I ran out of time last night, but took the HoverAir X1 Pro out this morning and put it through some initial testing. Preview opinion: this thing is far more capable than the original X1 it replaces, and fun!
When first getting a HoverAir camera drone, you are required to make a number (I think it is 10) automated flights (where the X1 determines the flight path) before you can fly manually. Since it is the same app, it already knows I have made a bunch of flights, so no automated flights were required this time. That said, I still did a few of the automated flights just to get a feel for this new model.
I shot video with my Insta360 Go 3s on a hat clip (hands free), as well as the video from the X1 Pro. A bunch of video. I will go through that today and consider making an intro video. In the meantime, here's a photo of the X1 Pro landing in my hand...
Taken with the Go 3s; and a shot from the X1 Pro while I was manually flying with the beacon and joysticks...
My initial impressions: the flying and imaging are much better with this new model. It will fly further and faster than the original. The beacon and one joystick can be used like "a wand," where you generally point that and that is the direction it will fly. I had read several reviews that said it either didn't work or didn't work well - I found it was easy and intuitive to fly it this way. Add the other joystick and it works like a typical drone controller. This is easy!
I didn't particularly enjoy flying the DJI drone I had because it always felt like I was 2 seconds away from being out of control... I didn't not feel that at all today with this set-up.
The 4k photos and video from this are a definite improvement over the 2.7k of the original. The battery life is longer, and they are "smart" batteries. It was due to the batteries swelling (expanding) that I looked into this new model instead of just getting batteries for the original X1. After a couple hours of using it, I am convinced this was a good way to go.
Plus, in the most often used Follow Mode, this new model is faster (up to 26 mph) and has better obstacle avoidance and tracking than the original. The cage around the propellers is made of a new material that feels more robust, while still be flexible enough that it is less prone to damage when the inevitable collision does happen.
And one of the nice surprises: the combo packages I ordered came with two small(ish) cases that actually hold everything. One case that holds the drone, two extra batteries and charger, the 65w wall wart, and cables. The other smaller case holds the beacon and two joysticks, and cables.
One of the things you run into when recording video with drones is the while of the propellers on the audio. You can hear that on what I recorded with the Go 3s on the hat clip, but using the phone app or beacon with the X1 Pro allows you to record your voice on either of those devices, then uses AI sound reduction to eliminate the propeller whine, and combines that with the video when you download it to your phone through the HoverAir app. This actually works pretty well. Watch for the video soon.
This camera drone will track you in several different automated flight modes: following behind you, flying backwards ahead of you, or flying to your side. The camera does a quick scan of you as you launch it from your extended hand, then tracks that image. It will follow you when walking or riding a bike or motorcycle (up to that 26 mph) - it recognizes the bike shape, as well. The following is even more accurate when you have the beacon on you. It comes with two magnetic mounts that you can connect to a handlebar or clip on your clothing. It will not follow you in a car though - it can see your image when you are inside a vehicle.
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Video shot with the HoverAir X1 Pro and my small Insta360 Go 3s (hands free on a hat clip)...
4 comments:
Wow that thing is pretty awesome Jim. Are you going to do another video when you take it up a couple of hundred feet or so? I purchased a DJI Mavic mini a couple of years ago only to find out I couldn't even hover it in my backyard because I was in a no fly zone a few miles from Disneyland.
Hey Mark - I also had a DJI Mavic Mini. Same situation: every place I wanted to fly it seemed to be a "no fly" zone; plus it took time to get it out, connected to the controller, and getting a GPS signal. This HoverAir doesn't use GPS, so you don't have those "no fly" situations. You still have to know the rules and use good sense. I will make more posts with it as I use it in different circumstances. Seems to me that this X1 Pro is that "Goldilocks" that gives the immediate use of the original X1 with more of the capabilities of the drones with longer range, like the Mavic Mini... and all those follow and other programmed flight modes.
It appears to be well behaved, with some nice functions.
I think my family wishes they could say the same things about me. ;-) But, yes, it is pretty easy to live with. OK, my family wishes they could say that about me, too.
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