Holy Stone HS110D Review

Are you looking for a beginner drone or hobby drone with some above-average features? A good option to consider is the Holy Stone HS110D. Holy Stone is one of the most popular beginners and hobby drone manufacturers.

While DJI takes most of the share of the drone market, Holy Stone has managed to make a name for itself by making its drones a little bit more affordable. So, what does the Holy Stone HS110 have to offer?

The Holy Stone HS110D comes with a 1080p camera, a sleek sub-250 gram design, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, 3D flips, and an easy-to-use controller. It’s perfect for kids and beginners who are just learning how to fly a drone.

If you’ve been wondering about the Holy Stone HS110D and whether it’s worth your time and money, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are the main specs that make the Holy Stone HS110D stand out from other toy drones.

Holy Stone HS110D body design #

The HS110D is a sub-250 gram drone, weighing in at around 145 grams. That means that in most regions, especially in the United States, you don’t have to register it. 

Secondly, this drone comes in a typical X design, with 4.5-inch propellers and removable propeller guards. The battery fits at the back, and the camera is at the front. 

I also found it noteworthy that the camera is removable. So, if you have an extra power source and would like to use the camera without the drone, this design makes it possible.

Holy Stone HS110D Camera #

For a toy drone, the 1080p camera is a big plus. And it’s not just on paper. The images taken from the HS110D camera are pretty clear and crisp, though not as crisp as you’d expect from high-end drones. 

But still, it’s better than 720p cameras. Better yet, the HS110D also has an FPV version for those who would like to fly while viewing the world from the “drone’s” or bird’s-eye perspective.

How long does the HS110D battery last? #

The Holy Stone HS110 comes with a 1000mAh battery that offers a 10-minute flight time, which is pretty decent for a drone in its price range. Better yet, the manufacturer provides two batteries, giving you at least 20 minutes of flight time. 

But you also have the option to get more batteries if you want to extend the flying sessions. The only issue is that the battery has to be in the drone to charge, so you can’t use the drone while the other batteries are charging.

Like most drones, HS110D uses LiPo batteries which enable them to carry more charge while maintaining a smaller weight. 

However, it would be best if you don’t store them when fully charged or discharged, avoid charging them when they are warm, and store them in fireproof bags. 

» MORE: How to care for drone batteries

Other care practices specific to HS110D batteries are detailed in the manual. 

How far can a Holy Stone drone fly? #

The Holy Stone HS110D can get about a 150-meter operating range, which actually isn’t that bad. Considering how light this drone is, the 150-meter range is ideal. 

Flying it too far can affect the connection between the drone and the controller, and the drone will easily fly away. However, for FPV flying, the range is limited to 100 meters.

How high can the Holy Stone HS110D fly? #

Like with the range, the Holy Stone 110D can fly to an altitude ranging from 100 meters to 150 meters. This is well within the 400 feet (121 meters) allowed altitude by the FAA and most regulatory agencies. 

However, considering how light it is and how poor the connection gets when you fly too far from the controller, I’d advise you to keep the drone within 100 meters of altitude.

Does the Holy Stone HS110D have GPS? #

Unfortunately, the Holy Stone HS110D lacks GPS features. GPS helps drones with stability and navigation, making them easier to fly. 

But that doesn’t mean that the HS110D will be unstable. While it lacks GPS, it does have Altitude Hold and Headless Mode, which also help stabilize the drone while in flight. 

Here is how they work.

• Altitude Hold – This feature enables the drone to maintain its altitude when in flight, even when it’s not receiving commands from the controller. This means that you can let go of the joysticks after the drone takes off, and it will hover at that position as you figure out the controls. 
• Headless Mode – Headless Mode means that the drone can fly with any section acting as the front. This makes the drone easier to control since the drone will be oriented based on the pilot’s position. If the drone gets lost, and you’re not sure where it’s facing, this is one of the features that allow you to fly it back “home.”

Other flight features of the HS110D #

Below are more fascinating and helpful features of this toy drone.

• Gravity Control – This feature allows you to control the Holy Stone HS110D using the smartphone app. While you could always use the controller, the app is even easier and lighter.
• Gesture Control – Want to have even more fun? You can control the HS110D’s camera through gestures and voice control. This is the closest you can get to a Follow-Me feature that you’ll find in more advanced drones.
• Trajectory Flight – While it lacks GPS, the HS110D has a Trajectory Flight feature that allows you to draw a route, and the drone will autonomously follow it. This feature is similar to waypoints in more advanced drones, but it’s limited in what it can do.
• 3D Flips – No toy drone would be complete if it didn’t perform a few stunts. And the HS110D doesn’t fall short in that regard, though it only has one stunt feature, the 3D flip. With the click of a button, the drone will perform a 360 degrees flip, allowing you to spice up your flying sessions. You can use the joysticks to control the direction you need the drone to flip in. Make sure the drone’s battery is fully charged before attempting the stunts.
• 5 Speeds – The HS110D comes with up to 5 speeds, ranging from beginner level to racing mode. You can switch the speed by clicking on Speed+ or Speed-.
• Emergency Stop – This is a safety feature that allows the drone to land immediately, and it’s accomplished by pressing the Flips button on the top right and the camera button on the top left at the same time. However, it’s not so safe since it cuts the power and sends the drone crashing down. But you can prevent severe damage by lowering the drone closer to the ground before using this function.

How to calibrate the Holy Stone HS110D #

Unlike most drones where you have to flip the drone to calibrate it, the Holy Stone HS110D has a calibrate button located in the lower right section. This button is labeled “RE-SYNC”. Just click and hold it for 2 seconds, and your drone will be calibrated.

How to connect your Holy Stone HS110D to your phone   #

Below is how you connect your drone to the controller:

1. Switch on the controller using the big power button in the middle section.
2. Switch on the drone. The power button is under the drone next to the camera.
3. To make sure the drone pairs to the controller, push the left joystick (throttle) up once, then down.
4. The LEDs will flash slowly to show pairing is successful.

How to fly the Holy Stone HS110D #

Flying the Holy Stone HS110D is relatively easy thanks to clear labeling on the controller and the easy-to-use app. 

Here is a simple step-by-step process:

1. Switch on the drone.
2. Switch on the controller and calibrate the drone (the processes have been discussed above).
3. Press on the Engine Start function, which is above the Re-SYNC button. Doing this will start the motors, and the propellers will begin rotating.
4. Push the left joystick up gently, and the drone will take off. But don’t push it too fast since the drone may fly away.
5. Once in the air, you can use the right stick to control the roll and pitch and the left stick to control the speed and yaw of the drone.

Fly using the app #

Below is how you set up the Holy Stone app:

1. Go to the App Store and download the HSS2 FPV app on your device.
2. Switch on your drone.
3. Go to your Wi-Fi settings and select the drone’s Wi-Fi network. In most cases, it will be something like HolyStoneFPV_xxxxx.
4. Click on the network to connect to it.
5. Launch the app on your mobile device. If the connection is successful, you should be able to control the drone and view the live footage.

How to charge your Holy Stone HS110D #

To charge the drone, follow these steps:

1. Connect the charger to a power outlet.
2. Make sure the battery is in the drone.
3. Connect the charging cable to the charging port on the drone.
4. The charger has a red LED that indicates the battery is still charging and switches off when the battery is fully charged.
5. Unplug the drone/battery as soon as it is fully charged.
6. The HS110D battery takes up to 2 hours to fully charge.

Conclusion #

Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate-level drone pilot, the Holy Stone HS110D is worth it. The lack of GPS is a bummer, but it also allows you to learn how to fly a drone manually before flying the more automated ones. 

I also hope they introduce a charging hub or any other way to charge batteries when they are not in the drone. But you can always work around this by having at least three fully charged batteries to give you a 30-minute continuous flight time. Or get two drones! The favorable price makes that possible.