Flybear Fx-808

Background:

About a year ago, I bought the Fx-808 from Banggood.com for $25 because I didn't have the time for maintenance of an ultra micro from Parkzone or Flyzone. I wanted something I could fly right within my nieghborhood wihout having the fear of crashing it (for damages in both plane and property)---something that when crashed, could be tossed once again into the air and continue as if nothing happened. 1 year prior, I stumbled on various sites in my search for a 2Ch plane for which I had reminisced since the age of 11, and did find an Infrared Controlled 2Ch plane, but I didn't like the fact that I could only fly at night or in windless conditions. I jumped for joy when I saw there was a 2.4Ghz 2Ch plane that was as durable as a Nerf football.

My first reaction was: 'Noooo, that can't be right~ It must not fly well.." Then I saw the reviews and flight videos. Granted, most of the flights in those videos were oscilating half of the time (which for me is an easy fix because I've messed around with 2Ch planes for an entire year previous), but I figured it's becasue the plane is tail heavy (again, an easy fix).

Overview:

So what's in the box? It comes ready to fly! :D see this video. (:
UPDATE: Instructions now com in English!

Specifications:

AFTER MODIFICATIONS

Cannels: 2 (differential thrust)
Wieght:  about 27grams
Flight time: about 15mins 40secs
Charge time: about 24min 35secs
Range: 50 meters isn't so bad; honestly I'd be worried about not being able to see and control it before worrying about it being out of range. Ahah!
Battery: 1S 3.7V 150mah Lipo

Transmitter/How to fly:

Increase throttle (left stick)  to increase speed and altitude. Tap/hold the right stick to turn.
I love the fact that it is 2.4ghz; however I dislike the trim knob and would preffer to have trim buttons instead.
There is a USB port on the side for on the go charging, but I'd much preffer using a battery power bank.

Price:

For its price as a toy grade beginner plane, it can't be beat (well, maybe for the other Fx "800" series planes—LOL).

Fx-805 Upgraded
HuaLe HL803 (Fx-803)
Fx-802/805/807
Fx-818

Impressions:

I personally love the red scheme and the Luftstreitkräfte's Iron Cross. This is why I'm a bit disappointed when my 2 planes I ordered came out to be more ORANGE than the color I was promised.
>:((

The left one I got from xmas 2015, and the two facing foward are more recent purchases. 
The discoloration aside, this is a loose resemblance of the Luftstreitkräfte's Albatros DIII debuted in the spring of 1917. The shape for the wings and the tail give it away. If you look at the interior cover of the box, you'll see the Red Baron in his Albatros DV from the movie "The Red Baron" (2008).

It seems a bit dorky and the lading gear flimsy, but oh was I wrong. The plane flies literally itself as you (the pilot) stand and enjoy the performance.

Durability:

The landing gear takes all the possible beatings you could give and it's still alive (after a year's worth of abusive landings). The airframe is made from EPP foam, which is like a NERF football (and bounces like one too)! The motors and props are set up as pushers, facing the back; consequently making the Fx-808 super crash resistant.

Other:

The paint rubs off after handling.  :(
The airframe is crash resistant and very tough though! :DD

Modifications:

It's tail heavy out of the box, so you'll have to add about 2.0 grams of weight to the nose. I did so immediately anterior to the landing gear bracket. TIP: use about 48N 1/4 x 1/16 inch disc neodymium magnets (from eBay) for incremental weights.

To increase flight time, you could remove the lights— this may save a lot of battery usage. Carefully remove the cover for the mother board with a hobby knife (don't cut deep inward) and bend the lights connection back and forward until it snaps off (adhere the cover back on with polystyrene glue).

Flight characteristics:

Again, it's tail heavy out of the box, so nose weight is necessary for stable flight (in pitch authority). Once balanced, it still has an incredible rate of climb. It also turns "on a dime" and handles around 5 mph of wind very well! It tracks through the air sooo well omg..

I love the slow fly ability, which is perfect for beginners to train their reaction time.

Taking off: gradually inrease throttle until take off
Hand tossing: increase throttle to second setting and give a lenthy smooth push
Landing: tap the throttle with decreasing frequency to gradually decrease altitude
Turning: tap the right stick (increase frequency/duration for tighter turn and vice versa)
               -TIP: may have to increase throttle during turn to retain altitude

If I fly conservatively, (assuming the plane is already balanced, the lights are removed, and there is no wind) I can get away with about 15mins 40 seconds of flight; that is simply amazing for its size. To take into consideration, let's this thing flies at around 5 mph, if it goes for 15 mins, it would've travelled 1.25 miles.. let that sink in.

Charging:

The package includes a charging cable that lights up when it's plugged into a power source and will turn off while charging the plane. Once finished charging, the red light on the charger will light up again.
Again, you can charge with the transmitter, but it takes about 25 mins to charge the plane off a wall socket (and an 5V 1A USB adapter). I recommend using a portable phone charger to charge simply because it doesn't drain your transmitter batteries.

**DISCLAIMER**

I have no idea of the negative effects this would have on the plane. Do so at your discretion. I think it'll be fine as long as you charge the plane using the 1A discharge port.

OVERALL:

In short, low price, great performance (maneuverability + stability), long flight time, awesome scheme/design... what more do you want? :DD

PS: 

Before you fly, know yourself, especially your skill level. That said, find the appropriate flight area and airspace for your air ops. Also dress appropriately for the time and weather, and fly in the appropriate time/weather. Happy flights!!

PS2:

You can see more of my mods here!

and a flight video here!