R C Depot Hobbies

I don’t leave 3 star reviews often because I usually fine experiences to be either terrible or great.
These guys know what they are talking about for the most part. They also have a solid selection of more aggressive drones than do most rc stores, but they fail in two areas.
1. Limited stock on spare parts and accessories.
2. Quite unenthusiastic about their work.
The vibe is almost as if they want all their customers to know exactly what the need and get in and get out. No one on staff wants to spend time with you and help answer questions. Complete lack of customer relationship building skills.
In summary, if you know exactly what you are looking for, don’t have any questions, and are in a pinch, call them and see if they have the item in stock. If you are new to the drone world and have even a couple minor questions a quick Google search would serve you much better than any of the staff at this establishment.

Great place
Fixed my crashed phantom at a very reasonable cost and did it very quickly

Great bunch of multi-​rotor nerds.
Before you drop large money on an aerial platform, go see RCD first. My agency bought a couple DJI Inspires through a big online store (B&H). They didn’t stock the bits I recommended so we had to make due. Didn’t matter as they failed to make the delivery deadline. Money refunded, I went to RCD, got exactly what we needed in less than an hour and actually saved money. RCD helped with initial formatting and updates and made sure everything was 100 percent. My last visit to the B&H superstore in NY was a much different experience (they keep customers at least 3-​feet from the goods at all times). Cool place but I need to get closer before I spend large coin.
I shot 21 days last month until an Osprey (fish hawk) took out one Inspire. Brought it to RCD, they repaired its busted gimbal and FedEx’d it to our location in Virginia the next morning. That level of service is awesome.
RCD has real-​world experience with the gear they carry. That’s worth its weight in gold.
Les Bidrawn

Overpriced. They try way too hard to upsell. Drove to another hobby shop nearby and picked up the exact same drone they were trying to sell for about $ 1200 at a much cheaper $ 950. Sale and potential repeat customer lost instantly.
If a person can afford to get into this hobby, they are intelligent enough to know when they are getting ripped off.
I also own a DJI Phantom, their selection of parts was limited at best. I’d send my Phantom back to the manufacturer before I send it here.
You’re better off ordering things online than going to this place.
Oh and for the guy who helped me and said my budget was not possible… you need to learn more about your job. I guess you’re new to this.

I’ve done most of my hobby purchases online and I’m rarely in the need for something urgently. But on a couple of occasions I’ve decided to kill time or ask their very knowledgeable staff some question on something I was unfamiliar with or wanted to see something in person before potentially dropping a lot of money.
In my experience though, while they are more than capable of answering any question you may have, they don’t seem to be too enthusiastic about it.
Prices are competitive on most things and I’m told you can negotiate on things that aren’t.
A mixed bag and probably best when you know what you want or can help yourself. It’s a shame as a little effort on their parts and they could be a 5 star business.

I started dealing with these guys when I needed my Trex 550 repaired. Their turnaround time ended up being twice as long as I had been quoted, the bill was a lot higher than I had anticipated, and the setup of the heli was amateurish at best. They did replace a bunch of parts that I had no idea were faulty but still, they didn’t even do basic setup on the Ikon controller that I also purchased from them.
A few weeks after, I decided to buy a Goblin and they just happen to be the only shop around town where you can find them. So I drove there and bought a Goblin kit, a Pulse 6S 4500 LiPo, a Castle Creations ESC, two Spektrum satellites, and an Ikon controller with the bluetooth dongle I would have never bought had I known I was buying it. Before leaving, Lee made sure to inspect the servos in the kit — I figured he wanted to make sure I wasn’t taking a kit that perhaps was defective and had not been taken off the shelf. You can imagine how disappointed I was when I built the kit and upon inspection of the servos, it was blatantly obvious that one of them was used and had been put back in the box. It seemed to me like Lee had actually made sure that I was taking the kit with the bad servo. Even then, I gave him the benefit of doubt — after all, maybe it had been one of his guys who had switched the servo — when I finally powered up the bird, the one servo proved to be one of those that just never stops moving and is always making noise no matter what. It works, but its just very noisy. And truthfully, when you are out at the field you will never hear it. But when the bird is on your workbench the servo can drive you mad. Like I said, as long as it works…
Because they are the only shop that stocks the Goblin and replacement parts, I came back after I busted the landing gear. I bought the upgraded landing gear supports, and decided to pick up another LiPo for the Goblin, and while I was at it, a field charger. Lee gave me the charger he had on display in one of his showcases but then he changed his mind and went to the back of the shop and moments later came out with another charger of the same model. I paid and went on my merry way. When I got home and plugged the charger I went through the menus and I noticed that the thing said it had already been used for more than 40 hours. Now, would you blame me if I said I could see a pattern here?
You are probably thinking that these guys are a little sheisty and I could not blame you for doing so. However, do not be so quick to judge. I think it was just a passing phase but you might want to double check your goods before you leave the store anyway.
All joking aside, Lee is always willing to work with me on price and whenever I have asked him to recommend a product to fill a need he has only recommended gear that I have been extremely happy with. He also carries all of the cool toys that any RC heli and multicopter aficionado wants to buy: the full DJI catalog, the Goblin helis, Align kits, all the best FPV gear, the Vortex quad, all of the best heli upgrades, Vbar, Ikon, he even stocks Kontronik motors! Try finding those anywhere else in Southern California. Most importantly, when you consider he has all of the operational overhead that comes with a brick and mortar store, you can’t help but appreciate his passion for the hobby. RC is something that Lee is passionate about and that makes all of the difference in the world. Put it this way, I found out about RC Depot through a referral from one of his local competitors: Rob’s Hobbies. When your competition starts to send business your way, you know you have got to be doing something right. Keep up the good work, Lee.
And I hope you get the humor in the first few paragraphs of this review!

(I’m writing this for my husband. It was his experience.)I went there a few days ago to ask questions as to which drone I should purchase. I spoke with Lee and although he answered my questions, I had to pull the answers out of him. It seemed like he didn’t want to sell me anything. After we talked for awhile, I asked if I could have a demonstration. He walked to the back (which was in full view) and asked Matt to do a demo. Matt was clearly not very happy about being asked. When he stopped protesting, he got up, grabbed the drone from the shelf, and walked out the door. He didn’t look at me. He didn’t say anything as if to invite me out. I didn’t know what to do. I walked back over to Lee and Lee told me to follow Matt outside for the demo. Matt demonstrated the drone for me for about 5 minutes. He never spoke to me unless I asked him something. When he was done, he didn’t offer to even let me look at the drone! He just walked back to the back of the store, put the drone back on the shelf, and went back to his computer. I went back to talk to Lee some more because I still hadn’t gotten all of the information I needed. Lee did answer my questions but was working on his computer at the same time. He was clearly no longer interested in helping me.
I was annoyed that I had to drag information out of both Lee and Matt. It sure didn’t seem like they cared about selling anything. They seemed more interested in talking to their buddies in the back office than helping a potential customer who might have been willing to spend a lot of money there! I’ll be going elsewhere to do my RC shopping from now on.

Rude workers. Except for the old guy who was at least some what accommadating. I wanted support the local hobby shop but with rude owners why bother.

Wow! Fantastic place! They are the best place I’ve found for RC quads, hover crafts & planes in the area. Lots of parts & gear necessary for building or modifying your own drone. Of course, they sell the fully-​built ones also. I’m eying the Phantom. Hmm. Maybe I’ll buy one for my birthday?

I crashed my phantom 2 drone and needed to replace the outside shell.
I chose to trust someone who had experience to repair my phantom 2 vis plus. Prices were fair and service was fast and friendly. They replaced my damaged shell and replaced one motor electric control. My drone flew at the shop but not when I tried it at home it would not find satellites or start motors. I took it back for repair again and they flew it in the shop after a little work and again I took it home. Again it would not find satellites nor start motors. I also had a strange new 4 beep on startup I never had before.
Sooo i decided to take apart my phantom to see what was up. First off i fount the gps was improperly installed so that the connecting cable was in tension. (the repair guy had stuck some tape there to fix this) I unstuck the gps, looked at photos online and re installed the gps antenna so that there was slack in the wire. Also I found one of the ribbon cables ran improperly that caused one of the components to be raised as to cause the shell to not close properly. After one hour of work and internet browsing it flys well now. And has survived another 20 flights.
As for the 4 beeps. It seems that the motor controller needs programming.
I am not the only one that has this problem. Something DJI must need to do.

been there today. very friendly and helpful as usual. a lot of dji products and parts in stock

RC Depot is my go-​to place for my Quad copter needs. They always have what I need, whether it’s a part or service and are friendly and helpful. Also a quick turn around for repairs. At 405/​Springdale off ramp, freeway close and easy to get to.

Find somewhere else to buy stuff these guys are very unhappy!
I don’t know exactly what they sell but whatever it is (seems like something very niche specific) it’s something they don’t want to sell to everyone.
Funny I walked into the shop expecting to spend a few hundred to repair something I have very similar to what they sell on the shelf but they did not act like they wanted my business
I guess it’s shame on me though because I spent 10 minutes in their parking lot complaining about them when I should have been looking for a place to buy what I really need.

I went in for some quadcopter parts. They are full stock on DJI products and a whole bunch of stuff for quadcopters, fpv, and heli products. Service was quick and excellent. They wont try to rape your wallet like other mom and pop shops.

Well DJI is backing it even if you all are not. They where kinda shocked to hear how you where not willing to help after just buying the Vision + 2 weeks ago. Now I gotta pay for shipping there and back! But at least they will help!
I will never buy anything from you. I will make sure no one I know will buy from you! Your great at sales!!! But when it come to customer service!!! Your just small time!
Daniel King
206−718−9642
If looking for a DJI Product? Go to!
Century Helicopter Products
1740 Junction Ave
San Jose, CA
(408) 451‑1155

I have been to a dozen hobby shops in the past 6 months ever since I got into my little hobby.
The hobby industry has a lot to learn about customer service. Now that more people are going to be seeking out the hobby stores to get their quad copter fix, these stores need to hire people that know how to talk to customers.
RC Depot is friendly, offers great prices and tends to carry more stock than any other store within a 50 mile radius. This is the most important to me. There can be a bit of a language barrier at times but with these guys I can see that their heart was always in the right place. You just need to be patient. They also know their stuff. Sometimes you have to coax it out of them, but its just like any other human interaction. Be polite.
As for all the other hobby stores. You are going to get busier as the trend continues to grow for the quadcopter business. Learn how to talk to your customers. I was so disappointed with the «other» stores that I am not even going to waste my time writing a crappy review on them. RC Depot deserves my business, this is why I pass by several other hobby stores on my way to RC Depot.
If you are waiting for the latest from companies like DJI — these guys have their stuff in stock sometimes before the other, larger, online stores do. As of the date of this review, I was able to purchase the new DJI Lightbridge as well as the DJI car charger for their batteries. They also have every type of RC in stock. I bought a Futaba 14 from them yesterday.

The guy Lee is great !!! I was sent here fron other hobby shop as they have lots of parts for multi rotors, i was looking for a $ 2 part and scored a smoking deal on a charger and accesoeris for it so spent $ 122 well worth the 25mi drive will be back often !!!

SIMPLY THE BEST RC HOBBY STORE IN TOWN. I will give comparisons for those who lack knowledge as to why.
I thought I’d chime in after seeing some extremely ignorant reviews here. First of all I’ve never heard the owner referred to as «Jim» but I guess when you drop a fork and spoon to figure out our names that was close enough. It’s «Chiem» or people call him «Chimmy» as a nickname.
HERE IS WHY RC DEPOT IS #1 :
1. Chiem is an RC Helicopter and Plane pilot and enthusiast himself. This means he knows all the products he carries and what they do. Have you ever walked in a hobby shop and asked questions and they don’t know the capabilities of the products they sell?
2. Beyond being a smart business owner, Chiem is actually an accomplished, degreed, Electrical Engineer. Have you seen any RC aircraft that doesn’t have wires or need power? Chiem is an EXPERT. Chiem and his staff will actually help you if you are stuck on a build or better yet if you don’t have time — they’ll build it, set it up, and even test fly it for you to perfection. What other store will do that for you?
3. I’ve been into the hobby since 2007. I’ve shopped online, I’ve shopped at ALL local hobby shops up and down the coast from Lake Forest, in SoCal all the way to Sacramento, in Northern Cal to Las Vegas, Nevada. And online all the way from Florida to Hong Kong. Chiem’s (RC DEPOT) prices cannot be beat. If you find a low price — show it to him and if you’re cool like ME. He’ll match it or beat it. ;)
To Daryl C.: (reviewer above) have you ever even purchased anything from RC Depot? To just say «Helicopters only» as your title is extremely ignorant info for a review. I have bought Quads, Helicopters, Planes, tools, wall racks, parts, batteries, and more from RC Depot. (Oh yeah, I even bought a GoPro Hero 3, Black Edition camera from RC Depot at a rock bottom price.) And if he deals with a certain manufacturer that even carries RC cars — yes Chiem will go out of his way to get it for you.
Anyway — just thought I’d give you my two cents! I think I’ve given RC Depot a bit more than that! ;)

Helicopters only
Unilocal has the wrong address for this place, don’t think anybody cares, including the owners. Found it though, walked all the way to the back of the store, then walked out. Nobody acknowledged my existence. Good luck to you.

Just wanted to say thanks you to the guys at RC Depot for supplying me all the heli’s and parts I need for my company.
With out there great pricing, I would not be as successful as I am.
So thank you very much!