The HoverAir X1 is a digicam drone by the Chinese language drone producer, ZeroZero Robotics — and it could possibly be a non-DJI various, notably to the corporate’s lineup of tiny drones, the DJI Mini Line. Very similar to the favored DJI Mini drones (together with the brand new DJI Mini 4 Professional), the HoverAir X1 drone is meant for newcomers, individuals on a finances, and people seeking to up their selfie sport — and it’s extremely moveable.
And since Skydio ended manufacturing on all shopper drones earlier this yr, it’s uncommon to listen to a couple of non-DJI drone within the shopper discipline.
So how does it stack up in opposition to its DJI rivals? I put this DJI competitor digicam drone to the take a look at on this HoverAir X1 assessment:
The drone markets at $439, however is at present on sale for $399 by itself web site. Whereas that’s a fairly low value level in comparison with different digicam drones, it’s nonetheless not cheaper than Drone Lady’s top-rated drone beneath $400 — however we’ll dig into that later. Unsurprisingly, the low value additionally implies that most of the key HoverAir X1 digicam specs (e.g. flight time, flight distance, storage) are fairly unimpressive.
Nonetheless, don’t write off the HoverAir X1 fully, as it may do some issues that the majority drones can’t: fly indoors, fly close to individuals, file sound, and fly completely hands-free (no app, no controller wanted).
This drone is much less of a drone and extra of a self-flying digicam (which is even on how the corporate markets it). If you’re a vlogger, who’s on the lookout for one thing sensible, on the go, and never too involved with excessive picture high quality, then this is likely to be for you.
Right here is my full HoverAir X1 assessment — exhibiting off a small folding drone that may take video and snapshots hands-free.
HoverAir X1 assessment: this digicam drone in a nutshell
The HoverAir X1 drone is designed with portability in thoughts, folding all the way down to a compact 128g (4.5-oz) package deal, making it simply transportable. The burden of the drone is a big promoting level. Any drone beneath 250 grams is an enormous deal as a result of many kinds of federal drone laws don’t apply to drones that dimension.
The HoverAir X1 launches in 3 seconds from the palm of your hand and lands in your hand as effectively. The protecting cage over the propellers makes for protected take-off and touchdown.
The HoverAir X1 doesn’t include a controller, quite it flies with a number of pre-programmed flight paths, together with Hover, Comply with, Zoom Out, Orbit, and Chicken’s Eye.
- Hover: frames the consumer from a static place, for hands-free selfies or group images
- Comply with: follows you from the entrance or again as much as 20 km/h
- Zoom Out: steadily embrace extra of the environment for dramatic impact
- Orbit: orbits steadily across the consumer
- Chicken’s Eye: captures overhead views
The pre-programmed flights may be decided through the use of the app and even with out an app and straight from the system. Every of the modes has the power to customise (time, top, sound on/off, and many others.), however you will have to take action by the app.
There may be additionally a guide management mode, the place you may fly the HoverAir X1 by a controller on the app.
The system achieves a peak video decision of two.7k/30fps and employs a mixture of mechanical gimbal and digital picture stabilization to take care of regular and balanced footage. Moreover, it has the potential to seize each movies and images and is supplied with 32GB of inner reminiscence.
One cost of the drone’s quick-swappable 1,050-mAh lithium battery is nice for roughly 11 minutes of flight time–relying on utilization. The system comes with two batteries and a charging station that matches each batteries.
The Hover X1 additionally incorporates a stage 4 wind resistance a most top of 15m and a most distance from the consumer of 30m. It doesn’t use GPS, so it doesn’t require calibration every time you fly.
Recording sound with the HoverAir X1 drone
The HoverAir X1 drone has a singular characteristic in that it data sound — and don’t fear, it received’t simply file sound from the drone and decide up the annoying whir of propellers.
Delightfully, the accompanying HoverAir X1 drone app data sound through your cellphone’s mic after which syncs it as much as the drone’s video as soon as the footage has been downloaded. In an effort to maintain that audio from solely recording the HoverAir X1’s whining motors, the app applies a digital noise filter to its recordings. I discovered that in consequence, you received’t hear ambient sounds, simply human voices are detected. The sound high quality is robust (the very same as it might sound recording a video from your personal cellphone), nevertheless, the sound and video don’t at all times match up completely.
Right here you may take a look at the HoverAir X1 in orbit mode whereas recording sound.
Flying the HoverAir x1
I used to be impressed by the organized and small package deal, the extra further battery, and the charging hub that matches each batteries without delay. The drone is extremely light-weight (about the identical as a bar of cleaning soap) and the propellers are in a easy cage that folds simply into one another. It additionally comes with a bit easy bag to simply tote it, clearly a drone for on-the-go. If you happen to don’t wish to use the HoverAir-designed bag, the drone might simply slot in most baggage or bigger pockets. The truth is, I carried mine in my fanny pack which was fairly handy.
This drone was undoubtedly designed so that you shouldn’t have to know how one can fly a drone, however with that in thoughts, I want there have been a bit bit extra instructions on the entrance hand to assist with the training curve. Being a ‘newbie’ drone for most individuals, I used to be stunned by the dearth of instructions.
A easy QR code on the packaging leads you to obtain the Hover app. The app is user-friendly, and connecting the drone to the app was so simple as connecting any system by Bluetooth.
Then, I used to be able to get flying! …Or so I assumed.
On my very first flight, my HoverAir X1 flew about 2 inches off my hand after which went proper again down. My app gave me a message that learn: “Propeller Irregular. Please substitute the propeller.”
Substitute the propeller? There was no spare propeller offered. I attempted it a couple of extra instances and was left with the identical message.
Finally, I observed the again proper propeller was the one not transferring. From there, I wiggled it round a bit and tried yet another time and the drone took off.
It ended up being a small difficulty, however assist on the app and even on the web on how one can troubleshoot the error message was minimal.
As soon as I received flying, it flew fairly effectively. I wasn’t certain how lengthy it might fly for or when to place my hand out, which was a bit nerve-racking. Nonetheless, I put my hand out fairly shortly and the drone at all times discovered its manner safely onto my hand.
Whereas flying the HoverAir X1, I discovered it to be very steady with little to no drifting or shaking. And (nearly) at all times adopted the modes I chosen.
The drone comes with sensors on the underside to assist it keep away from obstacles. Whereas flying, the drone did a powerful job of avoiding obstacles beneath it. Nonetheless, one time, whereas in follow-me mode the HoverAir X1 should have misplaced me as the topic because it crashed proper right into a tree department.
There was no lasting injury after the crash (besides some inexperienced markings left on my white drone) and the drone alerted loudly “collision detected” because it landed into the tree.
The crash solely occurred as soon as, however it’s a good warning: be sure to keep within the view of the HoverAir X1 always, the expertise isn’t superior sufficient to keep away from obstacles or discover you after being misplaced.
And, it was one other reminder of among the limitations of the HoverAir x1. This self-flying digicam can solely shoot and observe one chosen particular person. Meaning no sweeping aerial pictures most drones are recognized for.
All in all, the standard of the video and images was normal and undoubtedly sturdy sufficient picture high quality for smaller prints or photographs to submit on social media.
Transferring the movies and images by the app was easy sufficient; you simply should be on the identical Wi-Fi. The HoverAir X1 has 32GB of inner storage, although there is no such thing as a manner so as to add an extra SD reminiscence card.
HoverAir 1x vs. DJI Mini 2SE
By way of value, the HoverAir X1’s closest DJI drone competitor is the DJI Mini 2SE (which is Drone Lady’s decide for greatest drone beneath $400). The DJI Mini 2SE is at present priced at $339 and the HoverAir x1 digicam drone is $399, making the Mini 2SE 15% cheaper than the HoverAir X1
Beneath is a side-by-side comparability of the specs of the 2 drones:
| HoverAir X1 | DJI Mini 2SE | |
| Worth | $399 | $339 |
| Takeoff Weight | 128 grams | 249 grams |
| Dimensions (folded)(L×W×H) | 127x86x31 mm | 138×81×58 mm |
| Max Flight Time | 11 minutes | 31 minutes |
| Max Wind Pace | 7.9 m/s (Degree 4) | 10.7 m/s (Degree 5) |
| Max Flight Distance | 30 m | 15,700 m |
| Picture Sensor | Efficient Pixels: 12 MP | 1/2.3-inch CMOS, Efficient Pixels: 12 MP |
| Video | 2.7K/30fps | 2.7K/30fps |
The HoverAir X1’s most spectacular options stay its dimension and weight. In nearly each different manner, the DJI Min 2 SE wins.
The DJI Mini 2 SE has greater than double the flight time. It could actually face up to stronger winds, it may fly farther and better. Plus, that $339 value for the DJI Mini 2SE that value features a controller.
The DJI Mini 2 SE doesn’t have inner storage in-built however can maintain as much as 256 GB with a purchase order of a microSD card. The HoverAir x1 doesn’t have the capability for a microSD card however holds 32 GB internally.
If you’re on the lookout for a extra highly effective drone, undoubtedly buy the DJI Mini 2 SE. It’s by far the superior drone by way of flight time, wind resistance, and flying energy — to not point out it’s cheaper.
However maybe dimension and weight are most necessary. Possibly you need one thing you may throw in your bag after which simply take off and land.
The HoverAir X1 is much less of a trusty flying digicam and extra of an excessive improve to the selfie stick. For what it’s price, the digicam high quality on the HoverAirX1 vs. DJI Mini 2 SE is definitely fairly comparable. So whereas the flying expertise on the 2 drones is kind of totally different, finally the tip product would possibly prove the identical.
The HoverAir x1 is at present solely obtainable by the corporate’s personal web site. You’ll be able to buy it right here.
Have you ever flown this drone earlier than? If that’s the case, depart your personal HoverAir X1 assessment within the feedback beneath!