Blade E-flite mCX2 RTF RC Helicopter Review

We purchased the Blade E-flite mCX2 RTF RC Helicopter so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

The Blade E-flite mCX2 RTF RC Helicopter is less of a toy and more of a first step into a serious hobby. Great controls and a high-quality build, with a price point to match, separate this little helicopter from its less expensive and less powerful counterparts. We tested it to see if it justified its higher price. 

Design: Durable plastic body can withstand crashes

The mCX2 helicopter is made of lightweight, flexible plastic. The sleek body is separated in the middle so that the two halves can be replaced independently. Experienced hobbyists can even replace the tail with a lightweight carbon fiber tail boom that allows for even finer control, but the average user won’t see any benefit from this. The coaxial rotors make the helicopter stable when used inside, but it won’t stand up to breezy outdoor conditions.

Setup Process: Ready to fly

The mCX2 “RTF” means ready-to-fly, and that’s definitely the case. Batteries for the transmitter and charger are included. The transmitter is on the high-rate control mode automatically, allowing the user to use the full extent of each control option. The low-rate or RTF control mode will make control a little easier for beginners.

If the helicopter moves too much in any direction after giving it a bit of throttle, refer to the owner’s manual to see which trim buttons (located around the left joystick) correspond with which trim direction. Once the helicopter is able to fly straight up into the air without drifting, it’s time to fly for real. We had our helicopter in the air in just about two minutes.

Performance: Amazing user control

The mCX2 is a helicopter with quite a lot of control. Four channels allow the user to control the speed of the main rotors that lift the helicopter, left and right turning around the rotor shaft (yaw), the forward and backward movement of the swashplate (pitch), and the left and right movement of the swashplate (roll). The controls are intuitive enough that we were zipping around the room within minutes. Through our various practice sessions, we used both the RTF mode and the high-rate control mode for more advanced users, and we thought they were both pretty easy to use.

Battery Life: Tiny battery with a lot of power

The Blade mCX2 comes with a rechargeable 120mAh lithium polymer (LiPo) battery that offers around eight minutes of flight time. Recharging took us about 33 minutes all six times we ran the battery out. The battery can be replaced with a larger one that might offer more flight time, but a heavier battery will negatively affect the stability. If you want more flight time, a lot of users suggest buying extra batteries and switching them out for continuous fun.

Price: Perfectly priced for the quality

At around $120, this helicopter is certainly more expensive than the average toy, but the zippy speed and superior handling mean you’re going to be having a lot of fun with it. It has more control than inexpensive toy helicopters, and a high-quality build that is intended to last years in combination with replaceable parts. If you know an RC helicopter is going to sustain your interest, this is a great buy. 

Blade mCX2 RTF Helicopter vs. Blade 120 S Helicopter

The Blade mCX2 is a good choice if you want a toy RC helicopter to fly indoors. It is more stable than cheaper options, and it’s ready to go directly out of the box. On the other hand, it isn’t going to prepare you for collective pitch, so if you think you’ll want to get into RC helicopters, you should choose the Blade 120 S. This is a single-rotor, flybarless helicopter that is great for the outdoors and has flight modes that will advance your skill so you can use even more serious hobby helicopters.