The Amazing Variety of Radio Controlled Toys
Among today's more popular play items for kids are radio controlled toys such as cars, boats, helicopters, and airplanes. There are actually many more kinds of RC products--from snakes and spiders to robots and alien monsters--and not all of these are just for children. Those that are designed for kids feature large remotes and have simple controls producing limited movement. Some are well-made while others are cheap and easily broken, sometimes lasting only a few plays. Adult-oriented radio controlled toys, called hobby grade models, have more complicated controls and are constructed of high-quality materials; many require extensive and expensive ongoing maintenance.
Most children's RC toys can be bought for as little as forty or fifty dollars, though better models can run upwards of one hundred or more, and are found at toy stores everywhere. Typically, these come fully assembled or require at most attaching the wings or installing batteries, and can be operated by children without adult supervision. Even the higher end children's toys are pretty simple; they may come with extra features, such as an additional control channel or two, or interchangeable wheels or bodies, but still can be mastered fairly quickly.
Adult radio controlled toys are much harder to operate, may require partial or full assembly, and can cost well over one hundred dollars (some models, a thousand or more). They are made to look, sound and run as much like their full-scale counterparts as possible and can be quite difficult, not to mention costly, to repair when crashed. Should a pilot become careless or lose control of the craft, they can also be dangerous, one reason they are not appropriate for youngsters, even with adults on hand.
When considering what kind of RC toy to get a child, take into account his or her age and degree of enthusiasm. If you aren't sure your youngster is more than casually interested, it may be best to stick with an inexpensive low-end model. If he or she seems serious enough to become involved on the hobby level, you might want to spend a little more for a better, approaching hobby-grade item. And learn to operate it together--you will enjoy the bonding and have loads of fun flying, driving or piloting radio controlled toys.
Most children's RC toys can be bought for as little as forty or fifty dollars, though better models can run upwards of one hundred or more, and are found at toy stores everywhere. Typically, these come fully assembled or require at most attaching the wings or installing batteries, and can be operated by children without adult supervision. Even the higher end children's toys are pretty simple; they may come with extra features, such as an additional control channel or two, or interchangeable wheels or bodies, but still can be mastered fairly quickly.
Adult radio controlled toys are much harder to operate, may require partial or full assembly, and can cost well over one hundred dollars (some models, a thousand or more). They are made to look, sound and run as much like their full-scale counterparts as possible and can be quite difficult, not to mention costly, to repair when crashed. Should a pilot become careless or lose control of the craft, they can also be dangerous, one reason they are not appropriate for youngsters, even with adults on hand.
When considering what kind of RC toy to get a child, take into account his or her age and degree of enthusiasm. If you aren't sure your youngster is more than casually interested, it may be best to stick with an inexpensive low-end model. If he or she seems serious enough to become involved on the hobby level, you might want to spend a little more for a better, approaching hobby-grade item. And learn to operate it together--you will enjoy the bonding and have loads of fun flying, driving or piloting radio controlled toys.
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