Double Horse 9100 RC Helicopter Hands On Review

Double Horse 9100 RC Helicopter

The friendly team at XenonProject.com, an online R/C store, sent us a Double Horse 9100 RC Helicopter to review. We took it to our labs in the heart of the Geekaplex to run a full battery of tests. (i.e. We spent a few days playing with it, and fighting over whose turn it was at the controls.) In short, this remote control helicopter looks cool, is solidly constructed, and is a blast to fly around.

I’ll admit that I’m no RC expert and have not been serious enough about the hobby to have used the high end remote control cars, planes, or helicopters. Although I have played with many remote control toys over the years, even a few of the mini helicopters that fit in the palm of your hand and can be flown indoors.

Double Horse 9100 RC Helicopter in Box

So if you’re like me, you may be a little intimidated to move up to one of these larger, more powerful helicopters. However, the good news is that there is no reason to be worried. The Double Horse 9100 is ready to use right out of the box, after installing batteries in the remote control and plugging the helo in for a quick charge of the lithium-ion polymer battery. The controls are straight-forward and intuitive.

Remote Control Helicopter

Granted, this helicopter is somewhat of a challenge to fly at first, if you’re new to these things like me. Fortunately, it is challenging in a good way, in that you are thrilled after a particularly great flight and smooth landing, and is not too difficult to fly where it would be frustrating. It’s actually so much fun that you keep wanting to try “one more time” to perfect your technique and complete a specific flight path.

9100 Remote Control Helicopter

However, when the wind picks up it is quite difficult to fly, and the controls are not able to overcome strong gusts. So take the instructions at their word when they say not to fly it when it’s windy. I would also not recommend flying indoors, as the helicopter is big and strong enough to damage light fixtures and home decor.

Double Horse 9100 With Clone Trooper

Measuring about 5.5 inches tall and 19.5 inches long (including the rotors), the Double Horse 9100 RC Helicopter is much bigger than the mini palm sized choppers. You can see the relative size of it in the pictures with the Lego Clone Trooper and Ewok mini figures. The Double Horse 9100 is constructed of lightweight, yet strong, aluminum that is painted to look a bit like carbon fiber. (There is no actual carbon fiber in it.) This solid construction is really evident, because it stood up to some pretty gnarly crashes under my flying.

RC Helicopter With Ewok Mini Figure

Double Horse 9100

  • Alloy structure, unique design
  • Electronic fine-tuning, flying more stable
  • All-round 3 channel control
  • Advanced intelligent balance system
  • New digital full 3 Channel control remotely
  • Flies Up/Down, Forward/Backward, Turning Left and Right, Fixed-Point Hovering

Double Horse 9100

In the Box

  • 9100 Helicopter
  • 7.4v Lipo battery
  • 3 CH Transmitter with Antenna
  • Tail blade
  • Instruction Manual

Order the Double Horse 9100 RC Helicopter for $59.99 from XenonProject.com. Trust me, you want one of these! Also available from $39.99 at Amazon.com.

31 Comments

  1. Just got this DH9100.
    The ‘destructions’ that come with it aren’t too clear on the transmitter RUDDER controls.
    What is the connection between the rudder analog trim lever and the ‘left/right turn knob’ just above the rudder stick??
    Just where should the starting point on these transmitter controls be?
    Thanks for anyone who wishes to help this OLD newcomer to RC electric helicopters.
    Edward
    Rock Hill, SC

  2. junk, it’s unresponsive at times. i’m no expert but i understand basic controls in which it is not responding to. i have purchased more parts for this then i have flown it. just one bump and the circut board broke. Don’t bother taking it outside. One little wind blow and out of the air it comes. This helicopter would be better if it just sits on display.

  3. This is a great helicopter for the beginner pilot, although it is a little fragile. I’ve already had to replace 2 sets of pins that hold the canopy on after a “rough” landing. Also, had to replace the canopy, main board, and balance bar cause one of the weights flew off. Overall, it’s great for the price. You can pick one up for under $60.00.

    • yes i agree i have only flown mine like 3 time now because of the season and i also broke the canopy supports and also lost a boom support but i think if your going to get into this sort of thing you should start low price and this seems to be a good one to do that and besides the more challenging it is to fly will make the better 1 you may choose to buy a lot simpler ive already purchased another and my 1st will be im certain spare parts because sometimes its just cheaper too buy another

  4. It looks nice, it should be nibble, and it is well constructed to some extent. Canopy is like an egg shell. If I am able to adjust it so I can actually fly it I’ll make one out of fiberglass. Canopy pin holders need to be replaced with aluminum ones.
    As number of other users complained I have problem with this guy drifting left and backwards. Probably because it is so cheap (relatively) I am not sure if anybody actually tested it before selling it. Some users say it is great some say it is bad. I also say it is bad but believe it can be fixed.
    Drifting backwards is because main blade tilt is not neutral. That can be fixed with trim or by changing servo connection bracket length (I think it is not fine enough for fine setting). Drifting to the left (and not only on the ground, mine drifts all the time regardless to the height) is probably due to swash-plate not being positioned well. But that cannot be fixed without modifying swash-plate brackets (opposite from servo).
    I hope that after those modifications (which one not suppose to do – it should come RTF) this guy will fly.
    BTW I still can fly it or, better say, keep it in air without crashing. I broke cockpit outside on the windy day (15km/h?). Actually cockpit got cracked before that and it was slight hard landing.

    • Hello Can you please explain the modifications you did? I am a new at this and i find that it always fly to the left side. Its as if there is something not balanced in it.
      Cannot even make it hoover.
      Thanks.

      • EY UP GUS,ON A CLOSER LOOK TO ME IT SEEMS THAT THE LOCATING HOLE AND FIXING HOLE ON ONE OF THE 2 SUPPORTING ARMS TO THE SWASH PLATE IS SLIGHTLY LOWER, CAUSING IT TO DRIFT, AT FIRST I REMOVED THE SAID ARM AND PINCHED THE PLASTIC WITH GRIPS TIME AND TIME UNTIL IT HOVERD, BUT I DID IT ONCE TOO MUCH, (IMPATIENT)AND IT DRIFTED THE OTHR WAY. SO,IM LOOKING TO ORDER SOMEMORE AND ALSO SOME AJUSTABLE BALL LINKS. GOING TO TRY HONEY BEE BALL LINKS AND INSTALL/ADJUST ACCORDINGLEY. I BOUGHT THIS TO PRACTICE BEFORE I BUY A BIG BOY TOY (NITRO)

      • SORRY GUS THE PARTS ARE FROM HELIGUY PART No EK1 0548 OR EK1 0598 DO NOT KNOW IF THERE RIGHT SIZE BALL LINKS BUT AS SOME ONE ONCE SAID TO ME THAT’S MODELING AND IT’S EXPENSIVE

    • HELLO,Stoffy here ,got the same problem with drifting.Bought this 3 weeks ago, changed metal arm from servo to swashplate, to the other side of servo arm as it looked as though it was opperating at a slight angle insead of straight up and down and causeing the drift. I have flown it inside a small work shop, but big enough not to cause any turbulance as it dose in my house,but as in some of other peoples complaints the battery soon runs down when testing and trimming it out. Did you solve the problem?Stoffy .LEEDS.UK

  5. I bought the 9100 having flown other RC helis and found it unflyable no matter how the trims were adjusted. With the heli tail in, with rotor at hover speed it moved left constantly and couldnt be stopped, returned to supplier

  6. Not really sure why so many people are saying it’s fragile. Mine has taken a few rough landings. If you have doubts, search YouTube for “double horse 9100 crash test” and some crazy German dude will show you how robust the thing really is. So long as there is little to no wind, the thing is a joy to fly.

  7. I’ve been able to fly mine but it is still no match for a slightly windy day. A small consistent wind is ok but because it is 3 channel it must always be going into the wind or backwards into the wind to fight it. Otherwise it’ll go much like a plastic bag ask me how I know. I’ve been severely disappointed with battery life per flight. The helicoptor will ascend and descend at a nice pace but after a minute in the air it will begin to hover about 3 feet above the ground and experience the ground effect which keep the thing in the air. of course a bigger battery would supply more fun for a little bit longer time before it will only hover around the ground at full throttle. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this battery performance or lack thereof.

    • go on youtube.com search battery uprades for the DH9100 a guy tells you exact batteries to use and the best ones. get rid of that 7.4v lithium ion battery it comes with its garbage. and buy yourself a 7.4v lithium polymer aka (lipo) battery they increase flight time and performance by 50%. i just ordered a DH9100 for myself and way before i did i researched everything about it to find the best upgrades.the guy shows you the battey the Dh9100 comes with and 2 upradable batteries you could getat any Rc store. 1 is a 900mah lipo and the other is 1000mah and there are higher then that but i dont know how far you can really push it yet. lipos last so much longer then lithium ion. just make sure when you get one that it has the JST connections since thats the type the DH9100 uses.

  8. I have a 9101 a week old everything was great for a few days then after a full charge on all batteries copter and transmitter. when to take flight again and kicks in but will not pull off the ground will turn left and right back blade engages main blades are spinning at good rate but no flight. first copter of any kind im forty years old and need ideas from anyone fimiliar with these things. thankx

    • Ray, it may be the 9101 lower blades, I had a 9053 co-ax like yours, and after some abuse, the lower blades started to slip, take your finger and spin the plastic gears, they should move the rotors with ease, take note of which one controls which set of blades, if there is any loss of grip or slipping they are stripped, I fixed the 9053 by drilling into the plastic and putting in little screws, kind of like set screws, but really just added pressure. It worked for a while but after a few other crash’s it was done for. good luck bud, hope this helps.

  9. I TOO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DRIFTING TO THE LEFT (RIGHT, FACE ON)
    I SWAPPED OVER THE TWO LINKS HOLDING THE SWASHPLATE IN POSITION BUT NO CHANGE CAN NOT HOVER AT ALL,ITS A SHAME AS IT ONLY NEEDS A SLIGHT TWEEK.I ASKED FOR HELP FROM THE SUPPLIERS ,”NETGAGETS” IN LONDON SENT E-MAIL 1-2-2012 (UK)NOT GOT A REPLY AS YET. I WOULD NOT SAY ITS JUNK YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR AND AS IAM,IT IS A GREAT WAY TO PRACTICE (NOT FLOWN FOR YEARS, 10+)BEFORE GOING ON TO THE BIGGER BOYS (NITRO).ANYONE ANY IDEAS? I THOUGHT OF SQUEEZEING THE LINK WITH PLIERS TO EXTEND THE LENGTH SLIGHTLY . HOW MUCH ARE THE LINKS TO BUY.Stoffy. LEEDS.UK

  10. Yea their version of a gyro is the spinning weighted bar that gives gyro like effects. Horrible helicopter..Broke first flight in the air. Rear tail motor burned out and smoked like it was on fire. Flew this less time than it took to charge. You can adjust forward flight by unconnecting the servo and unscrewing the connector about 5 turns. There is a drift to one side or the other, with no way to adjust. Helicopter is cheaply made. $45.00, what do you expect?

  11. Disappointing, no matter what I do, it drifts left ALL the time, making it unflyable. This thing just won’t hover.

    The instructions mentioned something about the swash plate, but being in Chinglish, it made no sense…something about pulling a lever out and reinserting it….I dunno!!!

    • Go on youtube and type “Double-Horse 9100 mods.” There you will find a way to modify your swash-plate as I did with a strong paper clip. I actually used lashing wire. It deals with drilling a hole on both sides of the swash-plate (not going so far as to drill into the bearing case.) Then attaching the wire bent into the shape of a seven on the sides on removing the front two ball joint connections. Gives a little more force in windy conditions. Overall, the 9100 sucks when it comes to ANY WIND!

    • I had this happen to mine after about 10 flights. My problem might not be the same but since there was a little wind I decided to give it full throttle on take off. It might be programmed to halt if this action is taken because I had to turn it off then on again to get it to respond. Check your remote batteries also. Red on the remote doesn’t mean full voltage batteries.

  12. I am also Having a problem with the transmitter? All batteries at full but will not activate unless controller is within a couple of inches of heli. Can anyone help

  13. I replaced ihe ckt bd on my doublehorse 9100 heli main rotor spins up but the tail rotor which is new will not work does anyone have an answer to this problem I have tried all bd connections

  14. Im seeing a lot of folks complaining bout the drift..backwards and to the left..i modified my swashplate and eliminated ny drift..if u do not know how to do it theres videos…there is however a small mod u can do that wiill help tremendously…play-do…bout 3 to 5 grams molded firmly in the nose cone. ..i found the 3 channel helis just to boring tho..so i orderd a 9116 pcb and tx…and turnt it inta a four channel…cheaper than payn 70-80 buks fer the 9116 lol

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