Customer Reviews

E-Sky 4 CHANNEL LAMA V4 RTF Coaxial Remote Controlled Helicopter (Blue Color)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Lama v3 & v4 models are a balance of engineering sophistication and manufacturing simplicity. Keep in mind that this is an aircraft, and not a child's toy, and requires a measure of coordination and dexterity to fly it well. Unlike regular fixed pitch or collective pitch model helis, the Lama uses a set of upper and lower counter-rotating blades to maintain heading. It is intended for indoor flight in a large space, or outdoors on a wind-free day. Controls are throttle (up and down), nose heading (left/right steering), side-to-side movement, forward and reverse motion.

Unlike more expensive and technically advanced model helis, you'll find yourself spending more time actually flying & very little time worrying about crashing it - it's that stable in the air.

Unlike more technically advanced helis, the Lama is simple to adjust, and is remarkably durable. Operate it like you would the family car: drive it into a wall or tree & you wiill definitely damage it. Replacement parts are readily available, and cheap. Battery charge time is around 2 hours for a fully drained battery. Flight time is around 15 minutes. This is normal to better than usual for an electric aircraft. A spare battery on hand is a plus.

Look around a little & don't pay more than $88 for it. A major west coast on-line retailer offers free shipping with a coupon code, and stocks parts, too. Performance upgrades, such as hi-performance motors, larger capacity batteries, fancy body configurations, tougher blades, and metal parts can be found on the internet.

The only major drawback is the fragile nature of the factory rotor blades. Nevertheless, more durable and better performance blades are available on-line, and all at a reasonable price.

Afraid of crashing & destroying a delicate aircraft? The Lama is so easy to operate that in no time, you're virtually crashproof. There is little you can do to it that isn't fixable.

I got myself one of these awhile back. I also have a Blade CX2 that runs 179 USD new. I can tell you that the Lama V4 is every bit the heli that the Blades are, and for alot less.

My suggestion to anyone that is considering one of these bad boys would be to pickup a 72mhz model. The range is very good, and the interference you'll receive is minimal. Also, in most cases you can purchase a 72mhz model and upgrade it to 2.4ghz cheaper than you can just purchase one thats already 2.4ghz.

You will want extra blades. While the unit comes with 1 set of each lowers and uppers (which is more than can be said for the CX2, as they come with no extras) the standard E-sky blades are very fragile. They "cone" upwards while in the air, which makes blade strikes a real issue. There are 3 real options. The standard replacement blades are fairly cheap compared to the CX2 blades. Or you can purchase some Xtreme blades or helitek-rc hardened white blades, as both are good 3rd party options that are stronger than the stock blades.

Also if you ever plan on flying outside you'll likely want to purchase a tail boom from somewhere like boomtown hobbies, and an extended inner shaft from Helitek-RC. Both of which will really help when fighting the wind outside. Also the extended shaft will help make blade strikes a thing of the past.

Right from the box you have a heli thats better than most that cost lots more, and with a few upgrades you can have a serious outdoor flying machine. Either way, standard or upgraded you'll be very happy with the V4.

Much like the other (2) reviews of this product, we have found this Helicopter to be very stable in flight and a lot of fun to fly. Unfortunately for us, we have had a few crashes that have resulted in the need for some replacement parts, which are readily available either from Amazon (for simpler stuff like blades and landing gear) or from other on-line retailers.

We are new to the RC Helicopter realm, so I would like to offer some advice to beginners (like us).

First, take full advantage of the Flight Simulation software that comes with this product. It allows you to connect the 4-ch controller directly to your PC's USB port. Make sure to configure the control setting properly to match the way it will fly your helicopter in reality. Unfortunately, the instructuctions on how to do this were not 100% clear, but we figured it out with some trial and error. If you aren't sure of the controls and don't want to risk a crash, have one adult hold the body of the helicopter firmly (and away from your body) while another gently attempts to control the helicopter. The adult holding the helicopter will be able to report what it is trying to do (Yaw, pitch, roll, altitude). I think the Flight Simulator is much harder to fly, but that is OK, because a real flight will be a piece of cake.

Second, DO NOT Attempt to fly this indoors for the first time. Objects inside your house are much harder than objects outside (floor and furnature vs grass and trees) and you WILL damage various (replaceable) pieces, particularly rotors.

Last, be prepared to order spare parts. We have had only a few successfull flights and are currently grounded until new parts arrive. As mentioned by others, the durability of some of the parts isn't the greatest. Blades are rather fragile. We managed to damage some of the plastic gears on one of the rotors (missing two teeth) which doesn't make it inoperable, but results in a clicking noise during flights. The landing gear is not the sturdyest either. A light metal replacement would be nice, because the thin plastic gear that it comes with will fail with one hard landing.

I've owned the following helicopters: Lama v4, Blade CX3, Blade MSR and Blade 400 3d

I would rate the lama as the best entry helicotper for the price. The blade CX (2 or 3) will cost you about $180 dollars. So if getting a decent helicopter (better than the 30, 40, 50 dollar models in the toy store or mall) but doing it as cheap as possible is still a need... Try the lama.

Why would you want a Blade Cx3 then?
1) If getting parts locally is important you MUST by a blade. Lama is all online. I recommend [...] if you are in the states as most other sellers are oversees and slightly more hassle.

2) You are bit by the heli bug and you know you will want to go farther. If so the E-Flite line of Blade CX2/3, then Blade MSR, then Blade 400 is the way to go. You'll spend more moeny up front but the progression trains you well.

3) If you want a better transmitter then think E-Flite. There you could buy another transmitter and the bindable versions of the helicopters (or buy the Blade 400 3d kit with a nicer transmitter and then the bindable CX3 and MSR... if you want to be hard core about it)

Not a whole lot to say that hasn't been said in the other comments, just wanted to give it a +1 on the fun factor. I did not purchase this from Amazon but it seems competively priced here.

This is a great beginner heli, it's the first one I've flown and handles great and is very stable out of the box. Takes a little while to wrap your head around the position and movement, but the included software is a great bonus. Practice makes progress right?

If you're looking for an inexpensive trainer, this is a great choice. It has more power than the other micro copters and is far more functional and stable.

After much consideration, I purchased one of these. Very fun and relatively easy to learn. Although on my first day, I almost took out my wife and kid. Not recommended for outdoors unless it is very calm. BUT, I think it is awesome. Predictable and enjoyable. My friend has a CX2 that he paid more than double for and he says this Lama4 flies better. I definitely recommened it.

Super stable flight, easy to trim, very good quality helicopter, great for begginers. Buy it, it`s worth every buck you pay for it.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS HELI . ITS SO MUCH FUN WHEN YOU GET THE HANG OF THE CONTROLS. I STARTED WITH THE SYMA S107,,(IT GOT BOARING) AFTER I WAS VERY COMFORTABLE TO FLY I WANTED MORE OF A CHALLENGE. SO I PICKED THIS UP. GREAT PRICE FOR THE FUN ..
THE ONLY THING I SAY IS TO BUY EXTRA BLADES!!!! THE BLADES THAT IT COMES WITH ARE VERRY BRAKEABLE. BUY SOME EXTRA LIKE THE 20 PACK (ON EBAY)
(UPDATE).......................................................................
AFTER YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE HELI BUY XTREAM BLADES. THEY COST A BIT MORE BUT THERE WORTH IT . WITH THIS I HIT INTO WALLS TREES AND STILL NEVER BROKE I RECOMENDED YOU PICK THIS PRODUCT UP. AND IT MAKE YOUR HELI MOVE QUICKER.!!!
YOU HAVE TO GET THIS HELI
DONT FORGET THE SPARE BLADES ....

This is a great beginner's helicopter. Flies great right out of the box. The instructions are crap however, as they are poorly translated from Chinese. If you have no experience at all with RC helicopters, you may have some difficulties. Probably not suitable for young children (pre-teen).

Be prepared to buy lots and lots of replacement blades and other parts. You will crash, and you will crash a lot. A bit too big for indoor use but too small to fly in any kind of wind - calm days only.

Mandatory: you MUST buy a training kit. They are cheap ($6-10) but well worth the savings in blades and other parts.

Trivia: My blue helicopter was delivered in silver color. No big deal.

Easy to fly with a bit of practice

Crashes are tough on the front cockpit fuselage.

Buy front fuselage replacement sections only, rather than entire body as rear section is never damaged.

Replacement part prices vary quite a bit between internet vendors. Look at a few sources before buying.