Hubsan Zino Drone - My Experience

The Hubsan Zino is a very sharp looking drone that has the potential to be a low cost alternative to more expensive camera drones. But how does it stand up to the competition? With GPS, brushless motors, and a 3-axis gimbal, the Hubsan Zino should be solid, right? Well, before you go out and buy one, I recommend that you watch this video first. I had multiple problems with the Hubsan Zino that are clearly shown in this video - especially with wind! The Hubsan Zino has its strong points, but the negatives seem to outweigh them. Watch this video to benefit from my experience with the Hubsan Zino.

Here is the software versions I was using. This video was shot in late December 2018 and early January 2019. Hopefully updated firmware and app will help!

Flight Control Firmware Version: Zino_FC_V1.0.36

Gimbal Version: Zino_G_V3.0.1.7

Transmitter Firmware Version: HT016B_RP_V0.1.1

APP Version: 3.7.0

[IdahoQuadcopter]

Hi Kelly, I have had somewhat better luck with my Zino, and have posted several videos, and was even brave enough to zip tie my Osomo pocket to my Zino. As you stated it has no down facing optical flow nor sonic sensors to help it find the ground. I've found that it dives in left turns, and rises in right turns. I also concur that the Zino does not do well in the wind. I would suggest that you upgrade to the latest firmware, and follow Hubsan's protocol very precisely when doing so. It is critical, that after upgrading the FC firmware, that you also load the FPV firmware. Also once you complete loading the FPV firmware delete the firmware files from your micro SD card. In fact, I would format the card to FAT32 after loading the firmware. You may have done this, but I did not see you connect the controller to the drone via the Hubsan app. You may have done that step off camera. I'm not talking about the GPS binding, but the WiFi from the controller to the drone. Another mistake that I made originally, and many others have is that you never want to connect your mobile device via WiFi to the drone. The WiFi for the Zino is from the controller only, not the mobile device. In fact some recommend that you turn off WiFi on your mobile while flying the Zino. I hope this helps you and anyone else that flies the Zino. Great content!

[kforkent]

behaving like an uncallibrated drone, when you review make sure you know the product and the manufacturers guidelines, even if you quote them in the review. I don't think this review has any cred.

[HUBSANOFFICIAL]

Hi, Kelly, sorry for the issues, please try to upgrade the firmware of the drone to the latest version .I will send you by email all the relevant firmware files and also the upgrading tutorial in details .We do looking forward to get your soonest feedback if possible .Thanks

[santiagoloungebartarrafal]

Do you forgot to do a compass calibration?! 🙈

[keithwelch]

I bought a Zino for my wife (seriously, she's building a travel blogging business), and we've only flown it a couple times. I am as green a novice as could possibly be, but I had no issues that were attributable to the aircraft. Both times we flew, the wind was at a fair clip. Though it did have an effect, the little drone held its own very well and held position much better than I thought it would. The author of this video didn't mention whether or not he calibrated the compass. I don't know how much that matters, but perhaps it would have helped. He appeared to just pull it out of the box and try to take off. He seemed to expect not to have to calibrate anything. Digging into the system, I found a horizontal calibration, compass cal, and of course GPS cal. There is also a controller joystick calibration. The drone does dip down when flown forward, but I've seen this in many videos, so I knew to expect it.
GPS accuracy on return to home seems to be around a meter or two. The video quality is excellent. All in all, it is exactly what I hoped - an affordable craft with high-end video. It seems to have a lot of features for the money.

[PhBikeLife]

I did not even see you do any calibration with the zino. Lol 😅

[joeshmo]

My Zino continued to roll right for about a second after I let go of the stick and crashed into my fence. Then on my second test at a field it made a low battery emergency landing after 8 minutes of flight and 42% battery left. I went back to flying my h501s advanced which I am thrilled with and haven't flown the Zino since then. In fairness 13:04 you didn't have the arms locked when you hit the tripod.

[johnjh]

Open the product: The drone is packed very well and does require some small assembly (USB plugged into the smartphone).
The drone itself feels that it is made of sturdy plastic, light weight, but not light enough to be easily lowered.
The remote feel feels like it's made of the same material, and the feel is ergonomic. The phone holder is great.
It grabbed my Galaxy Note 8, which had a full outer casing and felt very safe.
Its battery is very easy to install and charge.
My only major setback was the fact that there was only one battery, the drone itself had no on/off switch, launch/landing pad, and (full read instruction) 2 hours of charging time.

First flight: After completing the configuration and downloading the HUBSAN application, I can only say that this is the easiest flying drone, especially for beginners! The control is smooth (the drone keeps a fixed height of 8~15m after the end of the command), the drone is very agile, but not too fast, and feels out of control. The camera has amazing video and camera quality. Let's say that DJI is good, but the price is great. The HUBSAN application is very easy to use. It has different view modes, return to the home page, follow my mode, camera/video control, takeoff and landing, and rotation. It also provides Google Maps for controller and drone locations. It lets you know the distance and altitude of the flight and the number of satellites you are currently connected to in GPS mode. You connect to the drone via the WiFi signal of the drone and the app, letting you know the status of your connection. When you are far away from the phone/controller, the camera becomes a bit sluggish, but it's not terrible. This app is great for this special drone. The drone is handled very well in the wind, this is where I live because there is always wind in the Texas strip. Adjust the angle of the gimbal in flight and shoot different worlds of perspective.

Latest flight (video/picture attached): The video is very long, I fly after sunset, watch the video quality in low light, and try some night flights. I used this flight to push my skill limit. I made a full bank turn, Figure 8s, a quick direct change, full speed forward and back, and a final height. Before my battery power was 15%, the drone started to return automatically. I was 100% comfortable with this drone and wanted to have it.

[BIGDRONEFLYERRC]

Ron T. Brown was having color issues with his. He 8s finally getting it tuned in better. For me I think it still needs more work. Thanks for you view on this one Kelly. Cheers and have a great weekend when you get there.

[bungo]

Hi Kelly. Do you have a video or do you have any ideas why when I turn on the controller I can only get 1 blue light to come on. Then when I connect my phone the blue light goes out and a USB has been disconnected warning sounds. Quad has a solid red light. Thanks on advance for any ideas.
Steve

[illanatiilly]

Hell with the camer witch is a better flyer this or bugs 2

[journeyman]

New classification: Good Drone w/insurance. Seriously should be recalled for the ability to take off without legs locked. If it can't be done with an upgrade. Drones are already under a microscope without manufacturer errors that can harm the public.

[marklourenzcastor]

can it fly with my phone
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot?

[epsonexxon]

Hi. Did you update to the latest firmwares? But it should not flying like that with a lots of issues even out of the box...

[TedEvanz]

hubsan zino can be charge via usb hub onboard?

[giantbeachproductions]

This might have already been commented but I didn't see you calibrate the compass. You were prompted in the beginning that it needed to be calibrated but you did not do it. So that might be part of your stability problem.

[kennywheelus]

I've heard a lot of people having troubles with it doing this when you yaw to the left that it drops altitude, not sure why

[droneamerica]

Kelly great review. Hubsan really cheaped out with this one. It’s a shame it could have been great with just a little more up to date tech. They pretty much threw a gimbal on a h501ss and made it fold. Just my opinion. I actually like the 501ss better. Notice how the price dropped to 299.00$ already. I think they know they screwed up. Oh well. I hope the do a better job on the next. If there is one. Anyway very good review thanks man.

[tonywalker]

I think it needs ground sensors and a ground camera @ready set drone

[garyd]

A woman went to a pet store to buy a parrot. She found one for 20 dollars. She asked why so cheap. The clerk told her that it came from a whore house. She figured that was ok so she bought it. When she got home the bird looked around and said "new house. New madame" the woman was a little surprised but let it drop. Her teen daughters came in and the parrot said " new house. New madame. New girls" well they let this go too. Finally the ladys husband came in and the parrot said "hi Bob"