Edited by author 08-27-2002 10:16 PM
Hi - I have one, they are fun for a while and challenging to learn to fly. Not quite r/c helicopter level skill certainly, but satisfying to master.

The power travels through the tether, the signal through the IR controller. However, the tether need not pass through the base disk. The power plugs into the controller. The water-weighted base disk keeps the ring on a short "leash" while you learn to fly. As you progress you extend the tether. After you are experienced, you can remove the base disk. Another non-obvious interesting item is that since it is IR based, it "knows" where the controller is, so motion is always relative to the controller. Unlike RC airplanes and helis you don't have to "imagine" yourself in the cockpit.

I paid about $50 for it from ebay, I believe.

They are about a year or two old by now. You might also check out the http://www.snelflight.co.uk/ - another electric (more expensive tethered heli)

H.B.