Indoor RC Helicopters
Discussion
So my mum has just informed me that my dad has a hankering for an indoor helicopter (dad is 69 years old btw 
).
Looking around, there are millions and millions of crappy little things for 20 quid - we even have a few at home - and they are all rubbish. Alternatively, for 200 quid you can get a fully-featured indoor RC helicopter with real controls rather than counter-rotating whatsits and balance thingies.
As this is more a whimsy than a desperate need (and he's not allowed to have better toys than me!), I was wondering what's available in the £50 ballpark. Preferable something stable that will hover and has a relatively decent flight time between charges.
Any suggestions?
).Looking around, there are millions and millions of crappy little things for 20 quid - we even have a few at home - and they are all rubbish. Alternatively, for 200 quid you can get a fully-featured indoor RC helicopter with real controls rather than counter-rotating whatsits and balance thingies.
As this is more a whimsy than a desperate need (and he's not allowed to have better toys than me!), I was wondering what's available in the £50 ballpark. Preferable something stable that will hover and has a relatively decent flight time between charges.
Any suggestions?
You don't need to spend £200.
I've got an Eflite blade MSR which is great for indoor flying. Its 4 channel so you've got rudder, yaw, pitch and throttle control. That one is about £60ish but you can get a 6 channel version for around £100.
I've just bought (from my wife for christmas) a Hubsan X4 quadcopter. Flew it last night (for testing purposes only) and it was great, more fun than the MSR too. That was £35 but they are quite tricky to get hold of at the moment but they are a few bouncing around on ebay.
All of these have a mode that makes it lazier which is great for learning. In terms of durability the MSR is amazing, haven't had enough experience of the 6 channel but can't see it being any worse. Spares are cheap and readily available although I've only replaced one set of blades and a minor shaft which came to under £10 for both.
I've got an Eflite blade MSR which is great for indoor flying. Its 4 channel so you've got rudder, yaw, pitch and throttle control. That one is about £60ish but you can get a 6 channel version for around £100.
I've just bought (from my wife for christmas) a Hubsan X4 quadcopter. Flew it last night (for testing purposes only) and it was great, more fun than the MSR too. That was £35 but they are quite tricky to get hold of at the moment but they are a few bouncing around on ebay.
All of these have a mode that makes it lazier which is great for learning. In terms of durability the MSR is amazing, haven't had enough experience of the 6 channel but can't see it being any worse. Spares are cheap and readily available although I've only replaced one set of blades and a minor shaft which came to under £10 for both.
RumpleFugly said:
Seconded for the Hubsan X4, they are great fun. Had a fly of one in my LHS and it was very controllable
Check YouTube for videos. The batteries last a good while and they have novice and expert modes which adjust the ease of flying/outright agility. Can't go wrong for about £40 IMO
The charge time doesn't seem too bad either, think its somewhere around 30 minutes. Check YouTube for videos. The batteries last a good while and they have novice and expert modes which adjust the ease of flying/outright agility. Can't go wrong for about £40 IMO
I've had one of these recommended to me. Sorry about the link to a specific retail outlet, but it does include a video of the thing in action.
http://www.kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk/p3809/Mini_Twi...
http://www.kingslynnmodelshop.co.uk/p3809/Mini_Twi...
or this the ufo , a little bigger than the hubsan
http://www.rc-choppers.com/index.cfm/product/udi-r...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
http://www.rc-choppers.com/index.cfm/product/udi-r...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Edited by road hog on Thursday 20th December 16:54
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