Until now, I was under the impression that you required a million-pound net worth, the backing of a swanky Hollywood production company, or even access to the deepest, most high-tech and undercover realm of Mi6 in order to use a high-quality drone.
Like many of us here in the UK, my only real exposure to drone filming and operation has been through second-hand videos on social media, those rather cool New Year’s drone displays from the last few years, and the drone palaver that shut down Heathrow airport.
With the launch of the HOVERAir X1 Self-Flying Camera, I’m now under the firm impression that miniature, 150g Civil Aviation Authority-approved drones are set to be a must-have companion for social media enthusiasts of all ages across the globe.
Follow me into the depths of this innovative camera review below.
Key specifications
Accessories:
User-friendliness
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’re an ES Best veteran, I do apologise if I sound like a broken record. I hate companion apps, and I think any well-made appliance should be able to function beautifully without one. However, I’m willing to make an exception for the HOVERAir drone. This isn’t to say that the app is remarkably easy to use – it does take some getting used to. However, I can get behind the fact that to successfully operate a flying camera, there needs to be a decent control hub, and I’m pleased I can do exactly this through my iPhone alone.
To test user-friendliness, I do what most people would – attempt set-up without consulting any instructions. With the HOVERAir, this consisted of simply unfolding the remarkably small device and letting it charge for a few minutes before attempting to switch it on, another effortless task. Between letting it charge, downloading the companion app and connecting the drone (so long as Bluetooth is switched on, the app will find it immediately) – I’d say roughly 20 minutes passed. So far, so great.
The only remotely complicated aspect of the entire, unbelievably cool device is the app – but that’s only because I’m quite an impatient person.
The app
At the bottom of the main app page are four taps: Home, Hover, Flight Modes and a Personal Setting tab titled ‘Me’ featuring an auto-generated username and profile picture. In this latter tab, you can check restricted flight areas and even watch a handy beginner tutorial – which I, of course, skipped until I required additional assistance later down the line.
On the ‘flight modes’ tab, you can choose between basic, skilled and advanced modes ranging from hover, zoom-out, follow, orbit, and bird’s-eye (basic) to snapshot, dolly track, manual control and side-track (skilled, unlocked after flying five times) and smart control (advanced, unlocked after using follow and dolly track five times each).
In clicking on each of these modes, you’ll be exposed to an example video, a sweet graphic of the drone in action, and the ability to click and use your selected mode straight away, so long as the correct mode is selected on the drone itself – it really is as easy as that.
The ‘home’ tab is like the Instagram Discovery page – it simply showcases videos posted by fellow HoverAIR enthusiasts from across the globe.
Video quality
The HOVERAir says it delivers 2.7K Ultra HD, which I can confirm. The quality of video is mind-bogglingly impressive given the size and price point of this drone – it was enough to have our Deputy Video Editor desperate to get his own.
I love this thing.
Verdict
HoverAir X1 Self-Flying Camera
The HOVERAir X1 Self-Flying Camera is an absolute feat of engineering, so much so that I’m gobsmacked that it hasn’t received more attention – where are all the viral TikTok videos?
The palm-sized follow drone is set to be the permanent, must-have companion for content creators and influencers worldwide by removing the inherent need for a camera operator.
Capable of following your every move, speeding up and slowing down depending on how fast you’re walking or running, moving up and down with you as you crouch to reach something or stretch towards the sky – no matter what kind of content you’re making, this (slightly, but manageably noisy) drone can capture it all in 2.7K Ultra HD.
It takes off from the palm of your hand in approximately three seconds and after recording, with a simple outstretched palm, the pet-like device will land softly in your hand safe and sound.
The sheer variety of modes on offer equips the chic, foldable piece of kit with enough camera operation expertise to remove the need for a human companion entirely. My personal favourite is the classic ‘follow’ mode, which tracks your face to follow your every move from a safe distance of 1.5 metres. The ‘orbit’ mode is also fabulous for catching 360 outfit videos. Sorry, Boyfriends of Instagram, but it looks like you’ll be gearing up for retirement any day now.
Instantly downloading the recorded videos from the hub on the HoverAIR app is incredibly simple, resulting in lightning-speed, premium-quality content which can be edited and uploaded to your social media of choice much faster than a digital camera.
Like a highly intelligent bird which requires no training, this fantastic little device is the stuff of the future.
Buy now £395.00, Amazon
