How to Choose the Right Radio Controlled Vehicle
By Michael James, About.com Guide to Radio Controlled Vehicles
When buying RCs you have a choice of toy-grade or hobby-grade vehicles. Make your purchases at retail stores, hobby shops, or shop online for pre-assembled RCs or DIY kits. Choose the RC that fits your level of expertise. Discover the latest trends in RCs.
Before You Buy an RC
Before you jump into the world of radio controlled vehicles it helps immensely to have in mind what you're looking for and what most interests you. Before you buy, consider factors such as cost, level of expertise, and time available for learning and maintenance to make sure you don't get in over your head.
- Choosing RC Toys for 1-5 Year Olds
- Choosing RC Toys for 6-12 Year Olds
- Choosing RC Toys as Gifts for Dad
- Going from RC Toys to Hobby-Grade Vehicles
RC Toys On the Shelf in 2008
Discover the newest and most interesting RCs coming from the manufacturers and that majof retailers are selling this year.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Movie Theme RC Toy Vehicles
- Speed Racer Movie Theme RC Toy Vehicles
- RC Toys for Girls
- RC Vehicles Sets (Pairs of RC Toys)
- On the Shelf at KB Toys
- On the Shelf at Target
- On the Shelf at Toys R Us
- On the Shelf at Wal-Mart
- NASCAR-branded Remote Control Racers by Shelcore
- Little Tikes Remote Control Cars by Planet Toys
- RCs for Tots: My First R/C GoGo Auto
- Air Hogs R/C Zero Gravity Mini Car
- Ultimate Luxury RC Vehicles
Cars and Trucks
If RC cars are your passion, pull into our spot and check out the reviews, tutorials, tips, and beginner advice for RC cars and RC trucks of every vintage and style.
- 1:8 Scale Nitro Monster Trucks
- 1:10 Scale Nitro Monster Trucks
- 1:10 Scale Nitro Stadium Trucks
- HPI E10 Electric On-Road Car
- HPI Savage (X 4.6 RTR, X 4.6 with Reverse RTR, SS Super Sport Kit, 3.5 RTR)
- HPI Wheelie King 4x4
- Sportswerks Chaos Nitro Buggy
- Team Losi Electric Micro-T
- Team Losi Mini-T Electric Truck
- Thunder Tiger Ducati 999R Testastretta RC Motorcycle
- Traxxas 4-Tec Nitro On-Road Car
- Traxxas Rustler XL-5 Electric Stadium Truck
- XMODS Cars and Trucks
Planes and Helicopters
Indoors or outdoors, find an airplane, helicopter, or even out-of-this-world spacecraft that you don't need a pilot's license to fly.
- Indoor RC Helicopters
- Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle Set
- Flytech Dragonfly
- Fly Wheels XPV
- Indoor RC Airplanes for Experienced Pilots
- Mini / Micro Indoor RC Airplanes
- Radio Controlled Blimps
- RC Flight Simulators
- RC Flying Saucers and UFOs
Boats and Subs
Make serious waves or set sail across uncharted waters as the skipper of your own RC watercraft or dive, dive, dive into radio controlled subs. Buy off-the-shelf boats and subs or build your own.
Toys and Gadgets
There are simple, colorful RC toys for toddlers and more complex and educational RC toys and gadgets for teens and adults.
- Kids Can Build Their Own RCs
- RC Bulldozers, Dump Trucks, Cranes
- RC Toy Cars and Trucks
- RC Water Toys
- RC Robot Toys
- RC Flying Toys
- Scary RC Animals and Insects
- Remote Control Dinosaurs
- RCs With Cameras
- Radio Controlled Blimps and Airships
- Fly Wheels XPV
- Flytech Dragonfly
- RC Toy Manufacturers
Parts & Supplies
From maintenance to upgrading you need accessories for your RC. Shop for new tires, a better motor, brighter lights, new battery packs, and a new paint (or decal) job for your RC ride. For some kinds of repairs you can use the screwdrivers and wrenches you might already own. But RC vehicles sometimes require specialized tools and equipment for troubleshooting and maintenance.
