The HoverAir X1 is a digicam drone by the Chinese language drone producer, ZeroZero Robotics — and it could possibly be a non-DJI different, significantly 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 freshmen, individuals on a funds, and people trying to up their selfie recreation — and it’s extremely transportable.
And since Skydio ended manufacturing on all client drones earlier this yr, it’s uncommon to listen to a couple of non-DJI drone within the client discipline.
So how does it stack up in opposition to its DJI rivals? I put this DJI competitor digicam drone to the check on this HoverAir X1 evaluation:
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 below $400 — however we’ll dig into that later. Unsurprisingly, the low value additionally implies that lots 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 utterly, as it could do some issues that almost all 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 perhaps for you.
Right here is my full HoverAir X1 evaluation — exhibiting off a small folding drone that may take video and snapshots hands-free.
HoverAir X1 evaluation: this digicam drone in a nutshell
The HoverAir X1 drone is designed with portability in thoughts, folding right down to a compact 128g (4.5-oz) bundle, making it simply transportable. The load of the drone is a big promoting level. Any drone below 250 grams is an enormous deal as a result of many sorts 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, slightly it flies with a choice of pre-programmed flight paths, together with Hover, Observe, Zoom Out, Orbit, and Chicken’s Eye.
- Hover: frames the consumer from a static place, for hands-free selfies or group photographs
- Observe: follows you from the entrance or again as much as 20 km/h
- Zoom Out: step by step embody 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 by utilizing the app and even with out an app and straight from the machine. Every of the modes has the flexibility to customise (time, top, sound on/off, and so on.), however you’ll need to take action by way of the app.
There’s additionally a handbook management mode, the place you possibly can fly the HoverAir X1 by way of a controller on the app.
The machine achieves a peak video decision of two.7k/30fps and employs a mix of mechanical gimbal and digital picture stabilization to keep up regular and balanced footage. Moreover, it has the potential to seize each movies and photographs and is supplied with 32GB of inside reminiscence.
One cost of the drone’s quick-swappable 1,050-mAh lithium battery is sweet for roughly 11 minutes of flight time–relying on utilization. The machine comes with two batteries and a charging station that matches each batteries.
The Hover X1 additionally encompasses a degree 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 novel characteristic in that it information 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 information sound by way of your telephone’s mic after which syncs it as much as the drone’s video as soon as the footage has been downloaded. With the intention to preserve that audio from solely recording the HoverAir X1’s whining motors, the app applies a digital noise filter to its recordings. I discovered that consequently, you received’t hear ambient sounds, simply human voices are detected. The sound high quality is robust (the very same as it could sound recording a video from your personal telephone), nonetheless, the sound and video don’t all the time match up completely.
Right here you possibly can try the HoverAir X1 in orbit mode whereas recording sound.
Flying the HoverAir x1
I used to be impressed by the organized and small bundle, 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 little bit easy bag to simply tote it, clearly a drone for on-the-go. If you happen to don’t need to use the HoverAir-designed bag, the drone may simply slot in most luggage or bigger pockets. Actually, I carried mine in my fanny pack which was fairly handy.
This drone was positively designed so that you don’t have to know the best way to fly a drone, however with that in thoughts, I want there have been a little 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 shocked by the shortage 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 machine by way of 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 exchange the propeller.”
Exchange the propeller? There was no spare propeller offered. I attempted it a couple of extra occasions and was left with the identical message.
Ultimately, I seen the again proper propeller was the one not transferring. From there, I wiggled it round a little bit and tried another time and the drone took off.
It ended up being a small challenge, however assist on the app and even on the web on the best way to troubleshoot the error message was minimal.
As soon as I bought flying, it flew fairly effectively. I wasn’t certain how lengthy it could fly for or when to place my hand out, which was a little bit nerve-racking. Nonetheless, I put my hand out fairly shortly and the drone all the time discovered its means safely onto my hand.
Whereas flying the HoverAir X1, I discovered it to be very secure with little to no drifting or shaking. And (virtually) all the time 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 robust 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 you keep within the view of the HoverAir X1 always, the know-how isn’t superior sufficient to keep away from obstacles or discover you after being misplaced.
And, it was one other reminder of a number of the limitations of the HoverAir x1. This self-flying digicam can solely shoot and observe one chosen particular person. Meaning no sweeping aerial photographs most drones are identified for.
All in all, the standard of the video and photographs was customary and positively sturdy sufficient picture high quality for smaller prints or photographs to publish on social media.
Transferring the movies and photographs by way of the app was easy sufficient; you simply have to be on the identical Wi-Fi. The HoverAir X1 has 32GB of inside storage, although there isn’t any means so as to add a further SD reminiscence card.
HoverAir 1x vs. DJI Mini 2SE
When it comes to value, the HoverAir X1’s closest DJI drone competitor is the DJI Mini 2SE (which is Drone Lady’s decide for greatest drone below $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
Under is a side-by-side comparability of the specs of the 2 drones:
| HoverAir X1 | DJI Mini 2SE | |
| Value | $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 (Stage 4) | 10.7 m/s (Stage 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 virtually each different means, the DJI Min 2 SE wins.
The DJI Mini 2 SE has greater than double the flight time. It might probably stand up to stronger winds, it could 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 inside storage inbuilt 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, positively 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 vital. Perhaps you need one thing you possibly can 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 may end up the identical.
The HoverAir x1 is at present solely accessible by way of 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, go away your personal HoverAir X1 evaluation within the feedback beneath!
