Gadget Review: R/C Alien Microfly UFO

Reviews Toys — 18 November 2008

You gotta love toys you can just pick up and play with. The instructions – what instructions! The R/C Alien Microfly UFO is no more then a balance weight, box cutter knifed Styrofoam and propeller. So, ya, my initial reaction was far from impressed. Worse yet, I had to stuff 6 AA batteries into the remote, which doubles as a charger. Sorry, no rechargeable batteries included. With apprehension, and an almost virtual guarantee that my review of the R/C Alien Microfly UFO would be negative, I set in for lift off.

First attempt: smacked the ceiling and spun out of control. Second attempt: I eased in on the throttle and lift off, albeit for a few seconds. Soon I realized this little RC flyer would take some mastery, something I might just enjoy. Hand eye coordination? Yes please. Come my 5th attempt I was hovering the little neon green flyer like a pro. 75% on the throttle seemed about suitable for my 8 foot ceilings.

Initially, the left and right controls alluded me. Why? Because there are none. Built-in into the flyer and remote are infrared diodes that keep the flyer in proximity of the remote. Course, that doesn’t mean it won’t fly 3 feet left and then 5 feet right, but hey, that’s part of the experience. Charging the flyer takes 20 minutes, which should provide about 5 minutes of continuous fly time. In the event of a harsh crash an auto shutoff switch engages, requiring you to switch the flyer off then on again.

Being the humanitarian that I am, I ran the propeller against my bare skin to see if it would inflict any damage. Fear not moms, it’s safe, although it could probably scratch a cornea or two in the wrong hands. Sure to be a party pleaser and get the in laws scratching their noggins, I’m in love with the R/C Alien Microfly UFO.

Pros:

Can use out of the box
Resistant to damage due to Styrofoam body
Simple remote with built-in charger

Cons:

5 minutes of flyings but takes 20+ minutes to charge
No rechargeable batteries
Auto shutoff a bit sensitive
No left or right controls and mind of its own

Available here for $25.

About Author

Christen Costa

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."

Heavy Chevy

I was thinking about getting one of these as they are on sale for $12.99 but not being able to control left and right seems like a crap deal and a useless toy!!

So you hover it up and down it will go left and right as it pleases? Seems like a real sort of ‘first generation’ kind of thing……….
Bruce

Great toy for the price. After just a few tries I was able to keep it in the air
and really enjoy this toy.
http://tinyurl.com/9ptxkd rob

nice stuff
http://www.gizmodo.com strider_mt2k

I just bought one of these and I love it.
It's the perfect balance of silly, functional, and sturdy.
Well…except for the controller.
Last night it broke in the most perfect way when the return spring on the throttle snapped.

NOW I can set the throttle and my flier will stay in a stable hover!

If you have the five minutes of experience it takes to be a pro, consider this as a modification.
Mary

Hi Heavy cheavy,
Where did you find it for $12.99?

An one know if I can get a replacement propellor anywhere? My 7 year old loves this but I can’t afford to buy new ones.
Thanks, Mary
tomtom

Yeah….me need new propellor also.