How I got started Flying Quads. (The Continuing Adventures...)

I've never seen so many words on the topic of quadcopters, by someone that has yet to put anything at all in the air. This entire post smells somewhat "troll-like" (or at least attention-seeking) but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

Buy yourself a Syma X11 and/or X5C-1. The X11 is for indoor practice (including hotel rooms if you travel) and the X5C-1 for outdoor practice. Master the basics of flight. That includes basic controls, hand-eye coordination, orientation, altitude control, turning, banked turns, judging distance, etc. Get to the point where you can do smooth figure-eights and other maneuvers without crashing. Then you'll be ready for the next steps.

And no, the Syma won't end up "in the trash" after 30 days as you suggested. Everyone who has one, regardless of their skill level or whatever other quads they may have, pulls it out and flies it from time to time. That's the one your wife and kids will learn on too.
 
Looks like I've made mistake #3 when I said that Traxxas is keeping their control protocols secret. Let me first state that I have not looked at the code myself yet.

Information from posts on another forum indicate that the firmware that operates the Aton and its transmitter are in fact fully open-source, and available on Github. (My apologies for the error!) However, the problem with binding a 3rd-party transmitter to the Aton is that the Flight Control Board houses an integrated Receiver and 4-way ESC, making the task of swapping out the receiver problematic at best. Hypothetically, it may be possible to write entirely new firmware which leverages OpenTX (and the Taranis I already own), but that's definitely beyond my skill level.

Hey, Jeff!
While I think its a great idea to buy a quad for indoor flight, unfortunately the wife won't permit flying indoors, and she's already made that quite clear. And I may have given you the wrong impression about a Syma quadcopter... I think the X5C-1 is a great looking quad, and very nearly was the direction I went when starting this hobby. Tons of people did it that way, and have no regrets. And I'm not saying that its not a great way to start flying, because it is! I'm just saying that for me, personally, flying is not the only major part of this hobby. I'm having a blast researching the Aton, its software and electronic systems, and the design concepts that make it work. Its a good first look into the world of quads, but that's just me. And... research is about all I've had time for, lately.

And thanks for the doubt benefit! As I mentioned in the very beginning of this post, I'm writing all of this because I want to let everyone know the process I’m going through as I get started with this hobby. I'm not 'trolling' or looking for attention... just trying to give back to anyone who may find this info enlightening (I have no idea if anyone will or not, but I hope so). Take from it what you will.
 
I just got back from a remarkably difficult 2 week job, so I'm getting myself a present. The LaTrax Alias, in orange, with 2 extra batteries and a Venom Pro Quad Micro 1S Charger. They'll be here tomorrow. Looks like I'll be flying that before the Aton. The same controller, more allowable crashes, less expense. Seems sensible.
 
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