The FlyTech Bladestar from WowWee is a helicopter-like flying toy specifically designed for indoor use. Yeah. Why do I hear mothers around the world suddenly crying out in anguish? But give it a chance.

The toy consists of a remote-control that looks a lot like a DreamCast controller and a styrofoam and plastic flying toy. Using IR like a TV remote control, the controller can adjust direction with one thumbpad and altitude/speed with the other via a slider. Important note: when holding the controller, the black circles should be pointed away from you toward the Bladestar, basically the opposite of how you'd hold most videogame controllers. The box also includes 2 replacement styrofoam rotors and 2 replacement plastic propellers, all in a convenient sturdy plastic case.

Once you install batteries into the controller, a hidden wire in the controller comes out and connects to the Bladestar to charge it. A 10-minute charge gives about 5 minutes of flying time, although it starts to lose altitude after 3-4 minutes. This is probably the biggest shortcoming of the toy--in order to keep it light, the internal rechargeable battery is miniscule, so kids will want to keep playing with it, but they'll get frustrated if they want to play with it for an extended period of time.

For a toy that weighs in at a half ounce, the Bladestar is fairly durable. Don't sit on it, but after repeated crashes into our walls and ceiling, the edges of the wings are just slightly frayed.

But how's control? Because it uses IR, you have to point the controller pretty much right at the Bladestar and can't get more than about 15' away, and even then, it doesn't always go where you want it to. Even the "Autopilot" mode, which is supposed to help prevent it from crashing into walls, etc., isn't completely effective if you get enough horizontal momentum built-up. But because the toy has so little mass, unless it's flying at something fairly precarious, very lightweight, and extremely fragile, it won't hurt it. Even if it hits a child, short of a direct hit to the eye, it won't hurt in the least. That said, even my 7-year-old was able to handle the control for the most part, although she kept getting excited, which works a bit like panicking when controlling a vehicle.

We also found that the Bladestar would sometimes be unresponsive, requiring turning it off and on a few times. While annoying, this seems more of a calibration issue and only slightly reduces the value of the device.

The Bladestar also includes a Dogfight attachment. If a friend or other family member owns a Bladestar, you can duel using an attachment and fire button on the controller. Note, though, that specific care must be taken to avoid accidentally taking over your opponent's Bladestar, since they all use the same commands.

Remote-controlled rotorcraft like helicopters are notoriously difficult to control, but the Bladestar is both light and simple enough for even 7-8-year-olds and is fun for R/C-loving teens as well.