Syma Forum

Hi,

I am brand new to the sport/hobby and to the forum. After doing many hours of research to determine the S107 was the best for me, I very impulsively purchased from a very skilful saleman a "Toy Labs" coaxial with a camera during a mall visit here in Madrid where I am currently living. With a great deal of buyer's remorse the next day I researched this bird and found that it is a re-packaged Syma 107C. Still dubious, I searched the forums for all the counterfeit information and indeed I think this is a real S107C. Even better news: Toy Labs' Spain technical center is located three blocks from where I live so replacement parts and support are very accessible. However, you can imagine what the user manual is like: spanish translated from english translated from chinese. A quick pdf english download from one of the forums fixed that - to the extent possible.

The "bird" looks great. It is all shiny black - canopy, blades, camera - with some silver markings and a simple silver stripe. Very 'stealthy' yet dignified!

Most important, it flies really great and like most of the S107's is tons of fun to fly. The diy training gear I fitted came off after about five flights and in fact it flies better and is less prone to crashes. A little tape on the front of the skids to trim for backing behavior and it flies like a dream. An old Iphone USB wall wart supplies re-charge power very ably through the supplied yellow cable (my usb plug glows steady red until fully charged - then goes out altogether).

About two days ago I figured-out the camera and how to download images from the mem card. Now I am taking photos and videos of baseboards, table legs, carpet, dust bunnies, door jambs, light fixtures, my wife, and recently the world just outside the windows (closed). Then I realized I could photograph myself. The window is much more interesting. We live on a small plaza which seems to be breezeless around dusk many days. Might try it out there when my skills come up a bit more.

I have found a source for 'certified' S107's here in Madrid and plan to purchase a "real one" and perhaps a third for mods. I can't readily use the usual sources such as Amazon since shipping and customs are a problem - not the cost but the hassle and delay.

My only complaint  with my bird is that the flights are too short - though I do get around six minutes even when doing video. So I am thinking of a mod which would put a battery outboard and easily changeable so several batteries could be "cooking" while I fly. Could possibly just alternately fly three birds but that might become a training problem resulting from flight characteristic inconsistencies between them. And it would deprive me of the pleasure of a mod!

I do appreciate the work that has gone into this site and forum; I have found many contributions which were both helpful and entertaining. Keep up the great work and be patient while I slowly develop the knowledge and experience to perhaps put in my two cents worth sometime in the future.

Gordon