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Hobbico Swarm Alien Insect Helicopter Review
By Andy W
Sep 11, 2007, 07:36 PM
Introduction
When the Swarm was offered for review, my nine year old daughter immediately jumped at the chance to test this unique product! She was excited at the opportunity to fly her own mini-heli, especially one that looks like an alien bug!
Swarm Contents
Swarm Contains:
Swarm Requires:
The Alien Swarm arrives in a very brightly colored package. The body is constructed of lightweight foam which is colorfully decorated. There are twin counter-rotating blades and plastic "feet" for landing gear. The on/off switch and charge socket are located underneath the model. There is a red LED that lights up when the Swarm is turned on. The controller has two proportional channels as well as a built-in charger. Six "AA" alkaline batteries must be installed in the transmitter, which is accomplished by removing a cover on the rear of the unit - a small philips-head screwdriver is required for this task.
The heli is charged by means of a charge cord extending from the bottom of the controller. After carefully plugging into the charge socket, the switch on the controller is moved to the CHARGE position. The charge LED will flash until charging is complete, at which point the LED shines steadily - it takes approximately 20 minutes to fully-charge the Swarm.
Flying
The Swarm is best flown indoors, away from circulating air from heat, air conditioning and ceiling fans. It is also recommended to avoid locations with obstacles, such as lamps and other furniture, although after a little practice in an open area, my daughter was easily able to fly in furnished rooms. It is, however, possible to fly outdoors if the air is completely still - even the lightest breeze will carry the Swarm away! It is also impossible to control the heli in direct sunlight, as the sunlight completely overwhelms the IR control system used and the heli becomes non-responsive to control input.
The Swarm is launched by gently increasing throttle until it lifts off. It is best to rise out the turbulence generated near the ground, flying at least a foot or two high. In practice, the model will usually jump up to head-height or higher. Altitude is controlled with throttle, and it is important to note that only small changes in the stick position are required. A young pilot may find this difficult at first since with a full charge, the Swarm will climb quickly at full-throttle and drop like a stone if power is reduced too quickly. After just a minute or two of practice, however, it is quite easy to maintain the desired altitude.
If the Swarm spirals to the left or right, the trim knob beneath the right stick can be turned until the rotation stops. The direction stick turns the Swarm to the left and right. As it tends to drift slowly in the direction it is facing, the model is very easy to control even in tight spaces. Collisions with objects or the ceiling will usually cause the model to tip and fall to the ground. After many such occurrences, however, our Swarm has no visible indication of damage, and continues to fly perfectly. The Swarm flies for about 5 minutes after an average 20-25 minutes of charging. It is recommended to wait 10-15 minutes after flying before recharging the Swarm’s LiPo battery to allow time for the battery to cool down.
Victoria’s comments
It was amazingly easy to learn to fly - I thought it was going to be a lot harder. I had to learn to fly with very gentle movements, but once you get used to it, it is very easy to fly, and I can’t stop flying it. It comes back to life even after you crash it, I never knew a model could be so tough.
The design is very creative, and looks like a real bug, only bigger and more colorful! It also flies like a real bug, it zigs and zags and buzzes around – and my dogs love to try and get it! You know us impatient kids, I just wish it didn’t take so long to recharge.
I had some of my friends over, and one of them made me launch it off of her hand. They loved it, and wanted to know where they could buy one!
Flight Video
Is This For A BeginnerSure! Any beginner 8 years or older.
Conclusion
The Swarm is everything it claims to be – a unique introduction to mini-helicopters which, with its “alien” features, draws attention! It’s stable in flight and easy to fly for even young pilots - definitely appropriate for beginners. A winner all-around. Definitely the newest “buzz” in mini helis!
Pluses:
Minuses:
Last edited by Angela H; Sep 10, 2007 at 09:27 PM.. |
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Sep 11, 2007, 08:04 PM
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#2 |
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Grumpa Tom
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 5th & Main, Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 14,375
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Haha, that is great! I wonder if 6 years old would be pushing it? I am interested in one for my grand daughter.
Did I see blinking LED's on the Tx? |
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Sep 12, 2007, 12:19 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 117
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The Blinking light is the invisible Infra Red Signal from the LED being picked up from the camera. Even the Bug itself has one on it's neck.
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Sep 12, 2007, 05:15 AM
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#4 |
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21st Century Space Cowboy
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chipping, Lancs, UK
Posts: 2,929
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What a blast!
Andy - you have a beautiful house, and a beautiful daughter. I'll ask my daughter if she'd like one of these as well as her Pinki Picoo Z 
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Sep 12, 2007, 07:46 AM
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#5 |
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That sickening crunch..
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 40,255
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Thx. This thing is a hoot, I'm always flying it in the living room to tease the dogs (one is a mastiff and she loves to try and "get it"). All her friends that have seen it think it is "so cool"!
..a |
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Sep 12, 2007, 09:02 AM
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#6 |
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LV4 & HB CP2 Pilot
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Posts: 614
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great review. I just wish they had toys like this back in the early-mid 1980's...I had a Venessa's Lunchbox, which is kewl, but I would have killed to have a mini-heli.
I bet your daughter is putting a lot of flight time in and improving rapidly. You should watch out...she will be breaking the lock on your hanger soon!!! lmao Good work, nice review!
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Sep 12, 2007, 09:30 AM
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#7 |
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LamaV3:5#6:FP2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bodø, Norway
Posts: 323
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Funny lookin heli :P
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Sep 12, 2007, 11:03 AM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 440
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Are there any blue metal upgrade parts for it yet? I would like to put a carbon fiber tail on it and a heat sink after I drill holes in its 4 in 1.
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Sep 12, 2007, 02:59 PM
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#9 |
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That sickening crunch..
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 40,255
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No, but an aftermarket carbon gear set should be coming, along with CF blades..
 ..a |
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Sep 12, 2007, 04:27 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 440
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My wife accidently sprayed mine with Raid. Now I have this toilet bowl effect then it flips on its back and kicks its legs. Any suggestions? Oh, I also broke three of the blades and I am trying to fly with only one, will this affect my hover?
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Sep 12, 2007, 05:27 PM
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#11 | |
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LV4 & HB CP2 Pilot
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
Posts: 614
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Quote:
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Sep 12, 2007, 10:40 PM
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#12 | ||
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 95
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Quote:
be good as new. Just remember, if you decided to feed it, don't do it after midnight. Quote:
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Sep 13, 2007, 01:03 AM
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#13 |
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To be a great Astro Boy
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Brodhead,WI,USA
Posts: 911
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A 2 story great room/ living room! I need a new house for my indoor models. Of course no furniture in the living room like yours.
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Sep 13, 2007, 01:51 AM
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#14 |
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Be an organ donor
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Little Rock, AR. U.S.A via U.K
Posts: 856
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Is that a smoke detector beeping on the video? New battery perhaps!
Great review....funny looking little thing. Complements to the pilot. |
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Sep 13, 2007, 08:33 AM
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#15 |
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That sickening crunch..
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 40,255
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Yeah, that's actually a house we're selling, hence the lack of furniture and the bleeping smoke-detector - I changed that battery since then!
 We fly all the time in the kitchen and living room where we are living, however - no issues with the ceiling. If you do happen to run into it now and then, the model usually recovers just fine.. ..a |
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