Reddit reviews SYMA X1 4 Channel 2.4G Rc Quad Copter - UFO

Absolute lowest cost to feature ratio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glntHniiqpk

Syma X1 Quadcopter

Get a Syma X1 learn how to fly it well, then move on to a more expensive one. Like andersonsjanis said, you won't get anything that can hold a gopro for cheap.

I'm experienced with small copters and quads. This is the one I've been playing with recently. I'm familiar with the terms somewhat as I've been lurking all the drone subreddits, and I've been researching the different systems for the past month or so. I will not attempt the build until I feel I have all the tools and resources I need to be successful. I'll lurk a little more before I put a few hundred down on a kit.

Do you know how to fly yet? Before I even began to figure out how to build a full size multicopter, I started with this Syma X1 -> http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4G-Quad-Copter/dp/B00906PKQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372570534&sr=8-2&keywords=syma+x1
Even if you know you're going to build one, if you've never flown one, order that first.

After that, I would look at a kit. People love to poopoo the stock DJI motors and ESCs that come with the 'DJI F450 Flamewheel ARF kit', but the point is, you know that when you put all of it together, add in a flight controller, ubec, and rx; that the damn thing is going to fly. Hard to beat that small amount of security! http://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-FLAME-WHEEL-F450-ARF-KIT-INCLUDES-MOTORS-ESC-PROPELLERS-/130882504206?pt=US_Radio_Control_Control_Line&hash=item1e7934860e

If you have followed my instructions so far, you can use this video to assemble the above kit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUTHIL_Xfcc

Then all that's left is a flight controller (Hobby King kk2.0 or a MultiWii are both high quality and cheap!), batteries, battery charger, connecters, servo cables, transmitter/receiver, and a sunny day!

Good luck! I've had a few tonight, so gimme slack if I missed something!

You should start small. It was the advice given to me several years ago and it paid off. If you try to learn flying a larger more powerful quad you are likely to end up with a pile of busted parts you don't know how to repair. You need to learn how to fly first and small quads with brushed motors are the perfect learning tool.

If you want a brand name and great customer service and local hobby shop support, look no further than Blade. The MQX is the larger of the two quads and is easier to see if you want to fly outdoors. The Nano is brand new and all I really know is that it is tiny and seems to have auto level which I don't think the MQX does.
If you go this route you should consider purchasing a DX6I radio which will allow you to buy the BNF or bind and fly models. The DX6I will bind with any Horizon Hobby (parent company) sells. It is programmable and will help you understand that aspect when you eventually get to larger models.

If you just want to get something cheap to try out the hobby, I suggest you order a Syma x1 from amazon or go to banggood.com and pick one of the quads they have there. The V9?9 series is very popular and highly regarded.

Check out the rcgroups.com mini multirotor forum if you want specifics on any particular model.

If you have never flown a quad before I would not recommend starting with an expensive Phantom. I would first go with something like the syma x1

That $30 quad will get you started and will let you know whether this hobby is something you want to dump time and money into. Once you have fully mastered a starter quad, then upgrade to something like the Phantom, though at that point you may want to make your own quad ;)

This is probably one of the most fun things you can get, and it's only about $40. I have 4 of them, and they are very maneuverable, can hold a key-chain camera, and are nearly indestructible. They are also able to be flow indoors and out.

Syma x1 and get some extra batteries. One guy recommended it in the Guadcopter POV race post and I bought one. Just 2 days ago my friend flew it around in the house into every wall, ceiling, chair and still going strong and it came with extra blades cause they will eventually break.

There is probably an updated version of this quadcopter by Syma but I didn't research all that much.

Has he ever flown anything?

If not then the stock answer is to go with one of the "toy" quads. They are fairly inexpensive, very durable, and replacement parts are plentiful and cheap for the inevitable crashes. Once he gets the hang of that, then he can move up to something that's more powerful, and expensive.

Don't be fooled by the size, these are still fairly tough to get the hang of flying, and are really great fun. Most can be flown indoors as well.

The Hubsan H107 gets recommended quite a bit (I own one, and it's been great).

http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107-L_M2-The-X4-H107L/dp/B00CP5NSGG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407263704&sr=8-2&keywords=quadcopter

With that you'd want to get both the prop guard, and the crash kit.

The Syma X1 gets a lot of recommendations as well:

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4G-Quad-Copter/dp/B0096SJU3U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1407263704&sr=8-5&keywords=quadcopter

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4G-Quad-Copter/dp/B00906PKQ4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1407263704&sr=8-8&keywords=quadcopter

And there's the Estes Proto X (I don't see many recommendations for this, but have seen it mentioned in other places quite a bit):

http://www.amazon.com/Estes-Proto-Quadcopter-Colors-Black/dp/B00G924W98/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1407263704&sr=8-6&keywords=quadcopter

I'm sure there are more that I'm missing, but I'm sure others will chime in.

Yea, I realized I needed something small to get good at the controls. I came across the Syma X1 which looks like it has pretty good reviews and is cheap...

Ready to Fly (RTF) means it comes with a transmitter radio in addition to having a receiver built into the plane/quad/multi or it comes with a compatible receiver.

Almost ready to fly (ARF) usually means it comes with a receiver on the plane and its your job to make sure you have a transmitter (radio) that is compatible.

Most other listings are for a plane/multirotor are for the plane itself and require you to bring your own motors, escs, transmitter, receivers.

I'd honestly recommend a cheap as can be like the husban x4 or syma x1. After you learn how to fly for more than 5 minutes with a $40 toy without crashing then invest in building your own that can lift the weight of an iPhone4. building your own is cheapest and lets you learn about wtf is actually going on, plus you will crash, you will crash a lot and break things so you better know how to put it back together when you do crash.

youtube.com/flitetest <--- they have tons of DIY videos and sell parts that make building your own multi rotor easy. also for electronics the cheapest is generally hobbyking.com or banggood.com

Great news is you don't have to spend hundreds to get a very decent and fun quad-flying experience.

Here's one for about $35!

I can say first-hand that this is a great little quad with surprising features and agility. It's also true 3-channel radio control; not infrared like the little helicopters everyone monkeys with. This will give you great control and range.

Of course it won't go as fast or as high as the $300+ models but it's definitely worth the price. It has great lift and you can easily rig it with LED's for night flights no problem.

One caveat: the manual is very poorly translated.. but there are great translations from the community online so if you do purchase one, keep this in mind.

Quadcopters are so much easier to fly than those RC helicopters. I got this cheap little toy a few months ago just to mess around with, and it flies like a dream (it even has a button to do a flip) up to around 100 feet.

A Syma X1 Drone and a keychain camera. With a little electrical tape I attached the camera to the drone and can record myself flying. That drone is incredibly sturdy, and only took me a couple of flights to get used to it. Hit a wall so hard the battery got launched like twenty feet, snapped it back in and it was ready to go again.

Unfortunately it pretty much is useless outside with any wind so I am confined to flying it around my apartment, luckily my dog loves it and chases it all over.

The drone was $35.

Camera was $10 (you need a micro-SD).

I just picked up a syma x1 as a recommendation to get familiar with flight controls. Not necessarily a drone but a quad copter. I've crashed it a ton and nothings broken so far. Can fly both indoors and outdoors.

You can still get your feet wet for $35 and see if it is a hobby you want to be a part of.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00906PKQ4?pc_redir=1407179475&robot_redir=1

A bit over budget, but worth the extra 10 dollars. Takes a beating and comes with it's own tx.

Syma X1

Amazon should be very clear on the product weight. Example:

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4G-Quad-Copter/dp/B00906PKQ4

>Product Dimensions: 14.2 x 2.4 x 14.2 inches ; 1.3 pounds

Not-so-great reviews, plus the obvious factor that you have to fill and refill with helium, which most of us don't have laying around.

I think a better choice is a Syma X1 with a few extra batteries. Pretty fun little 4-channel flying R.C. for not that much money.

No worries! I actually have the Syma x1, the Hubsan x4, and the Nano QX so I've had plenty of first hand experience on all 3 of the super popular ones.

The specific Syma x1 I have is this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00906PKQ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Its the cheapest of the 3 and has the longest flight time. However this means it has the longest charge time (about 90 minutes for around 20+ minutes of flight)

The Nano will fly for around 10+ minutes and charges in around 35 minutes.

The Hubsan takes around 45 minutes to charge and flies for about 6~7 minutes depending on if you have the guard attached.

Of the 3 the Syma is the easiest to fly, and the best for a total beginner to learn on. However the Syma does not have blade guards, but the blades themselves are very sturdy (in about 50 flights and many crashes from various heights onto various surfaces I have yet to break a single propeller)

The Nano is my favorite hands down, best bang for your buck if you can afford the $70~100 price range. However due to its incredible agility it would be rather hard to learn on and would crash a lot. I've had all 3 for months and I still can't fly the Nano in agility mode indoors. Seriously, that sucker can move. The Hubsan is kinda a happy medium between the Syma and Nano in nearly every aspect. Personally its my least favorite of the 3, but it is still a very solid beginner copter. The Hubsan isn't bad by any means, its just that the other two are better in my opinion. The Hubsan is the heaviest of the 3 despite it being the smallest. Also the Hubsan has the shortest flight time, but a longer charge time than the Nano.

Also, very important - if you get a Hubsan DO NOT GET THE CAMERA upgraded version. The camera is really bad, it doesn't come with a micro SD card, any video playback will include the lovely sound of the motors (they are very loud in flight) as performed by the world's worst microphone at max volume, and the camera is always on (even with no card inserted) so it drains the battery faster than the non camera version. (not to mention the added weight)

If I had some spare cash I would definitely buy a second Nano, they are that awesome once you know how to fly. I would also probably buy another Syma because the quality for the cost is fantastic. Honestly I would buy a second Syma x1 instead of an extra battery for the first one. Its like $10~15 for an extra battery kit, I personally would rather just have 2 copters for 30 bucks instead of just one with an extra battery. (you can cannibalize one if the other breaks, plus that gives you 2 chargers, 2 controllers, 2 batteries, and a total of 16 propellers to use. Not to mention a total of 8 motors and 2 flight boards) So if you plan on crashing a lot just spring for a second one instead of a repair kit.

I know everything I said about the Hubsan seems negative, but its still a very good starter copter at a very reasonable price. Having used one as much as I have, I would absolutely buy it again (minus the damn camera) if I ever had a reason to. That being said I should warn you, my Hubsan - and possibly all Hubsans, are out for blood and are face seeking. I've gotten some fairly bad cuts and bruises from mine. Do yourself a favor and just keep away from the flip button until you have either a lot of room / experience, or some sort of bullet proof shield to hide behind.

If you have any other questions about copters or learning to fly I would be more than happy to try and answer them. I know that finding specific information about this stuff can be kinda hard or confusing at times.

Here are links to the other two quads I talked about:

Hubsan x4 - http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107L-Mini-RTF-Quadcopter/dp/B00IZC6C8E/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=197PJ9NDQ5JDVB73REBF

Nano QX - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYHZN8G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

One of my friends bought the Hubsan x4 and I got the Syma x1

I personally like the Syma more, it feels more controlled and easier to fly. Also was a few bucks cheaper. Ive been flying it for about a month now and have nothing bad to say about it

Syma X1