65$ Practice Drone with 5,000ft range! RTR Phantom Replica

[RallySoob]

I just learned about this quad/drone recently and thought it was worth sharing about

55$ Syma X8-W (ready2run) from amazon (free shipping)
10$ for two 6db 2.4g wifi antennas with pig tail connectors

The drone only goes around 700ft stock so solder in these 2 wifi 2.4g antennas, one to the controller and one to the drone and get an easy Mile or so of '2.4g signal' range.

Go to youtube for tutorials, there are many its a popular mod/drone.

The drone has 5.8g wifi fpv too but its got bad range so just forget it. The x8-c is best if u want take footage cuz it records 1080 hd to a micro sd card instead crappy wifi reception footage recordings with 'W' fpv model. Both cost under 60$... all x8's are the same except for the camera... for the most part anyway

It is using 7.4v 2S lipo, 2000mah and with brushed motors so its a heavy pug but it can tow a go pro above the clouds with ease and for half a buck are u kiddn me? I bought 2 last week and just ordered 2 more. My friends and i love flying them together cuz they are bullet proof u can crash them all day long its ton of fun. They require 100% skill too cuz no gps assistance so u are forced to learn to fly good. These improved my skills ten fold. My muscle memory is on par no matter what way its facing unlike before i used tilt wrong way on accident all time due to confusion. It takes like 20-40hrs of flying to fix that so do it with a cheapy. These are a blast for parties too omg im not gonna go into the fun we had with them cuz all flamers but it was drone bashing , broken window hanging gutter good time lol

Note- sum guys dump lots $ into them making them a wanna be phantom with no gps which is dumb cuz a used phantom for 200$ is a way better buy but if u keep it under 75$ it is super practical. Even if it were 100$ it be a great deal. Its very capable unlike any other toy quad I've seen. Most importantly its insanely durable. Able to withstand hard fast impacts into solid objects repeatedly. My buddy's x8 is full of cracks and missing cosmetic parts but it flys every day just the same. We trash them hard too, like it should be documented cuz its shocking. The craziest part about it is we haven't bought a replacement part yet. Just props. It doesn't break but if it does every part is sold separately for price of a candy bar

 

[RallySoob]

Here is size comparison.. it shares cut foam cases with phantom 2/3. It is so much more quad than the X5 size quads which cost 40-50$ and most of us have had a few of those.

Syma X8 on the left, Phantom on the right

Syma X8 on the Left & Syma X5 on the right

 

[RallySoob]

I almost lost 1 After i posted this last night. The wind was around 15-18mph, i got cocky with altitude and lost a mile long fight with the wind. Mainly cuz i forgot to attach my strobing headlight so i lost track of orientation making it too hard to win.

I got a phonecall this am from the nice fella that found it. It didnt get a scratch sumhow. Even though i gave up on it after losing visual at around 250ft high and mile out. Never lost connection i guess. Which is cool cuz it landed on its feet . The guy said it was sitting in the parking lot entry way when he showed to work. This is 2nd time ive had good people return an x8 this week

No damage... right on. Tested it perfect . I was worried cuz it was left on all night through heavy rains. He said it was blinking when he found it so ya go syma!

 

[RallySoob]

Made an approx flight path of the senario. Not sure how it landed on its feet all fine when it should have free fallen from several hundred feet when it lost connection. My only guess is i must never lost connection and coincidently had the throttle set to just perfect decel throttle rate. Crazy but ill take it. Since then ive done few flights out around 400ft high, 1000ft out or so with no issues. Its a beast i love this thing for line of sight night flying

 

[RallySoob]

I was at the park today flying and a fella that was observing walked over to ask about it and such. When i told him it was 65$ he was shocked. Seeing how ez it flies around high n fast makes it hard to believe. Im tempted to mod a few for resale. Take them to the park with me and sell for 130$ double my money

 

[AC Flyer]

I had a Syma X8W, and it was fun. But it was definitely a toy quadcopter. I hesitate to call it a drone - it has zero automation whatsoever. It doesn't even have altitude hold. If you let the left stick go it either goes up or drops. It's fun to fly around a field or park (away from people) and good to learn the basics of quadcopter flight and work on fine motor skills for manually controlling flight. And yeah, it take a ton of abuse and keeps on going. But it isn't remotely in the same league as a Phantom or Mavic. And it's awful in a breeze.

 

[AyeYo]

I had a Syma X8W, and it was fun. But it was definitely a toy quadcopter. I hesitate to call it a drone - it has zero automation whatsoever. It doesn't even have altitude hold. If you let the left stick go it either goes up or drops. It's fun to fly around a field or park (away from people) and good to learn the basics of quadcopter flight and work on fine motor skills for manually controlling flight. And yeah, it take a ton of abuse and keeps on going. But it isn't remotely in the same league as a Phantom or Mavic. And it's awful in a breeze.

That also happens to be exactly what people should learn to fly on.

 

[RallySoob]

Never said it was a high grade gps level drone. Im saying it is by far the cheapest quadcopter that can fly a very pleasing distance for only 50-65$ Total .

If you ever 'really' "truly" buy one and do the mod correctly you will only have good things to say. It does very very well in the slow winds for what it is but for a phantom it would not be considered good at all of course

My bad though. I always consider that every person reading this has common sense.

By the way the hg version does have altitude hold

We just walked in from flying at the park.. x8 and mavic... we still have not hit max distance if our x8's yet and went to 3,350ft today which almost impossible to see without a chase mavic anyway.

Say what u want but there are ton of peeps out there that would love to have all this capability for only 65$ max but just do not realize it exists.

If it had gps it would be a decent 'drone' imo & after seeing all the abuse it can take, fly thousands of feet with perfect reliability over n over again im starting to think its no toy at all. It has made all of us so comfortable at the sticks too i can say im more than pleased. Bought 4 so far and plan to set one up for each my nephews.
The hg model has a knock off gopro hd so if u do want sum decent footage for bout 50 more thats best bet unless u already own a camera ofcourse

Gl

 

[RallySoob]

I'll get footage of my next flight and post it here so u get an idea what im saying

 

[vashon100]

I've been looking into a tx antenna revision similar to that (diff quad), though only need small range increase. Did you test results with just the tx mod with that antenna.... and did you get a range increase? Was it more directional?

Also, looks like you just snipped off the UFL connector and stripped back the cable to mate with the signal and ground? I had been considering soldering in a UFL connector to tx, but more tricky than other method.

 

[RallySoob]

The upgrade is universal correct. Even phantom users add these same exact 6db antennas to their controller and reporting back good results all over different boards etc. there are much more expensive, better options if you want optimal signal range/performance etc but this one here is perfect for this syma upgrade cuz its a cheap all the same

I have seen peeps use those 4 leaf clover antennas with circular polarity & reporting back excellent results

As far as my x8's range reception it has been great so far. We fly at an open field primarily but have flown them over neighborhoods without any issues.
Note you definitely want to keep it free and clear between the controller and drone because a large tree or similar obstruction can cut into the signal. A solid obstruction may get it all the way out so make sure u keep it up high above 100-200ft or more if you take it out to a mile over the top of obstructions.

If weather is better tomorro ill do a range test using the Mavic fpv chasing two x8's til they drop from signal loss

 

[RallySoob]

there is a 1500 player paintball game here in Early May and i want to have a paintball specific drone built before then. The HG version with altitude hold should be perfect for that. Especially with the impact/water proof camera case and after watching vids of the 1080p HD it films in its actually worlds better than the first gopro . Its simular to a gopro hd with less fps or sumn but for a fake gopro its impressive. Ive spent more on a pizza before so i can justify that purchase no doubt. Its 100$ for the HG model ready to run vs 50$ for the W model

Anyway i dont have the huevos to fly my mavic out there cuz u kno the drones will be getting shot up. I want something that i can crash, lose, take a total loss and not grow a single gray hair over it. I absolutely love my Mavic but everytime it gets further than a mile out my heart sinks cuz i aint rich... if i was ide buy 10 and try all sorts neat stuff tho

 

[vashon100]

RallySoob, can you comment on the second part of my question. The wire associated with a UFL connector looks so much thinner than the typical thicker looking cable that is soldered to boards, I'm wondering if it is the same internally (surrounding ground wire/plastic sheath/signal wire)?

I've been looking into a tx antenna revision similar to that (diff quad)......

Also, looks like you just snipped off the UFL connector and stripped back the cable to mate with the signal and ground? I had been considering soldering in a UFL connector to tx, but more tricky than other method.

 

[RallySoob]

Yes as i mentioned in the op i had soldered the lead from my new antenna directly onto the top of the factory antenna wire opposed to completely replacing it as seen in most tutorials. Ofcourse i stripped it back some first. Then i soldered the negative lead to the blank spot on the pcb board as u can see. I chose this method because the factory antenna wire is much thicker than the new high gain ant wire so my thinking is it wont hinder performance. So far this is true. I did this on the drone also but it isnt necesary.

I just did another x8 antenna mod today fora friend too, my 6th one. Super ez. Before this i never soldered before. Trick seems to be make sure you get all parts involved warm or else solder wont stick to it.

We flew them in pooring down rain today and they took it well. No issues at all. I even took it up couple hundred feet in crazy fast wind gusts n was able steer thru it.headless mode is huge if u fly really far

 

[RallySoob]

Oh ya we had our 1st game ending failure today on one x8. He hit a fence full speed which somehow seized a motor. The impact pushed the prop in must put enough force on it to bust the motor internals

Repair costs are severe. $7.99 for pair of motors off amazon with free 2day shipping... got love it

Oh ya there is a newer x8 version just came out called the 'x8Sc' and it has new phantom looking controller, revised top shell with nice power button on top. Also it has new plastic housed batteries that snap into chassis like the phantom, its now even more phantom like. It even has quik release props now finally which is huge

Cheapest i have seen is 99$ shipped but may be worth a look. Plus i know it binds to the old controllers so u can get range out of it for sure. Seemingly more too. One test yielded 1,550ft with no mods on new sc model

 

[vashon100]

Well, I tried it using that amzn antenna kit on the tx (only). Unfortunately I got about 15% less range than the 2dbi stock antenna.

Soldered the signal & ground of the new RP-SMA cable (after snipping off UFL) to the signal & ground respectively of the old board-connected cable (after cutting off the old antenna end). I was actually pretty pleased with the work (stripping/prepping/soldering), so I don't see much room for improvement in the approach I used, checking continuity all through the process, been soldering for many years. I think my next attempt would be to just solder directly to the board. At worst, I figured I'd get same range.

Just curious, does the tx you're using have 4AAs or 6AAs? Mine has 4AAs, if different, then I wonder if available power makes a difference.

 

[RallySoob]

Well, I tried it using that amzn antenna kit on the tx (only). Unfortunately I got about 15% less range than the 2dbi stock antenna.

Soldered the signal & ground of the new RP-SMA cable (after snipping off UFL) to the signal & ground respectively of the old board-connected cable (after cutting off the old antenna end). I was actually pretty pleased with the work (stripping/prepping/soldering), so I don't see much room for improvement in the approach I used, checking continuity all through the process, been soldering for many years. I think my next attempt would be to just solder directly to the board. At worst, I figured I'd get same range.

Just curious, does the tx you're using have 4AAs or 6AAs? Mine has 4AAs, if different, then I wonder if available power makes a difference.

(Since ur not gettn erratic glitches im assuming ur new antenna is not getting power due to ur soldering or may of did the fpv antenna on accident )

*They use 4 aa batts and have foam blanks in the other two ports yes that is normal.

As far as your issue with range it sounds like you installed your pigtail rp sma adapter correctly but then you probably screwed on some low quality low gain antenna that is worse than the factory antenna its sucking life from? I say this because i made sure to buy the antennas with lots of rc heli mod related positive reviews meanwhile many others said that other antennas were junk. Some cheap ones just have wire underneath cosmetic cover instead actual antenna coil etc.

If not that then your antenna is not getting power because either your solder work needs to be revised at the + or - ...you did sumn wrong cuz not only does it work big time for me on all mine but tons of other people with tutorials/tests to prove it. Take ur time and do it right bro... there are 2 antennas in the controller next to eachother, one for fov other for control and u may have done wrong 1?

I would have to see ur work and fly it to tell what may be happening but im assuming u tested it in stock form and kno its not defective. Also, u first do the antenna on rc and test it to get about double your range then next do the drone antenna to double it range again so u verify whats done correctly as u go

My buddy is jacka$$ and ruined his controller when he tried solder it. On his controller he decided to remove the stock antenna as well as all the solder and then when he solder the new wires on he had over heated the pcb board which ended up frying the antenna leads on the board. This is because he is not smart, nor has he ever soldered before so he killed that controller. The symptoms were that it would fly erratic making its own decisions with range of 50yds. From then on I am only guy to solder them haha & i just use the method as described and i never had 1 issue. Be a perfectionist with sharp eye for detail.

Obviously u need make sure your using lots hot glue to secure those wires against open spaces so they wont pull at your new soldered joints. The brass male threaded antenna post must stay secure and not spin when u screw on antennas or else it will twist up the new wiring you just did until it pulls ur new solder work off the board...causing new erratic shorts, glitches etc.

But understand that much of the beneficial range comes from the quality of the high gain antenna you are using. Mine is the powersupply 6db high gain multidirectional polarized 2.4ghz on both the controller and drone. The range increase will be noticable when you go buy a higher quality antenna if indeed your seller gave u junk ones.

The best one i have seen is the hobbyking 2.4ghz tx and rx circular polarized clover leaf antennas because the russian guy tutorial runs those and did well over 4000ft no prob. I ordered pair on amazon cuz just listed but like 30$ pair.

In the mean time the next best thing are these antennas here or maybe another dual band fpv polarized antenna like mushroom antennas etc. maybe even a 7-9-12db flat panel style on the controller then another style on the drone maybe...

Sry for long scattered post

Have any pics cuz that would help

 

[vashon100]

I used the antenna that you posted from amazon (HUACAM) figuring that was what you used. Since they sent two, I'll try the other one also, see if it's any better just in case the first isn't that good. The circuit must be working, since I get signal to 85% of the stock range (instead of nothing) . I insulated the soldered bare wires so no short or other issue would happen. Anyway, thanks.

 

[RallySoob]

Oh dang so u did buy those same antennas... ignore the powersupply part amazon seemed to have changed it after i bought it so you did in fact buy the correct set you are good to go there

Assuming u know all the common sense stuff like how the antenna should be pointed and no obstructions between the signal etc etc all i can say is try again. Start over and discard the factory antenna wire. I assume you are following the youtube tutorials too right.

Sumn tells me either ur ground or positive aint making a full connection so the signal u are getting is only off the stock antenna which may be partially compromised now ... anyway redo GL .

 

[RallySoob]

Fyi amazon prime is free for first 30 days and u get free 2 day shipping on most orders and option to do overnight shipping for cost of standard postage. Around 5-10$ usually just fyi

I just ordered another black x8-c earlier today because i actually thought my friend lost one today but a good citizen returned it to me "again" cuz i put my info on them always. It was bout 3/4 mile away at the mall in a parking space with yet again no damage. Its cool though the plan is to get as many as possible for group quadcopter bash sessions cuz not every1 can or wants to invest in 1 all tho they sure do enjoy it