Syma X5C-1 vs DJI Phantom 1

[Patton]

In case you have a Syma X5C-1 and were wondering what it feels like to fly a Phantom......

It feels JUST LIKE it but with a slightly heavier feeling. (Because it is )

If you get good at flying the X5C, you would find flying the Phantom almost natural if not really easy.
It seems to take almost the same inputs to get it off the ground, hover, turn, climb, descend etc.

The Phantom has powerful motors, but it also has a lot more weight so they seem to offset one another with the result that they feel very similar imo. Even the battery duration is very similar. About 7 - 8 minutes on both.

One difference you'll notice with a Phantom is that in GPS mode, the Phantom tends to stay right where you put it unlike the X5C which pretty much requires constant adjustment. If you take the Phantom to 15 feet for example and release the joysticks, it'll pretty much STAY right there....even in wind because of the GPS navigational system. In most respects therefore I would say the X5C actually takes more skill to fly than the Phantom. Although with the Phantom there is so much more to learn and get acquainted with.

Obviously, the X5C doesn't have the Naza or GPS and I'm not comparing those features, just the flight basics.

Another big difference is the sound and thrust. Compared to the X5C-1, the Phantom is a noisy bird.
Those big 8 inch propellers move a lot of air and the sound reminds me of sounds I hear at airports when small aircraft are coming and going. Also the wind beneath the Phantom is several factors stronger when it's airborne if you get under it. But therein lies a potential difference that you might have to adjust for to avoid a crash. The descending wind below the Phantom can create vortices that can cause the Phantom to fall under certain conditions if it gets caught in it. The X5C on the other hand is so lightweight, you can just chop the throttle and let it free fall then go back to full throttle and stabilize it only 8 or 10 feet above the ground.

So if a DJI Phantom is in your future, I can tell you that the X5C is a perfect platform to get yourself ready. (And no, I get no benefit from this other than to share my experience and hope yours is as good).

 

[Jimbir]

The X5C is the one you use to learn on. It's nearly indestructible. I've crashed mine into buildings, trees, fences, and even a bird bath! No damage and still flying great. Install the prop guards!

 

[sailorsam]

Sounds good, but I'm not ready yet for a $400 unit.
maybe when I grow up.

 

[Mike H.]

Heres a run down on the Syma X5..The original was nice but no camera...

Then came the X5C with the C denoting Camera....but Syma didnt make changes to the flight board to compensate for the added weight of the camera so, it flies a bit heavy'ish and not as stable with the camera mounted...

Now comes the X5C-1 with upgraded firmware to handle the added weight...Remove the camera and it is an amazing flyer from what ive seen but is a more stable flyer with the camera as well.

The X5C-1 is certainly on my list of quads to own and hopefully soon.

It can be considered one of the top 10 models to own.

 

[Mike H.]

I might add some range issues have plagued the syma X5 series to give about 30m before "brown outs" or loosing signal.

Many have found you can upgrade the transmitter for about triple the range and its not very expensive at all to do.

A simple Rp Sma to UFL pig tail, soldered where the factory antenna on the TX is located and adding a 3 to 5 db 2.4g antenna will give you over 100m of range..Some report over 150m with a mod to the flight board antenna as well but,you cant really see the quad at even 100m so, its really a useless mod to extend the FCB antenna unless flying FPV.

 

[Thomas in Niagara]

Great information! I fully agree with Mike. With my limited outdoor flying time I feel I should chip in here and offer a warning to noobs who want to immediately mod the X5C-1 for increased range only because there are limited mods to perform on it. Get used to flying it around you instead of hoping to fly six streets over or into the clouds and expect a good outcome. It would be dangerous and silly for me to want to fly out of my LOS even with the expansive site I fly at. My eyes aren't those of a 20 year old anymore and in a bit of a breeze they water like crazy. To be honest I'm probably only getting 25 to 30 meters tops before I get drop outs [?] or signal loss. Fly-aways are sure confidence killers especially when starting out. For now I'll stick to camera mods, paint jobs and velcroed doeys.