Cheap is the first impression that you get when you see the price of the Holy Stone HS170 Predator drone. However, before you dismiss it, you remember that Holy Stone is one of the most renowned drone makers in the world.
This is a cheap toy drone. With that in mind, many buyers do not expect much from it. However, they end up pleasantly surprised because this small drone packs many features, even some of which you mostly find in the big boys.
Although this mini drone is not equipped with a camera, it comes with other features that an awesome starter drone should have. It has a rugged build, and it looks ready to withstand all the rigors that are bound to happen with beginners. It is user-friendly and affordable. In this Holy Stone HS170 Predator drone review, you can see more of its features.
Holy Stone HS170 Predator Features & Technical Details
The very first thing that will draw your attention to this drone is its sleek, compact and lightweight design. This drone measures 5.3 by 5.3 inches and weighs only 13.6 ounces. Thanks to its small size, weight and a short transmission range, it meets all the FAA regulations. Thus, you are not required to register it. Just get it ready for flight.
The small size makes this quadcopter suitable for flying in both indoor and outdoor settings. It is made from premium quality polycarbonate material, which makes it strong and durable. Due to its robust, windproof and shockproof construction, it is able to withstand a lot of abuse and it can fly well in unfriendly weather conditions. It is fitted with powerful motors, sturdy propellers and a stabilization system that ensures it performs excellently while on-flight even in windy conditions.
This drone is sold with an extra set of blades, propeller guards and many replacement accessories. You can fly your drone without having to worry about crashes. To ensure that you enjoy a thrilling flying experience even at night, there are blue and red LED lights that flash. These lights enable you to trace your drone easily even in low light conditions.
For the battery and flight time, the Predator mini drone uses 3.7V 350mAh battery. This is a small yet powerful battery. You can expect 6 to 8 minutes of flight time. The battery is removable and it takes only 45 to 60 minutes to be fully charged.
If you would love to extend your flight time, get an extra battery, so that you do not have to wait for one battery to recharge to fly again. To ensure that your drone parts lasts a long time, it is recommended that you take a 10-minute break between the flights to help the circuit board and the motors to cool down. They tend to heat up during flights.
The Holy Stone HS170 Predator is one cheap toy drone that offers users an easy and smooth flight experience. It has features that ensure even the novice pilots enjoy a great time with it. First, this drone is highly responsive to controls, which makes it easy to fly even for the first-time pilots.
This mini drone comes with headless mode that makes it so easy to fly for kids and beginner pilots. The headless mode enables the drone to fly in the direction of the controller regardless of the direction in which its nose is facing.
Another nice feature that makes this drone ideal for pilots of all skill levels is that it comes with three different speed modes. Beginners will particularly enjoy the slower speed as they cut their teeth in drone flying, while the pros will be more thrilled by the higher speeds.
The 6-Axis Gyro Technology that is used in this drone ensures that your drone remains stable in the air during flights. It also enables the drone to perform various stunts in the air. This technology allows the drone to do various rolls and flips in the air in just any direction.
The only tricky bit about flying this mini drone is to know when to fly it back home for recharging. It neither has a return to home feature nor an alarm that alerts you when the battery is draining out. The only way to know when the battery is running out of juice is when the drone becomes hard to control. It is recommended that you fly the drone back home for recharging after every five minutes of being in the air.
The Holy Stone HS170 Predator comes with a big controller. This is unique given the small size of the drone. The controller is powered by six AA batteries, which are purchased separately. It is able to control the drone within a range of 200 feet. Despite its big size, the controller fits perfectly on your hands and it is easy to operate. The buttons and the joysticks are easy to maneuver and operate.
Short Summary of Feedback from Existing Owners
Given its size and price range, this is a powerful toy drone, which is great for kids and beginners. I am neither a kid nor a beginner but I love taking her for a spin too. Zack C
This is my first drone and I already love it. It is easy to fly, sturdy and stable in the air. Now that I have gotten it an extra battery, I am looking to enjoy even a more enjoyable flight experience. I am planning to upgrade to a big camera drone in a month or two. Loren W.
I was able to fly this drone right out of the box. Despite the short flight time, I must admit I am having more fun than I ever thought a drone sold at its price could give me. This is my favorite toy drone. Anne D.
I find the Predator a reliable and durable drone, it is easy and fun to fly. It is a tough drone too as I have crashed it severally and the propellers remained intact. It lacks altitude hold, but it still comes with other features that make it easy to fly even with the least of flying experience. Richie H.
Pros of Holy Stone HS170 Predator
- Easy to fly
- Ideal for indoor or outdoor flying
- Capable of performing various flips and rolls
- Convenient LED lights for night flying
- Very affordable
- No need to register it with FAA
- Highly responsive to controls
- Has headless mode
Cons of Holy Stone HS170 Predator
- Lacks a camera
- No altitude hold function
- No return to home feature
Who Should Buy the Holy Stone HS170 Predator?
This drone is a perfect purchase for any drone hobbyist regardless of their experience. It is designed with features that ensure that the pilot enjoys a good time with it. This drone particularly offers the beginners a big space to advance their skills because of its ease of use and user friendliness.
If you are looking for a nice birthday gift for your children or you want to get someone started on the drone culture, buy them the Holy Stone HS170 Predator as a gift. It does not cost much, but it packs many features. It is highly reviewed as one of the best cheap toy drones for beginners in the market.
Conclusion and Recommendation
With features like headless mode, different speed settings, beautiful LED lights and more, the Holy Stone HS170 Predator is a good cheap toy drone to buy. Although it has some few drawbacks as you have seen in the above review, the overall experience with it is simply incredible. Besides, it is a toy drone, so you should buy it looking forward to few features.
