JOGOTO Thunderbird X8 Serie Large Alloy 28 Inch 2.4G 4CH RC Single-Blade Remote Control Helicopter with Gyro (Color May Vary)

This has to be the best out of the box rc heli ive ever bought! I fly everything from small 2 channel to 6 channel 3d heli,s and this is definitely a must have for anyone getting into rc helicopters that has some experience flying up to skilled pilots looking for a great,easy,backyard flyer! Though I did have a slight problem with the charger,amazon offered me every possible option to make good for it and luckily I have a charger that I can use until I buy another one with the compensation they so helpfully gave me for it. honestly, im going to buy at least one or two more so if your thinking of buying one,do it,before I tell everyone I know and we buy em all up!!!! seriously though, if this looks like something you are looking for as far as a rc helicopter, don't hesitate! BUY IT!!!!!!!

Aug 12, 2017: My previous review pointed out the bad battery and tail rotor failures I endured with this helo. I ordered another tail rotor and simply taped the wires alongside the tail boom all the way to the ESC. Still had problems with "forward" flight - even at full forward on the stick, the results were poor. All other axis controls had plenty of travel except the forward. What to do?1) I removed the 'forward' push-pull tube (the servo link to swash plate) and turned it counter-clockwise 3 1/2 turns to increase its length.2) Note the servo arms have 4 holes and the helo came with the links connected to hole #3. I reset the servo links to hole #4 - the last one in line for maximum travel.3) On the TX, the top right button is for "Acceleration." It's difficult to work the controls attempting to push and hold that button. I removed the button and replaced it with a toggle switch from an unused TX. Now, I simply leave the toggle switch in the 'accelerate' position. If you don't have a toggle switch, simply connecting this button's wires together may result in the same effect of "on" all the time (You'll have to open the TX case for access. It's easy, but be very careful when pulling the case apart to not allow loose parts to fall out).4) I ensure the 'speed' setting (top left button) is set on "H" for high (and not on "L" for low")RESULT = For the first time I note almost "FULL" control of forward flight with excellent stabilization throughout. I was finally having a good time flying this helo and got so excited I failed to note proximity until I flew it full speed into the garage wall...an act that completely destroyed the rotor head, mast, fly bar, all push-pull tubes and links. My bad. Oh well, it's on sale now and I'll get another one now that I've guaranteed a ready supply of used parts! (PS: I also know what to do to improve its flying!!!). John

After a rocky start due to mechanical misalignments of the servos and rotor assembly, this thing flys great! My first attempts instantly lead to damaged landing gear, rotor blade and a cracked cowling. It took everything I had to keep it airborne. I found significant information within the rcgroups.com forums (WL V913 section) that got me going again. I did have to recenter the AIL servo to stop it from flying backwards and to the right. Also, the entire rotor had far too much end play causing severe vibration. Basic reassembly following the servo adjustment cleared this up. I'm now enjoying stable flights as I learn basic handling. Once I "burn out" my motors in practice, I plan to upgrade to all CNC machined aluminum rotor hardware and brushless motors. Additionally, this will allow for larger batteries and longer flights. Perhaps by then a video camera can be flown too. These upgrades were a very pleasant surprise. It seems that this platform has quite a following. Also, I have been unable to locate any of the JOGOTO spare parts in the green color scheme. I hope they eventually start selling these. The v913 spares only come in red-yellow. Best fun for under a hundred bucks I've had in years!Follow-Up,After flying almost every day for a couple of weeks, I finally lost it for good today.Despite the adverts stating it can be flown in wind... Well, this is somewhat true. The wind was only blowing at about 3-5MPH yet this was enough to send it into auto rotation and quickly beyond radio range. In fact, it just kept gaining altitude until it was no longer visible. It simply did not have the strength or mass to over come the wind during my attempts to recover control and land. With the autorotation effect, it became a rotor-wing kite without a string. I have no idea where it went.Now I have a controller and other accessories but no helicopter...

I love it. I still can't believe you can get something this good and "flyable" out of the box for this price. Good deal, good company, and good merchandise. I would definitely buy from them again.

Great heli for $75! It flies well, but the flight time is really only around 7 or 8 mins on mine. Could be my flying style too I suppose. The transmitter is decent, and the heli looks great over all. Minor qc problems perhaps: had to return the first one because the gyro was non functional.I'm not sure if it's just this "batch" but both of the helis I received were manufactured in October 2014 (almost 2yrs old), so I thought that was odd.

Good rugged bird. I own a couple of the brushed like this one, and five brush less versions. But not a whole lot of maintenance, but keep spare parts on hand. Especially tail motors, main motors, control arms, etc.. Tail motors wear out the fastest. Just a tip.

I've gone through two of these in as many months. The flybar snaps off if landing on any kind of a slope and there is nowhere to purchase a replacement flybar!