There are many choices in the Micro-Quadcopter space so i decided to check out the Hubsan X4 H107C HD. The idea of a tiny quadcopter that can be flown in- and outdoors while recording HD video was very interesting to me. I had to find out more and try it out myself.
The Specs from the manufacturer:
Motor (x4): Coreless Motor
Frequency: 2.4GHz with 4 channels
Battery: 3.7V/380mAh
HD Camera: 2 MP 720p video recording module included
(memory card: micro SDHC is not included.)
Flight time: about 7 minutes
Charging time: 40 minutes
Product size: 2.7 x 2.7 x 1 inches
Box size: 14 x 3.6 x 7.2 inches
If you’re wondering what coreless motors are or what’s special about them, they are still a brushed motor but wound a little differently than a traditional brushed motor. Coreless motors can alter their RPM quicker than normal brushed motors so that is probably why they are in use here. So essentially slightly better than old school brushed motors, but not as efficient and sexy as a brushless motors.
The little quad is controlled on the 2.4GHz Spectrum which is nice so you can’t accidentally get shot down by having your friend turn on his Remote while you’re piloting your bird.
The battery is a single cell LiPo with a capacity of 380mAh it has a boost over the battery from the non camera equipped H107L which comes with a 240mAh batt.
The HD camera is 2MP and capable of recording 720p provided you supply a micro SDHC card capable of writing fast enough. I tested it with my goto brand of cards, the Sandisk Ultra micro SDHC 16gb. I only buy Sandisk cards and knock on wood have never had an issue.
I got 6.5 to 7.5 minutes a charge with mixed flying, and bouncing off furniture. I charged the battery using the supplied USB cable.
At first i was surprised of how small this quadcopter is and how differently it hovered from my DJI Phantom 2, then again this cost quite a bit less… After i calibrated the gyro it hovered better, so be sure to do that to achieve the best results. After adjusting a little to the flying style of the Hubsan X4 i was comfortable enough flying around my living room and even risked flying in proximity of the Flatscreen. I highly recommend you also get the propguards for this quad as the props are very thin and sharp at the edges. UPDATE: I apparently overlooked the propguards in the bottom of the plastic packaging or mine didn’t come with them, but from peoples comments Thanks Jim & Eric! it appears that the X4 H107C HD comes with a propguard.
