Remote control vehicles have been around for ages, but it’s only in the last few years that they’ve moved from anoraked pastime to boy’s toy and stocking filler. And yep, we’re thinking about Christmas already.
In preparation for the holiest (and greediest) day of the year, we’ve taken a look at the RCs that give micro machines a run for their tiny money.
1. Tandem Z-1 Micro Chopper
The PicoZ micro was an instant hit in offices nationwide, letting you fly around and clip people in the back of the head with its whirring blades, just for fun. The new Tandem now offers, you guessed it, two blades, and a much steeper learning curve to get to grips with graceful air control. But that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it?
2. R/C Space Surfer
RCs that stick to the ground are so passe these days. This little critter can zoom twenty metres up into the sky to catch some air, bust some moves and gently levitate to earth again. For legal reasons, we have to state this isn’t a copy of the Silver Surfer, even though it probably is.
3. The Morphibian
The Science Museum now makes toys as well apparently, but when they’re this entertaining, who cares where public subsidies are going? This rugged RC is completely waterproof and has no problem driving across ponds and streams, thanks to its clever wheels that turn into paddles. Swimalicious.
4. The A-Team Van
The only way for a boring, four wheeled road RCs to make it onto this list is for them to be modelled on the A-Team van. And this one is! No Mr T models supplied unfortunately, but a turbo boost button means you can escape swiftly back to the Los Angeles underground if your cover is blown.
5. Wall-E
While it doesn’t look set to repeat the barnstorming success of the Buzz Lightyear toy, Pixar’s favourite RC robot is still have a must have. If you’ve never felt the urge to mother a small electronic device, you will after seeing this guy bleeping and blooping.
6. VTS Camera Car
This may cost about a hundred times more than any other RC listed here, but for your extra notes you get a live camera feed from the vehicle as it drives, which can be rotated by a slight turn of your neck as you watch for incoming feet. Nice.
7. Flytech Bladestar
Wowwee’s scythe-like UFO impressed us so much at CES earlier this year that we’re still thinking about them. Your office based nemeses will never know what hit them. They’ll hear it, yes, but won’t realise it’s not a gravitating salt cellar until it’s too late.
8. Zero Gravity Micro R/C
Flying RCs are fun, but what about a car that drives on the ceiling? Special suction power makes sure that it sticks to any surface, and opens up the potential for some great races. If only they’d let you use them at the Millennium Dome.
9. PicoZ Sky Challenger Battle Pack
In a twist on the indoor flight RCs out there, these Pico choppers fire beams at each other in a miniature dog fight. Be sure not to get hit, or you’ll find yours spiraling rapidly towards the ground – the Pico won’t be damaged but your reputation will be.
10. Stealth Speedboat
If you can’t get that episode of The Simpsons with Knight Boat in it out of your head, then this could be for you. The Stealth Speedboat zips along over the waves at 30km/h, frightening ducks and the old ladies who’ve come to feed them. Miami Vice on your nearest pond.
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