RC Helicopters

E-flite Blade Micro-CX Coaxial Helicopter Announced

Daniel — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:10:06 -0500

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.

FMA Direct Cellpro 10s Charger Review

Daniel — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:10:52 -0500

The FMA Direct Cellpro 10s is a balancing lithium battery charger, capable of charging a single battery up to 10 cells, or two batteries simultaneously up to 5 cells, with power up to 10 amps. It can handle lithium polymer, lithium ion, and the M1 lithium cells from A123 Systems. Let's dig in and put it through its paces.

SCCMAS 2008 Show Report

Daniel — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:21:31 -0500

The Santa Clara County Model Aircraft Skypark (SCCMAS) airshow was held July 12th and 13th in Morgan Hill, California. This free annual show spans a wide range of radio control flight, from gliders to gas powered acrobats, and helicopters to turbine powered jets. It's a great chance for existing pilots and those new to the hobby to see a little of everything that RC has to offer in the air. Keep reading to see these planes and helis in action.

How To Build A Servo LED Driver

Daniel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:47:06 -0500

One way to get into night flying is to fill a plane with LEDs. You can do that by connecting them directly to the motor battery, or to a dedicated second pack, but neither approach gives you any control. Here's how to reuse an old servo to drive your LEDs, with either on/off or variable brightness from the transmitter.

Attending A Radio Control Show

Daniel — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:27:56 -0500

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!

New Sensors From Eagle Tree Systems Announced

Daniel — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:41:15 -0500

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.

RealFlight RC Flight Simulator Overview

William — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:26:16 -0500

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.

Silverlit Wingsmaster I-Bird Overview

William — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:43:57 -0500

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.

Pilot View FPV 2400 Overview

William — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:06:24 -0500

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.

Air Hogs Battling Helicopters Overview

William — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:52:32 -0500

Spinmaster is well known, and gets even more respect for this product. Slamming a brand new take on laser tag, some fun key elements place these RC helicopters in their own category. Havoc Heli Laser Battle pits two RC controlled miniature helicopters against one another in an air tag battle. Surprisingly, the idea didn't come out as sloppy as it could've been.