Competitor to DJI unveils new drones: HoverAir X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max
Not content with serving just beginners, HoverAI is entering the professional space with two new foldable camera drones: HoverAir X1 Pro and HoverAir X1 Pro Max. Both offer better cameras, faster speeds, more intelligence and longer flight times.
Camera HoverAir X1 Pro/Pro Max
The new drones combine the best intelligence of the HoveAir X1 with the ability to record video up to 4K in the Pro model and up to 8K at 60 frames per second in the X1 Pro Max. The Pro Max version of this drone additionally offers slow-motion video recording in 4K at 120 frames per second, HDR footage capture, and support for 10-bit HLG color space. It is equipped with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and provides 5-stage wind resistance. The original HoverAir X1, which is still available, records up to 2.7k. The cameras in the drones are on 2x-axis gimbals, which is very important because it ensures stable images.
Video quality
Although we can't speak to the quality of the video from practical experience, Zero Zero Robotics has created several videos recorded by drones. It looked pretty good and you could almost forget it was being recorded by an autonomous drone following someone skiing down a hill. It can be seen that 8K quality has been achieved by technologies QuadBayer, and therefore increasing resolution with artificial intelligence.
Tracking and flight
Like the original HoverAir X1, the new drones unfold and can fly in a matter of moments. Rotors are covered, making them suitable for flying indoors or outdoors. HoveAir X1 Pro and Max are slightly quieter than its predecessor and about the same volume as similar drones of this size. The speed of flight has been increased, so the drones follow even faster - a 42 km/h maximum.
Unfolding the drone and taking flight is just as easy, and the HoverAir's signature palm landing motion when you hold your hand directly below it remains the same on the HoverAir X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max.
Drones also automatically follow objects, which made them great for sports enthusiasts, such as cyclists. New HoverAI X1 Pro and Air Pro Max have additional collision sensors. The Pro has a proximity sensor on the back, and the Pro Max also has an additional vision sensor. This should help them fly in more difficult terrain, and HoverAir's manufacturer Zero Zero Robotics says the drones can fly over water, snow and other difficult terrain, environments where the original HoverAir X1 was not equipped to do so.
Flight Time and Range
Drones can fly slightly longer than the original HoverAI X1, promising 16 minutes of flight time on a single battery. Maximum height is 120 meters, where with the first drone it was only 15 m. The maximum transmission distance between the phone (and the drone-enabled app) and the drone has increased from 30 meters in the HoverAir X1 to a kilometer in the X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max.
Additional capabilities and flight time mean that pro-level drones have gained some weight. While the HoverAir X1 weighs 125 g, the X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max weigh 192 g. These new drones are also noticeably larger than the HoverAir X1, although the they still retain the size of the palm of your hand.
Differences between X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max
Aside from video resolution, there aren't many differences between the X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max other than internal memory. The HoverAir X1 Pro has 32 GB of built-in memory, and the HoverAir X1 Pro Max doubles that to 64 GB. Both drones also have a micro-SD slot for additional memory.
HoverAir X1 Pro and HoverAir X1 Pro Max prices
Along with these more professional features come more professional prices. Exact costs for Poland have not yet been determined, but the HoverAir X1 Pro costs $499 and the Pro Max costs $699.
New accessories
Both drones are still primarily autonomous follower drones, but the Zero Zero offers a wide range of accessories, some of which can provide standard control like any other drone. For example, a joystick is available that allows you to control the flight path with your finger or thumb.
Very interesting is the new, clever accessory called Beacon. It is both a drone tracking and video viewing device. It features a small, approximately 1-inch screen so you can see what the HoverAir X1 Pro or X1 Pro Max sees. Zero Zero Robotics representatives described a scenario in which a Beacon can be attached to the handlebars of a bicycle to see what the drone sees as it follows the user.
Beacon can also be connected to one of the joysticks mentioned above to create a small remote control. If you buy two joysticks, you can connect them to the Beacon and place your phone between them to build, almost LEGO-style, a complete HoverAir X1 Pro and Pro Max remote control.
Other accessories also include an innovative charging case that allows the HoverAir X1 Pro or Pro Max to be carried and charged at the same time. It includes a USB-C port for charging your phone. It is possible to use ND filters.
Availability of HoverAir X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max
HoverAir X1 Pro and X1 Pro Max made their debut on August 26 on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo.com, which enables funding for startups and projects. Backers of the campaign have not yet received their drones, but they will be the first to receive them as soon as production is completed. The release date in Poland is not yet known, but we will probably have to wait a bit for it. If you want to keep up to date with the most important launches, sign up for our newsletter.
