What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Radio controlled helicopters shoot infrared "guns" The Bad: Learning to control flights is tricky In a Nutshell: Once you get the hang of flying, these little helicopters inspire tons of fun At a Glance Ages: 8 and older Requires: 12 AA batteries

Each lightweight helicopter has a distinct look. View larger.

The remote control fits comfortably in two hands. View Larger.

Now it's time to start practicing. You'll want to encourage kids to get familiar with the controls before they engage in a big-time air battle, since flying these choppers well takes practice. In addition to an on-off switch and a switch that lets you select the correct channel to control your helicopter, each hand-held controller has a throttle stick, a rudder stick, a button to adjust for trimming, and two thumb buttons for firing your infrared "guns."

We found the best way to start off was flying one helicopter at a time in a large, indoor space, while focusing simply on hovering an even distance above the ground. This simple task is trickier to master than you might imagine, but with enough practice it becomes second nature. The included instruction manual and Havoc Heli Laser Battle DVD offer lots of tips for learning to fly, from focusing on the helicopter instead of the controller to applying very gentle pressure on the control sticks.

Fun, Imaginative Play for Expert Pilots
Once two players have learned the basics of flight, you're ready for battle. The included Air Hogs mini comic provides battle strategies, along with suggestions for adding intrigue to your laser battles. Kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy the first time they score a big hit on an opponent and see his chopper spin out of control.

Younger children may end up disappointed with the learning curve associated with these helicopters, since their friends will have to practice before they can play together. That makes these a good bet for siblings or neighbors who play together often, since they can master flight simultaneously.

Additionally, these helicopters offer an excellent opportunity for parents and kids to play together, offering each other flight tips and competing on equal ground. You may find yourself having even more fun than your children with these remote-control choppers.

Overall, this battle set is a great way to teach patience, persistence, and principles of flight, all while having a great time. Our one real concern is the durability of the helicopters themselves. While Air Hogs thoughtfully includes extra tail rotors, and our helicopters survived lots of brutal crashes while we were learning to fly, they are made of foam and lightweight plastic. This means that any chopper that gets stepped on or tossed around is almost sure to sustain some damage.

What's in the Box
Two helicopters, two controllers, DVD with battle and flight tips, four spare tail rotors, rotor removal tool, aluminum labels, mini comic book, and an instruction manual.