What's a good starter RC toy for young children?

[Square Peg]

How old does a child need to be before they can manage a simple RC
vehicle. I'm thinking about a dune buggy or something that can be used
in the back yard.

Can anyone suggest a make and model? Or should I just go to a toy
store or even a hobby shop? Before I go to the hobby shop, I'd kinda
like to know a little about what I am looking for. I'm an engineer
(software) so I understand the principles, but I don't really know
anything about RC gear.

Is there something that is controlled with just a joystick?

My thinking is to get them something simple. If they like it, I'll
take them to a hobby shop and get something more sophisticated.

I would guess that a truck or dune buggy would be easier to control
than a helicopter, right?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

For backyard & grass you should get a truck with good ground clearance.
The Traxxas Stampede would be a great beginner truck.
Here
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNJJ0**

You didnt give a price range but for quality RC this is at the low end
price wise.
$200 should get you the above Truck a couple batteries and charger for
the batteries.

[Square Peg]

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:26:13 -0500, QUAKEnSHAKE@webtv.net
(QUAKEnSHAKE) wrote:

>For backyard & grass you should get a truck with good ground clearance.
>The Traxxas Stampede would be a great beginner truck.
>Here
>http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNJJ0**
>
>You didnt give a price range but for quality RC this is at the low end
>price wise.
>$200 should get you the above Truck a couple batteries and charger for
>the batteries.

OK, thanks. $200 is reasonable -- as long as he lets grampa play, too.
;-)

[n2dvm@arrl.net]

On Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:20:36 -0700, Square Peg <SquarePeg@Round.Hole>
wrote:

>On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:26:13 -0500, QUAKEnSHAKE@webtv.net
>(QUAKEnSHAKE) wrote:
>
>>For backyard & grass you should get a truck with good ground clearance.
>>The Traxxas Stampede would be a great beginner truck.
>>Here
>>http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNJJ0**
>>
>>You didnt give a price range but for quality RC this is at the low end
>>price wise.
>>$200 should get you the above Truck a couple batteries and charger for
>>the batteries.
>
>OK, thanks. $200 is reasonable -- as long as he lets grampa play, too.
>;-)

There you go grandpa, I rc cars at http://www.redneckrc.com and have a
blast. I see grandfathers bring their grandsons all the time. They
stop by and talk to the drivers. I love showing them my toys...

I bought all my kids (4 of Em') Losi Mini-T's, they were at the time,
$89 each, they loved them.

WEB : http://www.n2dvm.com