Can someone recommend an entry-level RC helicopter?

Mainly the RC peoples use Remote Control, but either one is fine.

Well... for something under $100 USD, you could get a lot of helicopters to learn from!

The Air Hogs product line has an amazing helicopter line that is great for people of all ages. It is nearly indestructable.

The Air Hogs Havoc is about $35 USD, and it is a 2 channel helicopter. It is a fun indoor helicopter, and itll last for years. I have one, and I still fly it. I crash it a few times, (letting go of all control before impact) and all I do is pick it up, and fly it some more. NO DAMAGE!

The Air Hogs Reflex is another great helicopter. A little more advanced that the Air hogs Havoc. The difference? This can hover, and it can be controlled going forward or backwards. I had this helicopter, and decided to return it and get another helicopter. (Nothing negative about the product, I'll explain later) This helicopter is coaxial, so itll hover easily! However, this helicopter is a little more fragile than the Havoc. You could break the blades. This is an indoor helicopter only. They do give you spare ones though! It is double the price of the Havoc. I bought mine for $65 USD.

So the next one I was going to mention is a little over your price range. I returned the Air Hogs Reflex and got this. This helicopter is fragile, but it has replacement parts! This is surely a hobby helicopter. Great for indoors, and sometimes outdoors when there is no winds! This includes a 2.4 Ghz controller, so there is absolutely NO interference! Top of the line radio! However, if you crash it, it will get pricy and for someone who is 8 years old, could be a price risk. The MSRP for this helicopter is $129.99. Do not look at the one that states "BNF" for that one does not include the controller.

Here are the links:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId...

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId...

(Price may vary upon store for Air Hogs Products)

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?...

Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera - Capture 720p HD video in stereo sound; play back on an HDTV via the HDMI output - f/2.0 lens for low light conditions or shallow depth-of-field; control ring for intuitive manual control - 3.8x optical zoom; 28mm wide-angle lens; Canon's Hybrid IS to compensate for angular and shift camera shake

Get a hobby grade helicopter. That way you can buy spare parts for it when you break it (because you will break it)

I suggest the Blade mCX2 RTF or Blade Scout RTF as a first. Easy to fly and parts are readily available.

my grandson got 1 last year, [ inexpensive model, which wa snot all that good, very fragile ] - you can get any types and sizes at any .com addresses, just type in reference for RC helicopters, and you will get a long list, I am sure.

If you are looking to buy RC helicopters for first time, I would suggest you to gather some information about those model before making the purchase. In that way you will get a better idea about those helicopters and it will make your job easy while purchasing as well.