| If you have kids or you know someone else who | | | | not compare to nitro cars. RC nitro cars get |
| does, you have probably faced with the | | | | their name from the fuel they run on, namely |
| daunting task of selecting a toy to buy. It | | | | nitro methane. This fuel increases both their |
| is often difficult to decide what toys are | | | | power and speed. RC nitro cars are great for |
| interesting and appropriate for young | | | | all those racers who are looking for the |
| children. Remote control toys, however, are a | | | | fastest RC vehicle on the market. However, |
| tried-and-true choice for kids of all ages | | | | they are harder to maintain than electric |
| and even for adults. This guide will help you | | | | cars. |
| choose the right remote control toy for your | | | | |
| family and friends. | | | | What factors should be considered when buying |
| | | | a RC toy? |
| What is the difference between toy-grade and | | | | |
| hobby-grade remote control (RC) toys? | | | | Remote control toys can get expensive, so |
| | | | unless your kid is already interested, stick |
| Toy-grade RC toys and hobby-grade RC toys are | | | | to basic toy cars or electric trucks. It is |
| designed for children of different age | | | | also very important that the remote control |
| groups. Toy-grade toys are designed with kids | | | | toy is easy for your children to use. Opt for |
| in mind and cost less. Hobby-grade toys are | | | | RC toys with simple controllers if your kid |
| comparatively more expensive and require | | | | is still quite young. |
| skill to operate. Some of these toys are | | | | |
| better handled by adult enthusiasts. | | | | Standby and Charge Time: |
| Replacements and upgrades are not offered for | | | | |
| toy-grade models but are available for | | | | Check standby and charge times. Keep in mind |
| hobby-grade toys. | | | | that a short-run time will lead to more |
| | | | charging. Children may lose interest in toys |
| What are the different RC toys available? | | | | that must be charged frequently. |
| | | | |
| Remote control toys come in many shapes and | | | | Durability: |
| sizes. Radio controlled toys are often | | | | |
| grouped under RC toys as well. These toys are | | | | Durability is another vital factor of RC |
| either Ready to Run (RTR) or Ready to Fly, | | | | toys. Toys with heavy-duty tires and bodies |
| straight out of the box. Both these models | | | | are long-lasting. In general, trucks and cars |
| are perfect for kids with a bit of technical | | | | are more durable than airplanes. |
| knowledge and interest. | | | | |
| | | | Size: |
| Cars and Trucks: | | | | |
| | | | Do your kids take their toys with them, |
| These are the most basic RC toys available. A | | | | wherever they go? Then select small, more |
| large majority of hobbyists start off buying | | | | portable toys. Big toys will most likely go |
| RTR models and then move on to purchasing | | | | unused if your children cannot carry them |
| more advanced models. If your kid just can?t | | | | around. RC toys in small sizes are easy to |
| get enough of trucks, choose a nitro, | | | | store, fit easily into hands of your child |
| monster, mini or and electric model. | | | | and can be taken along on long drives and |
| | | | vacations. If you live in a small apartment |
| Off-Road Vehicles: | | | | without a nearby park or playground, it is |
| | | | also better to opt for small RC toys. For |
| Off-road carriages and giant trucks are also | | | | indoor play, robots and hovercrafts are |
| common starter RC toys. They have big, knobby | | | | ideal. |
| tires and can run on dirt roads and up steep | | | | |
| inclines. Many of these trucks and carriages | | | | However, bigger toys with few small parts are |
| have 4-wheel drive. Their speeds range from | | | | better for homes with kids of many ages. You |
| 16 km/h to 40 km/h. | | | | should keep in mind that RC toys are not made |
| | | | for toddlers and babies. Remote control toys, |
| On-Road Vehicles: | | | | especially ones with small tires, can be a |
| | | | choking hazard for very young kids. |
| Crafted for tracks and pavements, on-road | | | | |
| cars are comparatively faster and more | | | | Design: |
| efficient. Some of the fastest models | | | | |
| available have speeds of up to 80 km/h. These | | | | Kids tend to prefer toys with ringing bells, |
| toys are approximately 45 cm in length. A few | | | | whistles, flashing lights and engine sounds. |
| on-road models have 4-wheel drive as well. | | | | There are also many RC toys modeled after |
| | | | popular characters like Spider-man, Batman |
| Air and Sea Toys: | | | | and the Transformers. |
| | | | |
| RC toy airplanes, helicopters, boats, | | | | Multi-player: |
| hovercrafts and rockets are also available | | | | |
| and can be upgraded over time. | | | | Do your kids love to go head-to-head in |
| | | | battle? Then buy remote control toys toys |
| Electric and Gas Toys: | | | | with different frequencies. Toy-grade RC |
| | | | models run on a 27 or 49 MHz frequency. |
| Some RC vehicles run on rechargeable | | | | Frequency details can be found on the box or |
| batteries, whereas others are powered by gas. | | | | online under the toy?s specifications. RC |
| Electric cars make less noise, so they can be | | | | toys with quadfrequency settings allow up to |
| used indoors. Sadly, their performance does | | | | four children to play together at one time. |