What Kind Of RC Helicopter Should You Buy?

Seeing RC helicopters fly is always exciting, so much so that you probably want to buy one and start out in the hobby. If that is the case, then there is one big question you must answer: "what kind of helicopters should I buy". The fact is that long gone are the days when RC helicopter came in one type: the big, expensive, hard to fly, hard to maintain, nitro-powered kind.

Now a days, there are a lot of choices to choose from whether it is a full-size nitro model, a full-size electric model, a palm size fully functioning 4 channel helicopter, a 4-channel co-axial electric helicopters, or a limited capability 2 and 3 channel ones just to name a few. Because of all these choices, the question "what kind of helicopter should I buy" becomes quite vital and not so simple. Make the wrong choice and you'll likely end up with a helicopter that does nothing but collect dust. Here are some things you should consider in order to find out which type of helicopter is right for you.

- Get the right size.

The very first thing you should consider is how big of a helicopter you should get. Helicopters come in different size ranging from one that fits on your palm to one that is half the size of a real helicopter. An easy way to figure out which size is right for you is to ask yourself: "Where would I be flying?"

Where you plan to fly is probably the most overlooked aspect when people buy their helicopters for the first time. The reason is that usually people want to go for the "cool" helicopter that is as big as their budget could afford. Well, that is great if you are primarily an outdoor flier, but that makes absolutely no sense if you would end up flying indoor most of the time. If flying inside the comfort of your house is your cup of tea, then obviously getting a smaller helicopter is more logical.

- Know how committed you plan to be.

The level of commitment you plan to be with this hobby is one of the most decisive factors when it comes to choosing the type of helicopter to buy. A lot of people spend a lot of money on an expensive standard size helicopter only to find out later that they only have one or two hours a week to play around with it - which is not enough time to be a competent enough pilot to fly such models enjoyably. So this is what a lot of old hand hobbyist would recommend: If you plan to fly just for fun after work or casually on the weekends, then a co-axial model would be best.

On the other hand, if you plan to delve full-steam ahead into the hobby, fly your helicopter every chance you get, and maybe even fly competitively later on, then by all means get those expensive models right off the bat.

- Choose a model where service and parts are available.

When buying a RC helicopter, one of the most important aspects to consider is whether or not your local hobby store or hobby groups are able to support the particular model in terms of knowledge and spare parts.

A lot of people order RC helicopters online because they could get it cheaper only to find out later when it breaks down that the only way to get replacement parts is to order online once again. Needless to say this can lead to deep frustrations. Make sure that doesn't happen to you by visiting your local hobby store and get a feel of what brand/models are favored. In doing so, you can rest assured that the particular model/brand will have abundant of spare parts and support base for you any time you need it.

Last but not least, always remember to consider your budget. While RC helicopter is a very enjoyable hobby, costs can run very high if you're not careful. Buy models that you can afford and you will be able to enjoy flying with a peace of mind.