Hubsan X4 H501S 5.8G FPV Quadcopter Review

About company

Hubsan is currently confidently occupying a niche as one of the best manufacturers of radio-controlled models. Their products managed to attract the attention of many users of household UAVs, and this is not for “beautiful eyes” for sure. What is the popular lineup of Hubsan X4 H107D (H107С, H107Р, H107L) worth? Many fans know and recommend them. And the release of the Hubsan X4 PRO (H109S) is unlikely to be missed by those who have already managed to get into aerial photography. Well, now, we will talk about another novelty that deserves special attention – the Hubsan X4 H501S quadcopter.

Peculiarities

Built on a 250mm X-frame
Analog FPV kit
Built-in FHD FPV Camera
Built-in GPS module
brushless motors
Failsave option
Return to home function
Follow me function
Circle mode
Altitude hold via GPS
Headless Mode
Flight time up to 20 minutes

About the product

Hubsan X4 H501S is a racing drone that falls under the 250 standard. The arsenal includes an analog FPV kit coupled with an FHD camera, a built-in GPS module and, most importantly, the quad is built on brushless motors.

Lost contact with the drone, or did the pilot become so carried away that he flew out of radio traffic? This is not a problem for the H501S, because it will return to the pilot itself thanks to the “Failsave” option, and thanks to the “Return to home” (RTH) function, the pilot will be able to forcibly return the drone to the equipment.

Thanks to the “Follow Me” function, the user will be able to draw the attention of the drone to the control panel and shoot good shots with his participation in the frame. Beginners will appreciate the Altitude Hold Mode. When activated, the GPS module is activated, after which the drone obediently and accurately holds its position without the participation of the pilot. There is also a Headless Mode, which will also come in handy for novice pilots.

Recently, the “Circle mode” mode has become available on the H501S (for those who do not have such a mode, it comes with the firmware for the Pro console: 1.1.6, for the standard: 4.2.19).

The flight time according to the specification is up to 20 minutes. Battery charging time 210 minutes. Flight weight (including battery) ≈ 445 grams. The flying qualities of a drone deserve respect. The quad is obedient, it will not be difficult for an inexperienced user to quickly adapt to the controls. The vertical thrust is, without exaggeration, good. In this connection, in the open spaces of the Chinese market, suspension options are already offered, if necessary, allowing you to equip the drone with an additional action camera.

It should be understood that the Hubsan X4 H501S is more suitable for dynamic FPV flights. For filming, it is the last resort.

Equipment

The developer offers a quadcopter in black and white in two trim levels:

H501S Standard Edition

H501S High Edition

First start

Once the Hubsan X4 H501S is ready to fly, set aside the installation of the main rotors and proceed to bind the remote control and calibrate the compass.

Remote control binding

To do this, install the batteries in the control panel.
Connect the battery to the drone. Place the drone on a level surface. Immediately after connecting, the LEDs on the front arms of the quad will flash. The back lights will stay on all the time.
Turn on the remote control. The LEDs on the drone will flash randomly. After that, a video image will appear on the display of the remote control, broadcast in real time from the drone’s camera. The binding of the remote control to the quadrocopter is completed.

Compass calibration

To do this, lift the drone from the surface and in a strictly horizontal position (clockwise) rotate it around its axis (usually 2 turns, the LED backlight glows red at the time of rotation) until the LEDs start flashing green.
Next, we transfer the drone to a vertical position (camera down) and also rotate it around its axis clockwise until the green LEDs on the drone go out (usually 2 turns around the axis). The compass calibration is complete and the aircraft is ready to fly.
Install the main screws.

Camera

Hubsan X4 H501S is equipped with a built-in FHD FHD camera according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Provides maximum video resolution: 1920 × 1080p at 17 fps.

Although the H501S already offers various gimbal options to upgrade to a more powerful camera, it’s still best to leave the factory option. The built-in FPV camera generally does its job well. Thus, you will leave the flight qualities of the drone unchanged, which cannot be said about any other suspended camera, which will noticeably worsen the flight properties of the drone.

*One of the suspension options for an action camera for Hubsan H501S.

Battery

intellectual battery 7.4V 2700mAh 10C 20Wh LiPo. Provides according to the manufacturer’s specification flight time up to 20 minutes. In practice, the average flight time was 15-17 minutes, depending on the piloting style. Charging time 210 minutes. Battery weight 105g.

Motors

High performance HUBSAN brushless motors are manufactured using the best components in accordance with modern standards in the field of radio electronics. Motors have high efficiency with extended service life. The load-bearing self-tightening propellers provide a safe flight and negate any accidents associated with their self-unwinding.

Appearance

Specification

GPS:

Yes

FPV:

analog

Function “Return home»:

Yes

Function “Control distances»:

there is

Maximum range flight:

up to 300 meters

Function “Follow per me»:

Yes

Mode “Headless»:

Yes

Mode Circle»:

Yes

Mode “Holds heights»:

Yes

Permission cameras:

1920 × 1080p at 17 fps

Media type:

microSD/microSDHC card (max. 16GB)

Frequency transmission AV signal:

5.8GHz

Frequency radio signal (control):

2.4GHz

Quantity channels:

4 channels

Mode on default:

Mode 2

Supported modes:

Mode 1(2)

FPV display:

built into control equipment

Type of batteries drone:

lithium polymer 7.4V 2700mAh 10C 20Wh

Type of charging:

USB

Time flight:

up to 20 minutes

Time charging:

210 minutes

Stabilization:

6 axis gyroscope

Motors:

brushless type

Backlight drone:

LED

The weight:

410gr

Dimensions drone:

220×220×70mm

*USB port for updating quadcopter software.

Remote Control

Depending on the selected configuration, the Hubsan X4 H501S quadrocopter can be controlled:

HUBSAN H901A

HUBSAN H906A

Both remotes have a built-in FPV module operating at an analog frequency of 5.8GHz. Image transmission is carried out in real time without delay. According to the manufacturer’s specification, both models provide an FPV distance of up to 300 meters. In practice, in an interference-free zone, the H906A equipment allows you to move away at a distance of up to 1700 meters. The power of the electronic filling and the external location of the antennas affect.

For the H901A control equipment, the distance can be extended up to 1.2km by simply extending the external antennas.

Food

In stock, the H901A is powered by 4 x AA. The H906A equipment is powered by 8 x AA. If desired, it is possible to retrofit both remotes with a lithium-polymer battery with a JST connector, using a separate port in the battery compartment of the app. We strongly recommend that you do this immediately after purchase.

During the flight, all comprehensive information will be displayed on the display of the equipment (drone and remote control battery status, active flight modes, number of satellites, current coordinates).

*FPV display panel H901A. Under the “GPS” switch is a button: “Take a photo.” On the right, under the RTH (Return to Home) switch, there is a button: “Make video”. In order to activate the “Headless” mode, just press the left stick and the display will show the inscription: “Headless ON” (pressing the stick again disables the function). To activate the “Follow me” mode, press the right stick. Activation will be reported by duplicate information on the display of the app: “Follow ON” (pressing the stick again disables the function).

For fans of joysticks, Hubsan offers Smart Transmitter.

Flight range 300-1700 meters depending on the model of control equipment

For H901A equipment, the installation of external antennas increases the FPV distance from 300m to 1200m.

In practice, the flight time is 15-17 minutes

Drone battery charge time = 210 minutes

Important: Recently, on various forums dedicated to UAVs, users have often noted the tendency of the Hubsan H501S to suddenly lose connection for no apparent reason. All owners describe the same circumstances that during the next flight, the quad either suddenly stopped responding to stick movements and flew away in an unknown direction, or simply fell. It is worth considering this when buying H501S.

It should be understood: That the above problems also take place with a fully operational drone due to the banal non-compliance with the simplest launch rules described in any instruction for the UAV. The launch of the drone must be carried out in a zone free from interference, away from objects such as airports, military units, cell towers, power lines, etc.

Price

On various Internet trading platforms, the Hubsan X4 H501S quadrocopter, depending on the configuration, is sold at a price of $ 170-250.

Conclusion

Hubsan X4 H501S from $170

Functionality

7/10

Flight time

8/10

flight qualities

7/10

compactness

7/10

Equipment

7/10

Reliability

4/10

Price quality

10/10

pros

Workmanship/Design
Strength
brushless motors
Dynamism
Analog FPV kit
FHD camera
GPS module
GPS Altitude Hold
Follow me/RTH functions
Flight time

Minuses

Prone to unexplained loss of connection
No full Acro mode
Indication of the battery charge of the drone only on the remote control

Excellent drone in the ratio “Price / Quality”. The Hubsan X4 H501S will primarily be appreciated by those users who have begun to miss the potential of brushed motors and FPV flight over Wi-Fi. Age limit 14+.