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E-flite has announced the Blade Micro-CX helicopter, an indoor coaxial model with a main rotor diameter of only 7.5 inches. The MCX features two coreless motors which are powered by a single cell, 110 mAh LiPo battery. It operates using Spektrum's 2.4 GHz spread spectrum technology, and will be available ready-to-fly with a transmitter for $129, or in a bind-and-fly configuration, with everything except the transmitter for $99. Both versions offer proportional, four channel control and should be capable of all the same maneuvers as the larger Blade CX2. Horizon Hobby's web site indicates late September availability for both.

If you've never been to a radio control show, you're missing out. There are a number of annual shows like the NEAT Fair in New York and SEFF in Georgia which have an enormous variety of models, vendors, and activities, and give any AMA-registered pilot the opportunity to fly too. You can buy DVDs of last year's NEAT FAir or SEFF 2008 from SKS Video Productions to get a taste of what it's like to go. There are also conventions to attend like the WRAM Show, which is all about shopping instead of flying.

In July Zero RC will be attending the SCCMAS Airshow in Santa Clara, California. If you live in the area, come check it out!

Eagle Tree Systems has announced two new sensors in their line of data logger products. What makes these unusual is that they can be used either with a logger like the eLogger V3 or stand-alone, using the built-in LED display. For convenience the sensors can be powered by a spare receiver channel or a second battery.

I'll never admit to being lazy, so my reasoning for steering clear of most ARF models is due to taste. One look at the B-25J Mitchell ARF from Top Flite, however, makes me into a stressed riddled perfectionist. There are certain things in life that when you have them, you become the center of attention, the big shot. Like getting a 60 inch HD T.V. with over 3,000 worldwide channels.

Lazy boy chairs now have an official buddy: the RC drinks cooler. An invention that would make Al Bundy proud takes a very simple idea and makes it extremely fun. It is a cooler on wheels, and even the bottle top shaped remote doesn't hide the fact that it is a very quirky product. It operates from up to 30 ft. away, and the four sure grip wheels can cover most areas.

I was thinking that maybe I should bring my nephew over to the dark side with me, and teach him about this wonderful hobby. Giving him an RC car from RadioShack wouldn't exactly be bringing him over, so the only other thing that came to mind was FlyZone's SkyFly RTF. The assembly would turn him off, even though it can be done in minutes. But the actual time using the plane would be a completely different story.

I feel really old when I see products like this, because it is easy for me to dismiss it as ridiculous. The same thing challenged my youth when the Sims came out, and I laughed at the idea of a game that simulates your life. RealFlight simulator is a flight simulator for RC planes and helicopters. I can barely control my laughter at this point, but despite my bias it is actually a very necessary tool for the beginning hobbyist.

Rock crawling has slowly been gaining popularity in the radio control scene in the last couple of years. It really skyrocketed in 2007 and is still on the rise in 2008. Multiple companies have introduced and as well as started to produce Ready to Run crawlers, so it is no surprise that Duratrax has joined the ranks. Duratrax is now introducing its 1/14 scale Cliff Climber rock crawler to the scene.

Pulled straight from the 'what will they think of next category', well known toy maker Silverlit is still riding the success of the award winning PicooZ series of toys with an innovative new twist. The Wingsmaster I-Bird is one of the most fun newcomers to the RC world. This video here shows why this hobby will never reach an end.

Earlier I reviewed the R/C Aerial Reconnaissance from the Intel ISEF. A lot of people may wonder what my fascination was with such an amateur product in comparison to the Pilot View FPV 2400, and a look at the price tag of $549.00 may pretty much sum it up. But for the dent it makes in your pocket, it makes up for in fun. The Pilot View lets you turn any mobile* product into a FPV experience.