Head to Head: 500E v H125 - If you can only get one, which should it be?

[@imellor711]

I picked the Hughes 500E in resent sale and I'm please as punch with it and it becoming my go to helicopter over the infamous Cowan Bell 222B and Ranher. So I'll pick up the H125 at some point to complete the collection.

[@a53-platty78]

Nice comparison & a close result as I expected. For me, after hundreds of hours in the littlebird in ArmA-3 & TKOH, nothing attracted me to the Cowan 125 in X-plane, despite already having their 500E & 222. This hasn't changed because of MSFS but I haven't bought either as I get plenty of use out of the HPG H145. And the only thing that will get me out of that will be the AW139.

[@flightsoficarus]

Thanks. I've not tried the H145 but I hear good things. I was a little put off by the price tag without seeing it in action first but I might give it a got at some point.

[@MsTheCops]

I've had both for a while & like mikestandal commented ..."they're both great for different reasons". The 500E is a sky-Ferrari & I love it, but ... Of the two I've come to prefer the 125. ...I think it's because of the old style (Huey like) platform it's built after. My go to wurlly-bird today is the B222 ...I'll look for you flying that one.

[@flightsimflyeruk]

Nice comparison thanks. Got the 500E in the sale today. Hopefully one day MSFS helis will get closer to the smoothness of Xplane.

[@TrueBlade-1889]

Yup -- 10.75 GBP !

[@flightsoficarus]

FS 2024 looks promising for heli development. Since Asobo gave us a basic helicopter flight model, they don't seem to have done much with it. But helis are becoming more popular so hopefully they'll get some more focus from the developers.

[@garymclachlan9193]

Both helicopters are a bargain forget the price if you want your day to get a lot better and have some fun flying helicopters down them l have been flying the 500E for the last to months an loving it

[@flightsoficarus]

Absolutely. These are two or the best helicopters I've flown in MSFS. Great value!

[@CowanSimulation]

Nice content!!! Thank you!! It seems your throttle must have been mapped since rpm is way over max. The governor has an issue. I will have an update out for all helicopters I provide that fixes the governor and throttle issue very soon!! Thanks for the video!!! ❤

[@flightsoficarus]

Thanks. The rpm issue is a sympton of using Flight Control Replay, it never gets the throttle right. I've started recording direct from VR now.

[@CowanSimulation]

@@flightsoficarus thanks for that info! I never realized that! I thoroughly enjoyed the video!

[@dylanroberts4002]

Microsoft Flight Simulator Should Added The Fire helicopter Bucket as well for the H125 it be cool really :)

[@Tim_tbone]

Hey man! I just recently got the 500E. I won't get the H125 anytime soon since it will be included in MSFS 2024 which I will be getting anyways. Great video and keep it up!

[@flightsoficarus]

Thanks. I've been enjoying the H125 lately. There's been some significant updates since this video was made and it flies really nicely now but with MSFS2024 getting closer I can see the sense in waiting.

[@rasta77-x7o]

500E no questions

[@stachowi]

How do you open and close the doors when you’re outside

[@flightsoficarus]

I used the pilot camera view and repositioned it outside the helicopter using the keyboard so I could use the click spots with the mouse.

[@StealthFlightFPV]

I got both and like them for different reasons.

[@flightsoficarus]

Both is definitely the best option 👍

[@gazgazgaz2]

Thanks for comparison, it is just awesome video.

[@monostripeexplosiveexplora2374]

Thanks for the review. I think the main question for me is flight dynamics.. so far the MSFS-stock rotor dynamics are a bit lacking in terms of autorotations, only the external-FM flyinside ones are different.. how does the rotor RPM-management work on the two? Can you also get them to raise with sideway angeling against the relative wind (a usual MSFS downside) ? Also: I think your auto-technique needs some work.. or maybe you have just an oversensitive control set-up, but that was all over the place.

[@flightsoficarus]

Yeah they weren't pretty landings, the RPM management doesn't seem to have been modelled, at least not as well as it is in the FlyInside B206. When the airspeed got low the controls became very eratic and it was all I could do to keep the helicopter the right way up. "Challenging" is definitely the appropriate term 🤣

[@todd92371]

Love both. But, the 500E is too twitchy for long flights. It takes constant vigilance.

[@flightsoficarus]

I've been favouring the H125 lately. The 500E, while twitchy, isn't too bad but sitting on the left just feels weird.

[@hondo500e]

Haha I agree. Atleast in the real 500 you can trim it up super nicely and it’s no problem. The 500s are definitely hands on machines. It’s cool that the Astars have new SAS/ autopilot capabilities.

[@andrewjamez]

I wish that cowan sim implemented tablets to change the loadout and accessories etc..

[@flightsoficarus]

Agreed, that would make things a lot easier

[@andyholmes9485]

Thanks for the vid. The addons should be via a tablet for ease of access? Both are superb to fly. Collective controls are dependent on msfs and yet to be fully developed as I understand.

[@flightsoficarus]

I've not found a tablet in either helicopter but there are number discreet clickable hotspots so if I've missed it do let me know where it is. Yes, I think there are limitations on what third parties can do with the collective controls at the moment. Hopefully this'll be improved in the future but it doesn't stop either helicopter being great to fly.

[@grzegorztomasiak]

Developers of H125 admitted they screw flight model in ver 1.0.1 and it's way too sensitive, ver 1.0.0 wasn't like that. Waiting for a new release.

[@flightsoficarus]

Ooh, good to know. Will keep an eye out for the update. Thanks

[@gregpruitt1647]

Nice video.

[@flightsoficarus]

Thanks 😁

[@wmharris9084]

Spot the error? The 500e on the ramp only has 4 blades on the main hub. Should be 5.

[@flightsoficarus]

I think that's an illusion created by the way I'm orbiting the camera and the relatively low resolution of the recording making the blade on the far side disappear as the camera orbits. Hadn't noticed it before now though.

[@wmharris9084]

@@flightsoficarus think you are correct. It was just a far view at the start. Good work on the videos!

[@rubes3927]

As a real chopper pilot, watching your rooftop landing attempt was hilarious ;) also autos are fkn easy in real life 😂 it’s the most stable a helicopter can be during flight

[@flightsoficarus]

It certainly wasn't my prettiest landing. Have you flown many of helicopters in MSFS? I'd be interested which you think has the most realistic flight model?

[@matthewharrington3154]

Can anyone do a tutorial on how to fly the H125 I’ve got it on Xbox and every time I try flying it it’s so touchy taking off it starts to spin and when I build up speed it’ll never fly straight it’s always on an angle as in roll angle I understand how to fly them and can fly the other helicopters fine it’s just this one I always spin roll or sometimes it does write back flips for no reason any suggestions on how to set my settings up to be able to fly them??

[@flightsoficarus]

The inputs and flight model are very sensitive. Apparently Cowansim have acknowledged this and are going to address it in a future update. Unfortunately I don't have MSFS on XBox but I'd try creating a controller profile for the H125 and dampening the axis and maybe experimenting with MSFS's helicopter assist options. If you're using a regular game controller you might want to consider getting compatible flight stick and throttle controllers if it's practical for your setup and budget. If you get a stick with a twist axis you can use that instead of rudder pedals and will give you much better control when countering the helicopter's rotatoin than a regular controller. Hope that's of some help.

[@MagnusThornberg]

I have owned the 500e for 2 weeks and about 30 hours of flight. I bought the h125 yesterday and what a boring helicopter it was compared to the 500e😱bad visibility both in flight and landing. Sure, it is more stable and handles like bus in flight. Whey easier to fly in most cases as it isn’t as twitchy like the 500e.

[@flightsoficarus]

Both these helicopters have had major updates since this video was made and they both more stable than they were. The H125's visibility is an issue but also feel weird sitting on the left of the 500E. I still enjoy both though.

[@ellonysman]

Mg sensitifities are wonky...almost unable to keep it steady...😅😢

[@flightsoficarus]

They do both require quite a delicate touch but you get used to it.

[@Blackbirdsims]

Do the same but throw our Shrike 530F into the mix…

[@flightsoficarus]

I have done a video on the Shrike although it was only a couple of days after it's initial release so I imagine it's had some updates since then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3zPdHmDjNmMo8Usi=baOrEtTucqGaWhX2 I'm eagerly awaiting your UH-1H though. Would love to do a head to head with it against the DCS UH-1H.

[@helicopterovirtual-msfs6254]

Sensacional.

[@flightsoficarus]

Thanks 😁

[@crazyralph6386]

3hr endurance in a 500E??? Can’t even get that with a 33 gal Robertson aux tank at 100kt cruise.

[@flightsoficarus]

So they claim. Can't say I've tried a 3hr flight though.

[@crazyralph6386]

@@flightsoficarus the numbers don’t seem to be realistic imo? one thing I do know from flying them over the years, you don’t ever want to see the low fuel light flicker on ANY 500 helicopter. You have about 5 minutes to land your ship before it flames out!

[@flightsoficarus]

Yeah I think they just make some of the numbers up.

[@hondo500e]

I used to fly a 500E with the Fargo Aux tanks. MD offers the 21 gallon tank but Fargo has another 19 gallon aux tank that sits underneath the back seats and interconnects with the 21 gallon tank behind the back seats. So 40 gallons with the 64 gallon main tank. It’s 104 gallons in total but 102 usable. With the Shadin Fuel Calculator installed, it showed 3.4hrs endurance. So about 3hrs in total with about 30 minutes reserve. This was while pulling MCP and burning 30gph. You could also slow down a bit and have fuel burn so you can fly longer. But also keep in mind you’d be flying pretty close to MGW.

[@crazyralph6386]

@@hondo500e that makes complete sense then. didn’t know Fargo also had 19gal under seat tank, interesting? I’ve seen the Tower seat aux tank in a D model back in the day however, the customers absolutely hated it since their heads were practically touching the transmission. 3hrs is a long stretch, especially if you’re over 6ft tall.

[@Shotcaller-ec2lq]

H125

[@KaiTakApproach]

The H125 flies like a pig with lipstick on it, and the 500E flies like a turbo dragonfly. 500E hands down.

[@buikhan]

125

[@donramown2495]

Tried both of them and the cabri for autorotations and must say: they all suck haha. Nothing close to real life, potentially the cabri being the most realistic one. However considering all the advertisement asobo did for their awesome helicopter aerodynamics, I am very disappointed. Good comparison tho, keep it up!

[@flightsoficarus]

Well, it's encouraging to know that Cabri G2 is potentially the most realistic as I find that one much more survivable. 🤣

[@donramown2495]

@@flightsoficarus don't imagine autorotations as a maneuver requiring a lot of control inputs in order to "not crash". it's not way harder to steer the aircraft all of a sudden. the biggest part is managing your rotor rpm and airspeed to maintain enough energy for the flare. and that's where all the aircraft fail, the rpms are barely reacting to control inputs. also there is now yaw on the entry and at least the md500 descends at more than 3000 from which is wayyy too fast. other than that, especially the md500 is very fun to fly and by far the most realistic flight profile so far!

[@grzegorztomasiak]

how did you find it unrealistic, there's a real Bell 407 pilot and he said, they nailed it.

[@donramown2495]

@@grzegorztomasiak I'm gonna try the 407 again, but the last time I tried it the rpm's pretty much didn't react to my inputs at all. That is sth that can't be realistic, no matter what helicopter you fly. I also remember a way too high descend rate, as well as the fact that you basically can't flare below 70-80 kts, cuz you're just descending through the flare and crash. I've seen 407's flare at 50 kts. Also Vortex ring state was a joke just as in every other helicopter in ms2020. But I'm gonna try it again, maybe they improved it :)

[@xavierv2659]

in MSFS, pull the collective all the way up and you will just take off, keep that torque for 30 mins, nothing will happen? this is NOT what I call a simulator

[@dutch053]

engine damage is a thing, if they modeled it in the aircraft.. it's not msfs that's at fault here. There are aircraft that break or take damage if you abuse it.

[@FritzWeinrebe]

H125 by a mile.

[@nickcurrier8074]

the glide distance of both looks far too long, id recommend DCS for all things helicopter

[@flightsoficarus]

I first learnt to fly helicopters in DCS with the Huey and I still love it. I think DCS still has the edge in terms of flight models for helicopters especially with things like auto rotation and vortex ring state. But I like MSFS for exploration and scenery.