Small indoor quad copter, anyone have one?

[scottmandue]

Wife is asking me for Christmas present ideas (for me)
Of course all the things that come to my mind are redundant to the (more tools, a new bike, knifes, etc... see the funny things wife's say thread)

So I looking over my Amazon wish list and see I had bookmarked a couple of mini quad copters.

I don't want a big 'drone' with HD camera to spy on the neighbor's

I do want a tiny indoor copter to terrorize the cats with, something under $100.

Like these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3UB8HU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1PBE2E06CZA8T&coliid=I2AW2J9DKSAZ86

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4OLA7I/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1PBE2E06CZA8T&coliid=I2ZGNXZ86MM6GV&psc=1

Knowing you guys I sure some of you play with these things

Anyone have something like this? Something that won't break on it's first flight?

Would I be better off with just a regular mini helicopter?

TIA

[intakexhaust]

Yes and received as a token gift. Amazing technology packed into such a tiny thing and for what little amount they sell for. Left it in the box for maybe a month but then one of the kids wanted to check it out. But I had to be 'me 1st' :-)

Tiny little bugger, quad type, flashing LED lights, USB quick charger. Quite tough and has handled a few hard crashes. I suppose like any of these things, takes an initial learning curve but now have good control of it. I'll check the brand later but believe its an under $30 type.

For a portable quick USB charge and when the kids play with it in the park, I use a Jackery USB power transfer pack. Perfect.

[herr_oberst]

Cheerson CX 10. I bought this one recently, played with it for a while then passed it on to someone else, after I got bored. Tiny little thing, fits in the palm of your hand, and cheap - less than 20 bucks. Replacement blades are available on ebay....

http://www.amazon.com/Cheerson-2-4GHz-6-Axis-Quadcopter-Bright/dp/B00KXZC762

[Shifter]

I picked up one of these,

http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Syma-Thunder-Drone-Runner-red/dp/B01639450M/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1446319220&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=syma+indoor+quad+cage

Great for indoors because the plastic cage protects the quad and the walls/furniture/cats/wife.
It has enough power that you can actually roll it across the floor in the cage. And it is pretty quick, take some time to get used to it.

[masraum]

I also have a Syma, but mine is an X11 and it came with the rotor protector. It's not as tiny as some (not a nano, but probably a micro), but smaller than a man's hand. It's very easy to fly and has good battery life and seems to work pretty well. It's fun and interesting. when you're learning, you'll want a fairly large area, a house with an open floor plan would work, especially if the ceilings are higher than 8'. You could also use it in a front or back yard or garage.

http://www.amazon.com/6-Axis-Quadcopter-Degree-Propeller-protector/dp/B00QKGWV3C/ref=sr_1_30?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1446319722&sr=1-30&keywords=syma+quadcopter

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Cheerson CX 10. I bought this one recently, played with it for a while then passed it on to someone else, after I got bored. Tiny little thing, fits in the palm of your hand, and cheap - less than 20 bucks. Replacement blades are available on ebay....

Amazon.com: Cheerson CX-10 Mini 29mm 4CH 2.4GHz 6-Axis Gyro LED RC Quadcopter Bright Orange: Toys & Games

These are great, I had one. There is a learning curve and it's not as easy to fly as they will lead you to believe.

By the time I could really fly it though it just died. Wouldn't respond to be being plugged into the charger. For the price though you can't beat it. Definitely got my $20 out of it.

Pick up the pack of propellers and extra motors for another $10 since you will crash many times and one of those crashes will likely bend a prop shaft.

[rwest]

I really like the Blade brand as you can get every part if you have a crash. Many hobby shops carry them as well, so you can get back flying quickly.

Nano QX RTF with SAFE (BLH7600): Blade - #1 By Design

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Cheerson CX 10. I bought this one recently, played with it for a while then passed it on to someone else, after I got bored. Tiny little thing, fits in the palm of your hand, and cheap - less than 20 bucks. Replacement blades are available on ebay....

Amazon.com: Cheerson CX-10 Mini 29mm 4CH 2.4GHz 6-Axis Gyro LED RC Quadcopter Bright Orange: Toys & Games

I've had a few of these, they are very cool!

They aren't too hard to learn, but I'd get 2 of them. We learned ours fairly quickly, but the first one definitely took some hard shots.

One tip, they have three settings, from most responsive to least. They say beginners should start with the least responsive, but I highly disagree. We found it much easier to learn on the most responsive setting.

When you get the hang of it, they are a lot of fun.

Well worth $20.

[gogriz91]

More than $100 but right in time for Star Wars.

http://www.amazon.com/Air-Hogs-Control-Ultimate-Millennium/dp/B00U7EXH72/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1446334777&sr=1-1&keywords=millenium+falcon+quadcopter

[porsche4life]

I've heard the Star Wars one is pretty lame. Very heavy and slow.


My folks just got a little tiny one off amazon for the boys for $25. Super quick and seems very durable.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I've heard the Star Wars one is pretty lame. Very heavy and slow.

Arg. That's too bad. I was considering that Millenium Falcon for my son. It's $100 at Target.

[porsche4life]

Some info on the Star Wars RC toys...






Scroll through their episodes for small quads, they've got some good tips and reviews.
Flite Test

[aschen]

I definitely recommend the nano qx as well

http://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Blade-Nano-QX-Battery/dp/B00O8ZUY72/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1446480123&sr=8-3&keywords=nano+qx

Batteries and parts are available everywhere and will be for a long time, also in self leveling mode it is the easiest rc aircraft I have ever flown, and I have flown many dozens maybe even into hundreds.