Brand
Brand is probably the most subjective part of choosing a new helicopter. In other words, it depends more on marketing, random choice, familiarity, and availability than concrete benefits. This is primarily because brand standing is relative; each brand has benefits and drawbacks.
This page will be fairly short because I feel that it is the least important aspect of choosing a new helicopter. I believe features, price, and quality are much higher considerations to make. So, first off, I will list briefly the qualities I would want in any helicopter. Click the links below to get a better description of the quality:
Coaxial:
Fixed Pitch Heli:
Collective Pitch Heli features will be mentioned under Features.
This page will be fairly short because I feel that it is the least important aspect of choosing a new helicopter. I believe features, price, and quality are much higher considerations to make. So, first off, I will list briefly the qualities I would want in any helicopter. Click the links below to get a better description of the quality:
Coaxial:
- Under $100 (Depends on how long you want it to last. A cheaper coax will cost more in repairs due to poor quality parts; a more expensive coaxial will generally last longer without repairs)
- 4 channels (or more if you get a laser tag version)
- Micro or Small (to fly inside better and easier)
- RTF, perhaps BNF if you plan on getting a computerized radio and / or CP Heli
- Don't worry too much about features or radio.
Fixed Pitch Heli:
- Under $180 (depending on whether or not it has an included radio)
- 4 channels
- Smallish (nothing more than about 20" rotor diameter)
- BNF or RTF. You will save money in the long run if you get a BNF Heli and a computerized radio.
- Don't worry too much about features; you'll probably outgrow them anyways.
Collective Pitch Heli features will be mentioned under Features.
Good Brand Features:
A good brand will have good parts availability. The reason for this is obvious: not matter how good a pilot you are or how careful you are, eventually things break and / or wear out. This means that parts need to be available FROM MORE THAN ONE SOURCE! Yes it may be really cheap and look cool, but if it has limited parts availability then it will be useless when you crash.
A good brand will have good customer service. If your heli arrives with a defect, you want to be able to have that replaced quickly and cheaply. In addition, if the heli starts acting up, you will want someone you can call who is knowledgeable about the product.
A good brand will state key specifications honestly. This should include at least:
A good brand will have good customer service. If your heli arrives with a defect, you want to be able to have that replaced quickly and cheaply. In addition, if the heli starts acting up, you will want someone you can call who is knowledgeable about the product.
A good brand will state key specifications honestly. This should include at least:
- Battery: voltage and mAh. Either what is included for an RTF model or what should be purchased for a BNF or kit set.
- Dimensions: Main rotor, tail rotor, height, length, width, flight weight, etc.
- Number of channels of helicopter (and radio, if applicable).
- If BNF or kit, what radio(s) it will work with.
- What parts are made out of (aka plastic skids, carbon fiber tail boom, aluminum body, etc).
Some Recommended Brands:
Align has superb helicopters. Although pricey, the quality of their Almost ready to fly Combo kits is great (so I've heard and seen from many people). If you can afford an Align helicopter, then definitely seriously consider Align. Their parts availability and customer service is great as well.
Blade RC Helicopters are quite good as well. Blade Helis don't have the quality of parts or electronics that Align ones do (I should know; I've had to resolder the battery wire of my mCP X back to the circuit board) but they are still a great brand with good customer support.
Double Horse / Syma Helicopters are fairly good; I have one and it's lasted pretty well (It still flies). Remember to get a 4-channel helicopter, though; I wouldn't recommend a CP Heli from Double Horse / Syma.
The only reason these are the only three brands I have rated is because these are the only three that I really have any experience with. Granted there are definitely many more good brands out there, and just as many bad ones. Before making a purchase, search around on the internet a bit and check out what people have to say about the brand.
As you can see (or even if you can't), I don't think brand is a very good distinguishing factor. Look at features, ratings, and quality before you think too much about brand.
Well now on to Features.
Blade RC Helicopters are quite good as well. Blade Helis don't have the quality of parts or electronics that Align ones do (I should know; I've had to resolder the battery wire of my mCP X back to the circuit board) but they are still a great brand with good customer support.
Double Horse / Syma Helicopters are fairly good; I have one and it's lasted pretty well (It still flies). Remember to get a 4-channel helicopter, though; I wouldn't recommend a CP Heli from Double Horse / Syma.
The only reason these are the only three brands I have rated is because these are the only three that I really have any experience with. Granted there are definitely many more good brands out there, and just as many bad ones. Before making a purchase, search around on the internet a bit and check out what people have to say about the brand.
As you can see (or even if you can't), I don't think brand is a very good distinguishing factor. Look at features, ratings, and quality before you think too much about brand.
Well now on to Features.