for me

[@ronaldcobbs5260]

​@2005silver a new transmitter fixed the problem for me

[@jonspikes4935]

Is that the way you suggest start pulling both sticks downward left?

[@alishanmao]

yes, thats the way to calibrate it

[@jonspikes4935]

​@@alishanmaoI just got mines today gonna try it out gonna do it like you said both sticks downward left

[@BeefFlavoredMilk]

How do you actually trim the heli. Like what is the actual process?

[@alishanmao]

trims do not help on these helis. if you have unwanted drifting. just land, put it on a leveled surface, do gyro calibration and take off. they will fly well

[@pedrolebouscat6754]

hello Ali, where did you find original optical flow?

[@alishanmao]

from factory / RC Going has it

[@pedrolebouscat6754]

Hello Ali, I have another helico era with optical flow and I noticed that the system works strangely on even ground! On a floor of varied textures it works better but does not provide much more than the basic system... Thank you again for your videos.

[@herbieRCpaints53]

Useful info and a nice video Thank you 💯👍👍

[@alishanmao]

So nice of you

[@pithaksmanratanastien3493]

Ali , Thank you very much ❤

[@alishanmao]

You're welcome 😊

[@peteheymes259]

Ali Mansoor, Why does my comment not show up? Ich habe viermal versucht , etwas zu den Vibrationen zu schreiben

[@alishanmao]

I do not know, i just got this comment from you

[@akura2]

Where can we get the black one?? I ordered one from Amazon and got scammed… thx for the review!

[@alishanmao]

check my links bit.ly/48l8jhs they are very reliable people

[@jonspikes4935]

@@alishanmao you order your C189 MD500 from Rc Going?

[@alishanmao]

yes@@jonspikes4935

[@jonspikes4935]

@@alishanmao Who you suggest ordering from Rc Going are Bangood

[@alishanmao]

rc going@@jonspikes4935

[@gregsanford3848]

As always informative excellent presentation Sir

[@alishanmao]

Many thanks

[@lakedemonios022]

Good evening!... Is there an md 500 4ch and 6ch? what are their differences in flight?

[@alishanmao]

these are actually 6 channel as they have pitch control however they are limited with banking angles and max positive and negative pitch controls. so can't do 3d

[@lakedemonios022]

@@alishanmao thank you very much!

[@lakedemonios022]

@@alishanmao Mine disappointed me!... It moves back and right and I can't adjust it, it doesn't listen to the movement forward and left! I don't know what's wrong, I received it two days ago!...😢

[@alishanmao]

@@lakedemonios022 before flying. power it on and put it on a very leveled surface. make sure radio is on and bound to helicopter, when you move cyclic stick you can see servos moving. now do not take off but pull both sticks down and left, and hold it there for 3 seconds. it will calibrate gyro. now fly and it will fly very stable

[@lakedemonios022]

@@alishanmao I did this several times but it didn't help, it still flew back and right without obeying any other movement!. it is with optical flow!.... maybe the problem starts from there!... thank you very much for responding to my messages and helping me with the problem, I wish you always well!!

[@ianyams]

Thanks for the review 👍🇬🇧

[@alishanmao]

My pleasure!

[@Lonsome1223]

It that's your new place in the UAE I'm jealous. Just received mine from China.

[@alishanmao]

its my sisters villa :)

[@juliandagostino5026]

Is there an easy way to install the battery?

[@alishanmao]

how easy do you want it to be? like auto install and you just Fly?

[@0UTCAST247]

Short of removing the canopy and inserting the battery not really, it's sort of fiddly isn't it?

[@scottwells7797]

Can this be programmed to work with radiomaster tx16

[@alishanmao]

possibly yes

[@scottwells7797]

Please can you see if its possible and if so post a video as you did with the Eachine they were fantastic.

[@adilsondejesus6694]

Parabéns mano

[@alishanmao]

Thanks buddy 👍😀

[@Bricks56]

Mine just arrived today. Took 2 months because was on back order @ Banggood.

[@jonspikes4935]

Got Damn

[@alishanmao]

congrats and enjoy

[@vzarou]

i send you the protocol did you get it

[@alishanmao]

yes but lost in emails some where. could you send again and I will try

[@MrMulticam21]

mine i tried using the c135 echine heli optical flow and burn my ESC. The reason because the connection wire is incorrect.

[@alishanmao]

well they never inform people about wiring. hope you sort out issues

[@MrMulticam21]

​@@alishanmaowhat optical did you used and where did you bought it?

[@jonspikes4935]

THANK YOU FOR THE IMPORTANT INFO SO NOW I KNOW THAT I SHOULD GO WITH OUT I'M WAITING ON MINES NOW 💯

[@alishanmao]

Glad I could help

[@sipontum3]

Hi,how can i bypass the flow sensor?

[@alishanmao]

do not install it.

[@vzarou]

i dont know why 5 blades 5 blades make heli slow movment i notice also blades oposite direction flying

[@alishanmao]

scale helis have 5 blades

[@Thailand-Servant-111]

Compare this with F06 please 😊 who win

[@alishanmao]

this one

[@Thailand-Servant-111]

@@alishanmao thanks 🙏

[@edelciopiazza4162]

biurifool

[@glenwhite2365]

Do I need a license to fly this

[@alishanmao]

no. only the real one

[@adersonabreu1951]

Muito bom esse elicopitero

[@alishanmao]

it is

[@DAVELOEWENTHAL-e5p]

wish i had one i'm in a nursing home

[@alishanmao]

links are waiting in description

[@0UTCAST247]

Hey as long as Nurse Ratchet will let you fly it get one! And be careful 👍

[@izzaniielachannel]

Waalaikumsalam..alhamdulillah..

[@alishanmao]

Thanks buddy 👍😀

[@colinfalck1637]

Can someone please tell us how to switch to mode 1.

[@alishanmao]

buy mode one when you order

[@peteheymes259]

Press and hold right upper trimbutton when switching on, Mode is remembered until you change it, even after powering off

[@jonspikes4935]

I just ordered another one from Bangood

[@alishanmao]

Use my links, they are more responsive, more supporting

[@jonspikes4935]

@@alishanmao which ones

[@jonspikes4935]

@@alishanmao Where you suggest ordering my helis from Bangood are RcGoing

[@alishanmao]

From RC Going, kindly use my links in the description, it helps us keep going. besides, RCGoing has stronger customer support, and better business practice than banggood. many customers have issues with banggood and previously i heard they are almost bankrupt from their own employees@@jonspikes4935

[@jonspikes4935]

I'm still trying to figure out what happened with the first one i had it just stopped working and crashed on me

[@LoveRC]

The F06 EC135 just suddenly stopped working for me and crashed. Now I can not get the company to respond to me.

[@jonspikes4935]

@@LoveRC Yours crashed?

[@LoveRC]

@@jonspikes4935 Yes my F06 EC135 had been working fine. Then on my last flight it took off, started flying erratically all over the place and crashed.

[@jonspikes4935]

@@LoveRC Damn that sucks mines i must of accidentally pushed a button which i found out that set it in mode 1 & couldn't figure it out till later i saw a video and was to late then i ended up crashing it

[@jonspikes4935]

@@LoveRC So i ordered me another C189 MD500 Coast Guard one & hopefully 🙏🏿🙏🏿 this one works out better this the 2nd MD500 they first one just stopped working for some reason and I LIKE THE HELI SO MUCH I CAN'T GIVE UP ON IT I REALLY LIKE THE EC135 BUT NOT GOOD REVIEWS AND THAT VIDEO GAME STYLE CONTROLER IS 😳🤔

[@vzarou]

ali this is horrible heli i did ordered .. i didnt likeit very slow in 3 speed if you fly high you cannot control it specialy if little wind is really and everytime flying you want keep your fingers on trim i ask to return the heli because i dont like it .. they refund me the money and told me to keep it for smal flying i love the v950 but if tail brushless motor one guy hase video on youtube show how to convert tail to brushless

[@alishanmao]

it can handle only mild winds brother

[@jackpaksz]

asalam aleykum, Ali. Mera Naam Jack hun. Tumhara phone number kia hai? WhatsApp. Bahat shukeya. still remember me? haha

[@alishanmao]

wassalam. [phone]

[@jackpaksz]

Added. Shukreya

[@Flight6677]

@@alishanmaohello Ali. Love your reviews. Thanks

[@alishanmao]

thank you and always welcome @@Flight6677

[@Flight6677]

@@alishanmaoThank you! I love watching your videos and reviews. One question, what is the best annual RC convention to attend in China or the World in your opinion?