Syma X5HW With FPV Review
This is a complete review of the Syma X5HW FPV Drone (Quadcopter) A very exciting break into FPV at below $60.
I want to thank GearBest for sending me the Syma X5HW To Review
Let us start with the specifications which will explain as we move on to my review.
Specifications:
Brand: Syma
Item No.: X5HW
Version: RTF
Age: 12+
Copter Size: 33 x 33 x 11cm
Motor Diameter: 0.8cm
Charging Time: About 130min
Flying Time: 5 - 7min
Frequency: 2.4GHz
Gyro: Built-in 6 Axis Gyro
Channel: 4
Camera Pixel: 0.3-mega-pixel
FPV: WiFi
Control Distance: About 100m
Battery: 3.7V 500mA Battery
Control Battery: 4 x 1.5V AA Battery ( Not Included )
Warm Prompt:
The color of transmitter will be sent at white.
The phone in picture is not included.
Specifications
General:
Type: Camera,Quadcopter,Racing Quadcopter
Brand: Syma
Features: WiFi FPV
Functions: 3D rollover,Camera,Forward/backward,FPV,Headless Mode,Height Holding,Hover,Left / Right Hand Throttle Switch,Level Calibration,Low-voltage Protection,Over-current Protection,Trim,Turn left/right,Up/down,With light
Built-in Gyro: Yes
Night Flight: Yes
Material: Electronic Components,Plastic
Kit Types: RTF
Level: Intermediate Level
Age: Above 12 years old
Connectivity:
Remote Control: 2.4GHz Wireless Remote Control
Channel: 4-Channels
Mode: Mode 1 & Mode 2(Left & Right Hand Throttle)
Control Distance: 100-300m
Detailed Control Distance: About 100m
Transmitter Power: 4 x 1.5V AA battery(not included)
Model Power: 1 x Lithium battery(included)
Battery:
Battery: 3.7V 500mA
Flying Time: 5-7mins
Charging Time (h): About 130mins
Camera:
Camera Pixels: 0.3MP
Dimension and Weight:
Product weight: 0.121 kg
Package weight: 1.055 kg
Product size (L x W x H): 33.00 x 33.00 x 11.00 cm / 12.99 x 12.99 x 4.33 inches
Package size (L x W x H): 42.00 x 32.00 x 10.00 cm / 16.54 x 12.6 x 3.94 inches
Package Contents:
Package Contents: 1 x Quadcopter, 1 x Transmitter, 1 x Camera, 2 x Propeller, 4 x Propeller Protector, 1 x Screwdriver, 4 x Landing Gear, 1 x Phone Holder, 1 x English Manual, 1 x Battery
After all that boring stuff- Review below
Setting Up The Syma X5HW
The first thing is to charge your battery Drone:It comes with a USB cable to charge the battery, must admit the battery has different connections than the Syma X5C which is a bit of a pain as have heaps of batteries for the X5C. However have found some cheap batteries below. You will need these to just keep flying. Tap photo to purchase.
Now a few points here. First with the usb cable full charging will show when light on usb cable goes out, also really important is to let the battery cool down for 15 minutes before recharge as if not the lipo battery will not last, hence better to have a few batteries.
Next you have to put on the landing legs and the prop guards.. I know you are thinking that is a pain but really it was very easy.
Just one tip on prop guards make sure you push down as you tighten the screw to get a plush fit as otherwise the prop might catch on the guards (tap images to enlarge)
Camera installation
Installing the camera is easy just slides into fittings under the quad and then fit the 3 pin plug wire into the provided plug connector. All done and ready to film.
Now we need to install the App on our mobile.
Not being the greatest mobile user I thought this was going to be a problem, however it was easier than expected. In the manual they have the web address www.symatoys.net for Android phones and for Apple phones go to the App Store. The App is called Syma FPV. Another way is to scan the QR barcode from the box the Syma X5HW arrives in. For manual download and App help go here http://www.symatoys.com/support/49.html
Quick Video on FPV Setp
Remote Controls Syma X5HW
Click to enlarge image.
Pretty easy remote to use, requires AA batteries not supplied. To fly indoors or beginners start on easy rate mode and high rate for out side flying. Turn on Drone then remote, push throttle up to highest point and down again, drone now bound to remote. However as has altitude barometer you need to arm drone for flight.
Easy method push left and right sticks to center, motors will start, to stop do the same or push throttle to lowest point for a few seconds motors switch off.
Altitude Hold
Altitude hold is just great for any Drone with a camera and is a good addition for the Syma X5HW. Altitude/Height Hold (also known as auto-hover) uses a barometric pressure sensor to monitor air pressure and keep your drone at the same level of air pressure. At different altitudes and by checking this pressure the X5HW is able to adjust throttle accordingly to stay at that height. Pretty neat. So you will notice throttle is spring loaded to bring back to center, so adjust the height you desire let go of throttle will center back and then hold that altitude.
Headless Mode
This means which ever way the quad is pointing, back or forward on remote back will do that even if pointing in opposite direction as same for forward, great if you lose orientation as easy to do. To put into headless mode push down on left top button until you hear like 3 beeps and the lights will flash on and off to show you are in headless mode on quad, click left hand top button to get out of that mode, I am using mode 2, throttle left stick.
Calibration Might Be Required After A Crash
To do this start up Quad as above put onto a flat surface and then when bound to remote push both TX Sticks to the bottom right and wait a few seconds for lights to stop blinking on quadcopter- You are good to fly again.
Pros And Cons
- Living in sunny Australia I had to find shade to view the FPV on my phone, guess need to build a box around phone.
- Does not like to much wind, however as only brushed motors what do I expect.
- Flies faster and to me yaws better than the X5C
- Trying at the moment working out how to get videos of the App to my computer, guess my fault as not really smart with mobiles.
- There is a bit of lag with the video to the phone, but that has to be expected with Wifi.
- As always Syma products have great stability in flight and easy to fly at home on low rates for a beginner.
- Would I buy the Syma X5HW - Yes very rewarding fun for around under $65 and resilient to crashes in a park on grass.
- I also like the long TX sticks, great for my fat hands.
- I like the headless mode.
- Manual same as always translated from Chinese to English never that helpful but this one is better than normal.
If you would like to obtain the Syma X5HW to add to your other Syma products my recommendation is Gearbest-Syma-X5HW link below. Free shipping with around 7 to 25 days depending where you live, and also they ship World Wide - Amazon does not ship to some countries.
Free Shipping World Wide From Gearbest
Spare Parts For X5WH and Syma X5C TAP HERE
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Tagged with: Syma X5HW
Excellent review thanks for sharing.
Thank you Bernie. I will be adding more to this review as I test the X5WH to the limit.