Syma W1

The Flying Boater

The Flying Boater

New Member
Hi all

New to the forum and to quads (although I've flown small heli's before) and I'm after a bit of advice.

I've done lots of research on quads and have quickly realised that the bird that I'd like is not going to be the bird that I get. My budget is just never going to allow that! However, having reduced my expectations so that they're back in line with reality I've currently got my eyes on something, the Syma W1 Explorer. I can pick it up for £89 with the smaller 1300mah battery or about £125 with x2 1800mah ones (my preference).

My question is, does anybody have any experience of this model and/or can you point my at something that 'beats' it, at a similar price? I'd prefer something with, at least, reasonable customer service and spares back-up. I'm not keen on buying from the Chinese websites, for various reasons, so anything from them is out of the picture.

Thanks
Richard
 
Not much help, sorry, but I would recommend that you pay a little more to get a physical controller with it.
My Syma X5SC is great fun, well built, but has renewed my tree climbing skills to retrieve it, so your choice of a GPS drone is an essential minima, IMO. You will not regret the two battery decision.
I paid 130GBP for a JJRC X11 which is heavier therefore more stable, has great extra stability features, but was from china and, being over 250gm, requires you to register with the CAA (in the UK of course).
Whatever you choose, enjoy.
 
Hi Gregb49

Well my tree climbing days are long gone so I'll take your sage advice thanks. I've taken another look at the X11 and it does actually fit my requirements very well, so I'll have too consider finding the extra cash (and also consider bangood et al). What weight is the X11 and how does she handle the wind? I think I'd rather go the registration route and be able to fly more frequently than avoid it and be frustrated by the (inevitable) wind.

Richard
 
The Flying Boater said:
What weight is the X11 and how does she handle the wind?
Click to expand...
Hi Richard, 684gms, robust, handles well and is quite stable in wind, but then I've only had toy drones beforehand to compare with.

Note: The camera is not stabilised and the flight is more forward, check, forward, check than smooth, so there is a slight jerk on the video. The 90 degree vertical control of the camera is useful, when you've managed to get your app working! The camera gives good results on sunny days, but a bit disappointing on cloudy days.

Return to home works well.

As you can see from my 'avatar' I sling an EIS stabilised 'CheapPro' underneath which gives smooth video of slightly better quality, but cuts down flght time by a couple of minutes.

I cannot compare it to other drones in this price band, as this is the most expensive drone that I have bought. Captain Drone does a good review on youtube.
As does BillM-RC BillM-RC forum JJRC X11 Review

Mine came from Amazon ACHICOO J-J-R-C X11 5G WIFI F-PV at £134.39, last November, with free delivery, which from memory, took a couple of weeks. I do wish that I had ordered a spare battery at the time, as charging can take 5-6hours. I have a battery on order from Banggood which is taking ages to arrive.

Edit: Flew it today in 15mph winds. At 100m height, it was very steady.

One negative point. It can take several attempts to synchronise with GPS satelites. s JJRC suggest, if you have problems, remove all metal items from your pockets, even keys. It seems that there is one spectacles case that prevents it from synchronising, for some reason. I have to place it a few feet away. Are other drones so fussy?
 
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That's a thorough review! The X11 actually seems much more suited to my needs than the W1 and for not much more money (although the battery quantities differ). I particularly like it's ability to handle wind, I can really see me needing that. It's a fair old chunky quad tho, compared to those my budget has directed me to. Looks (and performs) more like a purposeful machine than a toy.

Many thanks for your help, I'm currently reconsidering my budget (and how to convince SWMBO)!

Richard
 
SWMBO will understand that it is much cheaper than a dog and has to be taken out for healthy walks. :)
 
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