Mini Helicopter Review: Syma S107/S107G R/C Helicopter

Product Description

Syma S107G is equipped with a 4-in-1 infra-red receiver (Gyro, ESC, Mixer, Receiver). This palm size S107 Toy Helicopter (18.5cm long) comes with Aluminum Frame and a Great detail canopy, it does not appear like a toy, but a very significant Helicopter. It is able to move in three Direction base on the three Channels, any individual can hover it effortlessly. Since it is made with Aluminum Frame, especially light weight and practically indestructible in any crash, fantastic for fairly very first time newbies. This toy helicopter is created for anybody over 8 years old, flight time is around five-6 minutes right after 20-30 minutes charging. It can fly in 6 directions.

Product Details

Product Dimensions: 17.9 x 8.4 x 4 inches ; 8 ounces
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
ASIN: B003TVTPS0
Item model number: S107
Manufacturer recommended age: 14 years and up
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: 8 in Toys ; Games (See Top 100 in Toys ; Games)
3 inToys ; Games Hobbies Radio Control Helicopters

By : Syma
Price : $24.85
You Save : $15.10 (38%)

Product Attributes

two Selectable Frequencies Let's You Fly Up To 2 Helicopters At Once
Syma S107/S107G
Full three channels: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward

Consumer Reviews

Most of the other critiques have hit the main pros and cons with this, but there are nevertheless a handful of more that I can add. Hope they aid in creating your buying choices!
PRO:
- Thanks to the gyro, really short learning curve. Remote has two joysticks. Left side only moves up/down and controls speed of the rotors, which controls how a lot lift they create. Perfect joystick moves up/down (controlling forward/reverse) and left/appropriate (makes heli spin). You can also moving the correct stick diagonally to make different turns even though moving forward or backwards (reverse "figure-8's" are consistently impressive).
- Surprisingly huge number of "mods" that can be performed to a $30 heli. Soon after experimenting, I have settled on two minor ones. 1st, I removed the spring from the left joystick in the controller. This lets me put the heli in a hover and let go of the remote ("appear ma, no hands!"). I have also moved the landing gear forward in their mounts to push the center of gravity forward a little, which provides a tiny bit more forward speed. (Some people today tape a paperclip to the front to reach the same effect). One particular of the other big ones that I tried, but did not keep, was the "flybar mod". Google it for alot more specifics.
- Rather durable. Ahead of flying the S107, I had a non-gyro 3-CH heli which broke just after it is third flight. I'm now 2+ weeks into the S107 and in spite of crashing into just about almost everything feasible: walls, ceiling, sofa, tables, pull chain for ceiling fan, the Christmas tree(!), but for some minor nicks on the blades that do not have an effect on flight, every thing has held up fine. [My "trick" is to cut power to the blades fully as soon as the crash occurs, and just let it fall]. Even if something does break, just about just about every element on the 107 is replaceable, from the wings to the motors to the body components.
CONS:
- Simply because the S107 is so light (40g), it absolutely can not be implemented in any sort of wind. In reality, a decent draft can be sufficient to cause it to blow off course. Even indoors, you have to stay clear of open windows and fans of any sort. Not definitely a significant situation as this happens to all modest indoor helis.
- Due to IR manage, many people report having problems flying near/about LCD televisions and light bulbs that are on when flying. I can fly more than lit lamps (incandescent and florescent) without troubles, but my 46" LCD will occasionally result in the heli to lose get in touch with with the controller, shutting down power to the rotor. Turning off the Tv solves the challenge totally.
- The power connector inside my controller will not charge my heli - after five seconds, it thinks its fully charged and shuts down. Immediately after taking the controller apart to appear for problems, I discovered the the power wires' connection to the controller board had been not soldered adequately. Because the USB charger functions fine, I did not bother returning the heli, but excellent control nonetheless seems to be an matter.
- The USB charger (and presumably, the controller's built-in charger) are not "smart" chargers. That is, they will continue to charge the heli's battery as lengthy as they are plugged in. As the heli comes with a Li-Po rechargeable, overcharging can cause all sorts of complications, ranging from shorter flight instances to shortening the life of the battery, even to physically damaging the battery (can heat up and expand). Be sure to cease charging as soon as the indicator lights tell you to. [You can also substantially preserve the life of a Li-Po battery by not running it down fully right after every flight.]
- Though the controller has markings for 3 channels (A, B and C), advertised as becoming in a position to have 3 consumers fly their S107s in the similar room, there are essentially only two channels accessible. (Once more, I have taken the controller apart to verify this). So if you planned on giving this as a gift to your 3 children, keep in mind only two will be able to play with it simultaneously.
On the bright side is that to modify channels, you just have to flip the switch on the controller and the heli will automatically recognize which 1 you chose.
All in all, the positives far outweigh the negatives and this tends to make a terrific toy for youngsters and adults alike.

RATING: After flying the 7.five inch Syma S107 indoor heli for about 3 months now, I have to say that it is a single of the most below-rated RC heli out there, hands down. Store about. At about $30 internet with taxes and stuff, this little trooper delivers the looks, detail, durability and performance of a substantially pricier heli. The Syma S107 has only three-way controls but it competes surprisingly well with the likes of the Blade MCX2 which has four-way controls and retails for about $150 off-line.
Overall performance: I get it way more fun to fly the Syma S107 than the smoother and extra mellifluous Blade MCX2. In this sense the Syma S107 hews to a less is more principle: i.e. it delivers more with less. But right here is the irony of the entire scenario: the Syma S107's ragged performance edge essentially connects with you far better than the ultra-smooth Blade MCX2. It really is nearly like the distinction amongst stick shift and automatic transmission. The S107's controls just really feel far more tactile than those of the Blade MCX2. (I am not trying to knock the Blade MCX two which is a outstanding little heli in its personal appropriate. I am just trying to make a comparison on matters of price tag, develop and efficiency.)
UPLIFTING LIFT: There is nothing like the sound of the Syma S107 blades when you turn it on. The rush of sound from its four independently articulated blades sound like no other heli I have flown. There is one thing breezily uplifting about that sound - some thing elevating about the way it elevates and stays aloft with really impressive balance.
Build DURABILITY: The detail and solid feel of the Syma S107 leaves the Blade MCX2 in the dust. The trim metal body and snug plastic hood fits way greater than the loosey-goosey hood on the Blade MCX2. And after a number of trial crashes the Syma S107 has not shown a lot harm with the conceivable exception of a tiny whirring sound from the tail blade assembly and some herky-jerky movement when I am attempting to turn the heli left or correct. (I have oiled it a small but all to no avail.) The Blade MCX2 flew properly for a couple of months until it would not take off just after 1 unspectacular crash. (I am not making this up.) When I took it into Hobbytown USA in Fremont CA for 1 of their RC technician to look at, he located out that a single of the central plastic gears was not engaging considering that the engine moving it had been pocked out of position inspite of becoming "protected" by the plastic hood. My suspicion is that it was quite possibly poked out of position by some protruding prong during that final crash. I was mortified by the prospect of junking something I had paid $150 for only 2 months prior. But to Hobbytown USA's credit, they replaced the unit without having fuss or muss. I was so thankful that they will possibly have me as a consumer for life.
NAVIGATION LIGHT: Finally no one places the navigational-bling-bling lights far better than Syma. That blinking light in the helicopter's nose tends to make it look positively sentient when it is hovering in front of you.
I adore this tiny heli and wish I had a lot more time to fly it. A higher capacity/fast charge battery would go a long way towards realizing this purpose. The existing heli only provides 10 minutes of flight time on top of about 45 minutes charge time. But in all fairness this seems to be the case with most RC helis in this category. But the battery's tendency to lose capacity when overcharged or re-charged without requisite cooling between flights (15 to 30 minutes)certainly requirements to be fixed. Until that time, SYMA should certainly make directions to that effect front and center of its operating manual. IC circuitry (wise battery tech) would go a long way towards solving difficulties in this region.
INDISPENSABLE Guidance: In that connection, here is an indispensable advice for people today who wanna get even more frustration-absolutely free enjoyment out of their Syma S107 buy:
1. Acquire two or four helis for starters as that will give you amongst 20 to 40 minutes of flying time, total.
2. When your heli's power gets depleted, do not charge it right away as the engine assembly is all "hot and bothered". Let it cool down for about 20 minutes just before hooking it up to the charging port.
three. DO NOT OVERCHARGE THE HELI. It will not give you any more power if you do. Au contraire you will finish up depleting the charging capacity of your battery due to the fact of the dumb circuitry they put in there.
four. For every single heli you got, maintain a spare battery which sells on Amazon for about $5 every. Installing it is as easy as removing two screws attaching the hood, cutting the old battery off and leaving enough lead wire, stripping corresponding ends of the red and black leads, connecting them then wrapping them with electrical tape. Just after that you just put the battery back onto its sticky pad and then put the hood back on. (Google "installing a Syma S107 battery." Probabilities are you will uncover a a pictorial guide and or a Youtube video that will show you precisely how to do it.)
Happy flyin'. C. Rex
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UPDATE - 6/28/11: Search for the parallel MCX2 critique on amazon.com or Google using the search term: "A celebrated piece of crap to match the crappy service I got the Blade customer service".