Could my Mind be an RC Controller?

A couple of months ago the effyountoys R & D team, which consists entirely of my 10, 7 and 5 year-old sons, went to the science and engineering fair at the local university.  We had lots of fun building solar-powered cars, constructing straw cages for eggs that were dropped from 30 feet, and watching microcontroller demos. 

One thing we all tried was a game based on biological engineering principles.  Yep, we all donned these head bands and attempted to shuttle a small foam ball through a miniature obstacle course.  Did I mention that we were controlling the ball with our minds?  Oh, yeah. Sorry. That’s important. The game is called Mindflex by Mattel. The headbands measure brain waves. The fan speed that blows the foam ball in the air is directly proportional with the amount of focused brain waves.  Concentrate and the ball goes higher…so much fun. 

Hey - - this is an RC blog.  What gives? 

Okay, here’s what I want to propose to all you RC manufactures out there. Produce an RC unit that can be controlled by the human mind! I would love to see an EEG/Controller for the RC toy market.  How cool would that be? 

Until that time, however, please check out our boats, tanks, cars, trucks, planes and helis.  Although they use the traditional RC controllers, they are a great value and loads of fun!  For example, take a look at our tank selection. 

Brushed or Brushless...What's the difference?

What’s the difference between Brushed and Brushless motors in RC toys?

The main difference, as the name suggests, is that brushed motors have small wire brushes that are used to detect and help control the rotation of the engine. For a great discussion you can check this site which provides additional links to Wikipedia diagrams.

This is all pretty scientific and even though I have a pretty strong science background, the physics is still a little confusing.   The basic point if you’re new to RC toys is this…If you’re not a pro, stick with a brushed motor. Why? They are cheaper and easier to maintain! 
                                                       
For example, check out our Enzo Ferrari for less than 50 bucks! This car is fast and perfect for the beginner RC enthusiast.

Which one is better?

Well, it depends on your needs of course, because each one has strengths and weaknesses, but our simple rule is that if you’re just starting out with RC toys, stick with a brushed motor. But if money is not really a concern for you and you are looking for more speed, then try a brushless motor. They are superior in performance and maintenance. (No brush replacement, longer run-time, and no brushes to get clogged with dirt).

Since many of our customers are parents buying for their younger children, we think that brushless motors are not really worth it. Kids are going to have a blast with any RC toy, so high performance isn’t really an issue. Plus, it’s like giving a 16 year old a brand new Corvette. It would be best for beginners to learn the basics of RC control before giving them something they might crash through your living room wall.

For maximum speed and awesomeness, check out the brushless RedCat Aftershock 8E. 

When would I want brushed?
• I’m on a budget
• I don’t need the fastest toy
• I’m a beginner
• I don’t mind spending a little time to maintain my motor
• I would just buy a new toy if the motor fails
• I race but would like flexibility to swap out motors

When would I want brushless?
• I have a little more money to spend
• I want high performance
• I don’t want to spend time cleaning and repairing my motor
• I’m a hobbyist and want to race toys

Switch from Dog to Ace with a push of a button?

Yes. That's right. In the future you may be able to change the center of gravity (COG) of your RC plane and thereby change its performance. The COG is related to the angle of attack.  The lift coefficient of a fixed-wing aircraft varies uniquely with angle of attack. Increasing angle of attack is associated with increasing lift coefficient.

What this translates to regarding RC toys is very exciting.  Many RC airplane enthusiasts often have to purchase a few planes depending on what type of flight experience they seek.  This technology has the potential to make a plane more versatile. Simply put, you could cruise with your Cessna 182 and then switch the COG and bank with the assertiveness of a P-51D Mustang. 

Alas, we are a few years from seeing this technology in the RC toys business, but it is something to keep your eyes on. For more information about the patent, click here.

In the meantime, we highly recommend this plane from RedCat Racing. For the money ($314.99), this plane really performs well with over 50 inches of wingspan and a brushless motor.  Cessna 182 - Class 500.  www.effyountoys.com 

As always...RC toys are better shared.