Best Review on Brookstone 15034 PPL ASM Stunt Copter Helicopter
If you want something that looks more realistic and can be flown indoors or outdoors, but you're a novice, this is a great choice for you.
You should be reasonably competent with your $25.00 binary 3 channel before you attempt this one and you should keep in mind it's dynamics are a little different, i.e. there's no slow gradual lifting off it seems. You have to advance the throttle with some authority, then reduce it without delay once it's airborne. If you try a gentle lift-off it wants to simply skid off and collide with something hard. I started out with little tiny hops on my pool table surface and I still do that sometimes as a warm up.
Probably best to do first flights outdoors because ceilings and nearby objects like furniture are a problem, but watch the altitude and the wind. It will quickly become a dot in the sky and head for the nearest tree.
This seems to be the same helicopter sold by other vendors as the V911. I know it's rotor and balance bar are interchangeable with WL Products V911 and at a lower price than Brookstone charges for just the rotor, tail prop, and links. I believe the undercarriage is also interchangeable and I will find out soon for sure, having just broken mine. I've also read that a complete helicopter without transmitter can be bought for something like $30.00
This appears to be the only one that is both 3 and 4 channel though and that is an advantage since you can get familiar with it in 3 channel before transitioning to 4.
Overall I would recommend this helicopter if you're really enthusiastic and can live with the inevitable parts replacements.
I'm usually not one to buy something on impulse, but I've been in the market for an RC Helicopter that would not only be good, but also be able to take a beating. Now mind you I've had this for one day, but I can say that this copter has taken a pretty good beating and still is in great working conditions. I'll tell you this much, if you want to learn how to fly the big helicopters, learn to fly the small ones. Even though $70 on a mini copter may sound a bit pricey, you'll be spending FAR more on the full sized ones.
BalasHapusOne piece of advice for anyone that is getting a copter like this. Get it through Brookstone and buy it with the $15 warranty that I got. It added two years and gives you a big piece of mind when flying the device. The sales rep told me that the first year is covered by the manufacture, but that if I had any issues that it's better to just go to the store to have it fixed. Anyways, I'm only getting about 5 minutes of actual flying time (as described), so I'm going to buy a few more batteries (approx. $25 +shipping) through Amazon. Personally, I'd recommend this just so that you don't have too much dead time waiting for the only battery you have to recharge. If you do get this device I wish you the same luck.
Matt
BalasHapusI had been through about 6 RC Helicopters over the last year on a pursuit to find one that would fly like the Pros, Be fast and agile and last for a decent about of time. I was in Brookestone the other day and came across this one and decided to take a gamble on it. I am extremely happy i did. This Heli is everything i have been looking for. Its incredibly fast and agile, Very easy to get adjusted to especially with the option of beginner flight mode then advanced. and best of all it is durable! i have a 4000 sq ft ware house i was flying this around in the first day and crashed it hard at least 6 times sometimes at full speed and to my complete surprise this thing is still in perfect shape! I spent the extra $10 on a warranty to have the extra peace of mind of just swapping it out if it breaks for a year. Best of all you can buy a ton of extra batteries. And the included charger charges two at one time! I have 3 batteries and get a good 20-30 min of play . Def worth the investment.
BalasHapusIll start by saying I don't own the toy, but I did use it at friends house. Let me address a few things first;
BalasHapus1. For the person complaining about it not being durable or coming with two batteries: I crashed i hard a few times and it didn't do a thing. It did come with a repair kit and be happy you have one at all. Most helicopters don't come with any. Also you are wrong, I read the manual and it only mentions the charger being able to charge two batteries at once. It never mentions anything about this helicopter coming with two batteries.
2. Just in case there is a misunderstanding, it is advertised as "Indoor or Outdoor use" so you can fly it inside, though there is more stuff to run into and more things to knock over and break. The plus is that inside there is no wind, so its easier to learn if you have high ceilings.
Ok now MY REVIEW
I am 18 and I was just toying around with it. Having only flown an RC Helicopter once a long time ago, I really had no idea what i was doing. In ten minutes I had it off the ground and wobbly flying around the living room. It takes a little bit of getting used to but it is possible to learn quickly. That being said it isn't a simple helicopter, the remote is serious business and you can make adjustments if the tail rotor goes too slow or if it leans one way or another. The trim adjustments on the remote should solve any sort of right out of the box problems. I found it a little difficult to fly so I would not buy this for anybody younger than 12 however it varies with every child. The battery does only last a few minutes but it seems a lot longer when you are trying to maneuver something so touchy. Anyway overall its a great helicopter, box says it goes 200 feet so I think i am going to buy one of my own. Hope this helps.