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Action Figures | Home » » WowWee Robotic DragonFly - Blue (27 MHz) | | | | | | | Description: | | With an ultra-light, dual design and a "high-flex," crash-resistant structure, this easy-to-fly aeronautical insect will provide hours of entertainment. Use the Dragonfly indoors or outdoors, controlling its speed, direction and height with the digital proportional remote. Features: Two frequencies available. Wingspan is 16" wide. Up to 10 minutes of flight time on a single charge. Includes rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. Also requires 6 "AA" batteries, not included. | | | Features: | |
• Innovative Flying Action
• Stron Ultra-light Design
• Light Up LED Eyes
• Easy Recharge from the Remote
• Choose between beginner and expert mode
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 16.5 inches | | Product Width:
| 3.4 inches | | Product Height:
| 12.3 inches | | Product Weight:
| 1.98 pounds | | Package Length:
| 15.51 inches | | Package Width:
| 14.17 inches | | Package Height:
| 5.67 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.98 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 25 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 25 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 64 found the following review helpful:
 Addictive--with a little practice and the right amount of spaceJun 12, 2007
By Marko
I bought this because it's the first RC flying toy I've seen with actual flapping wings. I'm an adult and I bought it for myself because I work in a room that's a converted warehouse and we have really high ceilings and not many walls. It's really enjoyable to fly because you've never seen anything like it. It really does resemble a giant flying bug and it's movements are kind of creepy and it makes a soft buzzing sound.
The key is to make sure a) the controller antenna is fully extended, and b) the rotor is still and while you start the wings flapping you hold it and release it into the air. With more practice, you'll get better. Don't be frustrated if it crashes--the fun is seeing how long you can keep it going. Even if you can only get it to fly around the room once, it's worth it.
It comes with extra wings (different pattern and color printed on them), and an extra rotor. Be sure to unpack it all from the box carefully because some of the small parts are tucked away inside. It takes 6 AA batteries that go in the controller, which charges the bug via a small cable. The battery life seems pretty good so far. (I've had it for a couple weeks and have yet to change the batteries...but then, I only fly it here for fun and not more than about 10 minutes a day.) I've had it run into walls and poles from the height of 10' or so and it seems pretty durable (because it's so light). Fun. Somewhat educational too because it demonstrates a unique method of flight.
42 of 43 found the following review helpful:
 Take your time with thisJun 16, 2007
By Jasmine
"Smooth Jazzy"
This is a very good product but it's very hard to learn to make it fly well, and it has waaay too much packaging - make sure you have some scissors. It was weak when I first tried it, but got stronger after a few charges. It crashes in spectacular fashion every time you fly it, but it is very durable and hasn't broken yet. So far I've crashed it at least 100 times, mowed down all the origami from my shelf, decimated the chess board and dive-bombed the laptop. The dog is thoroughly freaked out by this thing, and it's very funny the way it buzzes around and crashes like a real dragon fly against a window screen. I would recommend putting away anything breakable before flying this thing inside.
The toy itself is very durable, but it will knock things around. Pay attention to the condition of it after each flight though - I had to fix the nose of mine with some clear packing tape. I had the opportunity to test this with an 8-year old boy (I'm 36 and my boys are teens), and he was actually better at flying it than I was. He dropped the controller in our warehouse and the antenna bent... then I broke it trying to bend it back. It still flies fine though, and it is a standard sized radio antennas and replacements can be bought at Radio Shack. It does not fly outside in any breeze at all! The one time I've taken it outside to fly and we had no wind, it did very well, but if there is a slight breeze it will dip and dive and sail and turn all over the place. The wind picks it up very nicely, so be aware of that.
Tips: Turning of any kind causes it to go into a dive, so make sure you turn gently. The tail feather slows it down a lot and makes it hard to turn, so you need even more space. The tail feather is very difficult to attach, and I hurt my thumb a bit trying to get it on. The best way to launch the dragon fly is by starting the motor and holding it about 4 or 5 feet in the air, giving it a slight forward push as you release it. Let it fly a bit to stabilize before you try to turn it. It does not launch from surfaces very well, but if you have a long, smooth runway, it will take off from the ground. To do this, you need to start out slow and accelerate to full speed, otherwise it flops over on it's nose. It taxis around on my no-wax floor in a fairly silly way and in this respect, makes a very funny pet toy. In the house, I set the trim dial to one side so the Dragon Fly will go in circles, then use small controller inputs to periodically straighten it out, which makes it gain altitude. You need to vary the power level carefully as you fly, or it will stall out and dive. Only if you are outside or you have a ton of space, should you set it to fly in a straight line... it just doesn't have enough control to keep it within the allotted space. A basketball court would be a good sized space to try this in, but once you get some experience, you will be able to fly it in more normal-sized spaces.
NOTE: when I bought this, I was told that it simply would not work at high altitude above about 7000 ft. I am at about 5500 feet, and it clearly doesn't have the ooomph it might have at lower altitudes. Please, if you write a review, please indicate the thickness of your air - it matters a lot. Again, WILL NOT WORK above 7000 ft or so.
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Marvelous flying toy. Worth every cent!Jan 11, 2008
By D. Cowger
"Outpatient"
What a great toy: It is quite simply LOADS of fun! Loads I tell ya! I gave this toy as xmas gifts to 3 kids of varying ages (14, 17, 19... and a 4th one I bought for myself, a kid of 40). The kids loved their Dragonflies. And everyone else loved them too. Everyone wanted a turn to fly the remote control insect. Definitely the smash hit of all the xmas gifts given that day. They were so enjoyable I went and bought one for myself. I'm nearly 40 years old, still play video games, and will always be a kid at heart. I've been having a BLAST flying this thing around my neighborhood. Everyone who sees it is keenly intrigued and impressed at how this thing flies by flapping it's wings. It's just so cool.
Only caveat I have noticed is that it can take a bit of practice before one gets the hang of flying this thing. It's not so easy that just anyone can fly it on their first try. Most people are able to fly it pretty well after 2 - 6 training flights. Some may take longer. It took me two days before I could get it to stay in the air. But I'm glad I didn't give up because it's just so much darn fun once you get the hang of it! In my opinion it should be for ages 12 and up. I think 8 is kinda young for this toy and 7 or under I seriously doubt they possess the needed skills to master this machine.
If you have any doubt about this item I would encourage you to seek out any of the remote control hobbyists discussion forums on the net and see what they have been saying about this toy. (Look for subjects about "ornithopters" which are flying machines powered by flapping wings). These are people that live for flying RC airplanes, helicopters, ornithopters, and other machines. They know their stuff and overall they seem to be thoroughly impressed with this inexpensive little "toy". (IMO this thing is much more than just a "toy".)
Without a doubt this thing is the best bang for the buck I've encountered in many years. If you can get it for less than 40 - 50 dollars, then by all means GET IT! Especially you adult kids out there, like me, don't make the mistake of thinking this thing is only a toy for children. Quite the contrary, I'd have to say the older you are the more likely you will be able to appreciate the impressive physics of this machine and therefore derive that much more enjoyment from it.
[...]
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
DragonFly is a hit with kidsSep 17, 2007
By David H. Thomasson
"Open to New Ideas"
I purchased the DragonFly for my grandson who is 9 years old. It was an immediate hit and even prompted him to write a thank you letter! (a first).
The remote controlled DragonFly is very easy to operate. After only a few tries we were flying high! The aircraft part is sturdy and survived several collisions with furniture and walls before we were all pushed out of the house by an irate Mom.
The structure of the DragonFly is based on the early experience of Igor Sikorsky, who saw the insect version as a child and tried to design his first helicopters based on the flapping wing concept. (Eventually the current horizontal 4 bladed rotating wing proved more mechanically durable and and was universally adopted.) This great aviation history lesson can be added to the product, and it really helped open up communication between this Grandpa and a very active 9 year old.
Great product and a good value. I bought it through an Amazon affiliate and it was delivered on time and as advertised.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Loads of fun!Jan 18, 2008
By Mr. J. Kunysz
"Rockerjim"
I'm not sure why some people had trouble flying it. I charged it up, went to a local park, and gave the RC controls to my 6yr old daughter. she loved it! She had absolutely no problems flying it or keeping it in the air. My job was to run after it and make sure it didn't fly away or over the park fences.
It's plenty durable too. We had no broken parts after flying it for about 1 hour.
I was pleasantly surprised and give this 5 stars.
See all 25 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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