Just got my first drone. Holy Stone HS-360S aka SPYDI. Can’t wait to get it in the air. But before I do that I’d like to get some tips and input from other drone users.
As a former cyber security person I have a healthy distrust of cell phones and even less trust in Chinese apps. As such I will be buying a pay-as-you-go-phone. prolly a Tracfone to compartmentalize the Chinese software.
Are the phones features important to the operation of the drone or is it just a display. I cant find any minimum requirements for drone-phone function/performance in the operator manual. Can anyone give input on this. I’m currently looking at a $99 Motorola G Play.
The The Holy Stone HS360S is a GPS drone that weighs less than 250 grams, so it doesn’t require FAA or Remote ID registration in the United States. That’s a GOOD thing for you! I purchased A DVI Mavic and returned
it took me over 2 hours just to be able to get permission from the FAA to let me fly it in my own backyard! and it also gave me a 200 foot ceiling.
My proximity to PHL Airport and a County jail basically made most of my city a restricted airspace so without that clearance code from the govt. which expired after an hour of so, the stupid drone refused to take off!
I think I’ll get the same one you have if you tell me it’s good! Let me know!
Yes. I had to get special permission each time I flew it, which was once since I’m not about to spend 2 hours on a PC every time I wanted to play with it!
Licensed Part 107 Drone Pilot here… If you’re going to take it seriously, I recommend going that route. Not that expensive and learn a lot.
That said, as far as that goes, I run DJI drones and started using models that don’t require a phone for connectivity. For your Holy Stone is there an option to use a small Android Tablet?
My tablet is so old it has been repurposed for shtf document storage. I don’t mind buying a burner for this as i need a secondary phone anyway.
I’m just curious to know what the “system requirements” are for the phone to be able to run the app and not lag or glitch or run out of memory. there is surprisingly little to be found.
Even if i was to use my current phone it is 5 years old and maybe not up to snuff. Id rather just throw $100 at a burner and be done with it.
it may be a few days as the wind is crazy here and will be for a spell. As soon as i get it going i’ll let ya know but in the meantime check out the YT vids. they have a few good ones that demonstrate basic and advanced operation to get a feel for its more advanced capabilities .
It seems really easy to operate but i have a habit of thinking things are as easy as they look. especially when someone makes it look easy. I learned my lesson early with “squirmles” and magic trick kits. I think it will be easy though. seems like the UI is very intuitive.
Yo Scorp, LMK if you want to get together for a flight session. I’ve got also got an FPV drone with video goggles that you’re welcome to fly. Also have a pretty cool deserted/abandoned office complex location nearby that I fly at occasionally.
Don’t know much about the Holystone drones, but for DJI drones there are firmware hacks available that remove the software/app-imposed restrictions.