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With all the new ways to make RC toys innovative and exciting Air Hogs has come up with a redesign of the old kid favorite, the Vectron UFO RC, now called the Vectron Wave. It's been scaled down a bit in size though. Now instead of using the pistol style, one trigger controller to get the RC hovering Air Hogs has implemented IR sensor technology. This technology allows the Vectron Wave to hover on its own without the use of a controller.
That's right, instead of a hand-held RC transmitter, it uses infrared to put the control in your hands -- literally.
How the Vectron Wave Works
You start off by placing the Vectron Wave on a smooth surface. Turn it on and let it initialize the sensors. Once the sensors are initialized the bottom propeller will start to spin automatically. At first the Vectron Wave will shoot to the ceiling and then float back down. This is so that it can get a sense of where it is between the ceiling in and the floor. After this process is complete you can now use your hands to control the heights at which the Vectron will go. If you do not put your hand or anything underneath the Vectron Wave it will just hover at a specific height set by the sensors in relationship to the floor.
What's in the Box
When you first open the box you get the old wire trap (abundance of wires to secure the RC in the package). Once you get past all that you will have the Vectron Wave, charging station, manual, and a wand attachment.
The wand attachment snaps onto the top of the Vectron Wave and acts as a handle so that you can gently toss it to your friend for an amusing game of catch.
Durability
The durability of the Vectron Wave is pretty decent It still is molded from high quality styrofoam but that doesn't mean it's invincible either. From my own observations it can take a rough bump or two without any harm.
Charging Station
The charging station (6 AA batteries required) is small and compact with the charging cord neatly tucked away in its cord compartment. The charging station also doubles as a stopping device for the Vectron Wave. What that means is that at any time you feel that there is going to be a serious wreck you can press the small button on the right side of the charger while pointing the charger at the Vectron Wave. The Vectron Wave will turn off and hover to the ground for a safe landing.
Fun Factor and Flying Q&A
For kids I think this particular RC would be fun but it would probably lose interest after a while because there really isn't much to do but watch it hover by use of hands or by itself. Novel Idea but more could have been done with it. Maybe more flashing lights and such. It just goes up and down and up and down. No side to side motion.
How many can fly at once?
Since there aren't any controllers using radio frequencies to cause interference I assume that multiple Vectron Waves could be flown in an area without trouble. I've not tested this personally though. It would be pretty amusing to see a fleet of Vectron Waves trying to take over the living room... too small to take on the world.
Can the Vectron Wave be flown outside?
No. When I flew it in my kitchen the slightest breeze -- or a sneeze for that matter -- would send the Vectron Wave on a crash course into the wall. Unless it is an exceptionally calm day and not too bright (sunlight can interfere with infrared) keep the Vectron Wave indoors.
Conclusion
There really isn't much to say about this particular RC toy -- only that it's a novel idea. I wouldn't race out to the local toy store. It's not a "just got to have that" toy. It's something that you would get just to check out the technology or if given the chance try out at your local toy store. There isn't anything besides the infrared sensing technology that I consider really special about it.
That said, a lot of the youngsters out there will probably think this new type of technology is pretty neat or fascinating. My pet cats are also fascinated by the Vectron Wave. No matter where or how they try to get underneath, it always manages to climb higher and higher out of reach.
However, other than annoying pets or people and watching it hover by itself in the air there really isn't much you can do with this RC toy. If you have a Vectron Wave and have come up with an inventive way of making a it move forward and back or left to right (or any direction beyond up and down), let me know.
Manufacturer's Site
Item was purchased by the reviewer.
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