Need RC helicopter advice....

I received an RC helicopter last Christmas, but the damn thing wouldn't even take off.

Don't remember the brand.

It means it's missing a direction control. Full control would be up/down, left/right and forward/backward. IMO, this is the spec that makes the most difference with any RC toy. The ones with limited direction controls have the least playability.



The ones I bought just made me wish I'd bought a better one. They didn't work well outside (any wind would ruin it) they didn't have full control and they broke very easily.

But that being said, this one looks like a pretty good option for you:

http://www.hobbytron.com/3CHApacheRCHelicopterDigitalProportionalDoubleHorse.html

It's "military-looking" as you requested. Here are some videos to get an idea of the kind of flight quality to expect:





Found it on sale for $60 here:

http://www.amazingtechdepot.com/h74001.html

This looks like a decent one in its class, but like I said this class of rc helicopter is underwhelming.

what exactly is boomer up to, first she tries to kill one of her neighbours, now she seems to be trying to acquire diminutive military equipment, i think she's planning to take over her neighbourhood, some kind of small scale paramilitary operation


dammit boomer, where's that rc copter, we need air support, we're pinned down here by the playground

Boom, I'm not an expert, but an old friend of mine is crazed by RC aircraft.

He has dozens of big planes, and decided to do the helicopter...

More expensive will be more flyable, BUT. . .

He gave up after weeks of crash and burning more than flying, as it is a very difficult skill to learn.

(I'd guess $150 and up for a decent one)

Ohhhh! Those are way cool! Thanks, Robert.

I know it's probably a bit complicated for Mo but he has $50 in Christmas cash burning a hole in his pocket and he has set his sights on an RC helicopter. We looked at some at the toy store yesterday and even he admitted they looked like crap toys (and they were $25, even Mo agreed that it was pretty expensive crap). I suggested we do a little research, ask some questions, learn some things and then take a look at how his money might be best spent.

I showed him those videos and we looked at the product sites and he thinks those look like a better use of his cash. Since it is his money I'm prone to let him to decide how to spend it, within reason. If it turns out to be too complex it's something that can be put away for a while.

Those are cool toy soldiers too! EVERYTHING around our house is Army right now. Mo got some super cool tanks for Christmas so I suppose the helicopter is a needed purchase to complete his brigade.

Then we take over the neighborhood!

Keep in mind that those two videos were all made indoors. How do the things work out doors where there will be breezes? Will you allow Mo to use it indoors?

Yeah, and at that price you are pretty much limited to indoors or very calm outdoor days. It takes a pretty good copter to fly outside and those videos probably show best case scenarios. In reality I've found it very hard to fly indoors unless you have a lot of space, so I was limited to calm outdoor flying (and the days that was possible was pretty rare).

Incidentally, hobbytron (the first site I linked) is the most well-known online hobby store, so it's a good starting point for RC research.

Yep, and to get an idea of how quickly he will become very bored with the limitation of indoor flying only, play that video for him about six more times and then ask him if it still looks like it will be fun.

Actually, he does have a place to fly it indoors -- the warehouse at Mr. B's office is huge. During bad weather the warehouse is often used for a skateboard park, bike track, basketball court, madhouse, whatever.

I'm surprised that he has set his sights on any RC toy because he usually gets bored with them quickly. I've pointed this out to him a few times since he came up with the idea. But, like I said, it is his money and I like to give him some latitude in deciding how to spend it.

I took Mo to the hobby shop in our neighborhood today.

We told the saleslady what we were looking for and she started showing us around, pointing out the copters they had, what they did, what they cost, etc.

I said to Mo: "It is your money, it is your decision."

And the experience completely changed course!

She talked to Mo directely. She pointed out the expense v. the play time. She pointed out the difficulty. She honored his interest but disuaded him from buying.

How cool is that!!!?

Right now when every business is suffering she looked at this seven year old boy and told him to go somewhere else.

We ended up at a toy store where Mo picked a flightless, batteryless Blackhawk helicopter with a soldier and a cargo net and a gazillion (or four) guns that he is completely enamoured with.

We had fun playing helicopter rescue all day.

I want to thank you all for your advice and recommendations. Although we didn't go with an RC copter your advice was great and valuable. In a few years where he has more money and better skills I will refer to this thread again.

As to the neighborhood hobby shop -- I know where we will be spending our money over the next many years.

Schniff........ that's a great story!!!

I have been quietly following along, and fantasising, because I love model flying things.

That rc helicopter is a good choice to start with.This helicopter is easy in use and in a reasonable price.

A fabulous experience in several ways.