Picoo Z
The Picoo Z (also sold under the brand name of Havoc Heli as well as Honey Bee in Japan, China, and other countries) is a miniature remote-controlled helicopter manufactured by Silverlit Toys.
Counterfeits and litigation
The official name is Picoo (one 'c' and two 'o's), but it is often misspelled as Picco (two 'c's and one 'o'). Some similar products are alleged to use the name confusion to become effectively counterfeits[1]--in particular, Hobbytron.com in the US is being sued by SilverLit[1].
Features and capabilities
Designed by Belgian Alexander Van de Rostyne, the Picoo Z is the smallest remote-controlled production model helicopter in the world (Guinness World Records 2006). Weighing a mere 10 grams, the Picoo Z measures 170mm long, and has a main rotor span of 130mm. The helicopter is controlled by a 2-channel infrared controller, allowing independent user control of throttle (main rotor RPM) and tail rotor RPM. It is designed for indoor flying, but can also be flown outdoors in calm conditions. The Picoo Z is made of tough EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam and comprises a lithium polymer rechargeable battery and 2 micro motors. The helicopter is recharged by plugging it into the controller. Charging generally takes 20 minutes and will give the Picoo Z a flight duration anywhere between 5 to 7 minutes. Range is limited due to the use of infrared instead of the more common radio frequency remote control. Ambient light also has varying degrees of effect on the range and response of the helicopter. MSRP is between $20 and $40 USD.
The Picoo Z features a self-stabilized main rotor with a weighted airfoil-type stabilizer bar that removes the need for corrective pilot input to achieve stable flight. Because of this full-cyclic-authority stabilizer design, merely applying enough lift power to cancel gravity allows the Picoo Z to hover almost immediately making it very simplistic for a beginner.
The Picoo Z can reduce or increase the output through the tail rotor by means of an independent motor, allowing it to yaw left or right, but this is the extent of its manueverability. Many full-sized (and model) rotorcraft have mechanically interconnected main and tail rotors. Thus, when changing main rotor speed (and hence yaw torgue), the tail rotor follows suit to compensate. Because the Picoo Z uses independent motors for the main and tail rotors, this interconnection (mixing) is electronically provided.
The remote control includes a trim button that allows the user to stop the helicopter from spinning wildly during hover. The trim feature works by decreasing or increasing output of the tail rotor to lower or add torque. As with its higher-powered counterparts, aggressive throttle changes can result in strong yaw motions, an effect that is even more significant when the helicopter battery is over- or under-charged.
In order to simplify the rotor head design, the Picoo Z does not feature either collective or user-input cyclic control, which would have allowed the user to fly it forwards & backwards / left & right on demand throughout the horizontal plane. (The rotor uses fixed-pitch blades, a simple rocking hinge, and has no swashplate.) The helicopter thus can not transition from hover to directional flight at the will of the controller.
The helicopter includes 3 stick-on weights that can be attached to the nose in order to provide for forward flight, and some owners add greater weight (paper clips or pellets) to the nose or nose canards. These modifications do increase the forward flight speed, but reduce hovering ability and increase both the battery drain and the force on landing--increasing the chance of rotor damage.
Instant popularity
The Picoo Z was released in the summer of 2006. Due to the magnitude of popularity from the consumers and the manufacturer and distributers underestimating this popularity, the first shipments were sold out instantly when they arrived in the stores.[2] This instant popularity has made some resellers offer the Picoo Z for premium prices upwards of $150 USD.[3] It has also rather quickly spawned a number of Chinese-made clones to the market that have an estimated street price of $18 wholesale. In fact, Most of SilverLit's toys are manufactured in China. The manufacturer expects to ramp up production and distribution in time for the 2006 holiday season.[2]
The popularity of the Picoo Z has also led to a fan base that has created several web sites that include forums, modification information, and tips.[4][5] Singaporean blogger mrbrown has also offered the Picoo Z as a prize for a competition on his podcast, the mrbrown show, after reviewing on it his weblog. There are also a growing number a fan made videos being posted on video sharing sites such as YouTube.[6]
Specifications
- Main Rotor Diameter: 130 mm (5.25 in)
- Length: 170 mm (6.5 in) excluding rotors
- Rear Rotor Diameter: 30 mm (1.25 in)
- Weight: 10 g
- Charge Time: 20 minutes for full charge
- Flight Duration: 5 to 7 minutes between charges
- Control Specification: 2-channel proportional infrared control system
- Flight: take off, hover and descend, turn left and right
- Range: Up to 10 m (30 ft)
References
External links
- Picoo Z official site from Silverlit Toys
- Silverlit Flying Club official site for Silverlit flying toys
- Silverlit Toys official site
- Picoo Z Toolbox Special interest website
- Picoo Z discussion, hacks and mods
- Picco Z Blog with info, reviews, videos, etc