Syma X8C (or X8W, X8G) with Deviation - Anyone?

Hello!
First post here!

I decided to run Deviation 5.0.0 on a Devo-10, to control Syma X8C quads. Bought the Devo-10 (White), and NRF24L01 module with PA and SMA antenna ("Neewer Black" model version from Amazon). Did the module installation modification, and now I have the whole setup functional and controlling my X8C (after selecting "SymaX" protocol from the LCD menu options).

OK then... all is mostly well, but it doesn't work quite right. The YAW rotation stick input is reversed from the stock controller, and I can't figure out how to turn on "Headless" mode no matter what switches, etc. I try. My understanding at this point, after 2 days of reading posts on this forum, is that I need a custom "Model Configuration" (model1.ini) file to put on the Devo-10 flash drive, to properly support the X8C behavior quirks.

Has anyone here made a Syma X8C (or X8G, or X8W) model configuration file that supports (a) proper YAW direction, and (b) "Headless" mode? Camera controls would be nice too, but not really necessary. Flip is useless to me, I really don't care about that feature and I'd probably end up removing it from the file anyway.

Any Syma X8C (or X8G or X8W) fliers here using Deviation? If so, can you kindly post your model configuration file(s)?

Thank you!

EDIT: I ended up writing a file myself, posted it below. Enjoy!

there's an ini for both the x5c and x11c in this thread >> www.deviationtx.com/forum/3-feedback-que...ma-x5c-1-for-devo-7e they may be of help bud

HappyHarry wrote: there's an ini for both the x5c and x11c in this thread >> www.deviationtx.com/forum/3-feedback-que...ma-x5c-1-for-devo-7e they may be of help bud

I saw that thread, but I didn't see any reference to "Headless" mode, so I wasn't sure if those would work or not. Also, doesn't the X8C use a slower data rate than the X5C? I thought I read somewhere about 250K instead of 1M... but I can't remember where.

Any Syma flyers here who can explain the differences between the X8C and the X5C/X11? I'm unfamiliar with those two models...

The Syma X8C is such a common bird, I'm really surprised that there isn't a "Stock" Deviation model file for it posted somewhere!

you may want to pm SeByDocKy on here or on rcgroups, he has a review thread for the x8c so he will most likely be able to help you out bud

also i'd avoid using headless mode if plan on staying in the hobby as it just teaches you bad habits imo

HappyHarry wrote: you may want to pm SeByDocKy on here or on rcgroups, he has a review thread for the x8c so he will most likely be able to help you out bud

also i'd avoid using headless mode if plan on staying in the hobby as it just teaches you bad habits imo

Thank you.
As for the "Headless" mode, I occasionally find it useful for spinning panoramic shots with my camera, but in general, I agree with your sentiment. Still, it's useful enough to me that I'd like to retain it.

OK then!

I found another file on this forum for the "X5C Explorer 2" (whatever that is...) and downloaded it. It appeared to have support for "Channel 9" (Headless mode) among other things. I downloaded the Deviation software users guide and some user contributed model files documentation PDFs, and did a quick "crash course" in model file programming with my Devo-10 and X8C testing in the shop. There were several things I did not like about the X5C-1 model file when I used it with the X8C, so I changed them all and added some features of my own. The result is the first Devo-10 based Deviation model file made specifically for the Syma X8C, X8W, and X8G!

These are the changes I made:

#1 - "YAW" stick has been corrected (reversed) to match stock controller (stick pushed right=clockwise rotation when viewed from top of drone)

#2 - Original file had "Flip" function on the "Gear" switch - a very large switch that might be hit accidentally for unintended exciting video and/or crash. I moved it to the "ELEV D/R" switch, which is smaller and less likely to be accidentally hit.

#3 - Timers have been changed. I've added a "Total Run Time" timer at the top of the timer stack. I've moved the countdown timer to the middle of the stack, and changed the timeout value to 5 minutes to work better with my 3S and lightweight lower runtime 2S LiPos. I've added another "user stopwatch time" timer at the bottom of the stack, controlled by the "MIX" switch. Lowest position ("2") is "Run" (Timer Counting Up), middle position is "Pause", and the upper position ("0") is reset.

#4 - Both the total runtime and countdown timer can be cleared at any time with the "GEAR" switch moved to position "1".

#5 - The "Headless" mode is turned on and off using the "AILE D/R" switch. Position "1" is headless mode.

#6 - There are 3 flight modes, selectable using the "FMOD" switch. Mode "0" is 50% max on the directionals and yaw, and 60% max on throttle. Mode "1" is 75% max on directionals and yaw, and 80% max on throttle. Mode "2" is 100% max on everything.

#7 - The "RUD0" switch in position "1" is throttle kill / throttle disable (-100) for safety, exactly as in the original file.

#8 - Camera controls were left alone, throttle trim "UP" takes photo, "DOWN" starts/stops video.

#9 - I changed several things on the graphic screen layout. Since the throttle trim does not actually "trim" (because it's used for camera controls), I removed the trim indicator and replaced it with a centered throttle power bargraph. Since channel 5 is unused in the SymaX protocol, I removed the Channel 5 bargraph, moved 6, 7, and 8 to the left, and added channel 9 (Headless mode channel) to the far right. I also moved the timer stack up slightly (for cosmetic reasons) and implemented timer 3 (User Stopwatch) as detailed in #3 above.

#10 - Last, but not least... I increased transmitter power output to 150mW.

I have fully tested all functions, and I'm posting the file below. Sorry for not "attaching" it, I'm posting from an iPad so I don't think I can do an attachment.

Note: This has ONLY been tested on Deviation Ver. 5.0.0, on a newer White Devo-10 controller with added NRF24L01 module. I don't know if it will work on any other DEVO model or Deviation version.

Enjoy!


name=Syma X8C
mixermode=Advanced
type=multi
[radio]
protocol=SymaX
num_channels=9
fixed_id=146812
tx_power=150mW

[protocol_opts]
SymaX5C=Off

[channel1]
subtrim=65
template=complex
[mixer]
src=AIL
dest=Ch1
scalar=50
curvetype=expo
points=50,50
[mixer]
src=AIL
dest=Ch1
switch=FMODE1
scalar=75
curvetype=expo
points=40,40
[mixer]
src=AIL
dest=Ch1
switch=FMODE2
usetrim=0
curvetype=expo
points=40,40

[channel2]
subtrim=50
template=complex
[mixer]
src=ELE
dest=Ch2
scalar=50
curvetype=expo
points=50,50
[mixer]
src=ELE
dest=Ch2
switch=FMODE1
scalar=75
curvetype=expo
points=40,40
[mixer]
src=ELE
dest=Ch2
switch=FMODE2
usetrim=0
curvetype=expo
points=40,40

[channel3]
template=complex
[mixer]
src=THR
dest=Ch3
usetrim=0
scalar=80
offset=-20
curvetype=expo
points=0,0
[mixer]
src=THR
dest=Ch3
switch=FMODE1
usetrim=0
scalar=90
offset=-10
curvetype=expo
points=0,0
[mixer]
src=THR
dest=Ch3
switch=FMODE2
usetrim=0
curvetype=expo
points=0,0
[mixer]
src=THR
dest=Ch3
switch=RUD DR1
scalar=-100
usetrim=0
curvetype=fixed

[channel4]
template=complex
[mixer]
src=RUD
reverse=1
dest=Ch4
scalar=50
curvetype=expo
points=50,50
[mixer]
src=RUD
reverse=1
dest=Ch4
scalar=75
switch=FMODE1
curvetype=expo
points=40,40
[mixer]
src=RUD
reverse=1
dest=Ch4
switch=FMODE2
curvetype=expo
points=40,40

[channel6]
template=simple
[mixer]
src=ELE DR1
dest=Ch6
curvetype=expo
points=0,0

[channel7]
template=simple
[mixer]
src=Virt1
dest=Ch7
curvetype=expo
points=0,0

[channel8]
template=simple
[mixer]
src=Virt2
dest=Ch8
curvetype=expo
points=0,0

[channel9]
template=simple
[mixer]
src=AIL DR1
dest=Ch9
curvetype=min/max
points=0

[trim2]
src=RIGHT_V
pos=TRIMRV+
neg=TRIMRV-
[trim3]
src=LEFT_H
pos=TRIMLH+
neg=TRIMLH-
[trim4]
src=RIGHT_H
pos=TRIMRH+
neg=TRIMRH-
[trim5]
src=Virt1
pos=TRIMLV+
step=193
value=-100,0,0
[trim6]
src=Virt2
pos=TRIMLV-
step=193
value=-100,0,0

[timer1]
src=Ch3
resetsrc=GEAR1
[timer2]
type=countdown
src=Ch3
time=300
resetsrc=GEAR1
[timer3]
src=MIX2
resetsrc=MIX0

[datalog]
switch=None
rate=1 sec
[safety]
Auto=min

[gui-128x64]
Bargraph=50,23,Ch3
H-trim=1,59,3
V-trim=69,10,2
H-trim=78,59,4
Big-box=2,12,Ch3
Small-box=2,26,Timer1
Small-box=2,36,Timer2
Small-box=2,46,Timer3
Bargraph=79,30,Ch1
Bargraph=85,30,Ch2
Bargraph=91,30,Ch3
Bargraph=97,30,Ch4
Bargraph=103,30,Ch6
Bargraph=109,30,Ch7
Bargraph=115,30,Ch8
Bargraph=121,30,Ch9
Toggle=75,13,1,64,128,FMODE
Toggle=84,13,2,65,129,MIX
Toggle=93,13,0,5,0,ELE DR
Toggle=102,13,0,4,0,AIL DR
Toggle=111,13,0,8,0,GEAR
Toggle=120,13,0,9,0,RUD DR
Battery=102,1
TxPower=102,7

quickpage1=Channel monitor
quickpage2=Mixer

Great. I am thinking about buying a X8G BNF.
Compared with stock transmitter, is there any improvement on X8x's yaw rate when using Devo10+Deviation?

This is a bad model ini,I used it oon my devo 10 using 5.0 and nightly 2ce0f46 flying my syma x8g.The stick inputs are delayed by more than 1.5 secs and the range is about 10 meters,can anyone with permissions examine this or take it down before someone loses there or breaks there quad.I know its this model because I flew it with the stock tx right after with great range.I also flew my bayangtoys x16 with my devo 10 w/out a problem to rule it out.