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Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 5/11/2009 5:50 PM   
taoist flyer



Posts: 119
Score: 100
Joined: 6/19/2006
Last Login: 8/25/2009
From: dallas, TX, USA
Status: offline 		This is a review of the new Syma S008 3 channel helicopter.

video review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImHZql-fneg&feature=PlayList&p=9DD8F13BEA1245E1&index=7

I picked this one up from www.budgetgadgets.com
This is a direct link to the helicopter
http://www.budgetgadgets.com/mini-syma-s008-explorer-helicopter-p-5235.html
It sells for around 35 dollars, and I think it is a great deal. Plus budgetgadgets is offering free shipping, I received mine in a little over a week, the package was a little banged up, but the helicopter came in one piece and flew perfectly right out of the box.


It is a well built 3 channel helicopter, and I love how realistic the canopy looks, it is very nicely screwed on to the body, and the see through cockpit window on the front comes off very easily so you can gain access to the battery very quickly.

This helicopter is a good candidate for modifications, a plantraco bahama battery would work really nicely in this helicopter.

It has an all plastic canopy with a very nice realistic scale look, the canopy is held together with small screws and it’s easy to remove.

The rotors are made of very strong and thick plastic, and they aren’t very likely to strike each other during a wreck, so you shouldn’t have any broken blades from blade strikes.

The rotor shafts are very sturdy, there is a hollow outer shaft with an inner shaft, and all of the pieces like the rotor head and flybar are screwed on so they are easy to remove and repair.

It recharges through the transmitter in about 25 minutes and it flies for a good 8 minutes, and it has a lot of power, it has a lot more power then any other 3 channel helicopter I have ever seen, it is also very stable

It flies like a dream, just a little less then half throttle and it will be hovering hands free.
When transitioning to forward flight it is very smooth, the tail fan has 3 different speeds, so you can slowly hover around, or you can quickly dart off in any direction. It flies in reverse very nicely as well.

Like all rc helicopters it does take some skill to fly, but it is easy to master. I love flying this helicopter around, I’ve flown it 3 or 4 times a day ever since I got it. I do suggest using rechargeable batteries in the transmitter; I wore out a set of batteries in less then a week.

The throttle is on the left stick and the yaw (spin) and pitch (forward and reverse) are on the right stick, it has trim buttons on the top of the transmitter, and they work very well.
The charging plug comes out of a little compartment in the side of the transmitter, and it
takes 6 AA batteries. The transmitter is very sturdy and it is very well designed, from the
sticks to the battery compartment.
This helicopter is a must have for your collection.

The song is called never ending hopelessness from user JENXTHEPROPHET


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< Message edited by taoist flyer -- 5/11/2009 5:53 PM >

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 7/1/2009 4:08 PM   
phillipmorris


 

Posts: 240
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From: Sterling, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Have to say your video is outstanding, well worth the look, infact so great I had to order one, some reason issues on the site for purchase so simply went thru Raidentech and arrived late yesterday...reminds me of the fun Aero Ace, its simply a toy but what fun, the 3 channel gives forward back and the yaw but yaw is on the right stick instead of familiar left, but hey were 3 channel here and at $29-$35 what a deal and super fun..fingers crossed I don't break it right away...bored with the amazing MCX, this one simply adds to the fun...<>..is a whole other type of handling going on...<>..mine wants to spin on full charge but the stick corrects things, also its infrared so not really for outside tho I recall flying these during dusk or under shaded areas with some ability..<>..
Yep it indeed stops on a dime, nice also like that...<>..

MCX
Hirobo SRB Quark
Blade 400

S008....Heck its fun to have a cute toy onhand..<>..charging for my second fight, wheeee..<>..

Pssst, I'm far from telling everyone to go out and buy one of these as its not close to an MCX, but for a toy, gads it flys..<>..

< Message edited by phillipmorris -- 7/1/2009 4:56 PM >

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 7/1/2009 5:02 PM   
taoist flyer



Posts: 119
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From: dallas, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Something that you might want to do is secure the tail motor. it's held in by only one screw, and during a wreck the whole tail motor and tail fin can get pointed slightly sideways. It will cause the helicopter to spin instead of going straight, but You can easily push it back into the correct position. It's not a bad idea to put a small drop of glue to hold it straight.

For 30- 35 bucks, it's a great deal. I love my MCX as well, but it is a little fragile. The syma S008 seams to really be able to take a good bashing.

And it just looks so cool, I need to order an extra canopy and do an island hoper paint job on it.

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 7/1/2009 5:52 PM   
phillipmorris


 

Posts: 240
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Joined: 3/25/2006
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From: Sterling, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Great pointers, tnx...
Only 3 flights on mine and its doing rather well, didn't realize a tail motor was going on here, should have realized, will watch it...

Are trims on the top of the transmitter large buttons, didn't realize, seldom read the instruction manual, hi....but it behaves well with correct sticks, hovers great, its easier to circle as flying straight takes more effort, amusing...certainly fun...BEST ..<>.

PS, yep its a tuff bird, mine hit the wall twice with no issues, the MCX is light and takes some abuse, this one's a battleship...<>..

< Message edited by phillipmorris -- 7/1/2009 5:55 PM >

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 7/1/2009 11:24 PM   
taoist flyer



Posts: 119
Score: 100
Joined: 6/19/2006
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From: dallas, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Hear are some pictures of mine.

The buttons on the top of the TX are the trim buttons, and you only need to click them once or twice to stop it from spinning.

I'm also attaching a picture of the tail and how it can be off center after a crash.


I'm still very impressed with this heli, I hope we see more designs like it in the future.

It is one of the best scale models of it's size, and that adds a lot to the flight, plus the battery and rotors are great.

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 7/2/2009 1:31 PM   
phillipmorris


 

Posts: 240
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From: Sterling, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Nice pics with all the info, great...<>..outstanding again, tnx ..<>..

Well, you've defintely won me over on this model, its impressive power, and the change in handling only adds to the enjoyment to have something abit different here....

I'll have to pay more attention on the trim adjustments, tho I find stick control also works on any spin issue, I did manage an on the box top landing, really more of a challenge with the S008, as still getting use to the feel on this one as hardly over 1/2 dozen flights now...its extremely easy to circle around even crimped quarters with ease, hand catches are a snap, hover is on the money, hangs solid in the air as good as any heli I've flown todate, impressed again..<>..

One other thing, the cute tail motor stops during the hover, really wasn't paying attention on how this flyer really functions, then she will move right out with that tiny tail blade humming, not sure but perhaps the tail is reversing on the backward flight, likely..regardless, also note its angle placement, very neat indeed...<>..lots of detail going on for a toy...<>..

< Message edited by phillipmorris -- 7/2/2009 1:42 PM >

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 7/5/2009 1:20 PM   
phillipmorris


 

Posts: 240
Score: 100
Joined: 3/25/2006
Last Login: 11/6/2009
From: Sterling, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Note this is a Toy, however super fun...<>..

Been flying the S008 thats S zero zero 8, anyway its been a trip, keep pulling it out to have fun, seriously its not an MCX but for the investment its a beauty for $30 range.....

Some notes on its behavior from my limited flying todate:
Hover is outstanding, solid here
Yaw tho on right stick is touchy, need trim and or stick, forward flight helps steady things, no biggie get the feel here quickly
Forward and Back is by this cute angled tail, yep believe it does reverese, not a zinger, pulses give the max speed
Flying straight needs concentration, as likes to circle easier, but is possible with finess on the stick, so yep abit touch here, still fun..
Spot landing will take work, made one great landing but not the norm, will required practice, but can be done, air hand catch a snap..
Buzz it within inches of me, be careful but yes it does stop immediately even rocks back to a stop, great feature, nice...
Flys easily in tight quarters once you master some of the feel, can't get enough of this one...
My flight times seem to be 5 minutes as the inputs start to change and more throttle, I'm just perhaps cautious on effecting the Lipo..

Over all I rate this one a winner, no its not an MCX, is in the Toy category, but very nice ship indeed...so far flying it daily, the difference in handling example to the MCX only adds to the fun...

Found also Xheli also carries these at around $25 !! But check the shipping, still a great deal

http://www.xheli.com/syma-s008-helicopter.html

Gads a toy heli for $25, yes it flys and very well, life doesn't get better then this, hi..<>..

Udate July 8....Still can't put this one down, flying great for a 3 channel, too bad these aren't available in the local stores...<>.

< Message edited by phillipmorris -- 7/8/2009 6:16 PM >

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 8/24/2009 6:01 PM   
britdave


 

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Status: offline 		Excellent review & video, which persuaded me to buy the S008, I'm intending to progress from toys (Silverlits) up to single bladed outdoor Helo's, and getting the Syma S008 seemed to be the cheapest & most logical step, I really like the Blade Mcx but as a newbie the price put me off, and if things go ok with the Syma the Mcx or Lama 4 type help will be next step.

For all those who've had or own a S008 can you please tell me if you continually have to adjust the trim (say 4-5 times a flight) and any reason as to why my S008 seems to be going backwards very slowly ?

Probably a dumb question but is there a way of re-setting an r/c vehicle like my S008 to default settings ?.

The video also mentioned modifications, what sort of mods (battery etc ?.)


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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 8/24/2009 8:44 PM   
taoist flyer



Posts: 119
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From: dallas, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I usually don't have to adjust my trim more then once or twice, and usually only when the battery is getting low. The trim is pretty sensitive on mine and only takes a few clicks to get it straight. it does have a gyro so make sure you turn the helicopter on first, set it on a flat surface, then turn on the transmitter. The gyro sets itself as soon as the helicopter gets a signal from the transmitter. The light stops flashing and turns solid when it's ready.

It does have a tendency during a hover to want to drift backwards a little bit, either because of the heavy tail, and/or large tail surface deflecting some of the rotor wash. You could experiment with removing parts of the plastic tail, but it wouldn't look as cool. You can also add a little bit of weight to the nose.

I've never really check this things center of gravity, it would be a good start though. if the center of gravity is off, then adding weight to the nose or removing weight from the tail is the easy fix. If the center of gravity is spot on then the problem would probably be rotor wash pushing down on the tail.

I do like the way the tail looks though, the only times i notice any problems are on take off, if you don't thrust up quickly enough it will drift backwards and the tail can hit the floor.

Turning off the helicopter doesn't reset the trim, the trim settings seam to be stored in the transmitter, so if you trim the helicopter towards the end of the flight because of a low battery you will need to re trim it when you have a fully charge battery, you usually have to manually click it back to center at the beginning of each flight, pulling out the batteries doesn't seam to do it.

The only modifications I've dun was adding paper missile pods, But without the canopy this thing can carry a lot of weight so you could theoretically do a lot to it.

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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 8/25/2009 9:53 AM   
britdave


 

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Status: offline 		Ok, thanks for that, probably just me but twice in last 2 days the Helo goes berserk when being switched on (after charging), it's totally uncontrollable (goes around like a sprayed fly) and I have to discharge the battery and then re-charge it in order to gain control, any ideas as to why it might do this ?.

One of the tiny linkages that links the top blades is forever coming lose (has done since the very first flight), 2 questions: what are these little linkages called and are they more substantial on decent helo's like the MCX etc ?. 



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RE: Syma S008 micro 3 channel helicopter review - 8/25/2009 3:29 PM   
taoist flyer



Posts: 119
Score: 100
Joined: 6/19/2006
Last Login: 8/25/2009
From: dallas, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Those links shouldn't be coming off, that's definitely a problem, I have a blade mxc, an e sky lama v2, a honey bee cp2, and an S008, none of them have ever had a fly bar link come off, it's not a common problem.

The hole on the link may be a little to big, or the ball holding it on may be a little to small.
It will be hard to change the size of the hole on the link, but you may be able to add something to the ball holding it on to make it thicker so that the link wont slip off as easily.


I had the result once of my S008 spinning out of control on start up, I was teaching my girlfriend to fly and we flew it to almost the end of the battery, I kept hitting the trim button to straighting it out as the battery died, I probably hit it 20 times.
The next time I started the helicopter, the trim was still set 20 clicks to the left, it spun around like crazy until I remembered to reset the trim.
I don't know if this relates to your problem or not though.

Hope this helps.

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