3-channel mini helicopter S107 | FerrariChat

3-channel mini helicopter S107

Discussion in 'Technology' started by Nurburgringer, Oct 27, 2010.

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  1. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
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    #1 Nurburgringer, Oct 27, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    These little things have been around for a little while, but I just received a couple as christmas gifts for family. As any conscientious gift-giver should do I performed a final QA check of course ;)

    These are incredibly stable and easy to fly around even a small room.
    Watch out though, even gentle drafts will push them around and a strong air register is like a mini-class 5 hurricane :)
    Charging the tiny li-po battery takes ~45 minutes via USB cable and gives about 7 minutes of flight time.

    http://www.amazon.com/S107-Co-Axial-Gyroscope-Controlled-Helicopter/dp/8499000606/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288194605&sr=8-1

    There are lots of youtube vids (search "S107"), but most of the 'pilots' are pretty poor. I can hover in one place hands-off (easy to remove the throttle-return spring in the transmitter) and fly pretty precise box patterns, landings, climbing sprials etc but not while holding the camera lol

    There's even a SMALLER model available for around $25 on Ebay (search for "6025-1 helicopter").

    Great fun to fly patterns, practice spot landings, buzz the dog etc, and based on numerous crashes (relatively gentle ones, important to cut the throttle ASAP) quite durable.
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  2. bbs911

    bbs911 Formula Junior

    May 31, 2007
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    Kurt,

    Thanks for posting. I had one of the micro helis that I guess was 2 channel - throttle and left/right. What's the 3rd channel on this one?
     
  3. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

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    #3 Nurburgringer, Oct 27, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2010
    The 3rd channel controls the tail rotor (vertical orientation on these unlike the 2 channel ones which face to the side to counteract the single main rotor's torque), which on co-axial choppers enabe forward or backward flight. Works quite well - there are quite a few 'steps' to the motor speed.

    4-channel co-ax choppers have no tail rotor, but have a swashplate on the lower rotor to enable 'panning' left or right, or forward/backward movement in addition to up/down and left/right spinning.

    Coax choppers don't look as cool as 'single' main rotor ones, nor do they have the same manueverability or speed, but they're much more stable and therefore easier for beginners and safer for indoor use.
     
  4. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Will it transmit through glass? Wasps regularly build their nests under the eaves of my back patio. I'd love to buzz them for a change.
     
  5. Buggin

    Buggin Karting

    Dec 8, 2006
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    die langsame
    We have a few of the cheaper variants in our office, and they are a hoot.
    I have flown the good ones, like yours, and the response is so much better.

    Nice review.
     
  6. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,184
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    Probably but the bigger issue would be flying outdoors, which unless it is really dead calm is virtually impossible. Any breeze at all will push it around like a leaf. You should look into larger choppers like the EFlight Blade CX3 or Coco Lama V3.

    These cheapos use an infrared transmitter (like a TV remote) with 2 or 3 different "channels" for flying more than one in the same space, but bright, direct sunlight or really strong fluorescent lights can cause interference.
    The more expensive models (like 'traditional' RC craft) use RF for better range (though I wouldn't want to fly the tiny ones outside of IR range anyway), and the newest use a common 2.4GHz band so you can use one transmitter for various choppers and planes. Not all 2.4Gz models can share, but many can:
    http://www.amazon.com/BLADE-Blade-mCX2-RTF/dp/B003EXPDAC/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1288218518&sr=1-2
    Chinese knock-off version for 1/2 price:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/New-5888-2-4GHz-4CH-Mini-Metal-RC-Helicopter-GYRO-/180577169601?pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item2a0b3cf0c1
     
  7. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,184
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    thanks - amazing what modern toys can do thanks to better, smaller batteries and miniaturized circuit boards. Things we could only dream about as (young) kids!

    S107s are built in China, but to my knowledge aren't "knock offs", they simply took the very limited 2-channel concept and added a third channel, designed a great chassis and crank them out cheaply. Assuming you don't step on them, dunk them in water, or let the dog chew them up most are good for 50-100+ full charge cycles (use the USB cable and the AA's in the transmitter will last forever) before the li-po batteries or motors need replacing, which is cheap and relatively easy to do.
     
  8. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

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    #8 Nurburgringer, Oct 27, 2010
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2010
    BTW - next step up from these little 3-channel choppers is the Lama 3 4-channel for ~$80:

    http://www.xheli.com/colav3corche.html

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccHQ6MApLZc

    I don't have one, but by all accounts the Lama V3 is a well designed and made chopper, with many spare parts available (takes it from 'toy' to 'hobby' level).

    Unlike the micro 3-channel choppers these can lift a micro video camera for budget Aerial Photography

    http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Spy-Car-Key-Chain-Camera-DVR-Covert-Video-Recorder-/180487600644?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a05e63a04
     
  9. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 Wade, Oct 27, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That might work, thanks. Here's a pic through the breakfast nook window showing my area of concern. Actually, this is half of it (L shaped).
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  10. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

    Dec 17, 2007
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    The S107 I ordered after reading the posts on this thread came in last night (white).

    This thing is a hoot! The only design criticism I have is that letting go of the throttle doesn't stop the engine, as there's a stop half way from no power to full throttle. That's a style thing, though, which I'm sure will take no time to adjust to.

    Q: The right stick is very loose and off center at rest. I'm wondering if this is why I can't get this bird to hover on one spot (it's always moving)?

    Either way, this is a lot of toy for $25.
     
  11. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Off topic, but a serious suggestion: consider painting the ceiling a light blue. It's an old southern trick, and it worked for us in our patio.
     
  12. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    This!!!

    My parents have a very high steep on the back porch and they've never had any form of nest since they moved in in 2009.
     
  13. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Stop making me want to spend money!
     
  14. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Nice idea! If it were only me I'd give it a try. However, light blue is completely out as far as my wife is concerned (no match for our color scheme/design).
     
  15. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 TexasF355F1, Jan 1, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It's really difficult to even tell it's blue really. It's that faint.

    Here's a pic of my parents. Quality isn't that great though.
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  16. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

    Dec 17, 2007
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    Here's what it takes to increase the size of the S107's battery:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0VBJtK7Fq4[/ame]

    I like having some cushion up there, something the snug fit of the larger battery seems to diminish. Love the effect the RC has on the puppy, though . . .
     
  17. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Well I still don't know why, but I ordered one of these last night.

    Can't wait to get it.
     
  18. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I went to get check some of these out at my local hobby shop & instead place an order for a Traxxas DR-1. It should be here by Friday. I've always been a fan of these little copters but had horrible luck with the crap Airhogs $20 to $30 versions. Can't wait until it arrives!

    http://traxxas.com/products/models/heli/6308dr1
     
  19. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Sweet, I'm interested to hear how it is.

    Mine should be here on Thursday. I can't wait!
     
  20. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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  21. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Got mine last night.

    Very cool, but definitely a learning curve since I've never flown one before.

    And apparently Syma is now making their controllers without the springs in them now.
     
  22. ScuderiaWithStickPlease

    ScuderiaWithStickPlease F1 World Champ

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    Seems a lot of people don't like the springs. There's a clip on YouTube that shows how to take them out.

    Have fun!
     
  23. msdesignltd

    msdesignltd Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 msdesignltd, Jan 10, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My son got that exact piece for christmas as a gift..it fell from a high ceiling height and bent the Rotor within the first 30 minutes..Garbage now as the shaft vibrates beyond control..
    This one BLADE however we have had 2 of for over a year now..much more control..I believe 4 channels.. and 1/2 the weight so harder to damage in crash..

    I photographed this in pitch black on b setting and used my flash as a strobe..
    Very cool.

    Great indoor fun..
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  24. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Interesting. I've dropped mine on the tile floor from almost the top of my ceiling (10ft) and ran it's crashed on all sorts of other crashes and it's still going strong. Sure it wasn't a Syma knock off?
     
  25. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

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    Blade helis are in a different league than the Symas as far as precision but they do cost 2-3x as much.
    Last year there was a close out on their battle helis (now out of production), just like the one in your pic except with an infrared "gun". They were closing out all remaining stock for $99 for a set of two; the set originally sold for over $200, guess that's why they stopped making them....
    Haven't actually used the helis that much for "battles" (even though I set the "gun" on one of them for a shorter range and tighter spread I can still pick my wife's chopper off before she can even take aim, and she's not into it enough to practice :p ) but for cruising around indoors they're great.

    Here's a video I made showing some of it's features:
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjfPfEY2Gd8[/ame]

    The latest 4-channel Syma S800g can "strafe", unlike the S107, so adds another level of control:
    http://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-Remote-Control-Helicopter/dp/B007FLQ394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357883415&sr=8-1&keywords=S800g

    The controller kind of sucks but for $20 it's a neat heli and flies pretty well.
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKjPUDFYgaA[/ame]
     

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