Office Toys: SilverLit Picoo Z Micro-Helicopter
Published by Joel October 9th, 2006 in Gadgets. Share This
For the last 48 hours, I have been in the giddy wonderland of new love. The Picoo Z, a $30 RC helicopter, might be the best toy I’ve ever purchased.
On paper, the Picoo Z looks crappy: Foam, polypropylene body; infrared controls instead of radio; two-control axes, vertical and rotational, instead of the more common four.
But the foam body means it can take crash landings with ease. The two-axis controls offer plenty of steering fidelity for short, indoor flights. The infrared controls might choke out in bright sunlight, but for indoor use they’re surprisingly capable (and presumably easier on the batteries).
Each 5-7 minute flight is a stupid amount of fun and despite at least a couple dozen flights with my little Picoo Z since this Saturday, I’ve yet to grow bored with it. I’m having some difficultly not firing it up for a test flight while writing this right now.
For a couple of hours yesterday I thought I’d killed mine, having ripped apart its foam body to get at the innards for some modding, then accidentally filled the teeth on the main gear with superglue. When I fixed it and heard the motor whir into life with a newly-oiled, throaty growl—okay, a buzz, but a deep buzz!—I made such a cackle that my dog almost woke from his mid-afternoon pre-nap nap.
I bought mine from Radio Shack, but those bastards have just raised the price to $40. It still says $29.99 on the box, however, and you may be able to get them to honor the old price as I did. Toys ‘R’ Us is rumored to have them, as well, although their website doesn’t have them listed. I’ve yet to find an online source that doesn’t nail you for shipping, driving even $30 choppers up to $45 or so when it’s all said and done.
When you get one—and you must—you’ll want to do a few mods. Oiling the rotor shaft helps tremendously, as does adding weight to the front to pitch the nose down for forward momentum. (Or, even better, used the plastic to create little air-ducting wings.) Several RC forums are discussing the Picoo Z, but I’ve found the RCGroups.com boards the most active. They even have an index of common mods.
If you’ve ever wanted an RC helicopter but found the cost daunting, especially when compounded by the inevitability of crashing your bird, buy yourself a sturdy little Picoo Z. Then you’ll be faced with the decision facing me: Buy a more advanced helicopter or just buy more Picoo Zs?
Sheet! I was just gonna go out and buy one!
I LOVE this thing, even though it’s gonna cost me…like…a hundred bucks.
It’ll keep the pit bull and shepherd busy chasing it around the yard.
Cool-ski.
One of the guys in my office has one of these. They’re squirrelly as hell, but a lot of fun. We’re running a contest to see who can get it to fly from one office to another; no winners yet, but I’m sure the mods you posted will only help.
It’s “PICCO”
I was over at my buddies on Friday and he showed me his, except it seemed to be just a tad bit bigger (maybe the hand in the photo is enormous.). Anyway, we had a blast with it, although, his was already all taped up and had a permenant lean to the left. I’ve been wonding about getting one myself but wasn’t sure how long they’ll last…
I’ll prolly’ buy one today.
a similar toy which is more fun, is the “Aero Ace”. It’s also around $30, made of lightweight styrofoam, and is super easy to fly. Especially outdoors in low-wind situations. (I had one, but it got stuck on top of a house, then in a thunderstorm. It was tons of fun while it lasted)
Actually, SPELL CHECKER, I think you’ll find the spelling varies depending on the package design. On mine it’s clearly spelled “Picoo,” as it is for most others who are talking about the copter on various forums.
Having read about it on your site, I ordered one of these suckers. I used this coupon to get ten bucks off:
[url]http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/25539/picoo-z-remote-controlled-micro-helicopter-only-39-csb-exclusive/[/url]
The 10 bucks should cover the new parts I will have to order ten minutes after the first takeoff, when I inevitably ram it into a wall!
I’ve had my mini chopper for about two weeks. I have already ordered another. I’s THE Best toy I have ever owened.
Topper, dullion, spanker, rasper, beazer are only a few of the words i have to describe this toy.
Ditched the wife and have more time to fly!!!!
Well I was at walmart yesterday, not having been able to find the picoo at any loca RS. I was suprised when I saw one on the shelf. Although it isnt a picoo z anymore. It is an Airhogs Havoc Heli. It is the same exact thing as the picoo and only cost 30 dollars. After doing some research I discovered that Silverlit sold the picoo to the makers of airhogs. They repackaged it and now you can find them at walmart and target. Naybe other places as well. After having flown the helix heli by airhogs and finding out that it is junk I wanted the picoo badly. I am extremely pleased with its performance and price. Its a great buy and loads of fun.
The best way i have found to make the picoo pitch is with blue tac not them weights there to lite.
Seems like a lot of technology for that kind of money.
real helecopters take a lot of skill to fly..more i’m told than fixed wing.
so for this to be able to be flown shows some kind of enhancement in flight
controls which the probably use in military drones..
Saw a silverlit at a business I deliver to he told me he paid 40$ U.S. on the net from a toy store in the UK. (plus 15$) shipping I went to the silverlit web site and found your page talking about walmart went to mine 29.95$ packaged as a Havoc Heli. Air Hogs. 3 channels extra tail roter. 20 pack of duracells for 9.95$ and I’m flying!!!!! This thing is over the top
I just bought the Air Hogs Havoc Heli (aka Picoo Z) at my local Target. I haven’t been able to put it down since last night. It is not listed on their website, but if you call them, they do carry it. $29.99 and you are set to go! This was a great buy for the price! Happy flying!