Best Air Hogs Helicopter – Buyer’s Guide
If you search for RC toys today, Air Hogs is one of the brands that come up. The company is part of the Spin Master Toy Company and you might come across some toys called Air Hogs Spin Master Quads and Helicopters.
Air Hogs is Spin Masters’ remote-controlled vehicles line up. These include ground and air vehicles. Most of the RC helicopters the company produces are toys – most of them cannot be used to drop products as they are not large enough.
Air Hogs Helicopters fall in the category of most toy RC aircrafts flown in the USA and Canada. Due to the small size of the helicopters, you do not need to register them with Transport Canada or FAA. This is so given that most of the helicopters are under 0.55 pounds (which is the maximum weight restriction). You can fly most of the helicopters indoors without any damages to components in your house. You can also fly them around your compound.
The company produces both quad rotors and helicopters. Helicopters are christened Axis while the quad rotors are labeled Helix. All the units sport a sleek design that makes them fly swiftly indoors. The Air Hogs line of helicopters is not for users who need large helicopters to drive over fields of corn. It is a line for those who need toys to enjoy at home.
Below is a list of the top Air Hogs Helicopters on the market.
Pros
- Intuitive control for beginners
- Lightweight and can fly indoors
Cons
- Weak build cannot withstand frequent falls
The Axis 200 packs an intuitive design that makes it ideal for beginner pilots. Each helicopter comes with an intuitive control system that you can use to learn the basics of flying in a few days. It allows you to start flying right out of the box thanks to the Rayovak Fusion batteries that accompany the package. These batteries are an upgrade from their previous models and they allow you to fly for longer.
Beginners will ride swiftly thanks to the fly bar that gives inflight rotor stability that enhances the smoothness and stability of the flight. The helicopter is for users aged at least eight years. Out-of-the-box, you get 4AA batteries that will power the controller.
Air Hogs gives you two spare tail rotors with the package and an instruction guide to help you start immediately.
Pros
- Solid construction to resist impact
- More fun thanks to the two-in-one package
Cons
- You cannot buy the helicopter separately
The Air Hogs Shadow Hunter is for users who need a helicopter and a ground car. The ground vehicle sports a solid construction and can hold the helicopter in its belly. To fly the helicopter, open the roof of the ground vehicle and the heli comes out. The helicopter sports a streamlined build that is aesthetically appealing. Further, the Heli sports an onboard gyro-stabilization that lets you control the flight with so much ease.
The RC control only has a few buttons so you can launch your helicopter with ease and maneuver swiftly indoors or outdoors. On the controller, you only need to hit the eject button and the helicopter comes out. You can charge the unit through its controller or use a USB cable. The controller cord hides neatly inside your controller and out of site.
The helicopter, just like the ground vehicle, sports a solid build that resists impact. You can start flying out-of-the-box as Air Hogs offers you all the materials you need to start right away.
Pros
- Sleek build
- Intuitive controller for beginners to start immediately
Cons
- The tail rotors are weak
The Axis 200i shares features and design with the Axis 200. However, this unit sports a sleeker design and flies more swiftly. Like the Axis 200, it is accompanied by an intuitive control system that allows all beginners to start learning within a few days. The controller packs four directional controls and all you do after launching is manage the direction.
Beginners and experts alike will enjoy the stability of the helicopter thanks to the fly bar that keeps the rotor stable while the helicopter gets airborne. The unit comes with 4AA batteries so you can start flying right out of the box. Better yet, you get a controller with a charging cable, a rotor removal tool, two spare tail rotors. You also get an instruction guide so you can learn to fly in no time
Pros
- Solid cage protects the helicopter
- Offers fun on the ground and on air
Cons
- Package does not include batteries
This is a helicopter that can also roll on the ground. If you lack enough space to fly it indoors, you can roll it indoors and then fly it when outdoors in the yard. At low power, the unit rolls on the ground. If you throttle the unit to full power, it gets airborne.
The exterior rolling cage adds fun to the helicopter as you can roll it on the ground, up on walls, or even get it rolling on the ceiling. Although the construction of the helicopter is not so solid, the rolling cage sports a sturdy construction to protect the helicopter. With the rolling cage, the unit can bump into walls and other barriers without ever crashing.
Unlike the units described above, this unit requires 6AA batteries to power the controller. You also do not get the batteries in the package; you have to buy them separately.
Pros
- Flies up to 50 feet for fun outdoors
- Durable construction
Cons
- Requires so many batteries, which are not included in the package
The Air Hogs Fox Fire is ideal for expert users and beginners who need to have so much fun flying outdoors. It flies up to 50 feet high so you can fly it outdoors and have so much fun. Better yet, the controller charges in minutes and lasts relatively long.
The Fox Fire comes with a proportional control for ergonomic use. Beginners will have better control of the system thanks to the altitude and rotor speed control system. This system is further enhanced by the brake that makes it easy for you to land. Again, beginners will find it easy to get started thanks to the flight stabilization system.
The controller requires 6 AA batteries and the charging pad requires 8 D batteries. These batteries are not included in the package.
- Air Hogs Desert Camouflage SharpShooter Helicopter
Pros
- Operates like a real tactical helicopter, can even hover
- You can operated multiple units in the same room
Cons
- Requires training for a long time to hit the target right
If you need a tactical RC helicopter, this might be a good choice for you. The Sharp Shooter lets you engage in sky battles with any targets you choose. If you have two children, you can buy each a unit so they can engage in battles as each other’s targets. You can fly multiple tactical helicopters in the same room as they come with different frequencies.
In the unit are firing mission weapons that allow you to fire up to six missiles at your target. Firing a missile requires aiming and touching a button. Seeing that these are tactical helicopters, they sport a unique design that offers stable flight with tail-lock technology.
You can fly this unit left, right, up, and down, and even hover on one place. Out of the box, you get six missiles, two targets, and a controller. The helicopter is 6.5 inches long.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- A toy that can transport objects
Cons
- Requires so many batteries
The Fly Crane is unit in that it is designed to pick and drop objects with great stability. It sports a sturdy build to last long and to avoid crashing when you lift and drop heavy items. Picking items only requires the touch of a button and so is dropping objects. The grapple hook retracts with much ease.
The helicopter is more of a transport unit than a toy. You can use looped baskets to transport items that only the Fly Crane can reach.
The unit requires 6 AA batteries that charge fast. Although the package misses batteries, you will have all the other materials you need to get started immediately.
Air Hogs Helicopters Buying Guide
Before diving into the features you need to consider when shopping for an RC helicopter, look at the terms used in RC helicopters below:
- Fixed Pitch, FP: This is where the propeller is not adjustable during flight.
- Collective Pitch, CP: This is where the rotor blade tilts during flight to assist with the lift.
- Almost Ready to Fly, ARF: ARF units require minimal assembly; you need to install radio gear.
- Ready to Fly, RTF: Such units are fully assembled and all you need is insert the batteries and fly. All the Air Hogs helicopters are Ready-to-Fly.
- Bind and Fly, BNF: These units are ready to fly but you need to bind them to a 2.4GHz radio.
There are many more terms that you might come across when shopping for RC helicopters. However, the Air Hogs Helicopters sport a simple design and are ready to fly. Air Hogs targets children between age 8 and 13; this is why most of the helicopters have a simple design.
What Should You Consider When Shopping?
Size
Do you need a small toy helicopter to fly around the house or a larger unit to fly outdoors? Air Hogs only releases small helicopters, all of which you can fly indoors. The difference in size is not so much but if you need a helicopter to fly outdoors, pick a unit at least 6 inches in length. If you need a helicopter to transport objects from one area to the next, choose a large unit with a solid construction.
Budget
Your budget determines the size of the helicopter you buy. You need to consider your budget when planning for the unit, the radio (if needed), gyro, flybarless unit, servos, and any support equipment you might need. Do not forget the price of the batteries and any other replacement components. When learning to fly, you will crash blades, primary shaft, and servo gears. While some Air Hogs helicopters come with replacement blades, you will have to buy the blades in most cases. Does your budget allow you to buy replacement parts if you crash within the first week of buying the unit?
Air Hogs has made great improvements in their stabilization system and the quality of their helicopters. As such, even beginners will find it easy to fly without crashing. However, the drawback of these stabilization systems is that you get to buy the helicopters at relatively higher costs.
Intuitive Controls
RC helicopters need four controls; aileron, rudder/tail rotor, elevator, and throttle. On Air Hogs helicopters, the controls are easy for 8-year-olds. You will, therefore have up, down, left, right, and throttle controls. Special controls are available on some units such as the missile button on the Desert Camouflage Sharp Shooter and the retract button on the Fly Crane.
Replacement Tail Rotors
Given the simple design of Air Hogs Helicopters, there are only a few features to consider when shopping. Besides the controls, you need to pick a unit with replacement tail rotors or one with affordable tail rotors. In the first week of flying, even with an intuitive controller, you might crash the helicopter a few times. A few replacement tail rotors come in handy when you are learning to fly.
Fuel
All Air Hogs helicopters run on batteries, rechargeable or replaceable. The cost of batteries can go as high as the cost of the helicopter itself if you choose a unit with replaceable batteries.
Some units come with the batteries so you can start flying right out of the box but for others, you have to buy the batteries. If you pick a unit that requires replacement batteries, at least pick one that uses only four batteries. A unit that uses rechargeable batteries is better as you do not have to buy batteries every after a few flights.
Sturdy Build
You will crash your helicopter a few times before you learn how to fly it safely; that is a given. As such, you need a helicopter with a solid construction whether you need it as a toy for your children or as a transport unit. Most of the Air Hogs Helicopters sport a solid constriction that is impact resistant.
Ensure that the unit you buy sports a sturdy build that does not crash when it knocks on walls and other barriers.
Flight Height
If you need a unit you can fly outdoors, one that flies at least 20 feet high will deliver more fun. Some Air Hogs Helicopters can fly up to 50 feet high. If you need a helicopter to fly indoors, it does not need to fly for higher than a few feet high; 10 feet would be just okay.
Beginners’ Guide
You need to realize that you will never learn to fly an RC helicopter in one day. If you think you can learn to fly in a few hours, you will only end up crashing the helicopter severally on walls and trees and the ceiling. It takes time to learn to coordinate your hands and fly swiftly.
Before you start flying, ensure you clear the area you will be flying. If you are flying indoors, close the windows and the doors and ensure that there are no ceiling fans or any low hanging lights. If you are flying outdoors, ensure you are in a clear field.
The Controls
The remote control for Air Hogs RC Helicopters sports a simple interface. The remote has two main controls; the throttle and the direction sticks. There are also trim buttons to make the operation easy.
The throttle stick is on the left of the controller. The stick moves the helicopter up and down when you push it up or down respectively.
The direction stick is on the right of the controller. This stick moves the helicopter in circles clockwise when you push it to the right. When you push it to the left, the helicopter spins in one place in an anticlockwise direction.
There right and left trim buttons to control the helicopter when it starts spinning. If the helicopter spins in an anticlockwise direction, press the right trim button to stop it. If it spins clockwise out of control, press the left button to get it back to normal flying mode.
Altitude Control and Flight Stabilization
Learning the basic controls does not teach you how to fly a helicopter.
Start flying the helicopter by switching it on. When you switch the unit on, it starts flashing. If the helicopter does not flash when you switch it on, the batteries might be low. To start, place your helicopter on a flat base.
Start by pushing the throttle stick up and the helicopter will take off. Once it is airborne, the helicopter starts spinning anticlockwise. Press the right trim button to stop the spinning. If it is your first time flying, it is important that you learn to maintain a constant altitude than to learn to steer.
Use the trim buttons to stabilize the helicopter while maintaining a constant altitude. Ensure the helicopter is stable and then slowly release the throttle stick slowly. As you release the throttle stick, the helicopter starts descending and lands.
Steering the Helicopter
Once you learn how to stabilize the helicopter and maintain a constant altitude, it is easier to steer the helicopter. If you push the direction stick left, the helicopter starts spinning in one place anticlockwise. If you push the stick right, the helicopter spins clockwise in the same spot.
To make the helicopter move forward, you need to push the direction stick gently to the right. When pushed gently, the helicopter gains a small forward movement. To keep moving forward, you need to push it gently to the right and gently to the left. Note that, the direction stick is more sensitive when you push it to the left. As such, you need to find a balance to get the helicopter steering forward without spinning on the same spot.
When you need the helicopter to move a given direction, push the direction stick to one side and let it start spinning. Once it spins to an angle you like, push the other direction stick.
You need to practice for a couple of days to ensure you get the hang of it. The trick in flying the helicopter right is finding the right spot to maintain the right altitude and the perfect balance for the direction stick. The Air Hogs helicopters are easy to fly as they lack complex features or complex controls.
Conclusion
Air Hogs is one of the top RC helicopters company. The company has a wide range of helicopters and rotors to choose from which makes them an ideal choice when you need a helicopter that delivers.
The helicopters are for users between 8 and 13 years. Due to the small parts, such as the batteries, the helicopters are not for users younger than three years. Although the helicopters come with an instruction guide, you will still need a few days to learn how to fly the helicopter. The Axis helicopters are lacking in complex features which makes them ideal for beginners.
If you want a helicopter that is more than a toy, you might need to consider another brand. Besides the Fly Crane that can move objects from one part to the next, all the others are simple toy helicopters. Again, most of the helicopters are great for indoor flying thanks to their small size.
You will get a great hovering and flying experience; Air Hogs helicopters will give you that. The helicopters are designed for first-time pilots – so you can learn to fly in a few days.