Also, another thing that kept me from buying one was the poor product descriptions for the different models. I never into a B&M store, only online, and it seemed like there were huge discrepancies in pricing with no explanations of what made the more expensive models cost more. I looked at ones that were $20, $40, $80, or more, and they looked basically the same. Just poor marketing, I suppose. Also, many cheaper ones had much better ratings than the uber expensive models, which didn't make much sense.
Little R/C Helicopters?
- Thread starter sciphi
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Wow, most of those DX helos seem like cheap trash. At least based on looks, it's no wonder why people are mad at them. Amazon is a little clearer, but still murky.
Often, the difference in price just means somebody wants to charge more. If it's a name brand like AirHog they'll charge more. And, if it's larger they'll charge more. For the little helos I got, I refused to pay more than $20 each for the Syma S107's I purchased. Shop with a known brand like Syma or Viefly, and what you'll get will generally be a decent helo. I quite enjoy the Syma S107's I bought, and would recommend them to somebody looking for a beginner helo.
The better-reviewed helos are generally the ones with a built-in accelerometer (gyro as they call it) to self-correct any auto-rotation. That makes it easy for a never-ever pilot like myself to fly them.
Often, the difference in price just means somebody wants to charge more. If it's a name brand like AirHog they'll charge more. And, if it's larger they'll charge more. For the little helos I got, I refused to pay more than $20 each for the Syma S107's I purchased. Shop with a known brand like Syma or Viefly, and what you'll get will generally be a decent helo. I quite enjoy the Syma S107's I bought, and would recommend them to somebody looking for a beginner helo.
The better-reviewed helos are generally the ones with a built-in accelerometer (gyro as they call it) to self-correct any auto-rotation. That makes it easy for a never-ever pilot like myself to fly them.
Originally Posted By: Cogito
Sciphi, you bought yours from Amazon? Is there any difference between the 105 and 107? The price on your link is now $23.
Yes, I got 5 of the S107's from Amazon. 2 for myself, 1 for my dad, and 2 others on behalf of a neighbor. I didn't pay over $18 for any of them. Shop around and keep checking back, as the prices seem to be quite volatile. Anything over $20 for one of these is too much, IMO.
IIRC the 107 is a little steadier and a little slower than the 105. It's a little better for a never-ever helo jockey from what I've heard. A friend got the 105, so I'll hear his impressions when he gets it.
Sciphi, you bought yours from Amazon? Is there any difference between the 105 and 107? The price on your link is now $23.
Yes, I got 5 of the S107's from Amazon. 2 for myself, 1 for my dad, and 2 others on behalf of a neighbor. I didn't pay over $18 for any of them. Shop around and keep checking back, as the prices seem to be quite volatile. Anything over $20 for one of these is too much, IMO.
IIRC the 107 is a little steadier and a little slower than the 105. It's a little better for a never-ever helo jockey from what I've heard. A friend got the 105, so I'll hear his impressions when he gets it.
Still having a ball with these things. They're actually DIY repairable for most mechanical flaws like rotors and propshafts. Electrical is another story if you're like me and have no skill in wire-stripping/soldering.
Got into weight reduction, and it's a lot of fun making these little helos go faster. They should be a riot this winter once I get much better at flying them.
Got into weight reduction, and it's a lot of fun making these little helos go faster. They should be a riot this winter once I get much better at flying them.
I bought a Syma S107 at Amazon, and received it yesterday. This thing is very cool. It was very easy to learn to fly, and seems pretty durable since it survived a few crashes. But the best part is the cat loves it. She thinks it's a bird or something, and tries to sneak up on it like a lion after an antelope. She'll jump straight up about four feet trying snag it. The hard part is keeping it out of her range. This is the best $20 I've spent in a long time. Thanks for tips, Sciphi!
WOW ....surprised I stumbled across this posting!!!!!
My son bought me one for Fathers Day....I'm now hooked on them. I had to buy more geeeesh.
Heyyyy I got 4 of these 107's ( one is up in a tree at 75 feet for months).
First thing to do is mod them....take off the vertical rudder and the horizontal rudder. Take off the two metal support arms....take off landing gear. Now you really lightened this sucker up big time !!! You'll see much improved flying time and it will be faster!!! ALOT FASTER !!!!
OH yeah.... charge the battery for ONLY one hr.....can't stress this enough and let it cool down after use before you recharge it ( ten min or so ).....will greatly increase battery life.
Another big improvement is to open up the remote control unit and take out the spring for the throttle control.....this will give you alot more control over hovering and general flying.....don't forget to kill the throttle when you crash!!!!!
A lot of technology went into these little choppers....and for the price , they can't be beat.
I just ordered a Blade MSR which is 100 times faster than the 107 , and 100 times harder to fly too!!!!
Enjoy yourself....BOB
My son bought me one for Fathers Day....I'm now hooked on them. I had to buy more geeeesh.
Heyyyy I got 4 of these 107's ( one is up in a tree at 75 feet for months).
First thing to do is mod them....take off the vertical rudder and the horizontal rudder. Take off the two metal support arms....take off landing gear. Now you really lightened this sucker up big time !!! You'll see much improved flying time and it will be faster!!! ALOT FASTER !!!!
OH yeah.... charge the battery for ONLY one hr.....can't stress this enough and let it cool down after use before you recharge it ( ten min or so ).....will greatly increase battery life.
Another big improvement is to open up the remote control unit and take out the spring for the throttle control.....this will give you alot more control over hovering and general flying.....don't forget to kill the throttle when you crash!!!!!
A lot of technology went into these little choppers....and for the price , they can't be beat.
I just ordered a Blade MSR which is 100 times faster than the 107 , and 100 times harder to fly too!!!!
Enjoy yourself....BOB
We have a Blade MCX and Blade MCX2. They're a riot to fly around, work well outside if there's just a light breeze, have a good availability of replacement parts, and are very durable. Ours are about a year old and other than a rotor shaft from a 45 foot fall, nothing has gone wrong. Excellent control as well.
Patman
Staff member
There is this commercial on TV up here for the Air Hogs Fly Crane helicopter and it looks pretty neat as is only $39 Canadian. My son's 10th birthday is coming up so I ordered him one as a present! Every time the commercial came on he told me he wanted it, so I think he'll be very happy on October 29th!
Let me know how that Air Hogs works!
I have 2 functional choppers, and 1 spare parts chopper. One is modded to go fast, and does indeed scoot along. The other I've left bone stock to work on flying skills and impossible landings with.
Is it bad I want a bigger one to fly outside with?
I have 2 functional choppers, and 1 spare parts chopper. One is modded to go fast, and does indeed scoot along. The other I've left bone stock to work on flying skills and impossible landings with.
Is it bad I want a bigger one to fly outside with?
Updating this:
The two choppers I got over the summer are still alive and kicking. They're still a ball to fly around. I don't have the kick for a more advanced chopper since these are so much fun!
I realized that bigger for outside is a little overkill for me, so with two flyers I'm content. A small Chinook dual (er, quad) rotor helicopter is on order for a change of pace.
The two choppers I got over the summer are still alive and kicking. They're still a ball to fly around. I don't have the kick for a more advanced chopper since these are so much fun!
I realized that bigger for outside is a little overkill for me, so with two flyers I'm content. A small Chinook dual (er, quad) rotor helicopter is on order for a change of pace.
Bump.
I came down with a case of helicopter fever, and purchased a Blade mCX2 4-channel helicopter recently. After a bit of practice and two new battery packs, it's a riot to fly around the house! It's no bigger than a Syma s107, but flies so much better! It's faster, more agile, less susceptible to turbulent air like from a heat vent, and far more responsive to the controls. It ought to at roughly 5x the price.
One of the original Syma helos bit the dust with a non-working tail motor. I may repair it. The other few I have are still kicking, and still get actively used. Although, the Blade is an absolute riot, so that's what I'm flying mostly now.
To sum up the differences for what you get for 5x the price of a 3-channel Syma s107 when buying a 4-channel Blade mCX2: A helicopter that flies like a real helo, not like a 3-D R/C car. Is it worth the price difference? For kids and others who want a simple, durable, easy to fly helo, no. For folks who have the hankering for something better after they've gotten good with a s107, yes.
I came down with a case of helicopter fever, and purchased a Blade mCX2 4-channel helicopter recently. After a bit of practice and two new battery packs, it's a riot to fly around the house! It's no bigger than a Syma s107, but flies so much better! It's faster, more agile, less susceptible to turbulent air like from a heat vent, and far more responsive to the controls. It ought to at roughly 5x the price.
One of the original Syma helos bit the dust with a non-working tail motor. I may repair it. The other few I have are still kicking, and still get actively used. Although, the Blade is an absolute riot, so that's what I'm flying mostly now.
To sum up the differences for what you get for 5x the price of a 3-channel Syma s107 when buying a 4-channel Blade mCX2: A helicopter that flies like a real helo, not like a 3-D R/C car. Is it worth the price difference? For kids and others who want a simple, durable, easy to fly helo, no. For folks who have the hankering for something better after they've gotten good with a s107, yes.
How about some quatrotors?
Splurge a little and just get one of these. Video gets interesting around the 2:00 mark. Heck only $10k!
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