New Bright 9.6V Radio Control Vehicle, R/C 1:10 scale '74 Cadillac Snoop DeVille

Overall: Big fun r/c car, fun to use and watch.

I purchased two New Bright Radio Control '74 Cadillac Snoop DeVille ("1:10 Radio Control Full Function" on the store 'Clearance' sticker) toys at Wal-Mart in Marlton, NJ on August 1, 2006. It was on clearance for $15 each, down from $60. I wanted something that was too big, too fast, and too loud for a very low price, and expectations so far are happily exceeded.

In the store, I selected the two toy cars that seemed to have the best-working, most robust-sounding "Try Me!" functions, that is, the demonstration "shout out" and "hydraulics" exhibition to be had by pressing buttons through an aperture in the box. (These functions work from the six AA batteries that are included, installed, in the toy's radio control unit.)

Once at home, taking the toys out of the boxes was quite straightforward: No zip-tie obstacles to cut through, etc. A couple wire "twisties," some clear tape, and very substantial and thorough styrofoam packing were more than ample to hold everything in place.

The box contained the toy car, the radio control unit (with six AA batteries included inside that unit), a 9.6 volt rechargeable NiCd battery, a plug-in charger for the battery, and two plastic "straws" ("Antennae Tube") to have the antennae wire stand up in (one of the tubes is a clearly-labeled extra.)

The toy is a "full function" radio control vehicle controlled by a pair of forward/reverse and left/right joysticks.

The toy has a range of sound effects and numerous statements recorded by Snoop Doggy Dogg emitted from the car itself.

The car sounds include a healthy V8 starting up when the car is turned on, and that same engine's roar when in motion, along with squealing tires at appropriate moments.

Snoop's intermittent commentary comes with various maneuvers and actions, such as rolling at top speed, or adjusting the suspension.

The recorded statements are not offensive ("Ain't nothin' to it but to do it!" "Just leeean back!" "This is official, like a referee's whistle!" "Oh yeah!" etc.) For those not familiar with Snoop Doggy Dogg, Snoop's speaking style is a laid back drawl. For his recorded statements, his speaking tone is consistently pleased and benevolent. The statements contain no sense whatsoever of belligerence or machismo. The statements give the sense that a pleased Snoop Dogg is along for the ride, giving encouragement along the way.

The car has controller-adjustable front and rear "hydraulics" suspension. With buttons on the radio control unit, the operator can lower or raise either the front or rear or both ends of the car, even while the car is in motion. Pressing either the "Front Suspension" or "Rear Suspension" buttons on the control unit has the respective part of the car raising itself and then lowering itself in an easily controllable manner: The car can be left with the front and/or rear riding higher above the wheels, or lowered closer to the ground, with varied combinations not hindering the vehicle's movement. When suspension heights are adjusted while the car is in motion, the effect can be quite entertaining, with happy comments by Snoop accompanying various maneuvers.

There is a "voice" button on the radio control unit that cues Snoop to make additional various statements from the car. The recorded statements, like the others, are benevolent and of clean language. (For example, "You're rolling with the D-O-Double-Gizzle, Fashizzle!" which translates roughly to, "You're riding with the D-O-double-G, for sure!")

The car's headlights and tail-lights turn on when the car is in motion.

For a large, green two-door behemoth of a car, the toy looks quite good, right down to the matching green wheels of "Dayton" style, with nice compliant rubber (whitewall!) tires. Visual details appear to be pretty good.

Note: unless your home has a lot of open interior spaces, this toy is best exploited in larger outdoor spaces.

It moves with impressive speed, and there doesn't appear to be an interim/mid-level or lower speed of operation, it's either full power or coast. It is large, about eight inches wide and nearly 22 inches long, and even with substantial rubber front and rear guards, watching it romp in limited indoor spaces could be alarming.

For the sound effects and Snoop's commentary, the volume level is akin to that of a fairly loud television set or boom box. The sound level works well outside, when the car is zooming around on something the size of a cul de sac. If used inside, it could potentially agitate some adults. (If you want a tamer indoor toy, a zip-zap four-wheel drive r/c vehicle could be more appropriate.)

There are no apparent volume switches on the car or on the radio control unit. Apparently, the sound effects cannot be turned off. Snoop's intermittent commentary cannot be switched off either. If you like Snoop and find him charming and entertaining, this is fantastic.

For those who insist on knowing, yes, Snoop Doggy Dogg's life has included a number of actions that might not appeal to the strait-laced. While all of Snoop's comments recorded for the car are G-rated (no pun intended), the overly concerned might wonder if the risk of having Snoop as some kind of role model is reason to be wary of buying this toy for children. If the children involved are not overly easily influenced and the parents/guardians can handle the question "Who is Snoop Doggy Dogg?" without collapsing, I personally don't think it should be a problem.

I charged the batteries for about six hours (the instructions say six to eight hours for the first two charges, with four hour charges afterwards) and went out to the development's tennis courts to try one of the cars the next day. The car and all of its features operated very well. The car is fast, makes fun well-timed noises, and the functions respond quickly and well to operator commands on the control unit.

Operating outside in summer heat, the rechargeable 9.6 volt battery was operational for at least twenty minutes. The battery was still working pretty well (operating at perhaps two thirds or so of the starting performance level) when I decided to go back inside. (The instruction pamphlet indicates that battery time could be about 15 minutes, depending on driving style, etc. I think I operated the vehicle somewhat vigorously.)

My romping around with it (including brushes with small pine cones, some small rocks, branch fragments, etc.) resulted in fine scratches on the bottom-most parts of the car.

At a later date, a friend and I used two Snoop DeVilles with much enthusiasm, probably at the outer limits of use/abuse that any user could put these through. The cars held up beautifully, unavoidable scratches notwithstanding. Both cars still work and will be used again, and again.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 15
Type of Toy: Radio Control
Age Range of Child: 9 Years or Older