MAIN Toy Reviews XPV R.A.D.

XPV R.A.D.

XPV R.A.D.; JAKKS Pacific, Recommended age 8+ with adult supervision required, retail price $89.99 to $129.99, in the box: the XPV R.A.D, remote control, first aid vehicle repair kit, and XPV fuel system that also charges USB devices.

Faster than a speeding bumble bee, able to reach tall tree forts at the flick of a switch, is it a bird, is it a plane, nope it's the XPV R.A.D. (Robotic Air Defense).

The 27 megahertz, XPV R.A.D is the definitive remote-controlled robot, sporting the very latest in toy technology, this robot astounds with its high-flying capabilities.

The manufacturer suggests age 8+ with adult supervision, and I have to agree with that. The box states that this high flying, remote control robot has a flight range of more than 300 feet, flies up to 30 miles per hour, and higher than 20 stories. Now I was not equipped with a radar gun but I can tell you that the XPV Rad is fast and it really takes off.

With the dexterity not yet achieved by most kids 8 or younger, and a bit of practice, you will be able to show off the XPV's ability to perform incredible aerial stunts. You can drive the standing robot while it is in an upright position, then when you go to full power it will automatically lie down and take off like an airplane; it can take off runway style or by being thrown. For best results, you have to be aware of the wind and work with it.

XPV R.A.D is a stately 10" tall with an impressive 20" wingspan, made with impact-resistant styrofoam (we crashed often and it kept right on going). This makes it an amazingly light and agile flyer. It is impact resistant, but not toddler-proof. I would not advise using it around large bodies of water either. It will probably float but I can't say that it will work again.

The stealth wing styling is inspired by actual stealth planes. It features a twin turbo engine design and comes ready to run on a built-in, rechargeable 7.4-volt lithium ion polymer battery, and charges pretty quickly. The remote requires 6 AA batteries, not included. The remote control provides two separate channels for instances when more than one flying robot is in use.

The remote triggers user-controlled voice and missile sounds. You can make your robot say things like, "Ready for your command!", and "Scanning for intruders!". When the robot speaks, its eyes light up bright red.

About the Author: Mary Rose is a Mommy, a writer and an early childhood educator who believes in learning through play and the value of good toys.