00:00
Tom
Enter the Swann series of gyro balanced remote controlled helicopters. �Not the flatbread with meat inside, but as in gyroscopic. �Notice the two sets of blades? �These counter-rotate, which attempts to cancel out the tendency for rotating things to swing in one direction.
Swann sells a wide range of little helicopters measuring from a petite 5.5? long to one model measuring a whopping 18? long. �Some models fire teeny toy missiles remotely.
The Emergency Strike model I got is a red and white little thing, measuring 8.6? long.
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- Rotor Diameter 7? (178mm)
- Dimensions 8.6? x 2? x 3.7? (215mm x 53mm x 3.7mm)
- Weight 1.3oz / 37g (Helicopter only)
- Helicopter Battery Built-in 3.7V 130mAh Li-poly
- Rechargeable�from Computer USB or Remote
- Helicopter Flight Time Per Charge: 8 minutes
- Helicopter Battery Charge Time: 50-60 minutes via Remote or USB
- Remote Control: Infrared
- Remote Control Battery Type x Qty: 6 x AA (Batteries NOT included)
Beware of the tie-wraps of death!
Tiny, non-rolling wheels make up the landing gear
The red and white blades don't move. The black one on top does, powered by what resembles a cell phone vibrator motor.
Warning: "DONOT" skip these warnings!
LED on the topside blinks blue and red when powered on
White-ish LED "spotlight" on the nose is a neat touch
Another blue-red blinky on the bottom
The bottom side reveals the teensy power switch, charging port, and a crooked IR receiver.
The IR remote control is almost as big as the helicopter. iPhone 4 for size comparison.
Feeding time! The remote takes six AA batteries.
A clever charging cable is hidden under one of the grips!
Swann also includes this yellow USB charging cable... with a twist...
The USB end glows red to indicate power. If it STILL glows red when you're plugged into the 'copter, you're not sending juice. I ended up charging up via iPhone charger.
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OK OK so how does it FLY?
The left stick controls motor speed. �The stick doesn?t have a centering spring; you leave it one position, it stays there. �I thought this was dumb until I tried to fly the thing. �When the stick is in the lowest position, the motor stops. �You WANT the left stick to stay in place in case you?re trying to hover in place, otherwise your thumb just gets really, really tired.
The right stick is omnidirectional. �Pushing forward/back makes the helicopter go back and forth. �Left/right rotates the helicopter. �In other words, if you?re simply hovering in the air, left/right simply results in the thing spinning in place.
There is a small trim knob on the remote that fine-tunes the left-right rotation if you need to.
The instructions suggest flying indoors, since wind can be a factor. �I tried flying in the largest room in my office with interesting results.
The BIGGEST challenge I had was simply getting the helicopter to hover in one place. �The slightest movement of the left joystick sent the toy shooting up towards the ceiling or making a rapid descent. �At least the gyroscopic effects of the counter-rotating blades seemed spot on. �I sort of thought this thing would go spinning like mad, but that wasn?t the case.
After a LOT of crashes, I managed to get the helicopter to take off from one tabletop and land on another. �It was the most inelegant flight I?ve ever seen. �This obviously takes lots of practice.
DONOT crash into too many chairs.
After my first session of crashing into walls and chairs, I noticed the blades had already sustained some damage. �No wonder Swann packs in a second set. �I imagine with enough damage, the flight dynamics would change considerably (like shooting someone?s eye out).
These little helicopters a lot of fun! �I just wish I had more room to play in and more time to practice!
Product Information
| Price: | $69.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Swann |
| Requirements: |
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| Pros: |
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