Introduction
Camera..Ha ha Rock music Go away. Bleep Bleep … bug. Hi.. As I said, Im Barry from Photographers Freedom.. Now, normally I am doing videos about Nikon DSLR cameras such as the Nikon, D5200 or d3500. Doing tutorials and gear reviews, and all that sortof thing, but today I am reviewing the Hoverair X1 pocket-sized self-flying camera. Straight up, I’m not being paid for this review, but the nice people at Zero. Zero Robotics sent me the drone to try it out, and I have been putting it through its paces, learning all the settings, trying out all the flight modes, and I’m going to take you through all of those today. This thing is going to level up your social media content. From my point of view, it’s really going to help me create a lot more visually entertaining YouTube videos and I’m excited to see what I can do with this thing in the future. Over the next ten minutes or so, I’m going to take you through some of the flight modes, all of the features, show you what it does, and show you how to work it. Now, as good as this thing is, it does have its faults and I’ll go through those later on in the video. Right now let’s take a closer look and see what it can do.
Size and Portability
The first thing you will notice about the Hoverair X1 is its size. This thing takes up less space than my phone.
Flight Modes
The Hoverair X1 comes equipped with a variety of flight modes that enhance its versatility. These flight modes allow for different types of shots and movements to be captured effortlessly.
Features
Despite its small size, the Hoverair X1 packs a punch in terms of features. From its self-flying capabilities to its high-quality camera, this drone is a powerhouse in a compact form.
User Experience
Users will find the Hoverair X1 to be easy to control and navigate, making it ideal for beginners and experienced drone enthusiasts alike. Its intuitive controls and stable flight make capturing stunning aerial footage a breeze.
The Tiny Size
The Hoverair X1 is an incredibly small drone that offers big possibilities. As seen in a comparison with a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra in an Otterbox case, the Hoverair is actually shorter and about twice the thickness of the phone. Weighing just 125 grams, it is lighter than a typical smartphone and can easily fit in your pocket.
Easy Setup
Getting the Hoverair X1 ready to fly is a simple process. All you need to do is unfold the wings and long press the power button for about 2 seconds. Once the green light comes on and you hear a confirmation tone, the drone is ready to go. A polite English voice will indicate the mode it is in, making it user-friendly for beginners.
Safe Flying
The Hoverair X1 is designed with safety in mind. The propellers are enclosed in a plastic cage, ensuring that it is safe to fly around humans and objects. To make the drone take flight, a short press of the power button is all that is needed. It will hover for thirty seconds before ascending into the air. Landing the drone is equally simple just hold your hand about 20 cm underneath the drone, and it will safely land in your palm. Alternatively, you can use the Hover app on your phone to control the landing.
Control Options
While the Hover app offers additional control features for the drone, it is not necessary for flying. The basic controls can be managed directly from the drone itself, making it accessible for users of all levels of experience. The app provides added functionality and customization options for those looking to enhance their flying experience with the Hoverair X1.
Flight Modes
You can cycle through all of the flight modes simply by pressing the mode button here on top of the device. A short press of the mode button will cycle you through all the different flight modes on the Hoverair, including Hover, Zoom Out, Follow, Orbit, Bird’s Eye, and Custom. The English lady voice prompt will let you know which mode you are in. Custom mode is where you can find new flight modes that are released with firmware updates, such as Dolly Track or Snapshot mode. Long press of the mode button in each flight mode will give you access to different settings.
Hover Settings
If you want to dive deeper into the settings, you can do so inside the Hover app. After downloading the app to your phone and connecting it to the Hoverair via Bluetooth, you can access Hover Settings. Here, you will find all the flight and general settings. Depending on the flight mode you’re in, you can adjust settings such as shooting mode (video or stills), altitude, flight duration, and distance from you, among others.
Video Settings
You can also turn on vertical video for your stories or your reels or your TikToks or whatever. Let’s take a look at the video settings that you can have on the Hoverair X1. In the video quality settings screen, there are options for 1080p at 30 frames per second plus HDR, which is suggested for most scenarios. There is also an option for 1080 at 60 frames per second for smooth slow-motion footage, as well as 2.7k at 30 frames per second. Additionally, the X1 can take 12-megapixel stills or 5-megapixel stills if you select the HDR option.
Hover Mode
Hover Mode is a feature of the Hoverair X1 where the audio is recorded through the Hoverair app using a Deity wireless mic, eliminating any drone sound. This results in perfectly smooth audio recordings, following the user wherever they go in Hover mode.
Follow Mode
Follow Mode is a close-follow feature of the Hoverair X1, set to a Flat Shot to follow the user at about head height. The X1 can keep up with the user even if they are running, making it an ideal feature for capturing action shots.
Bird Eye Mode
Bird Eye Mode on the Hoverair X1 allows the drone to fly up to a height of 15 meters, do a bit of a spin, and then come back down. This mode is perfect for capturing aerial shots from a higher perspective.
Orbit Mode
In Orbit Mode, the Hoverair X1 can be set to a specific distance, such as 4 meters. This mode allows the drone to circle around the user, capturing footage from different angles and perspectives.
The Dolly Track Mode
So its flown out 4 meters from me, its gon na do a full 360 and I dont have to follow it. Obviously I dont have to watch it. Itll just go round me.. I can face whatever direction I want. I can move around. and once its done, its 360 itll, just … Stop and itll fly back to me.. This is the Dolly Track mode and Ive got it set to high altitude and far so itll stay this distance away from me.. So this gon na be perfect for filming YouTube videos like Im doing right now: laughsIts just great.
The Downsides
And now we get to the bad things. Its okay, nothings, perfect right.. The first thing I want to talk about is the lackof 4k footage. Come on Zero, Zero Robotics its 2024.. I understand this thing was designed for socialmedia creators like Instagram Tik, Tok, that sort of thing, but us YouTubers. We need 4K video, so pleasein future updates. Could you add 4K video Also120 frames per second, please 60 frames a secondis great, but theres. Nothing like the buttery smooth, slow motion of 120 frames per second. So if you could add that in future updates Ill bea, happy man.
Feature Requests for YouTubers
In addition to those two things for us YouTubers, please add a flat picture. Profile. Idont want to deal with footage that is alreadysaturated and contrasted and sharpened to the max. Id rather have a nice flatly contrasted image that I can take into my video editing softwareand play around with, as I choose.
Camera Quality
The camera quality of the Hoverair X1 is impressive for such a small drone. Users have the ability to control white balance and exposure on the device, providing flexibility in capturing footage. However, some users have noted issues with dynamic range when filming at 2.7k, with skies appearing blown out and chromatic aberration being noticeable in the footage. It is recommended to shoot in 2K in a shadowy area to avoid these issues.
Battery Life
The Hoverair X1 offers a total flight time of 10 minutes, allowing users to capture a decent amount of footage during this period. While the battery life is not extensive, users have expressed a desire for longer flight times. Zero Zero Robotics may consider increasing the battery life to 15-20 minutes in future models to enhance the overall user experience.
Design Flaws
One design flaw that users have pointed out is the exposed lens at the front of the drone. When the device is turned off, the lens remains exposed to the elements, making it vulnerable to damage if the drone is dropped. Additionally, the front-heavy design of the drone increases the risk of the device falling face down. Users have suggested improvements in the design to protect the lens and ensure the durability of the device.
Hoverair X1 Overview
The Hoverair X1 is a compact drone designed by Zero Zero Robotics that offers big possibilities for aerial photography and videography enthusiasts. It is a lightweight and portable device that is perfect for capturing stunning shots from unique angles.
Pros of the Hoverair X1
One of the standout features of the Hoverair X1 is its ability to capture high-quality footage with smooth and stable aerial shots. The drone’s compact size allows it to easily fit in your pocket or backpack, making it convenient to carry around for on-the-go shooting.
Cons of the Hoverair X1
While the Hoverair X1 has many great features, there are a few limitations to consider. The drone is not suitable for flying in strong winds, over water, or other shiny surfaces. It also struggles with uniform colored ground, such as indoor carpeting, and cannot be flown in the dark.
Design and Build Quality
The Hoverair X1 is a sleek and compact drone that fits in the palm of your hand. It is made of durable materials, making it lightweight yet sturdy. The drone features a stylish black and silver color scheme that gives it a modern and high-tech look. The propellers are protected by a propeller guard, which adds to the overall safety and durability of the drone.
Flight Performance
Despite its small size, the Hoverair X1 is packed with impressive flight capabilities. It has a six-axis gyro for stable flight and features multiple speed settings for both beginners and advanced users. The drone can perform 360-degree flips and rolls with ease, allowing users to capture unique and dynamic shots. The Hoverair X1 also has a headless mode and one-key return function for added convenience during flight.
Camera Quality
The Hoverair X1 is equipped with a high-definition camera that can capture clear and crisp images and videos. The camera can be adjusted remotely to capture different angles and perspectives. Whether you are taking scenic landscape shots or recording action-packed videos, the Hoverair X1 delivers quality footage that can be easily shared with friends and family.
Battery Life and Charging
The drone comes with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 10 minutes of flight time on a single charge. The battery can be easily removed and replaced, allowing users to extend their flight time by carrying multiple batteries. The Hoverair X1 also comes with a USB charging cable, making it convenient to recharge the battery on the go.
The Hoverair X1 is a remarkable pocket-sized drone that offers big possibilities for capturing dynamic and engaging content. Its compact size, impressive features, and user-friendly design make it a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their photography and videography skills.
Despite its drawbacks, the Hoverair X1 is a valuable tool for enhancing social media content creation. The footage it produces is impressive, offering unique perspectives that can elevate your visual storytelling. If you’re looking to take your content to the next level, the Hoverair X1 is definitely worth considering.
Overall, the Hoverair X1 is a versatile and reliable drone that offers a range of features for both beginners and experienced drone pilots. Its compact size and durable build make it a great option for capturing aerial shots on the go. With its impressive flight performance and high-quality camera, the Hoverair X1 is a tiny drone with big possibilities. Get your hands on one today and start capturing stunning aerial footage like never before.
