BH Models

Recently we brought in a new line of airplanes, BH Models. These airplanes are exclusive at Hobby People and we think an exceptional value for our customers. BH makes both scale and sport style airplanes, and they are all very high quality in their materials and building. The trainers use a PVC type covering while their more performance airplanes use Oracover.

We made the decision to offer the line to our customers after much testing and performance benchmarking, and we believe they will exceed your expectations. We are very proud to offer you these airplanes.

Look for the t-38 Trojan to be on the cover of a coming Model Airplane News. We sent them the plane for review, and they were so impressed, its now on a cover.

Also, keep an eye on future releases, as the BH line is growing with many more planes to come.

Take good care, and great flying.

For those who love airplanes, you may want to check out this blog by Mike G. who is a passionate hobbyist, and showcases some cool stuff.    see mikegoesflying

Let your imaginations Soar!

This weekend a buddy of mine called asking about the difference between hobby products and toy. Although a few days ago, I briefly touched on the subject, I thought I would take this opportunity to delve deeper.

Firstly, I am a big fan of toys. Love’em. I think anything that provides a fun experience for my kids to use their imaginations is a big win as a parent, and there are many toys or games which allow for us as parents to enter the play environment as well. I will say that I value toys more than I value video games, but that’s my own bias. At my company, Hobby People we carry many toys. As a general rule, we try to focus on the better quality Radio Control Toys from the best makers. Our buyers will in many cases personally test the products for play value and quality, and because we are a R/C specialist company, determine if the the product is a good entry into our hobby. As many of you know, I love the Spinmaster Havoc Helicopter and the Phase 3 Rookie Airplane. While these are toys, they simply work better than any toy I have personally tested. They are priced right, and will provide lots of good times for you and your family. Because of their economical price, they are great products to test your interest into RC, and if you love it like we do, you will move into more sophisticated hobby cars, airplanes, or helicopters.

Back to the difference between toys and hobby products. The biggest difference is that a toy is relatively static in its performance, meaning that you cannot upgrade the product as your interest and imagination soar. Additionally a toy is generally an item that when it breaks you will have to throw it away, as there are no spares, and the design is such that you cannot repair it.

Most people focus on the ability to fix a hobby product as the main differentiator, however, I believe the hobby is all about imagination. Using a car as an example (helis and planes offer same imagination factor), the changes to the car are almost infinite. If you simply like Ford, you can put on a Ford Truck body, painted however you desire. If you simply want to go faster, you can change motors, gears, tires wheels, or any combination. Anything you can imagine, the hobby allows you to make happen. Watching people so passionate about their trucks is an amazing sight, especially as they launch their trucks 20 feet in the air off a monster jump. Here is a really cool video you may like: click here

Finally, as a parent, I find the educational aspects of the hobby to be important as well. I like the fact that working on your hobby is very practical hands on experience. Rebuilding a gear train, painting a body, testing gear ratios, and testing on the track or in your back yard are great skills. I like the fact that the hobby combines brains and imagination, and I think the hobbyists are better for it.

I hope this helps, and to those interested, welcome to the wonderful world of imagination, Radio Control. Check our www.hobbypeople.net

Rain and Mud, perfect family time

Its raining today and rather than stay inside and watch tv, or play on the computer (except for now of course) my son and I are going out and running our xtm electric xcellerator. Nothing like some sloppy muddy fun in the rain. Should be a lot of fun.

Cool RC Radio Control suggestions for beginners

Every day I have friends ask me about getting into R/C whether it is for themselves or for their kids. In almost every case, they have a fascination with airplanes or cars, and enjoy the challenge and fun of making things work. With kids, the parents are wanting to get their kids away from the tv or video games, while finding hobbies which they can share together.

I also get the question of what separates the hobby from the toys. That’s a really interesting question, and I think the best answer is that hobby products are ones that you can fix, upgrade, and personalize in a way that you can change performance. An example is an RC Car, unlike a toy that when it breaks you toss it into the garbage, with the hobby RC car, you can fix it, modify it, change the performance. The hobby is really for people who love fun, and want to engage their brain and have fun. That’s why I love the hobby industry, its not only cool, but educational and fun!

I have put a list of items to get started in the hobby, some are an inexpensive way to test your interest before making the commitment into the hobby.

For helicopters, I love the Spinmaster Havoc, a $26.99 helicopter that gives you a great heli experience for a low price. The quality and performance are superb, in fact, its one of the best toys I have ever seen. Click here to check it out.

If you are like me, once I flew the havoc, I wanted something better and more controlling, and I am now flying the EF Mash. Really cool, and a big step up in performance. I fly it in my office and can hover pretty well. Check it out

For airplanes, I like the Phase 3 Rookie, which is made of ultra strong EPP foam, which makes it exceptionally durable, and is so simple to fly that my 6 year old enjoys it. I hope it is the beginning of a fascination with airplanes. The Rookie is really a starter plane to the hobby. Here’s a link:

Once you have flown the Rookie, you may become a plane addict and need something more. I think the Multiplex Easy Star is the best hobby quality electric trainer, and have had many friends start their passion with RC planes flying the easy star. Here’s a link:

For RC trucks, I like the XTM Xcellerator which is a perfect entry into the hobby. This is a very durable and performance oriented truck, and the design allows for simple maintenance and if you break it, you can fix it inexpensively. My son and I love this truck. You will need to buy a battery and charger separately, so look at the combo to save even more money. Here’s the link.

I think these are good 1st steps into the hobby, however, because the hobby is really all about imagination, check out other items that will engage the senses. Have a good weekend.