Introduction
The Syma X8Pro quadrocopter is one of the most discussed novelties in the niche of budget UAVs today. It is a continuation of the popular X8 series among beginners and amateurs. For the first time they started talking about the drone back in August, teaser photos promised users an updated design in the glossy style of "Phantom 4" and a GPS module for the first time on board the quad, which, in theory, was supposed to significantly improve positioning accuracy and, in general, positively affect drone piloting.
In fact, 90% of reviewers recommend refraining from purchasing a quadcopter until at least the first stable positive reviews. Despite the revealed bug, some stores still continue to sell the product, regardless of user recommendations. That is why we decided to tell you in detail about this new product. This review will be rather interesting for those people who are thinking about taking or not taking, or are not aware of the Syma X8Pro at all. Let's start by tradition with the features.
Features
- GPS module
- 1MP Wi-Fi camera with variable (remote) angle Tilt
- FPV
- Altitude Hold
- Auto Takeoff / Landing
- Return to Takeoff
- Headless Mode
- LED backlight
Package contents
- Quadcopter Syma X8Pro
- 1 × 2S battery 7.4V 2000mAh LiPo
- Control equipment (power supply from 4 "АА" are purchased separately)
- 1MP Wi-Fi camera on axleless gimbal
- Charger
- 4 × rotor propellers (2CW / 2CCW)
- 4 × spare propellers (2CW / 2CCW)
- 4 × rotor guards
- 4 × landing feet
- Card reader
- Smartphone holder
- Screwdriver
- Wrench for removing and installing the main screws
- Instruction (English)
Specification ia
About the product
Syma X8Pro reaches the consumer in the same dimensions as the previous models of the eighth series, but with a completely updated appearance (after the X8Pro, models will appear on the simpler: X8SW; X8SW-D in a similar design). The quality of work really deserves respect. The main body, as promised, is made in glossy plastic in the style of Phantom 4 and looks very impressive from the outside. The power button is located on the top of the drone in accordance with modern trends. The battery now, like all premium UAVs, does not require fiddling with power wires, and the main screws have a quick-mounting mechanism. Well, the most long-awaited features of the quad are the GPS module and the 1MP camera lens tilt angle that can be changed remotely.
Landing supports and rotor guards are now latched and to remove them you must press the red lever for each element before removing.
Appearance
Motors
Syma X8Pro quadrocopter is equipped with motors of collector type, torque is classically transmitted through a gear. The manufacturer does not provide any other information about the motors, but we suspect that these are the same motors with which the previous model X8HW was equipped. In general, there is enough stock traction in abundance. It is known that the quad easily copes with cameras of the third and fourth generation GoPro HERO (cameras weight: up to 74 grams, suspended on a non-axis gimbal). And it does not take off with a GoPro3 camera suspended on a 2 × axial plastic S / C gimbal - Walkera G2D (gimbal weight 130 grams without a camera).
The X8Pro rotors have a new quick release mechanism that makes their installation quick and easy.
Aircraft performance is controlled by two high / low modes. Mode change is carried out by short pressing on the right control stick. Where one short beep corresponds to the "Low" mode, two short beeps to the "High" mode.
Camera
The Syma X8Pro has a 1MP Wi-Fi camera with an angle of view (FOV) 90 °, the video transmitter of which has become noticeably more powerful, but still broadcasts at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, thereby limiting the potential of the radio transmitter of the control equipment. The previous model X8HW was equipped with a similar camera (only in another "case").
The camera is mounted in an axleless gimbal, which shares the same style with the overall design of the drone. In contrast to the glossy X8Pro body, the gimbal with the camera, as well as the landing legs, have received a matte white color. The camera of the new eight for the first time boasts a variable angle of inclination of the lens from the buttons on the control equipment (15 ° / 30 ° / 90 °).
The quality of photo and video shooting is below average and therefore the stock camera is suitable only for the first acquaintance with FPV flight and nothing more. All filmed material, at the request of the user, can be recorded both on a microSD card (purchased separately) pre-installed in the drone's camera slot, and in the memory of a paired smartphone (the second method is more power-consuming).
The image from the drone camera is displayed classically on a mobile device (IOS / Android) using the free Syma FPV application, which must be downloaded in advance.
According to the manufacturer's specification, the FPV distance is no more than 70 meters. In practice, this distance in the interference-free zone was a record 170 meters (control is cut off, the picture remains stable).
Power supply
The Syma X8Pro rechargeable battery is packed in a box and installed in the drone like most UAVs of the premium segment, no wires and plugs. The box contains the same two-cell lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery with a capacity of 2000mAh. According to the specification, it provides a flight time of no more than 9 minutes. In practice, with mixed style FPV piloting in calm weather, this time was about 7-8 minutes. Charging time is no more than one and a half hours.
Control
The X8Pro quadrocopter is equipped with control equipment not standard for the eighth Syma series. Externally, the remote control is identical to the equipment of the quadrocopters Syma X5UW (as well as: X8SW; X8SW-D; X15W; X21W; X22W; X23W), but the internal filling of the remote control has been completely redesigned, and the radio transmitter has become noticeably more powerful. That is why the presented model can now move away in FPV mode further 70 meters.
Without a camera, the distance in an interference-free area is increased to 250 meters.
Note the minimum set of buttons on the equipment. This was achieved thanks to the left and right sticks, which took on the role of buttons responsible for trimming (left stick), changing rates and activating the Headless mode (right stick). It is powered by four AA batteries (purchased separately).
Button assignment
Calibration
Geomagnetic correction - must take place before every first flight. To do this, before taking off, set the quadcopter to the maximum horizontal position:
- On the control equipment, move the left stick up and down with one movement.
- Then move it to the lower right corner.
- While holding in this position, press and release the take-off button on the equipment. Geomagnetic correction mode started.
- Now pay attention to the drone. At the top of it, on the beams, small red LEDs will flash slowly.
- Without changing the horizontal position, start rotating the aircraft counterclockwise until the red LEDs start blinking rapidly.
- Place the drone in a vertical position with the camera up and continue to rotate it counterclockwise until the red LEDs stop blinking and go into a steady state. Geomagnetic correction has been completed.
Horizontal position correction or gyroscope calibration - it is recommended to carry out mainly after each crash and once before each first takeoff. To do this, set the drone as horizontal as possible. On the control equipment, simultaneously move both sticks to the lower right corner and hold them there for 2-3 seconds. Calibration complete.
Disadvantages identified
possiblefor safety reasons:
- In altitude hold mode, it does not hover accurately. Periodically, with a different circular amplitude, it changes its position within a radius of 1-3 meters.
- Incorrectly responds to the movement of the sticks (for a few seconds it stops listening to the controls)
- In flight, after the pilot releases the sticks, the drone does not hover, and spontaneously with horizontal increasing acceleration continues uncontrolled flight.
- The quadcopter performs the return mode extremely incorrectly. Returns to the take-off point not in a straight line, but along a constantly changing curve. Landing takes place in different places far beyond the radius of 1.5 meters. (up to 1.5 meters from the take-off point, standard error for UAVs with GPS).
All of these symptoms appear at different intervals and are unpredictable. In the moments when the bug does not manifest itself, the drone shows distinctive dynamics, controllability, and positioning accuracy. We strongly recommend that you refrain from buying the Syma X8Pro, until stable positive reviews appear.
Price
Due to revealed bugs, some stores have stopped selling Syma X8Pro. But, most of the sellers continue to sell the quad at an average price of $ 140.
Output
Pros
- Design glossy plastic
- Quality materials
- Robust
- GPS / FPV
- Dynamic / Controllable (when no malfunction occurs)
- Quick Release Rotors
- Altitude Hold Function
- Auto takeoff / landing
- Return to takeoff function
- Price
Cons
- Inadequate drone flight behavior
- Camera quality (no gimbal)
- Brush motors
- Poor positioning accuracy (when malfunctions occur)
Of course, the introduction of the GPS module should have a positive effect on the quality of control of the Syma X8Pro and if we exclude the main disadvantages, then the new product will traditionally become one of the best budget drones under $ 150. I'd like to believe that the developer will eliminate all identified problems in a short time. The main category of consumers is beginners and amateurs over the age of 14.
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