Retro computing with a touch of modern and the home for all things, retroCombs (aka Steven Combs).
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OPEN THE BOX: Syma X12S unboxing
by Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.
Today I received a great Father’s Day gift for a gadget lover like me. The gift has taunted me for about a week. My wife placed a box wrapped in blue wrapping paper on my desk last week with a warning note attached that said: “Do not open until Father’s Day!” This morning, the box moved from my desk to the kitchen table and was presented with a fresh stack of hot pancakes and hot coffee. I do have a wonderful wife!
I unwrapped the box and inside was a Syma X12S mini quadcopter. I already own a larger Syma X5C1 that I discussed in an earlier blog post. After reviewing the larger quadcopter, I placed this smaller version in my Amazon Wish List, which is where my wife found the idea for the gift. In all honesty, I had forgotten about it, so this was indeed a nice surprise.
The X5C1 purchased earlier is a full size quadcopter with a camera. This smaller Syma is drastically smaller with a total width of about 3.5 inches. Syma describes it as a nano quadcopter. A comparison of the full size and nano is shown in the image below.
Images of the Syma X12S nano quadcopter
Below are additional images. Comments appear under each image. At the end of these images you will find my initial thoughts on this very affordable and tiny quadcopter.
The Syma X12S packaging. Pretty spiffy looking in red and black.
Available in four colors, but I think the red is the best of the lot.
Time to open it up and see what’s inside.
The quadcopter is held in place for shipping on this internal cardboard packaging.
Flip the internal packaging around to reveal the other components.
Inside we find the quadcopter, remote control, four extra blades, USB charging cable and some very poorly translated instructions.
This is a good looking quadcopter. Time to charge for a first flight. Battery is charged when a red light appears on the USB charger.
Initial Thoughts
After spending a bit of time with this nano quadcopter, I have a few initial thoughts:
- Excellent price, at, or around, $20 at Amazon
- Great starter quadcopter
- Good for both indoor and outdoor flights
- Rubber feet on the bottom make landings less stressful on the quadcopter
- Rugged - I crashed the thing several times without any damage
- Includes headless mode (for even easier flying) as described in the video below by Quadcopter101
- Instruction translation is hit or miss
- Fast charging time for about 4-5 mins of flight
- No removable battery
- A WHOLE LOTTA FUN!
So there’s my quick summation of the Syma X12S nano quadcopter. Time to go. The Father’s Day food hasn’t stopped. My wife just grilled some hot dogs and bratwurst. By the time dinner is done, it will be time for another flight.
Google+ Album Test
If you would like to view other images of this diminutive quadcopter, check out the link below to the Google+ post that includes an album of images.
Use the comments section below if you have questions or want to provide tips and tricks on quadcopter flying or ways to get even more value out of this model.