Hubsan X4 H107L Drone

Hubsan X4 H107L Drone Review

Hubsan X4 H107L Drone Review 2019 – is the Hubsan X4 H107L quadcopter worth the money? Review of features, pricing, flight duration, battery, camera and more.

Hubsan X4 (H107L) 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Quadcopter, Black

$23.99 $53.99
2 new from $23.99

in stock

Buy this item

If you are looking for an entry-level drone, then Hubsan’s X4 H107L is worth a look. You can buy it on a whim thanks to the cheap price and have a lot of fun right away. This small yet capable quadcopter was built with beginners in mind so it is extremely forgiving and easy to use. However, it is not the most capable machine out there and you will have to make some sacrifices. Let’s look at the different aspects of the Hubsan X4 H107L drone so that you can determine whether this model is right for you.

The Build

There are a lot of drones with foldable arms but this one has chosen to go the traditional route with a one-piece frame that has the arms extended at all times. This should not be a problem since it’s a very compact unit anyway. It is only 1.4 inches in height and 3.3 inches on all sides. This type of construction works in its favor as a beginner’s drone since it won’t break that easily even if it gets dropped a lot. It features four brushed motors and weighs a measly 120 grams. The RTF model is fully assembled so it can fly right after you get it out of the box.

The Camera

Unlike most drones these days, this model does not have an onboard camera. You can try to attach a small lightweight camera but be careful about which one you choose. A GoPro would already be too heavy for this and would affect its flight capability. If you would like a similar style of drone but with a camera, then check out the Hubsan X4 H107C instead. That model is virtually identical with a 0.3MP shooter. Just temper your expectations as it is unlikely to provide decent footages. The H107L is perfectly fine if all you want is to learn how to operate a drone.

The Controller

The remote control looks a lot like a game pad with ergonomic grips for both hands. There are two joysticks and a few buttons and switches. A basic onscreen display shows vital information including battery level and drone speed. It is 7.1 inch long and 5.5 inch wide. Make sure that you learn what all of the controls can do to maximize all of the features. This can be an enjoyable toy to play around with. Just remember that the signal range is only 50 meters which is quite short to really get it going. The remote has 4 channels and uses the 2.4 GHz radio frequency.

The Battery

A lightweight drone like this won’t take a lot of power to keep flying in the air. On the other hand, you can’t insert a large battery since that would make it too heavy and you simply don’t have the room. This model only has a 3.7 volts 240 mAh lithium polymer battery. It takes 40 minutes to fully charge while the flight time is between 6 and 8 minutes. That’s not a lot, especially since this will only get shorter with repeated use, so you should definitely get extra batteries. At least the charging time is quicker than in similar models.

The Flight

This drone is a joy to fly thanks to its impressive stability. Hubsan saw it fit to install a precision 6-axis gyroscope inside the unit which works well to keep it balanced in the air. This makes it easy to control even for a novice, as long as the environment is calm with no noticeable wind gusts. However, it doesn’t matter if users drop this a few times while starting to learn take-offs, landings, and hovering. The frame should be able to absorb the shock well. Additional protection can be provided by third-party blade guards. Getting standby propellers is always a good idea.

What Others are Saying

As long as you know what you’re buying, you should be satisfied with how this beginner drone performs. It should be treated as nothing more than a toy that can serve as a stepping stone to better drones if you like the experience of using it. The price is certainly not painful in case you realize that this hobby isn’t for you. Those who continue on this path can use the money they saved to make crucial upgrades such as the battery and propeller guards. A U wrench will be helpful in removing the propellers if they need replacement.

Owners have praised its speed and agility while maintaining stability. There is no delay in the controls as long as it is within range. Better results can be obtained by calibrating the transmitter. Flight customization options are plenty so learn how to set them in the manual. Level 1 options are for beginners. Level 2 options are for advanced users, enabling changes to the yaw, roll, and pitch rates.

PROs and CONs Listing

PROs

– Very affordable price
– Well-balanced body is easy to fly
– Durable frame perfect for novices
– Ready to Fly out of the box
– Good flight-to-charge time ratio

CONs

– Short flight time of 6-8 minutes
– No onboard camera
– Limited transmission range
– No Return to Home feature

Comparison with Others

The beginner drone segment is a crowded one and even Hubsan has multiple entries to fill different needs. If you are disappointed with the lack of camera in this model, then look at its brother called the H107C. It is almost a twin except for the small fixed camera that sadly can only record 480p videos on a microSD card. You won’t be adding much in terms of price.

Another popular model is the Syma X12S Nano. This white quadcopter already has built-in propeller guards. It is slightly cheaper than the Hubsan X4 H107L drone. However, it is only capable of a 4-minute flight time due to the undersized 100 mAh battery that takes 40 minutes to charge. The flying distance is also quite limited at just 20 meters.

Conclusion

The Hubsan H107L drone is a good entry point into the world of unmanned flight. With decent flight performance and lots of customization options, you can have a ton of fun while learning the ropes. Grow with it until you’ve saved enough for a more serious drone.

Hubsan X4 (H107L) 4 Channel 2.4GHz RC Quadcopter, Black

$23.99 $53.99
2 new from $23.99

in stock

Buy this item

Tyler West

Tyler West received a Bachelor Degree in computer science from The University of Texas Austin. Tyler has been working as a full-time computer programmer for the past 3 years. In his spare time, Tyler’s favorite hobby is flying drones. One of Tyler’s life goals is to become a full-time drone pilot.