Hubsan X4 H107d Quadcopter Analysis
Just when you think quadcopters will always look big and bulky, someone proves you wrong. In this case, it’s Hubsan with its X4 H107D. Let’s take a look at this small quadcopter with camera and see where it falls in the spectrum of UAV flying.
Hubsan X4 Drone Specifications
For this Hubsan X4 H107d quadcopter review, we’ll change up the specs table a little. This is because it doesn’t have the same features as the DJI Phantoms or the Walkera drones. Here are the full specs of this video camera-equipped quadcopter:
Dimensions | 4 x 4 x 2 inches |
Weight | 12.8 ounces |
Battery | 3.7V 380 mAh LiPo |
Camera | 0.3 MP, 640×480 video output |
Frequency | 2.4GHz + 5.8 GHz for video transmission |
Flight Time | 7 mins |
Video Distance | 100 m |
Flight Distance | 50-100 m |
The Pros
What’s interesting about the Hubsan X4 is that, at first sight, it is clear which niche it belongs to. This drone is one of the smallest, if not the smallest quadcopter available on the market today. Contrary to what DJI, Walkera, and other manufacturers offer, Hubsan focuses on a quadcopter that can do many things despite its tiny form.
For a tiny drone, it’s surprising that the Hubsan X4 H107D has first-person view (FPV) support. It uses a 5.8GHz transmitter to broadcast a live feed of what its camera sees in real-time. Compared to drones under the same niche, this is definitely an advantage.
The battery life is another strong point. Despite its tiny form, its LiPo battery gives the drone around 7 minutes’ worth of flight time. Charging the battery is pretty fast, too, thanks to its high-powered charger.
The last edge of the H107D is its price point. At less than $200, this drone is a total catch. Considering how some full-sized drones normally go above $600, this package deal of a drone and an FPV-supported controller is worth it.
The Cons
But as with all other quadcopters, the Hubsan X4 H107D has its flaws. On top of the list is the camera. Its sensor is only at 0.3MP, similar to what low-end laptops and smartphones have. Even if we factor in its tiny form factor, 0.3MP is just a huge letdown. The drone could have gotten away with it with a 2MP sensor, but apparently, this is not the case.
Take a look at the drone’s video output quality through YouTube user Lucien Maetz’s video:
The overall build quality of the H107D is a bit questionable as well. If you aren’t careful with the way you remove and charge its battery, there’s a chance that you might short circuit the whole drone. This is because of the wires that are outside the main body.
The propellers are also too soft for its function. Although the goal is to develop a small drone, its props are still too fragile. On the upside, Hubsan includes a spare set of propellers in every order of this quadcopter.
You have to convert video output of the Hubsan X4 using a codec, if you want to use the clips elsewhere. While the camera feeds the video to the controller/transmitter right away, the clips aren’t in the generic format most people use. Although considering the video clips from this drone are hardly useful, this problem is not that big of a deal.
Navigability can be a bit of a problem as well. It has no GPS, so this quadcopter with camera cannot hold its position in the air. Its control range is only up to 100m, so you cannot have it flying out of range, otherwise it would be hard to track. The lack of GPS makes this small UAV difficult to find when lost.
The Verdict
For a tiny drone that can do many things, the Hubsan X4 H107D is not bad at all. Hubsan still has to iron out a few kinks here and there, but it’s generally a good attempt at building the world’s smallest quadcopter. If you want to engage in UAV flying as a hobby without spending a lot, the H107D would prove to be a great deal. But if you want your drone to capture great photos and videos, look elsewhere.
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