Spin Master’s launch of the Air Hogs DR1 FPV Racing drone has brought FPV (First-Person View) technology to the mass market with an affordable device that allows you to control the drone with a front row cockpit seat. It seems that drones have gone from being an expensive hobbyist gadget to a must-have Christmas toy in just a few years. Whilst drones marketed at kids are smaller with fewer features, the gap between the higher end models and the budget versions seems to be narrowing. Many now come equipped with cameras and have a companion smartphone or tablet app to control them. Many of the flight manoeuvres and controls can also be found in the budget models too.
Air Hogs DR1 FPV Racing Drone
Event at KidZania, London
With Jason Bradbury
After attending a launch event for the drone in KidZania, London, we were sent an Air Hogs DR1 FPV Racing Drone to review.
Air Hogs DR1 FPV Racing Drone Box
Even though the drone is small, the box is quite big because you also get the FPV headset, to give you a much more immersive experience.
CONTENTS
- 1x Lightweight drone
- 1x Controller
- 1x FPV headset
- 1x Short USB charger
- 4x Spare propellers
- 2x Spare control sticks
- 1x Rotor removal tool
- 1x Instructions
Nick getting his hands on one of the drones on display
Suitable for those aged 10 and over, this drone is great for older children as well as ‘big’ kids like my husband Nick, who perhaps want to practise on a smaller drone before investing in a large much more expensive high-end drone. It even has two settings, an easy control mode and an advanced control mode. The easy mode makes it great for those who have never flown a drone to quickly get up and running.
MAIN FEATURES
Drones on display at the event
Unlike larger versions, these smaller drones are also perfect for indoor use, so great for any weather. You can put together your own little race course to fly around the house to perhaps compete with other family members or friends. With FPV technology you can still control the drone when it is out of sight as the view from the cockpit is beamed directly to the app on your phone. You can also place your phone inside the included FPV headset to give you a fully immersive experience.
The drone is controlled by an included remote control which requires 2 AAA batteries (not included). It isn’t heavy and feels comfortable in your hands, making it easy to use. As well as the normal flight operations the controller is used for taking photos and recording video from the onboard camera.
At the launch event, we watched the DR1 being used in a real exhibition drone race. We also got the chance to test it out, flying the drone around the building in KidZania. You can see a video from the event, including footage we filmed in the drone.
The drone gives about 10 minutes of flight time before it needs to be recharged. This is typical for smaller drones like this but the good thing is that you can recharge it fully within about 30 minutes with the USB charging lead included in the box. Note that you will need to either charge it via a computer or laptop USB port or via a USB mains adaptor (not included). A green light flashes on the drone when the battery starts to get low indicating that it needs charging.
OUR THOUGHTS
We have really enjoyed playing with this drone. The FPV functionality is great and really adds a great new dimension to controlling and using the drone. The drone is easy to control, and although our girls are too young to fly the drone they have enjoyed watching me and Daddy playing with it. It would be great if you could fly the drone longer before it needed recharging but understand that this is typical for small drones.
The Air Hogs DR1 FPV Racing Drone has an RRP of £99.00 and it is perfect for kids 10 years old and over. You can buy this drone at all good toy retailers such as Argos and Amazon.
What do you think about the Air Hogs DR1 FPV Racing Drone? Do you or your kids have a drone at home? If not, have you considered buying one?
*Disclosure: We were sent the drone for the purpose of this review. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have also given another box which I will use to run the Giveaway. Contains affiliate links.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
I think the Air Hogs DR1 drone looks loads of fun! We don’t have a drone at home, but I have considered buying one
This drone looks great, we don’t have one at the minute but I have considered getting one, my relative makes great short films from his holidays with fantastic scenery shots
My brother once bought one and on his maiden flight it fell in to a dog owner neighbour’s garden.
I have 3 boys and each of them got drones for Christmas. They have been a lot of fun but a lot harder to control than we thought so 2 have already been broken (hence the reason for entering) but they love them. Fingers crossed
My son wanted a drone for Christmas although I did worry about their robustness. If I paid good money for something I’d rather it didn’t break quickly. There’s been a few air hogs products that have caught his eye actually so it might be something we could get in the future. I think drones are great gadgets to play with or get amazing photos with but I do think they pose a risk if common sense isn’t used.
We don’t have one and have never considered a Drone until I read your review, I thought they were for surveys and photos never thought they would be so much fun.
They look fab, we haven’t tried a drone yet, my son is 13 and has had a few r/c helicopters but they never last so I’ve been dubious about a drone, I’m worried incase they have a mind of there own like the helicopters and just fly and crash where they please lol xxx
My kids had a drone didn’t last long it got broke they would love this
We don’t have a drone.
However it is top of my husband’s wishlist.
I think they are a fun gadget & am sure my hubby & daughter would enjoy using it.
we dont have one but i have considered for the lads! i bet hubby would love it too!
Never had one but would love one
This Drone looks much better than the one we got our son for Christmas, we had it out for 5 minutes and my husband got it stuck in a tree, by the time we got it down the bumpers were all snapped and 3 of the blades damaged, cost £100 too, so gutted (and fuming at the same time) for him, needless to say my husband owes him a new present
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that! Fingers crossed for you! Good luck! 🙂
My oldest son would love a drone, but we have never bought one. They are so expensive!
Nice prize. Love to win for my son birthday
don’t have a drone, but my grandson keeps asking me for one
We don’t have a drone, but the other half has been pestering me for months and months. Money is tight so he’s gonna have to carry on bending my ear………CONSTANTLY!!!
My son has been asking for a drone but unfortunately too late to get him one for Christmas. They do look good fun
I am going to be completely honest and say, having a drone would be LITERALLY my little girl’s (9) dream. Since she’s heard my husband and I talking about them last year, how cool and fun they look, she can’t stop thinking or talking about it. She’s even put it on her Christmas list but, sadly, Santa’s elves were too busy making other toys for the kids all over the world and they didn’t have time to make her one, bless :). It’s Helena’s birthday at the of March and I’d LOVE her to get this AMAZING drone as her birthday/Christmas dream.
I would definitely consider getting one for my little boy. They look like great fun!
lovely giveaway
We don’t have a drone yet, but it looks amazing fun!
We don’t have a drone at the moment, but my husband and eldest daughter would absolutely love one!
Great prize, my hubby has a drone, but my boys have been asking for one!
I’ve always wanted to get one for my son’s. They are just so expensive. My lads would love this
i think the drone would probably end as my toy! rather than the kids
Lol I know what you mean!