New...to be delivered...or not? Syma X8W

[Glo]

UPDATE:

I woke up this morning and Gearbest had replied to me apologizing and asking me to wait 2 more days. Then they sent another email right after that saying my refund was issued. I logged into GB and there the money is, in my GB wallet and I have another $10 in points. So that's good, but will they actually ship what ever I order with the refund lol? Who knows. I guess it's time to "spin the wheel" and see what happens.


Quadcopter102: I think misunderstood me. I was talking about the Flying 3D x8 as seen here http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopters/pp_161720.html?wid=2

I already bought a Syma x8c for $82 on Amazon and it arrived in 4 days . Of course it was a "fulfillment by Amazon" deal so I didn't have a worry.

Now, do you think I should risk trying to get the Flying 3D? I would have to pay them another $90something in addition to the refund in my wallet. It says it's at the US Warehouse which I would think was a lie, but they did ship me the Cheerson CX-10 that was at the US warehouse and it arrived in a week.

 

[Quadcopter102]

What will they do??? They will stiff you if they can! I was in your exact same position $140 in the wallet refunded - but I also had $60 on spare batteries and props - which I sold here for au$45!
I used my refund to purchase a Walkera Devo 10. It arrived looking good and new. BUT I found later it would not connect to a PC to upgrade the firmware to Deviation 4.01. I was told to look for the java version in the downloads and use the iMac - I did and IT did and all was smiles! That was 2 weeks and 2 days ago.
To day I was attempting to copy a model and use it as a "try it and see" place for me to mess about without fracturing the good stuff! Its back to bad boy mode... will not connect to anything. Inside seems OK.. no burn or bad solder joints from what is visible, give the USB holder a squeeze to make it grip the mini USB when its plugged in... nothing changed.. it will not connect. So it looks like another long journey from China to our trash bin!
I posed a "review" on resellerratings and the "customer service" advised a refund was in process. It still is and at least another 3 days of their 3 - 7 days estimate to fulfill the refund - all of $9.22! I currently have a $45 refund waiting the $9.22 to be added and have the same dilemma as you!! I am too deep into it all now accepting wallet refunds keeps you in their system and the keep the real money. I will look for something like batteries or something that is not likely to have already been out into the world already!
My advice - if you have the tenacity to dig in - is go to your credit card people and explain the situation and that a request for a refund resulted in a store credit. Let the bank deal with it and wait. If they fail.. then you still have the credit! I have been under battle orders since 8th August and as yet for over $300 taken buy EverBuying for the quad and spares I have had just one order go through without an hitch.. the spare batteries.
I have an order in transit for the last 29 days and is currently showing as on local delivery.... it started 7 days ago after apparently clearing customs. Its $12 of batteries and props for a little Cheerson CX30!
I have tried Bangood, had 1 order - RX2001 receiver for the *&$@kin Devo 10 delivered rapid from Melbourne!! Currently have 2 more orders on route by camel I think. BUT 1 order I made - they cancelled because they had no stock and the payment went back to PP 5 days later!
I would NOT buy a quad from them - look on Amazon or HobbyKing and I am sure others will suggest other equally better sources.

 

[HDtallrider]

That is totally your call. Honestly, if it's a US stocked item you will probably get it. In the notes area I would insist that they ship only from the US or cancel the order. Use PayPal. I dunno........ The Chinese are scary right now.

 

[HDtallrider]

I think I'm going to side with Quadcopter102 on this and retract my previous post. Just not worth the potential problems. Try to get your money back instead or order something equal to the money they owe you and then move on. Too chaotic.

 

[Glo]

Crazy stuff..

Well, it's too late for me to change my mind now. I pulled the trigger and ordered the Flyind 3D X8 on Gearbest today. We will see how that goes. I talked to them on the chat thing before placing the order and told them I plan to buy a lot of quads and parts in the future as long as things go smooth on this order and they regain my trust. They assured me there were plenty of these quads in stock in the US warehouse and I should receive it in 7-10 days including processing and shipping. Hopefully they stick to it. If not, to the bank I go.

Believe me, I would have gone to Amazon, or Hobby king in a heartbeat, but they are more than double what GB wants for it. (Maybe that's a sign that it's too good to be true???) I kind of worry it will be the Flying 3D X6 instead because they have this X8 priced where everyone else has the X6 priced. If it comes in and is the X6 instead of the X8, I will be asking for half my money back and use that to order a cam lol. But I really want that X8. I want to try out the telemetry feature and the X6 just seems a little small for what I want.

Hopefully those camels get to you soon

 

[Quadcopter102]

That is totally your call. Honestly, if it's a US stocked item you will probably get it. In the notes area I would insist that they ship only from the US or cancel the order. Use PayPal. I dunno........ The Chinese are scary right now.

HD... "insisting" to EverBuying is a lost cause! They have a business plan which does not travel on Quality - Service and Reliability!
I insisted they return my payment to PayPal...almost 90 days - on I am still insisting and still getting nowhere. They have no law you can appeal to - no organization such as the UK local council Office of Fair trading or in fact any laws outside - such as the UK Consumer Credit Act.
There are laws which drive eBay and PayPal to act for you! In UK, Aussie and maybe other countries.. its generally "illegal" NOT to return and due credits and try to issues credit notes.
How do you place any kind of legal threat to an office in China? They have the money and they aint gonna part with it.....

EDIT. Having just read the latest post about placing an order.... the only concession I would - reluctantly - make is - they don't have that for Aussie and maybe it will work out for US based buyers.

 

[Glo]

I miss the good old days when China made fireworks and the electronics were made in places like the U.S. and Japan lol

 

[HDtallrider]

I miss the good old days when China made fireworks and the electronics were made in places like the U.S. and Japan lol

Haha! I learned my lesson. It's been a long time since I've made a purchase direct from China.

 

[Glo]

Hey hey, the Flying 3D X8, SJ4000 cam, and extra battery for my X8C all arrived today at the same time!! I got everything charging. The FY 3D X8 box was in horrible shape. I'll let you guys know how good, or bad everything is.

 

[Glo]

Update: Before I even put the props on I found a few cracks in the upper body where the motors screw in. I knew to look over this area first as it is a known issue for this quad. The fix is simple if there is no damage yet. You simply add some washers on the screws to distribute the stress from the motors. However, since mine is cracked already, I sent a support ticket to Gearbest asking for a new upper body. I will keep everyone posted..

Other than that, the SJ4000 seems to be legit and everything I had hoped for. I'm going to rig it on my X8C this evening, or tomorrow and test it out (including the wifi function).

 

[Quadcopter102]

What will they do??? They will stiff you if they can!

How do you get cracks in a new unused quad? The Phantoms suffer similar stress cracks - its a design fault that they have responded to and now have a new motor arm configuration and new motors... BUT these cracks appear after some heavy use - not in a new out of the factory quad.

 

[Glo]

What will they do??? They will stiff you if they can!

How do you get cracks in a new unused quad? The Phantoms suffer similar stress cracks - its a design fault that they have responded to and now have a new motor arm configuration and new motors... BUT these cracks appear after some heavy use - not in a new out of the factory quad.

Not sure. I did notice the motor screws where the crack is are way tight. When you back the screws out the cracks close, when you snug them back up the crack expands. So it is possible in manufacturing they were torqued down too much. Or they shipped me a drone that had already been returned before.

 

[HDtallrider]

View attachment 985

Not sure. I did notice the motor screws where the crack is are way tight. When you back the screws out the cracks close, when you snug them back up the crack expands. So it is possible in manufacturing they were torqued down too much. Or they shipped me a drone that had already been returned before.

China is a mess. Their GDP is down 30% for the quarter! I do hope that Gearbest does the right thing by you. Another option is to remove the motor plate and apply a judicious amount of CA. After it dries put a tiny, tiny bit of thread locker on the screws and tighten them just enough to make sure the gears mesh properly. Hopefully nothing else is wrong with it and you have many happy flights!
In closing let me say; Screw China!!
(Just an opinion)

 

[Quadcopter102]

View attachment 985

Not sure. I did notice the motor screws where the crack is are way tight. When you back the screws out the cracks close, when you snug them back up the crack expands. So it is possible in manufacturing they were torqued down too much. Or they shipped me a drone that had already been returned before.

There seems to be dirt on the motor wirse seen in the pic - if you have not flown it - then it seems used and returned. BUT I have to agree the QC in China is a joke and if they have been strong handed on screwing in the motors... it seems reasonable to assume human error - in fairness to GB - they should not have to do the the supplying factories QC for them. If you intend to glue things up... I would get some inside the cracks before you loosen them - let that dry before doing anything else.
But this highlights the problem dealing with China - had than been supplied on eBay, Amazon and other " legally responsible" outlet... you could have asked for a replacement. Instead we either have to our own repairs or put up with the problems - which I cannot accept and why I have been in battle with RB since 7th August!

 

[Glo]

I opened this thing up and I have to say the plastic body is horrible. You breathe wrong and it wants to break. Honestly now I'm wondering if just sending me a new upper body will work for me or not. I also noticed they only have them in the China warehouse so I can get ready for a long wait for that.

Considering the body is junk, what does anyone think about putting all the parts on another frame? I might try to negotiate a partial refund from GB to buy a new frame that can hold up better if it is a feasible option.

@Quadcopter102 I noticed the dirty look in there too and it really makes you wonder how this thing is "brand new".

 

[Quadcopter102]

I am building a 450.... better to learn how to... and be in control of everything than buy another RTF from a bandit store.
I am convinced they go around the quad makers and buy off all the rejects and returns from other "customers".
The two items I had - the Syma they admitted was a return....The Devo... mmm well the factory seal was broken and the left stick gimbals was slightly off line... suggesting at least that somebody had changed it from Mode 1 to Mode 2 - and it would not connect to a computer - suggesting an problem with the mini USB port and until I move forward on the build (motors not arrived) I dont know any way to check the Tx is working or not!
You are now in my situation!! they have your money and you have a problem!!
Have you tried to fly it yet?? if not - go and try it out... if it flies Ok and everything is Ok except the cracks - insist on a new body - you have those photos to prove the point - then do the repair as above and enjoy it... if/when you get a body... move the electronics - its likely to be one board and a loom of wires... just tag them 1- 2 - 3 -4 in the right order from front left as No1. and take photos before each move!

 

[Mike H.]

@Glo ...New frame

 

[Glo]

I am building a 450.... better to learn how to... and be in control of everything than buy another RTF from a bandit store.
I am convinced they go around the quad makers and buy off all the rejects and returns from other "customers".
The two items I had - the Syma they admitted was a return....The Devo... mmm well the factory seal was broken and the left stick gimbals was slightly off line... suggesting at least that somebody had changed it from Mode 1 to Mode 2 - and it would not connect to a computer - suggesting an problem with the mini USB port and until I move forward on the build (motors not arrived) I dont know any way to check the Tx is working or not!
You are now in my situation!! they have your money and you have a problem!!
Have you tried to fly it yet?? if not - go and try it out... if it flies Ok and everything is Ok except the cracks - insist on a new body - you have those photos to prove the point - then do the repair as above and enjoy it... if/when you get a body... move the electronics - its likely to be one board and a loom of wires... just tag them 1- 2 - 3 -4 in the right order from front left as No1. and take photos before each move!

Well, I gave the glue time to dry, put washers on the screws and took it out for a test run. Wow this thing is fast! It was about 10:30pm so of course it's dark and I didn't want to go far, but it took off like a rocket. I have read the manual, but it is like trying to learn Mandarin from a drunk China-man so I am not confident with all the modes on this yet. I put it in "return to home" mode and it flew slowly at a pretty high level all the way until it was almost directly above the "home" point then started to come down. I was off by about 4-5 feet and was kind of close to my truck so I tried flipping it back to manual mode, but I was off by 1 switch, not sure what mode it was but I couldn't find my orientation, the throttle is super touchy (not to mention I am not used to this speed at all). I was about to loose it behind the trees so I flipped it back to RTH then it got crazy.. It started making these huge circles (about 60 yards in diameter around the "home" point at almost full speed barley missing tree tops on each pass. I flipped both switches back to manual and it stopped behind the trees and I was able to guide it back to me after going way up where I could see it again. When I landed it wasn't a very gentle landing, but it wasn't bad rough. It just came down a little faster than I expected, but both legs broke off and the bottom body cracked where the legs go... So, here comes more glue I guess....

 

[Glo]

@Glo ...New frame

After the bottom breaking that's what I'd really like to do. Any ideas on a good frame for these parts?

According to this website (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217137)
This is what it has..

MT2213 935KV motors

Skywalker-12A ESC

Bigshark X4 Flight Controller


Not sure what all else. It does have GPS with the external module it says "to avoid interference from internal components". It also has a USB port for firmware updates. The two body pieces weigh 360 grams without electronics.

 

[Mike H.]

After the bottom breaking that's what I'd really like to do. Any ideas on a good frame for these parts?

According to this website (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217137)
This is what it has..

MT2213 935KV motors

Skywalker-12A ESC

Bigshark X4 Flight Controller


Not sure what all else. It does have GPS with the external module it says "to avoid interference from internal components". It also has a USB port for firmware updates. The two body pieces weigh 360 grams without electronics.

This will be for a new or different thread...a bit off topic here.