Types Of Radio Control Cars

Posted by admin on Sep 4th, 2010 | 0 comments

If you’re new to the radio control toys past-time, you’ll want to know some information about functionality, range, size, and power basics before you make a decision on the model that’s’s right for you. Some of these basics are merely “nice-to-know,” while some are comprehensive “need-to-know.” Some of this info represents “direct impact” information toward your final call of the exact model, manufacturer, scale, and motor type that best suits your present situation.

Your primary choices rely on if you’re purchasing the radio control model for yourself, your kid, your grandchild, or if it’s’s a present for a pal. This article presumes you have already made that selection, as well as whether you have selected a car, ship, van, aeroplane, helicopter, or construction gear – and you understand what level of expertise your selected RC vehicle requires.

Function makes reference to what type of control you have over the model. Your selections for function are : Single-function ( goes straight when moving forward, and turns left while traveling in reverse ). Full-function models go forward, backward, turn right and left, stop, and, in the case of construction equipment, lift, dump, load, and perform most of the functions of real life construction machines.

Designed mostly for small children, multi-function cars move forward, in reverse, steer one direction only and stop. Range is how far from the transmitter the model can go before it no longer replies to the control signal. This distance varies for the different remote control toys, but most toys fall into the range of 30-feet to a touch more than 180-feet. These interferences include things such as puny batteries, other nearby toys operating on the same frequency, citizen’s band ( CB ) radios, cell telephones, and nearby high-voltage transformers. Find the range stated on the package, and in the product description.

Scale tells you the size of the radio control, or chassis length, in relation to the real deal. The smaller the fraction, the smaller the automobile, and sizes range from the littlest at 0.33 2-scale to the largest at 1 / 8-scale. Those are NITRO ( internal combustion ) and battery. NITRO needs the extra purchase of liquid fuel.

Larger electric cars use chargeable battery packs in one of four different Ni-Cad voltage versions. They’re : 4.8-volt in a blue package, 6.0-volt in black packaging, 9.6-volt packaged in red, and the yellow package containing 7.2-volts of power. The 4.8-volt rechargeable battery packs usually are included with the model. Check the product outline to see. 7.2v models routinely don’t include the battery pack or the charger. Buy that separately. The transmitter control also needs either a 9-volt battery or multiple AA batteries. Occasionally the manufacturer includes those, infrequently not.

The product outline, and / or the packaging should tell you if you must make that an extra purchase. You now have enough info to lead you to the final call as to which radio control vehicle fits your needs and wants. Make your selection scrupulously and you, or your giftee, will enjoy many hours of fun with your RC model.

Want to Live Extra Years?

Legoland California: A Theme Park For The Kid In All Of Us

Posted by admin on Aug 31st, 2010 | 0 comments

Legoland California is a 128-acre theme park located in Carlsbad, near San Diego. It is the third of four Legoland parks and is the only Lego theme park in the United States. Geared to children between the ages of 2 and 12, it features more than 50 interactive rides, shows and attractions as well as Lego-themed restaurants and shops. The park is also beautifully landscaped with 1,360 bonsai trees and other plants from around the world.

The current team of model builders at Legoland California design, build and maintain the more than 15,000 Lego models that make the park a one-of-a-kind vacation destination. Models in the area range from the 20-foot-tall Stratosphere tower to the intricate sculpture of an MGM icon, made from 1,250 Lego bricks. The largest Miniland hotel, the Venetian, is comprised of more than 20 individual models. The park is divided into nine themed areas listed below:

1. “The Beginning” is the entryway into Legoland California and features “The Big Shop”. This 8000-square-foot store offers the largest selection of Lego items in the United States and includes Legoland signature products along with harder-to-find sets.

2. “Dino Island” is the prehistoric area of the park where kids can dig for ‘fossils’ at the “Dig Those Dinos” sandy playground. It is also home to The “Coastersaurus” roller coaster.

3. “Explore Village” features several adventurous rides including the Jeep tour, “Safari Trek” to see life-sized Lego animals. Guests can also explore the village on the “Legoland Express” train or the “Fairy Tale Brook” boat ride. This area also features a ventriloquist show at the “Playtown Theater” and the “Playtown” and “Water Works” play areas.

4. “Fun Town” is a scaled down town where kids can learn to fly at the “Flight Squadron” or captain a boat at “Skipper School”. In the popular ride, “Volvo Driving School”, children can drive small electric cars made to look like Lego cars around a small road network and gain a mock driving license. They can also race fire trucks at the “Fun Town Fire Academy”, learn about fire safety at “The Big Test” stage show and find the 7 Lego keys to save Johnny Thunder at the “Adventurer’s Club”. Guests can also take the “Lego Factory Tour” to see how the famous building blocks are made.

5. “Pirate Shores” features water attractions designed around the ever-popular pirate theme. In “Splash Battle”, the only ride of its kind in the United States, kids can navigate pirate ships, complete with water cannon, on a high sea adventure. Exploding volcanoes and roving bands of pirates add to the adrenaline thrills. Other rides include “Captain Cranky’s Challenge” and the “Treasure Falls” mini-flume log ride with two plunges. Kids can also splash around at the “Swabbies Deck” and “Soak-N-Sail” water play areas.

6. “Knight’s Kingdom” is a medieval themed area home to “The Dragon” indoor coaster in the Knight’s Kingdom Castle. Cross a medieval moat become a knight in training in “Knight’s Tournament”, where cutting edge robotic technology meets medieval Lego fun. Guests can also participate in a “Royal Joust”, enjoy the “Enchanted Walk” walk-through attraction and explore the multi-level play areas of “The Hideaways”.

7. “Miniland USA” is the heart of Legoland California where mini versions of famous US landmarks are located. Guests can take a walking tour of all the landmarks or board the “Coast Cruise” for a boat ride around the sites and shores of Miniland. Also featured here is the” Block of Fame” art gallery which houses 3-D busts of famous figures.

8. “Imagination Zone” welcomes guests with several over-sized models and also features the Lego Racers 4-D movie at the “Lego Show Place”. Rides include the “Lego Technic Test Track” coaster, the “Aquazone Wave Racers” and the spinning “Bionicle Blaster”. Kids can also enter the Imagination Zone and play Lego PC games at “Maniac Challenge” and design their own creations at the “Build & Test” and “Bionicle Evolution”.

9. The “Land of Adventure” is Legoland California’s newest area which opened in March 2008. It features the “Lost Kingdom Adventure” where guests are taken on an adventure ride, armed with laser guns, to recover a stolen treasure and uncover a forgotten empire. Riders board Jeeps and travel through nine different scenes along the way, including a spider’s lair, professor’s lab, mummy relics and a skeleton band that requires riders to hit the correct targets to make the bones “pull themselves together” and become musicians.

At “Pharaoh’s Revenge”, children and parents journey through ancient temple ruins to recover a pharaoh’s stolen treasure while launching thousands of foam balls at targets and each other. “Beetle Bounce” boosts children to even bigger heights — nearly 15 feet to be exact — as they are launched up one of two obelisks nearly touching the gigantic Lego beetles above them. Other rides include the new “Cargo Ace” airplane ride.

Legoland California is open 7 days a week during the months of June, July and August and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the school year. The park is not as busy as others, so unless you can visit on a weekday during the school year, your selection of specific day won’t matter all that much.

The nice thing about Legoland California is that it is an amusement park that is truly dedicated to wholesome family fun and the crowd is typically younger than you’ll find at Disneyland or Universal Studios. Food is pricey, but there are several healthy choices such as pretzels and fruit in addition to standard fattening park favorites. You can also find discounted tickets easily with an online search so be sure to shop around for the best price when planning your trip.

This California attraction makes for a great family vacation destination. It offers something for the kid in all of us and allows one to experience, or re-experience, the joy of just playing for the sake of playing. From mild to thrilling, most every ride and attraction gives guests the opportunity to take control of their adventure and to use their imaginations to create whatever fun trip they wish. Be sure to include Legoland California on your next trip to the Golden State.

Want to Live Extra Years?

Getting into Radio Control Car Racing

Posted by admin on Aug 27th, 2010 | 0 comments

Whether you’re nine or ninety, if you love cars and enjoy tinkering with things, you’ll get hours of enjoyment and excitement from RC cars. But there are a lot of things involved in getting to the race, and if you’re new to RC vehicles and RC racing, you’ve probably got a lot of questions.

There’s a lot to choose from when it come to RC’s, and if you’re a newcomer, you may need help choosing off and on-road, electric or nitro remote control cars. The more you know about RC cars, the better you’ll be able to choose the right vehicle for you.

Most people don’t realize just how exciting RC vehicles have become-the hobby quality RC cars made and raced today have can get up to speeds of 60 mph and feature suspension systems that can be tuned just like a real car. Perhaps the most exciting part is the wide variety of types of RC vehicles: you can drive a race car, run a monster truck on dirt tracks or even fly a plane!

Because of this, though, you should consider just what you plan to use your RC for before you decide to buy.  On-road or racing cars are made for speed, while off-road vehicles like buggies are mean to take more rugged terrain.  Plus, you can choose to buy your RC ready to run out of the box or as a kit to build it yourself. These and many other aspects are important to know before you buy your first RC.                                                                                                                                                                                                                
There are RC cars and trucks for every kind of driver: nitro engines for the speed demon, reliable ready to run electric cars for touring, and for the advanced, even planes to fly. The electric cars run quietly and so are better suited to run right in your neighborhood, while the nitro motors give you the real feel of the racetrack. What you buy should depend on your experience-choose your RC according to your experience to avoid frustration later on.

Something to keep in mind from the outset is that RC vehicles are a high-end hobby, and can get quite expensive. If you plan to race your car, there are additional costs that come with competition.   But if you’re prepared for the cost, and if you make your purchases carefully, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing new hobby whose rewards certainly outweigh the cost. These are the decisions that need to be made before you buy:

• Do you want a ready to run car or do you want build your own?
• Do you want an on-road or an off-road RC vehicle?
• Which is right for you- a nitro or an electric RC?
• What type of RC vehicle do you want- and what size?

No matter what you decide, if you keep your own experience and commitment level in mind, you’ll be certain to get the car that’s right for you.

Whether you race them or just tinker with their engines, RC cars are a great hobby for kids of all ages. Though it might seem overwhelming at first, you’ll find that the most you work on your car and the more times you race, the more fun and exciting this hobby can be!

The Race Is On!

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Products to Make Car Travel Safer and More Comfortable

Posted by admin on Aug 23rd, 2010 | 0 comments

Traveling can be a tedious and sometimes dangerous task. Besides bringing along a blanket, first aid kit and jumper cables, there are several products on the market that you may not have heard of that can make traveling easier and safer. Here are some of those products:

•Sometimes seat belts just aren’t comfortable but it is of course very important that you wear one. To make it a little more comfortable there are sheepskin seat belt covers that claim to relieve the restrictive feel caused by seat belts that dig, rub, pull, chafe or choke.

•If you just can’t seem to stay warm on a trip then try bringing along an electric car blanket. This blanket plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. Not only can it keep you warm in the car, but also it would work great at those outdoor tailgate parties!

•Nothing is more annoying than when your coffee or tea goes cold halfway to the office. Quit pouring out the chilled dregs of your cup and upgrade to a heated travel mug. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and keeps your drink at that just-brewed temperature.

•Lock and load your valuables while on the road. No need to worry about your valuables while on the road or staying at a hotel with this travel vault. This vault boasts a stainless steel exterior, plus interior foam to protect cargo. It unlocks from the carbon steel sleeve to go with you anywhere.

•If you’re trapped in your car after an accident, a specially designed hammer could just save your life. This hammer shatters windows and slices through seat belts providing you with an emergency escape route when you need one most.

•Instead of tugging along those jumper cables you can jump-start your car, truck or SUV without having to pop the hood. The Auto Jumper revives your depleted battery directly through the 12-volt cigarette lighter. Just plug it in, let the energy flow into your dead battery and you’re ready to roll.

•Keep those kids safe while traveling with a child safety identification key ring. A USB portable drive and application helps parents put together the information needed in case of an emergency. This product called Identakey stores medical records, photos, fingerprint scans and other information that is used to create a profile report, ID cards and posters whenever needed.

•Never fall asleep at the wheel again with the Nap Zapper. This device is a potential lifesaver while driving. Dozing at the wheel causes countless injuries and deaths on the road. When you drive fatigued, sleep comes on imperceptibly. Before your regain full consciousness, it’s often too late to make driving corrections. This lightweight device attaches to your ear and instantly alerts you when you start nodding off. It emits a pleasant awakening (not startling) signal that warns you of your current situation.

Now just sit back and enjoy your trip with these comforting and reassuring tips!

Want to Live Extra Years?

Funtasttic – Kid’s Time Out

Posted by admin on Aug 19th, 2010 | 0 comments

Barcelona is a city where people spend a lot of time outside, so as a result there is children’s play areas dotted around all over the city. There are also some lovely big parks, which are great places to take children to if one is visiting Barcelona. This city is also full of surprises for young visitors. Barcelona has a magic mountain – Tibidabo.

At the zoo one can see how a lot of animals live and a dolphin show. But one of the places where one can see the most fish is L’Aquàrium. One can walk through a tunnel under the water and see sharks and fish of all shapes and sizes.

Parc de la Ciutadella which has gardens, museums, zoo, cycling and rowing is a real haven, just nest to the Gothic quarters, behind the beach and near Arc de Triomf. A great place to picnic in, where there is lots of grassy & shady areas. Also a boating lake where one can hire rowing boats, an over the top fountain designed by Josep Fontseré and Antoni Gaudi, the Zoo, Zoology museum, a children’s play area, and much more.

El Laberint d’Horta is a great place for children particularly because it has a big maze. Parc de la Creuta del Coll , is a great place and has a parkland, boating/swimming lake, a small beach and a great children’s playground for virtually guaranteed fun.

Barcelona Zoo is based in the Parc de la Ciutadella the best way to find it is to go to the park and to follow the signs to the Zoo. The zoo has a wide variety of animals on show and along with a restaurant, picnic area, a shop, electric cars, ponies and a mini-train.

Barcelona Aquarium, just a stone’s throw inland from the Mediterranean in Port Vell, is considered one of the best in Europe, with an unprecedented collection of marine life. In a matter of an hour or two visitors can tour the icy polar waters of the Southern Hemisphere, precious Mediterranean biospheres and the colonies and atolls of the Tropics. Over 300 species thrive in some 21 tanks, each acclimatized to produce the exact conditions required for the flora and fish inside.

The shark tunnel is worth giving a visit however one has to be daring enough. One can even press one’s face against the glass to catch sight of giant-size Japanese conger eels, sea horses and luminescent fish of the deep. There’s simply no end to the slippery and slimy creatures to take in.

There are piranhas in the Amazon River reconstruction, caiman and over 20 species of penguin, including the Humboldt Penguin common to the marine reserves of Peru and Chile. In the heart of the rejuvenated Port Vel (Old Port), the Maritime Museum is a great museum for kids that tell the story of Catalonia’s long and successful history as a sea-faring kingdom. Housed in the medieval shipyard, the soaring gothic arches create a dramatic backdrop for an impressive story told through sound effects and plenty of hands-on exhibits. Presiding over a fleet of traditional shipping and fishing vessels is a life-size replica of the Royal Gallery. The kids will enjoy the time out.

Want to Live Extra Years?