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]With the HS100 GPS, Holy Stone is launching a new drone for private use in the mid-price segment. Holy Stone, better known as a low-cost manufacturer from China, wants to set new standards in quality with its HS100 GPS.
Data sheet:
- Wingspan: 50 x 55 x 17,5 cm
- Weight: 750g
- Flight time: 10-12 min
- Battery capacity: 2.500mAh
- Charging time: about 4-6 hours
- Operating frequency: 2.5GHz
- Range 150 meters
- Camera resolution: 720p (HDReady)
Battery performance and flight time
After a comparatively longer charging time (in our test about 3.5 hours) we can start the test. In the first practical test, the battery impressed with a flight time of approx. 11.5 minutes in fairly mild weather conditions, and in further tests an average flight time of between 10 and 11 minutes became apparent.
A big advantage of the battery is that it can be charged with the included USB cable in the car or on the road on a power bank, so you can fly more often even on a camping trip. In order to make up for the comparatively long charging time, we recommend to order a replacement battery at the same time, it is available for a very cheap 35 euros on Amazon.
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By switching on the battery, green LEDs show you how high the battery status is at any given time.
Operation of the quadrocopter
A smartphone functions as remote control with the help of an app, you can control the drone completely from the app.
But of course only the included remote control, which is connected to the smartphone via USB cable, provides the right “pilot feeling”.
In the app we find all flight relevant values like altitude, battery status remote control + drone, strength of the GPS signal and speed.
Also in the app we find the Follow-Me mode, where the drone follows you automatically, the VR mode, as well as the automatic take-off and landing.
Above all, the VR mode, which is better used while seated (recommendation of the editorial staff), caused astonishment.
The operation via remote control is easy to understand and the remote control itself is very clearly arranged.
After the first flight at the latest, you’ll have gotten used to the operation and can get going. The image transmission from the drone to the smartphone works without interruptions even at flight distances over 100m and with a good image quality (720p transmission).
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Flight behaviour and functions
Here at the latest the drone finally convinces, despite moderate wind the drone stands stable in the air thanks to GPS and can be controlled very precisely, the sensitivity of the remote control is adjustable, so that it can be perfectly adjusted between smooth landscape movies and action-packed motocross shots.
The drone also manages to be equally interesting for beginners and advanced pilots, since one can learn to get used to the flight behaviour of the drone with less sensitive settings, and can fly very jagged turns on sensitive settings.
The Follow-Me function is also practical, with the drone following you via GPS at the touch of a button. This allows you to concentrate fully on yourself and your mission, and still be sure you don’t fall out of the picture – in theory, you can even do this hands-free.
Especially interesting for beginners, however, is the one-key take-off and landing function, which avoids any take-off difficulties as well as expensive crash landings, but you should make sure that the ground is straight and free of obstacles.
Last but not least: the headless mode, just as practical for beginners as the mode in which the drone can always be controlled “in line of sight” regardless of its position in the air.
Especially in strong sunlight, it is difficult to tell where the front and back are, and with blinding sunrays in front of the camera lens, it is quite difficult for some people to control the drone according to the live image. Thanks to this mode, this is over, because no matter how often you let the drone rotate around its own axis, where you look is in front, and so you can control it.
Camera of the drone
With the built-in 720p HDReady camera, wonderful scenes can be captured thanks to the 120° wide angle lens, but you shouldn’t pay too much attention to detail, if you expect to be able to count ladybirds on the meadow from 100m height, you should rather use a (much more expensive) model with a 4K camera.
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But for landscape pictures or hobby filmmakers the resolution is completely sufficient, colors are captured vividly and due to the built-in wide angle, nothing gets lost.
The drone has a small slot at the back of the camera where the SD card can be inserted.
Maps up to a size of 64Gb are supported.
Design and material quality
Held in plain black, the drone makes a very chic impression, the rounded forms and curved lines remind some of the editorial staff jokingly of the Jaguar D-Type.
All in all it makes a very stable impression, rotor protectors and robust legs. The camera is a bit unusual packed in a kind of ball, but it fits very well into the rest of the design.
All in all, the design is very similar to the Typhoon Q500 4k, our price-performance winner in the drone test.
Conclusion on the entry-level drone
Holy Stone has definitely made the breakthrough into the high quality mid-price segment with the HS100 GPS.
The drone shines with a huge range of functions, robust construction, very good flight characteristics and a chic design, the only drawbacks are the slightly lower camera resolution compared to the competition, and the long battery charging time, which can actually be made up for by very cheap replacement batteries.
The drone is currently available for sale at Amazon (click! ).
Especially for beginners or hobby pilots the drone is highly recommended. But if you want to fly weekly and plan professional videos, you should have a look at the Spark, Mavic Pro, Mavic Air or the Phantom 4.
As a final note: The drone is heavier than 250g, so it must be marked with your name and address, and you should also check before purchase whether your liability insurance covers damage caused by drones.
P.S.: Drone test video will follow soon!
