Gizmodo Australia » picooz

iBird R/C Toy Looks Like Flapping Good Fun

Gizmodo US Edition — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:55:46 +0000

The new iBird comes from the same makers as our favourite R/C microcopters, but this time takes a leaf from Mother Nature’s design book. Controlled with the same kind of infrared remote and charging system as the Picoo Z’s, the flapping wonder is supposed to look and fly like a real bird. Real, hey? I’d say really cybernetic, but what the heck: check out its “realistic flapping motion” in the video.

It looks easier to control than the choppers, but is apparently made to be “ultra tough” in case you still manage some high-speed collisions when playing with it. Available in three colour schemes, it’s out now for around US$50. [Geekalerts]

Tandem Z1 Chinook Minicopter Flying (and Crashing) on Video

Gizmodo US Edition — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:30:22 +0000

My new Tandem Z1 Chinook finally arrived. And guess what? Two rotors and proper six-way control actually does equal twice the crashes. At least while starting out, anyway— just like a real helicopter these things are a bugger to learn to control. Balancing throttle, forward, backwards, turning and the trimming controls felt like it needed about three extra hands. So, I had crashes. A lot. But, eventually, I got the hang of it, as the video shows.

Once my crash factor had reduced, it’s the most fun toy I’ve ever played with. I even felt bold enough to take off the extra plastic vane at the front—something the instructions say to do only once “you obtained certain control skills.” Then there was renewed whirling and high-speed encounters with floor, ceiling, curtains and wife (sorry!), but I eventually got the hang of this maneuverable mode too.

Alas, the attempt to carry a Legoman hanging from its payload hooks totally failed, as you can see from the crash compilation video. There was lots of footage to choose from.

The Tandem Z1 charges from the remote control, just like other Picoo Z choppers, though this controller has an extra trim adjuster for forwards/backwards. The four-way steering joystick comes with a plug-in limiter so you can get the hang of things while starting out. The attention to detail on the model is great: it’s even got undercarriage and a switchable nose searchlight. Despite the extra complexity of the design, the styrofoam seems pretty resilient, and has survived a hundred crashes with only a few dents.

Overall verdict: awesome, flyable, crashable fun.

Tandem Z Chinook R/C Helicopter Has Two Rotors for Double the Crashes

Gizmodo US Edition — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:46:54 +0000

Picoo Z has just doubled the fun of R/C mini helicopters with the Tandem Z Chinook. Yes, two rotors, just like the real thing, for twice the number of high-speed crashes into walls, twice the chased-by-your-cat action. Its also got a three-channel remote control now, so you can try forward-backward moves properly—remember how tricky the original Pico Z was to fly with only up-down and left-right? Available for around US$79. [Geek Alerts]

PicooZ Sky Challenger Laser Tag R/C Choppers Selling Soon

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:27:45 +0000

Remember those sweet laser-tag type R/C choppers we showed you a few months ago, the ones that fulfilled at least two of Adam’s childhood fantasies? Today, I saw them, or well, something ridiculously identical, both in and out of the box. That’s right, PicooZ is coming out with a $80 duelin’ chopper set called Sky Challenger, and it’ll be on Firebox.com within the next four weeks (though it’s not up yet). Looks like Christmas will come early for Mr. Frucci! [Firebox.com]