Syma S031G RC Helicopter

Outdoor remote-control helicopters are generally larger than indoor models, and have a broader range over which they can be controlled. The most serious outdoor radio-controlled helicopters are hobby-grade, expensive and require substantial assembly. These types are more specialized, but there are still affordable outdoor toy-grade radio-controlled helicopters. The Syma S031G RC Helicopter is recommended among toy-grade outdoor helicopters for its beginner-focused controls, stable flight and affordability.

Most reviews for the Syma S031G helicopter come from Amazon.com, where the model receives a 4-star overall rating out of a possible 5. There are fewer than 20 reviews posted, but the majority are positive (and reviews for the larger, outdoor-spec radio-controlled helicopters are generally hard to come by). Like other well-reviewed toy-grade helicopters, the Syma S031G is praised for is accessibility to beginners, meaning an easy-to-fly control scheme and good stability while airborne. Positive reviews tout the toy helicopter's durability as well, indicating that it can absorb the customary knocks with little or no problem.

Spare parts are readily available and cheaply priced, another bonus for ensuring longevity of this toy helicopter. The Syma S031G also features LED lights that help user orientation during darker outside situations.

The most common user complaints are a relatively short battery life (15 minutes or less of flying time), and susceptibility to winds outdoors. Some users wish that the Syma S031G helicopter had more power to overcome breezy or windy situations. Furthermore, a few user reviews mention that four-channel controls would be useful for enhanced maneuverability.

Overall, however, owners say that the Syma S031G is an excellent outdoor remote-control helicopter for the money; it costs less than many smaller indoor helicopters. Like the best-reviewed Blade mCX RTF (*Est. $80), it looks impressive (it's 2 feet long), has control range suitable for true outdoor flying and is perfect for the beginner RC helicopter pilot. For more power, better battery life and more advanced controls, shoppers might want to consider more expensive and specialized hobby-grade radio-controlled helicopters.