Although I have crashed into several things and got it stuck way up in a tree already, I still have not lost my Syma X5C Quadcopter . . . yet.

After the first flight, I immediately ordered some extra batteries because as fun as flying the quadcopter is, it sucks when you can only do it for maybe eight minutes and you're done while the battery charges for an hour and half. So for another $18, I ordered five extra batteries and a charger. Now I'm into this little hobby for a total of just $71. Not a bad way to start when you consider just how expensive hobbies can get.

After I received the batteries and had a few more practice sessions in my driveway and living room, it was time to take the quad out to Spring Lake Park on a Saturday morning and see what she could do.

There was a light breeze that Saturday and you'll how the Syma handles during the video playback below.

I didn't measure the distance, but my guess is about 100 yards for the radio control distance on this quadcopter. It started getting a little screwy after that, like it was not receiving my input signals. Then it fell back to earth for a quick dust off, securing the battery door once again and off she flew.

Pros: Pretty easy to learn, fun to fly, decent camera for the price and very affordable.

Cons: It can't handle any significant wind, short battery life, fixed camera position, hard to manipulate battery door, loose battery connectors (seems like they could come up with a better way to connect the battery).

Overall, this is a fun little quadcopter with a few quirks that you have to learn to work around. But if you're a newbie like me, I bet you'll enjoy it, too.

Alrighty then, up, up and away we go.

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