Anyone going to Toledo next week and what are you buying?

[Vincent Judd]

We're leaving early Thursday morning and arrive in Toledo around 4pm.  This will be my second year.  My flying buddy has many friends in the AMA, we are fortunate to have a room at the hotel.  It's great to arrive early Thursday afternoon and actually get in to watch the vendors setting up their displays.  Very interesting.  Not a good time to chat, everyone is usually focused on getting their booth ready for first thing Friday morning. 

OK, yes, I do fly R/C and that is my primary reason for going.  I wish there was more C/L stuff, unfortunately that's not the case.  I figured Brodak would be there last year, but if they were, I didn't see them. I found a couple of C/L things in the swap meet upstairs last year and will be up there looking again this year.

One of the highlights for me is to go Friday night to the ETOC.  Even if you're not interested in R/C, you have to admire the way these guys can fly.  Super light airframes, precision flying to music, it's a blast to watch.  If you fly R/C, you understand how difficult it is to do what they are doing, and how enormously talented they are.  I'd be thrilled to be able to do just a few of their maneuvers.  There's a million videos on youtube if you care to do a search.

Another highlight for me was the static model display.  Some of the most unbelievable craftsmanship I've ever seen and you can walk right up to them and get a close look.  Just some amazing stuff.

So, is anyone going?  If so, what are you intending to buy?  I'm looking for a few things for my electric SV-11  such as an ICE 50 ESC, some props, maybe a couple of batteries.  And of course, some of the "other" stuff (R/C) as well.

[Steve Hines]

Tony Packo's here we come. Time for some more Nitro and oil. Everything you need is there. Chargers, wood, glue, fuel, engines, a great swap meet. If you have not been to Tonys on Front Street you have to go. Jamie Farr allways talked about it on M*A*S*H*. You cant believe how many stars have there names on hot dogs buns, and the food is great. I going to let Samantha take a day off school and go, her first time. Everyone have a great time!

Steve

[SteveMoon]

I should be there on Saturday. Would rather go on Friday when it's less crowded,
but my schedule didn't work out that way this year. Hopefully, Allen, Will and the
FCM guys will be there again this year. Had a great time hanging out with them
last year.

Steve

[Dennis Adamisin]

Brodak will be there again this year (I have helped out in their booth the last few years)  KEEP LOOKING for them.  Hope to be there Friday or Saturday.

I'll be looking for ome PermaGrits, probably some Lipo's and maybe an outrunner or 3...

[Bill Mohrbacher]

I'll be manning the MECA booth with some other members.  We always interesting engines.  And we're having a MECA Collecto (engine swap meet) on the 3rd floor Friday nite from 5-8 PM.  All are welcome, $5 admission.

[Allen Goff]

Steve, FCM will be there Fri. & Sat., no Sun. We will be upstairs this year, not on the main floor. Thur.- Sun. was just to long for Will and I, and we could not afford the expense this year. (FCM donations were way down this year). Please come and hang out with us. See ya there. 

Blessings
Allen

[Will Hinton]

Steve, I'll bring a special chair for ya, looking forward to seeing you.  Everyone else on here, stop by and tell lies with us, we'll be glad to chat!

[Russ Main]

My brother and I are planning on going to Toledo, and I have a question. We went 2 years ago and it was okay but from reading the posts it might be that we missed a lot. So what is ETOC and where can we see this event? It was very informative to speak with the different vendors and we did like the swap area a lot. We found several little NOS items that made the trip worth while. Also this year we plan to be there Friday instead of Saturday. If anyone can provide any other must see info we would greatly appreciate it!

Russ 

[david beazley]

ETOC is an indoor electric 3D R/C competition/exhibition. Not exactly my cup of tea but impressive what some people can do with the little foamy A/C.
Here is a link to the Toledo Show
http://www.toledoshow.com/
I have been to the show twice and I find it fascinating to be around so much hobby related items.  I can always find more to buy than I can afford.  I have been primarily into RC but I must partially blame the Brodak booth for my getting into CL.  I walked by it several years ago and was sucked in and my wallet lightened.
I love the swap meet, you see things at the Toledo Show you will see no where else.  There are some great models in the compettitions.  People generally are great!  I like to get there Thursday evening, hit the show hard on Friday, follow up on Saturday and hit the road Sunday (12 hr drive home)  I feel that it is a "must see' for the hobby,

[Dan Bregar]

Prolly be there Friday.  Looking for a new charger & power supply at the EP Buddy booth. 

[Vincent Judd]

Russ, as David stated, the ETOC stands for Electric Tournament of Champions.  Basically electric powered foam 3D type airplanes.  These guys are invited to this tournament based on several factors but believe me, they are some of the best R/C pilots, not just in this country, but in the world.  The field is predominately American, but there are some very talented flyers representing other countries as well.  If you want to see what it involves, go to YouTube and type in 2011ETOC.  You'll get an idea of what's involved.   They make it look so easy, believe me, it's not.   In addition to the organized competition, there are a multitude of demonstration flights by some of the contestants as well as some factory sponsored pilots.  I find the helicopter stuff particularly amazing, especially when they turn the lights out and the pilots only have the lights on their choppers to go by.  If you've never seen someone fly 3D with a helicopter, I can tell you, you're in for a big surprise.  Hard to believe some of the maneuvers they pull off.  We actually have a dog in the fight this year, one of the ETOC pilots is a very good friend of ours.  Can't wait to see how he does against all the big boys. 

The ETOC contest is held at the local Catholic High School.  Just google 2012 ETOC to get the address and more details about the competition.  The competition is both Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 5pm.  We took a taxi from the Expo center last year for a few bucks.  No fuss, no muss, no having to worry about parking, etc.  The admission is cheap and it's a fun way to spend an evening watching some pretty amazing flying.

I have no idea how we missed the Brodak booth last year, trust me, I'll find it this year.  I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket, just may have to purchase something non R/C.