Holy Stone quadcopter review

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Holy Stone RC Drone with HD Camera Quadcopter

A drone enthusiast always looks for new quadcopters to add to his growing collection. If you are one of them, your ongoing quest is about to yield results.

Holy Stone, a drone manufacturer from China, has come up with the F181 RC Drone. This quadcopter is a prized addition to all quadcopter collections. It is an aviation tool that will make every flying experience memorable.

holy stone drone review

Overall Rating
4.4
Stability & Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Features 4.5 out of 5 stars
Build Quality 4 out of 5 stars
Design 4.5 out of 5 stars
Price 5 out of 5 stars

Holy Stone RC quadcopter specifications

  • 4 Channel Transmitter
  • Body Material: Plastic
  • Control Mode: 2.4GHZ
  • Remote Control Battery: 3.7 V 750 mAh
  • Charging Time: 1h 20 minutes
  • Suitable for: Ages 14+
  • Dimensions: 12.2 x 12.2 x 3.7 inches (31 x 31 x 9.4 cm)
  • Weight: 14 ounces (397g)

Holy Stone quadcopter – best features

This astounding drone comes with a set of features that set it apart from other entry level quadcopters. These features turn novice pilots into professionals.

1. Headless Security System

There is a constant danger of miniature drones becoming lost. The F181 weighs a mere 397g, or 14 ounces, so strong winds may blow it off a pilot’s intended flight path. The Headless Security System prevents the quadcopter from flying backwards or veering off course. This savvy, urbane drone never gets lost.

f181 protection frames2. Protection Frames

To add, the drone comes with optional protection frames. These protect the drone’s propellers, though adding them is not necessary.

3. Four Way Flip

Few entry level quadcopters can surpass the F181 in terms of maneuverability. This drone is able to execute four-way flips. It makes 360 degree turns in all directions. The 4-way flip function allows the drone to roll continuously and execute actions perfectly.

4. Two batteries

The F181 comes with two 3.7 V, 750 mAh batteries. They make it as powerful than its predecessor, the F180, which uses the same batteries. Holy Stone’s latest quadcopter model can stay in the air for a relatively long time.

5. Battery charger

No reviewer should forget to mention the F181’s battery charger. Charging time is a mere 1 hour and 20 minutes, while it may take up to two and half hours when using other chargers. The drone comes with two USB cable charging cables, so a pilot can charge his quadcopter by connecting it to his computer.

6. 2 megapixel camera2 megapixel camera

The F181 comes with a 720 p, 2 megapixel camera. It allows the drone to capture stunning, high-quality aerial images.

7. 4CH Six Axis Gyro

This quadcopters 4CH Six Axis Gyro system gives the drone stability. It can do clockwise and counterclockwise flips without pilots worrying about it careening out of control.

8. Cylon ion headlamp and LED headlights

The F181 comes with a cylon ion LED headlamp, which is excellent for orientation. Pilots can easily see where it is in the night sky. The flashing red and blue lights make it a spectacular sight at night. To add, it has red and blue head lamps on each of its legs.

>>Check out the price of Holy Stone F181 on Amazon<<

9. User-friendly transmitter

Holy Stone quadcopter review: this drone comes with a user-friendly transmitter, which has a small, but clear LCD screen. It operates the quadcopter’s Headless Security System and makes sure that a pilot always has complete control of his drone.

The transmitter has four tilt rates of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mph. A pilot can control the speed of the drone’s pitch and yaw. Hitting the one-key return stops it from advancing too quickly. It gives the drone a powerful range of about 100m (328.1 feet).

The transmitter also comes with adjustable settings. A pilot can control the throttle button’s sensitivity. The settings are found on the transmitter’s LED display.

10. Replaceable motor

Holy Stone’s thoughtfulness sets it apart from other quadcopter manufacturers. It supplies pilots with a screwdriver for detaching the drone’s replaceable motor. Repair is a simple and fast process.


How Best to Use the F181 Quadcopter – User Manual

The Holy Stone F181 quadcopter is a dynamic little quadcopter that every owner would be proud to add to his arsenal. New pilots would want to know how best to use it. If you are an F181 user, Quadcopter Arena has helpful advice for you. There is also a handy manual for you to download.

You would enjoy the device’s one-key, Headless Security feature, which prevents it from flying off course. The altitude hold function, which enables it to hover in place, is another feature that you would love. What you would relish is that this drone can flip, at 360 degrees, in four ways. It can remain in the air for a relatively long 10 minutes, thanks to its bonus batteries.

F181 quadcopter manual

The Holy Stone F181 performs well in both indoor and outdoor environments. Operate it away from people, animals, and obstacles. The F181’s frequency is easy to adjust. You can pilot it in both indoor and outdoor modes.

For more information go to: http://www.holystone.com/Download/F181C_Manual.pdf to download the F181 drone user manual.


Pros: Holy Stone F181 quadcopter drone

Excellent features aside, the F181 has draws that set it apart from other quadcopters in its price range. This mini drone has pleased many users.

1. Ready to fly

Many of these users have remarked that they can fly the drone once that take it out of its box. They attached the landing gear and propeller guards that it came with easily. A pleased reviewer mentioned that assembling the rotor guards took no time at all.

In addition to a transmitter, 3.7 V LIPO batteries and propeller guards, the F181 comes with four spare propellers, a tiny screwdriver for fixing attachments, two USB cables and a useful instruction manual. This drone also comes with a 2 GB Micro SD card.

Pilots also mentioned that all they need to do before flying it is to fit the batteries. The batteries fit easily with the connector. The F181 flies fast, so new pilots will need to practice using it consistently.

2. Good quality camera

The 720p, 2 megapixel camera shoots quality aerial photographs. Satisfied customers have mentioned that the camera quality is excellent for a drone of its price range.

The LED display on the front of the drone is small, but customers are still able to view the real-time footage that they capture clearly.

3. Stable flight

The 2.4 GHZ motor and 6-axis gyro gives the drone stable flight. A user commented that he was able to control it perfectly amid strong winds in the South West of the United States.

The auto-flip feature eases piloting of the drone. Though the drone tends to bounce off the ground once it lands, it flies without interruption once it is up in the air.

The Headless Mode facility also pleases customers. One customer remarked that he could recall the drone by simply pushing a button on his transmitter after he flew the drone about 20 feet in the air. To add, customers can make 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% pitch adjustments using the highly functional transmitter.

holy stone quadcopter remote control4. Easy to fly

Many users have commented that this drone is remarkably easy to fly. New quadcopter users can download flight simulations for free. A customer shared that he could fly it easily in a breeze. It is easy enough for children to fly. Variable pitch ranges allow users to become accustomed to the quadcopter.

The F181 has a long flight range as well. It can travel about 300 m (984.3 feet). Lightweight, it takes off easily.

5. Long battery life

The two 3.7 volt batteries give the drone a long battery life. A customer mentioned that he could fly it for over 10 minutes. This surpasses the recommended flight time of 7 to 9 minutes. To add, they take a mere one and a half hours to recharge.

>>Check out the price of Holy Stone F181 on Amazon<<

6. Durability

The F181 has amazing durability for a drone of its price range. A customer mentioned that there was no problem with the drone even after it flew into a clump of pine trees and fell 30 feet to the ground.

Another user remarked that the drone’s battery did not dislodge despite hard landings. Its battery is difficult to lose. This drone has a toy-like appearance, but is not flimsy. It is strong and robust for a drone of its size.

7. Wind resistant

The F181 resists winds of up to 10 mph. The solid structure keeps it steady against powerful breezes.

8. Affordable

At under $100, this drone is inexpensive. A few users mentioned that the design and quality makes it great value for money.

9. Innovative design

The exclusive, chic black color of the F181 makes it easy to spot at night. It also comes with LED lights that allow a pilot to find it. Few drones can compare with its stylish yet pragmatic design.

10. Efficient customer service

Many users have expressed satisfaction with Holy Stone’s efficient customer service. A few mentioned that they had defective motors replaced quickly. Many others rated the company highly for its quick response.

The F181 RC Drone: points to ponder

The F181 has excellent draws, but like any quadcopter, pilots have to bear a few considerations in mind when flying it. Being ready to deal with them makes for a better flight experience.

1. Yaw

Note that the F181 has a relatively slow yaw. Its right and left movements are not as fast as other quadcopters, but the adjustable settings more than make up for this. It also makes the quadcopter more controllable for novice pilots.

2. Flip

There is some delay when getting the quadcopter to flip on its side. That said, few entry level quadcopters can do such acrobatics. It allows a pilot to capture aerial images from all perspectives.

3. Instructions

A few customers mentioned that the instructions that came with the quadcopter are not clear. More reviewers, however, said that they are easy to understand.

4. No GPS

Potential pilots should note that the F181 does not come with GPS location features that will help them track their drones. The Headless security feature, however, allows them to recall their drones and prevents them from being lost.

Comparison with the Hubsan X4 Mini RC Quadcopter

Potential pilots will want to know how the F181 compares with other entry level quadcopters. This is how it fares when put beside the Hubsan X4 Mini Drone.

1. For beginners

f181 led headlightsManufacturers designed both quadcopters for beginning pilots to fly. Users of both quadcopters report that they fly stably.

The Hubsan X4 operates on novice and advanced flight modes. Though the F181 does not have two modes, its auto flip feature makes it a fun challenge for advanced pilots.

2. Flying indoors

Both drones are small enough to fly indoors. Though they may bump into furniture, they are equally resilient and resistant to damage.

3. Video recording

The F181 surpasses the Hubsan X4 in terms of capturing aerial images. Though it does not capture images of superior HD quality, the pictures it takes are not inferior either. The X4, conversely, does not have a video camera at all.

4. Calibration

Pilots do not have to recalibrate the F181, but have to reset the X4 each time they fly it. Pilots who want the enjoyment of short flights may find the F181 a more user-friendly choice.

5. Replacement blades

Some users mentioned that they had to replace their X4’s propellers soon after they started using the drone. However, the F181’s propellers are more durable. To add, Holy Stone supplies each quadcopter user with extra propellers.

Recommendations

Bearing user’s responses to the F181 in mind, here are a few suggestions for pilots.

1. Fly in open spaces

Users recommend that pilots fly the F181 over open spaces. As its flight path is one-directional, flying it in open spaces makes it less lightly to get caught in trees.

f181 drone kit2. Budget

The F181 is a highly affordable quadcopter that is suitable for pilots on a tight budget. With the 720p camera and accessories, they get excellent value for their money.

3. For beginning pilots

The F181 makes a suitable entry-level drone. Having said this, experienced pilots will have fun using it to perform areobatics that will stun their friends.

>>Check out the price of Holy Stone F181 on Amazon<<

4. Rest time

As the motor tends to heat up quickly, it is advisable to give this quadcopter at least an hour’s rest between flights. There is no need to constantly replace the motor if pilots give it time to cool.

5. Fly in less powerful winds

Being a entry level quadcopter, the F181 may not hold up to winds that are too gusty. However, it does well in winds up to 10 mph.

6. Do not fly over open water

To add, pilots should not fly over open water lest it causes the batteries to rust.

7. Distance from the ground

Pilots should fly the F181 far enough from the ground so that it can flip, because it has the tendency to bounce off the ground when it lands.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Stability & Performance
Features
Build Quality
Design
Price
holy-stone-quadcopter-reviewThe F181 toy quadcopter will make each flight one to remember. Its durability, ease of use and Holy Stone's excellent customer service make it one of the most efficient entry level quadcopter available on the market. With the F181, each flight is a remarkable aviation experience.

21 COMMENTS

  1. I purchased this through Amazon just prior to Christmas. Holy Stone Predator Mini RC Quadcopter Drone 2.4Ghz 6 Axis Gyro R/C Serie 4 Channels Helicopter HS170 Best Choice for DRONE TRAINER. When I took it out of the box and started to fly… the front blades act like the are in reverse. They are pushing the nose of the quadcopter down while the rear blades are trying to lift it up. What is the issue or can you send a replacement.

    • Check the angle difference between the front and rear props. Make sure they are all in the proper position to lift the unit?

  2. Hi Rick,
    You should immediately contact the seller from which you bought the quadcopter to advise you in this matter. Also you should search for reviews made on Amazon to see if other users had confrunted with this problem.

  3. For Christmas I received a HolyStone F181 Quadcoper which flies quite nicely. I have taken photos and videos with it. However I can not view them on my computer because the files have the “.VFS” extension and they are “packed” according to the VFS standard. I need to find a program that “unpacks” the files into something viewable on my computer. There are many unpackers available on the internet, used mostly for game programs, but most are written by individuals (who could be hackers) and the software may have viruses. Can you recommend a source for download of a reliable unpacker that people have used and does not have a virus attached? Thanks very much. Roy

  4. Sure, that would be great. I will try to attach a file that the F181 camera created with a video and some photos. The file is HPIMAGE.VFS which probably contains video and audio in compressed form. I have tried to extract the files with Handbrake and DragonunPACKer but neither worked. Do you find VFS files on the microDS card when the F181 takes pictures? My file should be below:
    OOPS: I tried to paste the file and I got the message ” You are not allowed to copy source or content files” and it would not paste anything. What can I do next? Thanks very much, Roy

  5. Roy, the HPIMAGE.VFS file contains the thumbnails only. Do you use a HP printer?

    Your SD card could be damaged, or slipped out of the slot if that’s all you have on it. The best you can do is backup the HPIMAGE.VFS file just in case, and format the SD card as Fat32.

  6. So I am looking into buying one of these drones but I’m a beginner so I’m afraid that if I’m not careful flyingit, it could break. What drone do you suggest that is very easy to fly for beginners?

  7. Hi Toni,

    If decide to buy this 2 drones (or any drones) post this specific question to seller.
    Make sure they give you guarantees that the drones will be able to fly at the same time, otherwise they should make a full refund of your money.

    To my knowledge both Holy Stone F181 and and Blade Nano QX workes on same radio frequency: 2.4GHz.

    Raul Lucian
    Web designer, tech enthusiast, founder of Quadcopter Arena

  8. Just got the hs-110. Was having a blast until a hard landing from about 30 feet and now the drone power on but not responding to remote to take off? Any help with this issue?

  9. Was there ever a solution found to the “.VFS” extension issue raised by Roy Coutinho in January? I bought two of these for my boys and one would pair out of the box and both have the “.VFS” extension issue.

    Is there a drone out whose pictures and videos don’t need to be unpacked (whatever that means)?

  10. My name is Jim and I received a drone fore Christmas After nearly a month I am still very much a learner.
    At this time I would say I am about 40% efficient. I have made progress but still have a ways to go to be proficient.

  11. I am enjoying flying my drone. I also am impressed with the picture quality. How do I go about getting my free battery.

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