Syma Forum

Redfive said
Progress seems to fly these days, I remember when a telephone was something in a big red box at the end of the street.

Same here.  The corner drug store (chemist, in UK) had a public phone booth.  Phone booths on the street came later.  A phone in the home was a luxury.  

The first television sets were big boxes with round 12" screens that showed a watery black & white image and there were only three channels.  Before that was radio -- another big wooden box full of vacuum tubes that glowed so bright and hot from their open backs they lit up and warmed a darkened room.  

And historians of the future will recall r/c helicopters that flew for only five minutes on a charge and crashed a lot.

Redfive said
Me too

It will be a couple more weeks before my replacement x5 arrives, which is when I can resume learning how to control 4-channel helis.  And based on what I've seen thus far (on YouTube) I believe my next bird will be an x8c.  

Little by little, one progressive step at a time, it's clear that competition is moving toward increased sophistication at reduced cost.  What I've learned is the x8 is twice the size of the x5, it has a headless option, and its camera can be substituted with a Dazzne P2, which is comparable to the GoPro but costs only $90.  

I'm thinking about the cost and capabilities of microcomputers and printers circa 1980 compared with what is available today for one fourth the cost.  Barring the likelihood of restrictive laws, just imagine what the future of rc helis will be.  

Syma Freak said

I have a DJI Phantom, cost is huge, good flyer, but buying products from Hobbyking and building your own is cheaper.However in a very short time as connected with Syma and other suppliers Quads are going to get a one place system, in other words,FPV,Gps,home function all in one at cheaper prices.For instance there is now the Syma X8C which just ordered and a copy of the DJI Phantom as the body shells easy to get. Looks as not brushless motors but can see a great idea for FPV  flying with it-review soon.

Re: the x8c: I just looked at the Amazon ad and it's clear Syma has done a visual take-off on the Phantom -- especially with the availability of those optional "tall" landing skids for five bucks.  As you've noted, the effect of competition is becoming apparent.  

I look forward to your review of the x8c.  

Redfive said
I have been learning to fly 4 channel helicopters so the quads are stable practise for me, Despite the size difference and toys of the hubsans I tend to fly the s5c more as it is a better flier and quieter. I would suggest that you don't buy anything you haven't seen or tried out.

The fpv is impressive but I am so used to looking at where the quad is I find that I can't fly it from screen only 

I'd keep to the syma as if it was lost the cost of replacement is minimal and with its weight to won't do much damage if it hits anything. Keep watching them develop and only but if it is a real improvement.

Thanks for the advice, all of which is sensible -- especially the caution about not buying anything I haven't seen or tried out.  At this point I'm not even capable of competently flying the x5c, so I'm safe for the time being.  Unless I am able to get my hands on a high end quad and see that I'm able to safely fly it I wouldn't risk succumbing to temptation.  And all that's available to me now are informational videos and advertisements.  

I expect that as popularity of drone technology increases there eventually will be shops where the best selling toy versions along with the high end serious models will be sold and repaired.  Until then I'll remain content with learning how to fly the low-end versions.

Redfive said
http://www.hubsan.com/producti.....fo_11.html

This is it, it takes the same batteries as the s5c and has a screen on the controller and records on the controller rather than the quad. They are smaller than the syma and a bit noisier. Price isn't too bad so would feed your addiction without breaking the bank.

Thanks!  Much appreciated.

It appears rather similar to the x5c in terms of size, construction and general agility.  But the fpv capability is a very attractive feature.  Are you able to control yours as well as the demonstrator in the video?  If so, how long (in terms of flight minutes) did it take to develop that skill level?  At this time I have a lot of practice to look forward to before making any intelligent plans or decisions -- and it will be some weeks before my replacement x5 arrives.

Keeping the factor of time in mind I recall buying my first VCR in 1980, which is when that technology was introduced.  It cost $850 and it was relatively primitive in terms of general capability and design.  I bought my last VCR about five years ago, which is approximately when that technology was made obsolete by the dvd.  That machine cost only $140 and was far more sophisticated than its 1980 ancestor.  

I mentioned that because our little drones are a relatively new technology and we are watching innovations take place on an almost daily basis.  So, excluding the possibility of restrictive laws, we're sure to see some interesting developments, along with significant price reductions, in the near future.  

At age 78 I'm afraid I won't be around when commercial competition makes birds like the Walkera Voyager available for around $200 -- or less.  

Redfive said
There are  shops that do big boys toys in the uk but the price off the shelf is far higher than mail order from china. I have only brought one off the shelf and the others by ebay but happy with what I have received despite the wait for post.

Bryan,

I'm not aware of any specialty rc copter shops here in the U.S.  Some of the super stores, such as WalMart and Target, market a few of the low-priced helis in their toy departments -- which represents no threat to my bank balance.  But if there were local shops where the high-end models are displayed and demonstrated I would be in serious trouble.  

I was quite taken by the YouTube demo video of the DJI Phantom 3, which, with accessories, is available for around $1,500.  That was the temptation I'd been dealing with ever since my s5c went bad and I started looking around.  More recently I've come across demo videos of the Walkera Voyager -- which has retractable landing skids and costs $2,500.  That became an attending distraction until I came across the DJI Inspire One, which not only has retractable landing skids but a 4k resolution GoPro camera, fully 180 degree gimbal mount, and costs $3,500.  And now I know how recovering alcoholics feel when they walk past liquor stores.

I haven't dealt with this kind of distraction since acquiring my archery addiction, which has been under control for some years now.  (I've bought it all and there's nothing left to buy.)  

When you find the time, please tell me about your fpv heli.  I'm curious.  

Mike

Redfive said
I wasn't aware of that one but must admit I have 2 hubsan drones one is fpv  with screen on controller but like most addictions control of the wallet is advised

Bryan,

If there were nearby shops where these upscale birds are displayed and demonstrated I would soon talk myself into buying one.  Because at this point I am quite taken with the Walkera Tali and the DJI Phantom 3.  What puts me off is the the distance from a source, i.e., there is no hands-on on access to evaluate them prior to purchase and (as far as I know) they are made in and sold from China.  

Those deterrents are easy to ignore where a relatively simple $50 item is concerned.  But not so easy when the object is much more expensive, somewhat complicated, my only reference is a video, and there is no nearby vendor to annoy with questions or problems.  So without access to hands-on temptation I have fairly good control over my impulses.  (But God help me if someone opens a nearby drone shop.)  

 Are there any drone shops there in the UK?  Or did you just hold your nose and buy your fpv units from a Chinese vendor?  Any regrets?  

Mike