How to Buy Your First RC Helicopter?

There was a time not that long ago when RC Helicopters were an indulgence reserved for RC experts. They were big, complicated, expensive and extremely difficult to fly. The good news is that these days, RC helicopters have exploded in popularity and thus, there are hundreds of quality copters to choose from and they have evolved into inexpensive, durable and easy to fly machines, even for beginners on a modest budget!

If you are considering joining the ranks of other heli pilots and buying your first RC Helicopter, there are some important things to know to before you lay down your hard earned money. This introduction will help you make an informed decision and get you out there flying.

Power Source – RC helicopters are powered in two ways, Fuel or Batteries. Like a real helicopter, fuel powered RC units have combustion engines and use a traditional fuel such as methanol or nitro-methane. This gives them a tremendous amount of power and range and virtually no height limitation. However, they are noisy and there are added safety considerations when using any kind of flammable fuel.

 Battery powered RC helicopters in contrast, take advantage of the recent advancements in lithium battery power to create low cost power systems for RC products. These high tech lithium polymer batteries deliver up to 10 minutes or more of flight time and create a cheaper and safer alternative to fuel powered systems.

Size – If you have looked at RC gear lately, you will know that helicopters come in all shapes and sizes from something that will fit in your pocket to rigs that are large enough to carry DSLR camera and video arrays. To a large degree, the size of the helicopter you choose will depend on what you want to use it for. If you want something strictly for indoor entertainment or something to carry with you, a smaller heli or even a pocket-sized will be preferred while aerial photography or flying outdoors in windy conditions will require a much larger and more powerful unit.

Pitch Method – determines the way that the rotor blades on a heli affect and control its movements. The two choices are collective-pitch and fixed-pitch. Most entry level helis use a fixed pitch rotor. The angle on these rotors does not change angle to facilitate ascent and descent and instead engine speed must be adjusted to raise or lower the heli. Fixed-pitch rotors are easier to control but they are less responsive than collective-pitch models which instead can adjust rotor angle for more responsiveness, less control lag time and a wider range of maneuvers.

The downside is that they are more difficult to control and more suited to experienced users.

Durability – The construction of your first RC Helicopter is important. After all, you may find yourself in a few crashes while gaining flying experience. Plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber and aluminum are common materials for RC helicopter construction. These lightweight materials are great for flying but make certain trade-offs in durability. Beginners should stick with inexpensive yet durable materials such as aluminum and hard plastic as it makes the best combination of weight to strength for new flyers who will inevitably experience a few crashes. Also make sure that replacement rotors and other parts are available for your heli.

Channels – RC helicopters use radio signals to control flight movements and each movement requires a different signal. Basic helis use 2 channels, one for speed and one for turning which results in a simple control scheme but only basic flight maneuvers. Adding channels allows for more maneuvers but more difficult control. 3 channel helis add forward and reverse controls. 2 and 3 channel helis are great for children and casual indoor flyers but users may quickly outgrow them. On the other end of the spectrum, 6 channel helis offer the greatest control and capability including even inverted flight in some cases, but require more experience to fly. 4 channel helis strike the best balance between maneuverability and ease of use and are a recommended choice for most hobbyists when buying their first RC Helicopter. 4 channels allows for precision movement forward, backward, left, right, up and down, as well as banking control.

RC helicopters are a fantastic hobby for people of all ages and a great way to introduce science and physics to children in a fun and exciting way. Although RC helicopters are available from local hobby shops and some large retail stores, the largest selections and best prices are made by comparing and shopping online. For more information and to browse through hundreds of options when buying your first RC Helicopter, check out the selections at Newfrog.com. Here you will find everything you need to get your hands on the latest RC gear and get yourself in the sky today!

Using Car Diagnostic Tools from Newfrog.com Can Protect Your Car and Save Your Money

Today, technology touches every part of our lives. In fact, even your car might be smarter than you think! All modern cars, have complex systems that require the use of one or more computers to run properly. The result, is that our cars are safer, more efficient and have higher performance than ever before. However, all systems need to be operating properly together. If you have ever sat in your car and experienced the sinking feeling of seeing the “Check Engine” light on your dashboard, you know that sometimes things go wrong.

The good news is that using some simple Car Diagnostic Tools available from newfrog.com can make auto maintenance a breeze.

In an effort to standardize auto maintenance, every car manufactured after 1996 uses a standard diagnostic interface that can provide a comprehensive scan and report of all electronic systems. Using the proper diagnostic tool, anyone can check these systems, record problem codes, and check to see if their car is running properly or whether it has a malfunction that needs attention.

Luckily, car diagnostic tools are easy to use. There are many styles and features but they all essentially do the same thing. They have a module that plugs in your car’s OBD II port. This port is located on the driver’s side of the vehicle under the dashboard near the steering wheel. It will often have a plastic or rubber protective cover that must be removed before plugging the tool into the port.

Once plugged in, you must turn the ignition key to the ON position (not starting position). You may be asked to input the VIN (vehicle identification number) and make the model of the vehicle before you can begin the scan. Then, the tool will scan the car’s systems and return any ‘trouble codes’ that were found. The diagnostic tool will include software that can be installed on a computer or phone to easily interpret these codes.

Determining the meaning of the codes will tell you immediately if the problem is something minor that you can solve, or if immediate attention is required from a certified mechanic. Although your vehicle’s control module may be able to compensate for minor issues, by using a Car Diagnostic Tool from newfrog.com you won’t have to worry about that Check Engine light and you can prevent a minor mechanical issue from becoming a bigger and more costly problem. You may be wondering which Car Diagnostic Tool to use, and the choices can be confusing. Let’s look at 3 main types, although they all accomplish the same goal, they have different features for convenience and usability that may work better for your particular situation.

1. KONNWEI KW901 Automobile Breakdown Detector OBD Diagnosing Instrument - $13.76

Using the fastest and most reliable ARM chipset, this compact detector supports all OBD II protocols as well as displaying real-time information such as speed, oil pressure, engine load, throttle position and more. It is powered by the OBD connector so requires no batteries and can be left installed to record auto performance. Best of all, it uses Bluetooth connectivity to easily transmit data to any computer, tablet or smartphone.

2. ELM327 Wi-Fi Car Diagnostics Auto Detector Tool for iPod iPhone iPad - $15.87

The ELM327 Wi-Fi Car Diagnostics Auto Detector Tool helps you find and fix problems before they happen. It is another compact plug-in detector and can remain installed to deliver real-time information such as fuel consumption, RPM, coolant temp, vehicle speed and more. Like all OBD II units it is compatible with 1996 and later vehicles. It includes all necessary software and usesWiFi to conveniently interface with an iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

3. Car Auto Super VAG K+CAN V4.8 Code Scanner Diagnostic Tool- $80.26

The Super VAG scanner tool has a powerful computer unit and high resolution screen built-in for immediate information display. In addition, this ergonomic design has an extremely robust feature set. Not only can it detect and report trouble codes based on OBD II protocols, it has added capabilities such as odometer correction, read Security Access Code, key programmer, airbag reset tool, TV Activation and diagnostics for many car models.

Using a Car Diagnostic Tool from newfrog.com means you won’t ever have to worry about that glowing Check Engine light on your dashboard. You will be able to run a quick scan of your car’s systems, record any problem codes, and determine whether to take your car to a mechanic. Making a small investment in an OBD II tool will provide you with a wealth of information that will save you time and money on unnecessary repairs and make you more informed about your car’s condition in cases where repairs by a mechanic are necessary. Don’t wait, get on top of your car’s maintenance today!

The Newest 6-Axis RC Quadcopter…Arriving This Autumn at Newfrog.com

Today, RC Toys are one of the fastest growing and hottest sectors on the market. It’s no surprise, really, there have never been more choices available and the costs get more affordable all the time. Whether you are into RC cars, RC Boats, RC helicopters, or RC Quadcopters, there is a model to suit any desire. No longer limited to the realm of expensive hobbyists, quality RC vehicles are available at every price point and run the scale from mild to wild.

One of the RC vehicles that is leading the way in innovation and popularity is the quadcopter. A quadcopter uses 4 four fixed-pitch propeller blades mounted horizontally like a helicopter. Unlike their older relatives, quadcopters have advantages that make them superior in many ways and preferable to kids, hobbyists, and adults.

One of the reasons that quadcopters are so popular is the fact that they are inexpensive and easy to fly. Using shorter propeller blade arrays, electronic stabilization, and multi-axis remote controls, quadcopters have excellent stability and flying one can be mastered in just a few moments, even for a rank beginner.

There are many types of Cheap RC Quadcopters available, but an important consideration when buying one is to select a 6 axis quadcopter rather than a 3 axis. The pitch, yaw, and roll axis controlled with a 3 axis quadcopter covers the basic movements for flight, but a 6 axis quadcopter adds 3 additional accelerometers that sense and automatically compensate for unwanted movement in the three control dimensions. What this means is that a 6 axis quadcopter will be more stable, turn more sharply, and have less crashes, especially when flying outdoors in windy conditions.

Recently, Newfrog.com released an exciting new 6 axis quadcopter that makes a perfect entry into RC toys. The FQ777-124 Drone 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter RTF w/ Switchable Controller (SKU #92150) is one of the best new editions to the newfrog.com RC lineup. It has a number of features which make it a great first choice for new or experienced pilots…

First, it has a highly stylized futuristic design and comes in a variety of colors. Sure, it looks good, but its design also has well-planned functionality. First, the 4 props have rotor protectors that help to prevent damage to the props. It also has easy change landing gear and props so that you can recover and repair in the event of a crash.

Second, the FQ777 is powerful, yet portable. Both the quadcopter and control are small enough to easily fit in a pocket so you can take it anywhere.

The feature you will appreciate most about the FQ777 is how easy it is to fly. The 4 channel, 6 axis gyro control and easy maneuverability means that you will be flying like an expert in no time. It has controls for up/down, forward/backward, left turn/right turn and a remote control distance of up to 50 meters. Not only that but with a quick 20 minute charge time, you won’t be stuck waiting to get back in the air.

Finally, the price of the FQ777 won’t disappoint you. At $15.99, it is one of the best cheap RC quadcopters available from Newfrog.com and perfect for beginners. It makes a great gift and a fun toy for kids and adults as well. If you are ready to feel the thrill of flight, try out the FQ777 today.

How to Choose Headlights for Your Car

When it comes to safe driving, one of the most important considerations is making sure that your car’s headlights are in good working order. Being able to see clearly at night has obvious benefits, and using your car’s lights in the daytime will help other drivers see you. You may think that waiting for one of your car’s lights to go out signals a time for a change, but actually headlight bulbs can lose up to 20% of their output in just 2 to 3 years so its recommended to change them well before they burn out.

When choosing Cool Car Lights for your car, it is important to consider the following…

Lifespan – Different lights have different lifespans. In general, brighter lights create more heat and more inefficiency that results in a shorter lifespan. It is best to choose a light that has a favorable balance between brightness and lifespan.

Brightness – The effective brightness of different lights can result in as much as 50% road visibility, but as stated earlier, brighter lights come at a sacrifice in lifespan. Choosing a light with a moderate low-beam brightness and a more intense high-beam brightness for night driving strikes a good balance.

Bulb Type – There are three main bulb types and they each have important differences that you should consider when choosing headlights for your car.
Halogen – Halogen lights are the most common type of car headlight. They use a heated tungsten filament to create light, they have a relatively low cost and good lifespan. However, they create a lot of inefficiency due to heat, they produce a slightly yellowish light which isn’t optimal under certain conditions, and they must be installed carefully to avoid any contact with skin due to the fact that oils from one’s skin can affect performance and the life of the bulb.

LED – The newest bulbs are LEDs and they have several advantages over halogen. First, they use diodes to produce light instead of a metal filament. The result is very little wasted energy in heat, greater energy efficiency and for all practical purposes, they don’t wear out, meaning you may never have to replace them! Their higher cost may be offset by energy savings and avoiding replacement costs.

Xenon (HID) – Xenon lights (high intensity discharge lights) use a high-voltage current arc to produce light rather than a metal filament like a halogen bulb. This results in an extremely bright light, sometimes with a blueish tint. They have a long lifespan, don’t have heat inefficiencies, and are bright, however they cost more than halogen bulbs.

Once you have decided which type of headlight to get, consult your owner’s manual or the internet to find out the exact headlight model that fits your vehicle. In some case, cars use a different bulb for low-beam and high-beam and in some cases, one combination bulb handles both roles.

A great way to save considerable money when choosing headlights for your car, is to shop online as Newfrog.com. It saves time over a trip to the auto parts store and you will know right away if the headlights for your car are available.

Although you can take your car to a mechanic to have the headlights changed, most late-model cars have lights which are very easy to change even if you don’t have experience. You can consult your car’s owners manual for simple instructions.

Typically, the lights are accessed by raising the front hood and locating the back of the light housing. Most headlight bulbs are held in place with a plastic ring that can be rotated to release the bulb. Simply pull the wire assembly from the old bulb and attach to the new bulb, insert bulb into light housing and tighten the retaining ring. You should always be sure to not touch any part of the glass bulb during installation. Once replaced, test the lights to ensure they are installed and working properly before using.

Replacing or upgrading your Auto Headlights can make drastic improvements to road visibility and driving safety. Make sure to check or replace headlights often to enjoy peace of mind, every time you get in your car.

How to Use Google’s New Car System - Android Auto?

It’s safe to say, that Google’s Android Operating System has taken the world by storm. This Linux-based open source OS is now operating on more than 80% of all smartphones. One of Androids greatest strengths is its adaptability to different applications. It can be used to operate smartphones, TVs, audio equipment, smart devices for the home and now Android’s version 5+ Lollipop, is bringing the power of your smartphone into your car in the form of Android Auto – Google’s groundbreaking new car system.

Being able to safely operate your smartphone while in the car is not only a matter of convenience, but one that can mean the difference between life and death. Google has taken this serious issue to task and is currently working with automakers to change the way we drive. Its new system integrates with vehicle touchscreens for the ability to use mobile apps while driving, such as Google Maps, Google Now, and Google music. Additionally, the new interface will support many of your favorite third party apps such as Spotify and Pandora. Not only that, but many of your car’s native functions such as climate control and audio will be accessible through the simple Android interface.

Installing the system in a compatible vehicle is extremely easy, simply connect your Android Smartphone using a USB cable. The first time you connect your phone to your car, you will have a few disclaimers to read and selections to make, then you will see the app displayed on your phone screen. Select it, and then you can begin to use Android’s best features right on your vehicle’s touchscreen. At this point, some potentially distracting phone features will be disabledand many features of your phone will operate by voice command and simple on-screen swipes, leaving you free to operate your vehicle in a safe manner.

One of the most impressive improvements is that the app will show an Android overlay on top of your car’s touchscreen. This simple interface will be at once familiar and intuitive. Using this system helps to streamline functions across different vehicle ecosystems as well as making changing between vehicles simple and seamless. But what exactly does Android Auto do?

It’s primarily focused on the most useful apps to use while driving, such as navigation, music, and communication. Let’s take a look at the main features.

There are five main information panels, each performing a different set of tasks: navigation, information, media and music, phone dialer, and a vehicle diagnostic panel that works with certain compatible vehicles to alert you to vital car information such as tire pressure or fuel efficiency readings.

Perhaps the most useful feature is the navigation panel which runs Google Maps tools to help get you to your destination, quickly and safely. Instead of complicated on-board GPS systems, the simple Google Maps interface has a familiar look and operation and destinations can be selected by voice command, for safe driving.
The information panel will alert you to incoming messages sent by SMS, Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Skype. Select a message and Android will read it aloud to you and give you the chance to respond by voice. You can also dictate new messages safely while driving.

The music and media panel lets you access music and podcasts on your smartphone and play it through the Vehicle's Audio System. It currently supports Google Play Music as well as Spotify, Pandora and certain podcasting apps. This great feature will keep you entertained no matter how long your trip is.

The phone dialer panel, displays your phone contacts and recent calls and making a call is as easy as tapping a contact, making a voice command, or using your vehicles native voice control button.

Currently, the diagnostic panel, which displays important info about your vehicle systems will work with selected cars, but Google is working with many manufacturers to expand this important feature to many more car models in the near future.

Recognizing the many advantages to bringing mobile smartphone power into vehicles, Google has created a powerful system to give users more information, easier communication, and better entertainment in automobiles. In the interest of safety, Google’s new system eliminates many dangerous phone distractions and makes full use of voice activation for commands and uses Google Voice Search in an integral way to safely access almost any information during your drive. With Android Auto , the future is here, and it promises to be more entertaining, more useful and safer for you and your family.

How to Install a Car DVR?

Also known under the name of dash cam or simply dashcam, the Car DVR gained popularity once with the youtube videos made with this gadget. As nowadays almost everyone knows what a car Dvr is, knowing how to install your very own is essential.
A Car DVR is a useful tool to have in your car, both for fun purposes and safety. There are plenty of uses you can put your Car DVR to and surely it can get you out of trouble in many situations.

Installing the Car DVR in your car is not a very complicated process. Commonly, this procedure is called hardwiring. For this purpose you will need the Car DVR kit of your choice and the power supply that is normally built-in to your car.

Other instruments needed in order to be able to install the Car DVR Cameras in your own car are the car owner’s manual, the Car DVR installation kit, a circuit tester, a pair of pliers and zip ties.

Before you proceed with the actual installation, there are some things you need to know. The installation itself is very important and it can affect the way in which your Car DVR Camera is going to perform.

Depending on your choice of Car DVR, you must determine the best position for the camera. The location can be either in the front of the car, near the windshield, or in the back, on the license plate, for example, or even on the rear view mirrors- either left or right, depending on your preference.

As well, make sure you take into consideration your car type before deciding over the best position for the DVR dash board camera. The best DVR camera position is going to be different depending on this.

Before we move into listing the steps you have to follow in order to install the DVR camera, there are some things you should know. First, the DVR gear should be connected directly to the car battery- avoid linking the cables to the gear in any way; make a simple connection between the DVR and the power source. The outside cables should be always waterproof, heat resistant and oil casing in order to prevent any kind of damage.

Okay, now that these things are settled and you decided which is the optimal position where your DVR camera should be mounted you are ready to go.

Identify the fusebox
The next step is identifying where the car’s fusebox is- this will often be behind the windshield, but the exact position is likely to vary from car to car, reason for which you need the car’s owner manual.

Find the optimal cable route
You will want to find a route between the fusebox and the DVR dashcam that holds the cables under the car’s interior. Finding the proper way of hiding the cable varies from car to car but this is a very important step. Hanging cables can be a danger for you while driving as they can get accidentally bothering- not to mention the aesthetics of having hanging cables in your car.

If you look behind the A-pillar you are very likely to find a space through which the cable can be hidden. Locating this spot behind the A-pillar will request some previous consultation with the car owner’s manual.

Car fuses type
There are two types of fuses: fuses through which power is running constantly and fuses that only receive power when you turn on your car. You can detect the latest type of fuse by using a circuit tester- this device will let you know when power is running through the fuse.

The car DVR is directly connected to the type of fuse your car has. If your car’s fuse is only charged with power when you turn on the car, then you Car DVR Cameras will also turn on once with the power. Similarly, the car DVR will shut down when you turn off your car.

With the continuously power-filled fuses, the story is different- you will have to turn the car DVR on and off manually.

Power cable installation
The pliers pair comes in handy now. You’ll need it to pull out the fuse that only receives power when the car is turned on. The car DVR installation kit is the one that has the special power cable. The special power cable will have a place where you can fit the fuse. One end of the cable is made to fit into the fusebox, while the other one will be connected to the car DVR.

Ground wire
The installation kit comes with a ground wire. This you have to connect to a ground point that you will normally find near the fusebox. Consult the owner’s manual in order to obtain precise information about where the ground point is.

Secure the cables with a zip tie
Remove any cables that are in excess and secure them near the fusebox with zip ties. After you’ve done that, just re-fit the interior panels and you’re done.