Parrot Hydrofoil mini drone Review smart health innovation

May 20, 2020

He's there ! The big news about Parrot mini drones is him. After the flying machines, the car goes to the boat! Parrot thus presents its hydrofoil, a drone intended for water to remind you of your memories of kids. We received it at the editorial office and dissected in all directions and we tell you everything!

55% discount at Parrot !?

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aK2eS2ciPE (/ embed) 

Mark : Parrot

Category : remote controlled drone / boat

Price : 169.99 euros

Buy Parrot Hydrofoil minidrone:

Availability : available

Tested with a Nexus 5

Unboxing of the Hydrofoil drone

It’s a very big box waiting for you in which you will fall directly on the hull of the boat, not assembled. Below, the drone and all the accessories to install your machine. The box, like all other Parrot packaging, is super nice. Complete, there are also the screws and the screwdriver to mount the boat. So no need to go and get the necessary items from your garage. This is a good thing.

Parrot Hydrofoil Design & Finish

We are not going to dwell on the design of the drone itself since this is the same as for a Rolling Spider. The qualities and defects are the same to know a nice appearance, but quite fragile. The only change from its predecessor is the slightly closer front end of the new Airborne drones.

As for the boat part, everything is made of fairly weak polystyrene, it must be admitted. We would have preferred a lacquered plastic shell. The fact remains that polystyrene has the advantage of absorbing shocks, but don't be fooled, a few short strokes should be enough to mark the boat. For the rest, the design of the boat is pretty good even if we have a preference for the dark model. What is more, in white it is very messy. In view of the materials used for the boat, it is still difficult to understand such a price.

Application

FreeFlight 3 is still there and remains as effective for piloting the aircraft as it is in boat or flight mode. It is always possible to set the speed, the rotational force or the maximum authorized height. In short, not complicated for a penny, but again, we regret its painful lack of stability which tends to slow down or even squarely crash the cell phone. Be careful, remember to update the application if you already have it so that the boat is recognized.

Use / Getting started

Installation of the smart health connected hydrofoil

As we said, the boat is not assembled, you will have to do it yourself. Nothing too bad, but still count twenty good minutes so that everything is ready. Some holes are not quite opposite the location of the screws, to within a few millimeters. A small manufacturing defect a bit annoying. The instructions will tell you step by step how to install your Hydrofoil in a state of the art. A bit tedious step anyway. Obviously, you can dismantle the boat to put it in the box, but it is not really practical. We therefore advise you to buy a bag for easy transport. Parrot could have foreseen the coup.

Be careful, do not rush directly to the nearest water point, as you will not be able to use the drone, an update is necessary. Admittedly, it is not complicated to do, everything is indicated on the Parrot website, but still, it could have been done already. An interesting point is that the application will ask you to update the Rolling Spider and not an Airborne. It is therefore likely that Parrot simply supplied an old model of drone with a small facelift on the front …

Boat … on the water …

We waited impatiently to try it on the water without being convinced that the fun would really be there. We can say, we were wrong, it’s really enjoyable. The drone proves to be incredibly responsive on water with a fairly high speed. Same for the turns, we can take them wide or tight. You will still need a large clear water area to be able to take full advantage of the Hydrofoil's capabilities and not risk trapping or damaging it. A small branch in one of the propellers and it’s the drama (yes, it smacks of experience). Be careful all the same with the battery, which once empty could cause you some troubles if it fell flat in the middle of the lake. Fortunately, notifications notify you when you fall below the critical threshold.

Still missing a camera to really stand out from a classic remote control boat. This functionality would multiply the possibilities of fun. Maybe in a future version.

Finally, the product is quite resistant to water. We do not advise you to immerse it of course, but some splashes should not be a problem and it is a good thing for a drone that goes on water …

But also in the air

One of the strengths of the product is that it is possible to fly the drone on its own. Be careful not to damage it, no hull unlike its Airborne counterparts. We still suspect the manufacturer of not having added the best stabilization to the product. At least, we didn’t notice any glaring difference from the previous model, unlike when we tested the Airborne. What's more, the app asks us to update the Rolling Spider, not the Airborne. In short, despite that, it's still a good device. The Rolling Spiders have proven themselves for a long time, but we would have liked something new!

Autonomy

Count 9 min of autonomy without the Hydrofoil part, 7 with. It is always frankly limited especially when we talk about a device at 169 euros. At that price, the brand could have included a second battery. Speaking of battery, it will take a good half hour on the mains (of course the plug is not supplied) and 1h30 on a USB port.

Conclusion

The advantages of Hydrofoil

> Nice design> Being able to sail on water> Very responsive> Super fun> Two drones in one

The disadvantages of Hydrofoil

> Autonomy> Remains quite fragile> Messy white version> The price> A polystyrene shell

The Parrot hydrofoil drone is a pleasant surprise, frankly fun. It has the advantage of ultimately giving two drones in one. Still, the price of 169.99 euros seems exaggerated, especially when we see the material used for the marine part. After that, Parrot is the only one to offer such a device, so we can understand that he is happy about the prices. We advise you, provided you are not too careful on the invoice.

Use / handling

Overview

Design & Ergonomics : So yes, it is rather nice, but the materials used for the hull of the boat do not break 3 legs of a duck.Application : A good application, but too bad it crashes and causes the phone to row so regularly. It is painful.Features : Fly, or sail at your choice. A strength ! Too bad the autonomy is so short …use: We have fun, especially on water. We've been waiting a long time for Parrot to make a boat and it works really well. Small flat for the installation however.Value for money: Even if we loved the concept and the possible uses, 169 euros for a simple polystyrene boat hull supplement is too much. Not even an extra battery or carrying case is provided to make up for it. Parrot takes advantage of its monopoly.

3.65

 3.65 out of 5 

In the average

Parrot Hydrofoil mini drone Review 

Reviewed by Thomas Remilleret  

we 2015-07-31

   Design & Ergonomics : So yes, it is rather nice, but the materials used for the hull of the boat do not break 3 legs of a duck.Application : A good application, but too bad it crashes and causes the phone to row so regularly. It is painful.Features : Fly, or sail at your choice. A strength ! Too bad the autonomy is so short …use: We have fun, especially on water. We've been waiting a long time for Parrot to make a boat and it's been working really well. Small flat for the installation however.Value for money: Even if we loved the concept and the possible uses, 169 euros for a simple polystyrene boat hull supplement is too much. Not even an extra battery or carrying case is provided to make up for it. Parrot takes advantage of its monopoly.

Rating: 3.65