XPV 2.0 MINI REVIEW

Take from demisemiquaver mini review on rcgroups.com

First off let me say that they shipped me a 27mhz version, yet stamped it 49mhz..no fault of Jakks Pacific as 27mhz is clearly on the box, but the brain-doners at Amazon messed up.

The plane is Green and Black, FYI. It’s going back for exchange but I will fly it around a bit first. Odd, I’ve seen the other model..orange and black, listed as 27mhz on several sites, so….it’s weird. I’m not sure what to think. Either this is the 2007 model but not the 2.0, or there is more than one color for 27mhz now. WEIRD! I Am going to call Jakks Pacific today and settle this weirdness.

Also, the picture in the ad for this plane showed a totally different controller, the controller for this 2007 model is the exact same as for the 2006 model.
So frankly I’m not sure if there is a “2.0″ version or if this is just a 2007 version or what. I’m going to have to contact some people and see why the controller looks different… is there a 2007 2.0 version? I just don’t know.

Structurally, it is the same as the 2006 model as far as I can tell.
It has different paint and decals. It also comes with a “Vehicle First Aid Kit” (tape) like the bigger brother, The XPV 2.0 Shadow Hawk.

It does not say 2.0 anywhere, though again it is a 2007 model.

I’m not sure if the whole thing can be chalked up to incompetence or shifty marketing on the part of rcretailer/amazon.com. We will see.

Charging it up now, will grab some sky with it within the hour.

Disappointing however, I always get broken planes or the wrong planes when I order on line, it’s Uncanny.

Just spoke with Jakks Pacific, they assured me there was no Mini XPV 2.0.

In fact they seemed unaware that there was a 2006 version, assuring me that the product was released in 2007, seemed unaware that they looked different, etc. Ack!
I said I would take a photo of the 2006 copyright notice and send it too them, and finally they admitted that it could have been made in 2006. Ack!

Also, I asked what color the 49mhz version comes in…I was told that it could be any color, that there is no standard color scheme. Hmm….with the 2006 planes, blue and black was always 27mhz and Yellow/Black was always 49mhz.

I’m starting to wonder what it is about planes that confuses people, even the companies that make them. I’ve had planes rung-up as havoc copters at Target, people sending me wrong planes, and now even Jakks Pacific is not 100% sure what is going on. WEIRD!!

Oh well, so much for the “2.0″ moniker though clearly the 2007 version is externally different than the 2006.

It’s got a good left/right balance with only the slightest pull to the right, which is acceptable. The external fit and finish are excellent. The C of G was also excellent, very nice.
I can say that it flies no differently than the 2006 models, and is structurally no different.

It seemed underpowered compared to the many others that have passed through my hands.
Handles well, good turns, might be a keeper if not for the 27mhz thing and feeling underpowered. I almost lost it in a tree because of the underpowered thing.

I hope they did not cut the power back to make it “easier” to fly or so that it could be “flown indoors” (the box still laughingly proclaims that it can be flown indoors, I should have asked Jakks Pacific about that glaring error)

While I cannot judge the entire product line from just one plane (experience has taught me you need about 5-7 to really find the keeper) this one had no get-up-and-go.

more detail

XPV Shadow Hawk 2.0 commercial

more detail 

XPV 2.0 Shadow Hawk Operation

DRIVING ON GROUND
1. Turn power ON to XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle and controller.
2. place XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle on smooth dry surface with sufficient space(approx. 30 feet/9 meters)
to accelerate without obstacles.
3. Increase throttle gradually to 60-80% for ground acceleration.
4. Steer XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle by quickly “flicking” steering control left or right.

TAKEOFF AND FLIGHT
BEGINNER:
1. Use thow launching technique.
2. After launch immediately return right hand to steering control and use to control your
XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle during take-off and flight.
3. Decrease throttle (80%) once desired altitude is reached to maintain height. Vary the
throttle to alter flying height.
ADVANCED:
1. While driving XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle on a flat, smooth surface (concrete)
drive towords wind direction at full throttle (100%) for take-off.
2. Use the Directional Control to steer your XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle during
take-off and flight.
3. Decrease throttle (80%) once desiredaltitude is reached to maintain height. Vary the
throttle to alter flying height.
LANDING
1. Confirm long, clear path for landing.
2. Maintain speed and direction.
3. Decrease throttle to 50% for gradual descent.
4. When XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle is 20 feet/6m above ground, decrease throttle completely
(0%) to complete landing

Good take-off, flying and landing takes practice. XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle beginner must
follow these steps to become a XPV 2.0 SHADOW HAWK vehicle Expert.

XPV 2.0 Shadow Hawk Controls

XPV 2.0 Shadow Hawk Contents and Basics

XPV 2.0 Shadow Hawk radio-controlled plane

This updated, restyled, evolved version of the original X.P.V. features the same amazing performance, but with a new faceted design inspired by actual stealth planes.

The XPV 2.0 Shadow Hawk Plane, is an Extreme Performance Vehicle that you can drive and fly, too. With a flight range beginning at 100 metres and speeds of up to 60 kph, you can command the XPV to do aerial stunts and tricks on the ground.

Features

• Flies up to 60 kph
• Flight range of over 100 metres
• Twin turbo engine design
• 2-channel controller
• XPV Battery System that also charges USB devices
• Built-in rechargeable 7.4V Lithium Ion Polymer Battery
• Made with impact resistant material
• Includes first aid vehicle repair kit

Requires 6 x AAA batteries for control, not included.
For ages 8 years and up and outdoor use only.

Fly Wheels XPV Xtreme Performance Vehicle

The Bottom Line

For those who have had difficulties flying other RC vehicles, the Fly Wheels XPV provides a rewarding flight experience because it really is easy to get up in the air and keep it there. Lightweight but durable, the Fly Wheels XPV gives you around 20 minutes of driving across grass, dirt, or pavement and high-flying fun in the air on a single charge.

Pros

• Tough, durable but lightweight construction
• Long runtime of 20-25 min on a single charge
• Fun as heck to fly for 8 years + with adult supervision and older kids too
• Reasonable li-po battery charge time of 45-60 minutes
• Classifies as a RC car or RC plane. Hey! Two RC toys for the price of one.

Cons

• Doesn’t come with required battery and charger; must purchase separately
• Some small plastic parts will break upon rough landings or crashes
• Not suitable for winds of more than 5-7 mph
• Canopy covering the battery cracks easily, requires strengthening with a bit of electrical tape

Description

• The Fly Wheels XPV comes in two awesome color schemes of red and black 27MHz and silver and black 49MHz.
• 2-channel radio system — one channel for steering and one channel for throttle.
• Requires a Lithium Polymer Rechargeable battery kit and 6 AAA alkaline batteries, sold separately.
• The Fly Wheels XPV can drive on smooth cut grass or on asphalt but cannot go into the water.

Guide Review – Fly Wheels XPV

My son and I have had a lot of fun learning how to drive and fly the Fly Wheels XPV from Jakks-Pacific. I’ve become pretty proficient at driving, flying, and landing this hybrid RC aircraft.Constructed of styrofoam-like material and some plastic, the Fly Wheels XPV takes a beating and keeps on going. It has held up well and after a few crash landings it still flies great although the body has a fair sprinkling of scratches and gouges. While it doesn’t come with the batteries and charger — a required purchase that bumps the total price up closer to $100 — the durabilty sure makes up for it.

Most toy RC planes I’ve tried have been disappointing to fly, in part because they are difficult to control and distintegrate upon crashing. But the wing and body design of the XPV makes it easier to steer, easier to keep in the air, and less likely to fall apart during a rough landing — even in moderate winds.

Although I haven’t quite reached the 20-story heights mentioned in some of the XPV promotional material, it has soared well above the treetops, performed swooping and looping maneuvers, and landed (mostly) rightside up over and over again. On the ground the Fly Wheels XPV will slide, spin, and speed across the surface until it gains enough speed for take-off. You can also hand launch it if you have limited “runway.”

It does take some patience and practice for sustained flights, but if my 8 year old son can fly it so can I and so can anyone with the desire to experience RC flight without investing in hobby-grade aircraft.

Take from Michael James,
Your Guide to Radio Controlled Vehicles. website : rcvehicles.about.com

Fly Wheels XPV

The Fly Wheels XPV Xtreme Performance Vehicle is an amazing toy. It’s truly an extreme performance vehicle maneuvering over concrete, grass, off road terrain, and even flying over 20 stories high at 30MPH. It also performs amazing stunts in the air and on the ground. For $59.99 it is a great deal, the only negative is the $20.00 battery is sold separately and only lasts about 15 minutes before you have to recharge it again.

The company that makes the fly wheels xpv is Jakks Pacific based out of Malibu California. Jakks is a developer of many different toys for all types of kids. Their remote control xpv is one of their action toy vehicle line which include: XPV Flywheel, Road Champs, RC Racers Remote Control, and MKS Moto Cross to name a few. The company has been around since 1995 and has secured license agreements to produce toys for WWE, Nickelodeon, Disney, Marvel and Pokeman to name a few.

“Clearly this XPV fly wheel xtreme performance vehicle is going to be on the top of every kids Christmas list this year. What young child wouldn’t want a remote control XPV that can not only travel on the ground at extreme speeds but also climb into the air and go as high as 20 stories! I know if I were a kid again I would love it.

One concern I have about the flywheel xpv is the battery usage. From what I know it takes 6 AAA batteries and 1 Lithium Ion rechargeable. These batteries last about 15 minutes which means frequent recharging and breaks in the action.

My second concern is the fact that this radio control extreme performance xpv vehicle FLYS!! Is this thing built well? I hope so, because if the batteries die at 20 stories up, or the child can’t control the airplane xpv vehicle, I bet all it will take is one solid crash into the ground to destroy the flywheel xpv! PLUS, I am concerned about the operator accidentally hitting someone with it. Just take a look at the video of the fly wheels xpv on the JAKKS Pacific website and you will see just how fast this plane XPV goes!

Extreme caution is recommended when using this toy!