EXO Mini Pro Drone - Blackhawk 2 - 1st Flight & Review - EXO & Hubsan

[@johnk7649]

Excellent review, Keith! I'm subscribed and look forward to the other Exo reviews.

[@AlienDrones]

Thank you for the kind words and the sub! 🙏

[@tedkraft6416]

Excellent video! No BS, you just get down to business in the evaluation of the drone. Really appreciate the fact that you display the control screen and the navigation thru it. I'm still very new to the drone world- am awaiting the arrival of my Blackhawk 3 pro and your videos are a huge help in building my comfort and confidence levels. Have subscribed! Thanks, Keith!

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for sharing! Good Flying! 🤙

[@Journeyofourlife436]

Most people will still choose the DJI flagship because of the pricing of these new EXO drones. You can get the refurbished Mini 2 with 3 batteries for only $380. If EXO wants to be competitive it should lower its price to the point that DJI will see them as a threat. Competition is always good for consumers.

[@mickeymch876]

I don't. I chose some DJI products because they are proven, they work, they fix issues and they don't lie as much as manufactures and retailers like Autel and Autel Pilot. I do have issues with DJI, I'm not keen on a communist country telling me I can't fly in an area of the US that I have permission to fly in by the FAA. I don't like DJI's sneeky update to the FPV v2 goggles which doesn't let people who purchased their product roll back firmware updates and blocks 3rd party firmware. I'm not a DJI fanboy but they make a decent product, they work. If honest reviews of EXO show they work properly, they ship after telling the customer the product is in stock have customer support that responds I may give them a shot.

[@elipin4128]

They ruined it with the damn prices…. They advertise pro drones at discount prices … but really it’s still entry (budget) drones at pro prices. If they were cheaper I would consider buying one but I wish them luck.

[@AlienDrones]

Maybe the prices will drop a bit after the initial offering, time will tell...

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

@@AlienDrones That's the only way they can really compete. Even their batteries are quite expensive!

[@AlienDrones]

@@SunriseWaterMedia Those battery prices really sting... 🐝

[@randyreboberton6263]

The video, picture, guidance smart systems, advance picture adjustment, absolutely totally awesome ❤ Thank you

[@AlienDrones]

🤙🤙

[@sojourner99]

I bought an exo mini last month after watching this and a few other reviews. I would add to the review a few things no one has really covered much on the Exo mini: -No geofencing. This was important to me since I live in an area with a patchwork of no fly zones where one block is fine, the next block over is prohibited. I didnt want to have to deal with that. -No built in remote ID. Another plus. All the DJI mini’s have remote ID built in. While DJI has the ability to force turn it on they’ve said they won’t for the sub-250g’s. But if the law ever changes then every DJI mini owner will have their remote ID turned on whether they like it or not. You also can’t ever turn it off, so if you use your DJI mini for both personal and commercial reasons then it will always have remote ID turned on. Again, something else I didn’t want to have to worry about ever. -Price. People keep saying this costs as much as DJI mini and while it's not quite as much it's close. But I monitored the Exo site for awhile before buying and they always have some special going on. At the time I bought my exo mini they were giving away a free Exo Scout drone with it, about a $120 value. When I checked back later they stopped doing that, but instead had some decent discounts for other drones they seem to rotate, and had some cash back instant discount at the same time for all drones. So if you are patient and watch their site you can get it at a discount or buy it at a time when they are giving you a lot more for the money (like a free bonus drone). Cons - A couple cons of the exo mini I have discovered no one has talked about: -cant turn off the beeping sound when return-to-home is activated. I think on the DJI mini you can, but on this one it keeps beeping if you activate the auto return to home. Not super awful and you will of course never hear it if you just fly it back yourself, but annoying and unnecessary. -a bit too aggressive low battery feature. It will try to auto return your drone home a bit too aggressively and often once the battery gets low. You can cancel it but I missed one of the cancellation notices once and my drone took off while under a tree and crashed :( I highly suggest to turn off the low battery/auto return home function and just use your own common sense when to head back when you get the low battery warning so that you don't need to worry about it doing that. Anyway thought I would share this to add to the review.

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for sharing! I'm certain the info will be helpful to those interested in the EXO mini! 🤙

[@kroonzYT]

Just got a exo mini pro a week ago and I know the video is a year old. Good job on the review!

[@AlienDrones]

Glad it was helpful, thanks for sharing!

[@kroonzYT]

The blackhawk 3 any good?

[@AlienDrones]

@@kroonzYT I've heard it is one of the best in their lineup.

[@genemcgrath4931]

Awesome video!!! Thanks for doing this video!!! Question for you do you have a video on all the settings for the video and camera like white balance shutter speed etc... Thanks for your help

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks, glad it was useful to you! I did not do a video with the manual camera settings on this drone, only used the automatic settings since that is what many use... I did do a video on the DJI Mavic a while ago which is a similar process, perhaps it can be helpful on how I approach the settings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYasgmCjjZycoMk

[@genemcgrath4931]

@@AlienDrones thank you for that information and yes I will watch another video!!! I know I'm not the most smartest person in the world when some of these drone reviewers start talking about the different settings they're doing to the camera I look more confused than our government lol!!! Thank you for your help I really do appreciate you have a great day

[@AlienDrones]

@@genemcgrath4931 👍👍

[@shapethefuturetech6005]

Nice flight! I can confirm this is a hubsan drone from the gimbal jello style,lol.

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks! I didn't notice any jello and thought the video looked pretty decent, but my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, lol. 😎

[@shapethefuturetech6005]

@@AlienDrones It can be easily noted on a bigger screen,anyway,it’s a decent drone

[@AlienDrones]

Cool, thanks! Agreed, it's fun to fly and pretty robust tech so far...

[@david19664]

This is a great review. I'm assuming that you didn't do any colour grading on the video, if that's the case then thise colours are super rich. I have one question, in your intro there is one scene, where you are looking for your drone and it splashes into the water behind you. Is this staged or did it actually happen

[@AlienDrones]

Thank you for the kind words, appreciate it! The colors have _not_ been graded, straight out of the camera in _auto_ mode. LOG mode is an option and LUTs are available for these drones on the EXO site as well, but did not utilize either of these in this video. I was pretty happy with the saturation and color as well, sometimes they have a tendency to over do the colors a bit. Hopefully they will come out with some NDs that can be used to further the capabilities. I can say about the intro that this situation did happen but this specific shot was reenacted. The original event was much more frantic and I certainly would have had to mute the sound or put a language warning on the video had I decided to use it... 😎

[@blacknblue2113]

Where can I get replacement rear B arm for the exo mini pro? Thanks

[@sidewinder860]

Def wanna pick one of these up now!

[@AlienDrones]

If you can get it on sale it is a decent flier and has good camera specs... 🤙

[@sidewinder860]

@@AlienDrones Camera specs are def a huge upgrade over the ranger plus but the $300 difference is a little steep

[@bobbylefebvre6298]

Good morning great video nice review cool drone

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks 👍

[@omarjason1255]

Exo were merge with Hubsan. This model in this video is the Hubsan Zino Mini SE with 3 differences: more range, obstacles avoidance and price! Also, they change the color.

[@AlienDrones]

It's is a good color!

[@GorillamansGarage]

@BwayneAnnaLee : There is no Hubsan Mini Pro... Its the Hubsan Zino Mini Pro. Their new one is the Hubsan Mini (which I just got). They have a Hubsan Zino Mini which is the HZMP without O.A. sensors. The new Hubsan Mini is the HZMSE with the 1/1.3 camera and some minor reinforcement plastic.

[@GorillamansGarage]

@BwayneAnnaLee : Sorry .. not quite right..The Hubsan Zino Mini is the HZMP without O.A. sensors but still on board memory. The New Hubsan Mini is the HZMSE with the bigger camera and sd card memory. But there is no Hubsan Mini Pro (yet). It's all very confusing I know.

[@gimpman1357]

@@GorillamansGarage EXO Drones are in the business of selling beginner drones at pro prices to uninformed Americans.

[@GorillamansGarage]

@@gimpman1357 but now they are literally censoring and restricting Hubsan clientel.

[@DrRodder_Jim]

I have the Blackhawk original. Still a novice flier and haven't played with all the options yet. Could have used the Bypass option on one of my follow me flights. Will be watching for the rest of the series on the Pro series. As for the pictures and video, looks fine to me here. I've noticed that when I post and watching it on a bigger monitor off the memory card the video isnt as goid posted. That being said, the video looks good.

[@AlienDrones]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@MNsportsman]

Is the Mini Pro noticeably quieter than the Blackhawk 2 Pro or is it almost as loud? Would you say the Mini is a quiet drone? The Blackhawk 2 seems louder but it's hard to tell watching a KZbin video on my phone. I want to buy a drone from Exo but I would like a quieter drone for scouting hunting land and wildlife areas. (I'm going with Exo over DJI for an American based app/data and support)

[@AlienDrones]

The BH2 Pro is definitely louder. I realize it is subjective, but doesn't seem to me that any of the minis are truly "quiet" per se as a couple hundred feet up I can still hear them, but the EXO mini pro is definitely the quieter of the two... Good Flying!

[@MrKrakum1967]

I need this mini, my other one, not so smooth, great video.

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for sharing👍

[@joshbalding2349]

Entered their giveaway, unfortunately I didn't get picked. Was hoping to win one. I thought about buying one, but they still have some video flaws and for the price dji is still far superior!

[@AlienDrones]

Better luck next time!

[@glennbuttner5546]

I just got mine. 6/1/24. It seems they have changed it. It now weighs 275 grams and is ID registered with the FAA. Trying to get a full refund is a joke. The batteries and insurance policy are not refundable.

[@AlienDrones]

The mini is 275g? That's pretty crappy to not refund everything when the site still shows 249g. Assuming that's the mini pro PLUS, which must mean "plus" 26g?

[@uascolombia]

Hello alien drones, we acquired two hubsan zino mini pro that was how this drone was launched, with thousands of problems, we noticed with great surprise that this exo mini is "the same" but we wonder, will it have the same disconnection failures, lost in it Follow-up, Raw photography and live transmission never worked, could you tell us about that in your future tests, we will be waiting

[@AlienDrones]

So far in my flights these have worked pretty well. Haven't had any major issues at all, just a few very small things, so maybe Hubsan realized they were deficient in some areas and partnered up with someone to fill in the gaps. That would take some humility on their part but would be great for the consumer if true. I hear a lot of people say it is the same thing but a different color, and from what you're saying that must not be true because they really have been pretty solid so far.

[@terryt-rexhanke746]

I’m really liking this drone

[@AlienDrones]

It's a good little flier, does a decent job. Had the random gimbal tilt happen here or there but not horrible for me, hopefully they push (or have already pushed) dome firmware fixes... 😎

[@LeanCleanZ]

The search for landing pad is a game changer

[@AlienDrones]

Indeed, it is very cool... Landed maybe 10 times and only once it looked like it got pushed by the wind while it was landing and lost it's lock and missed the pad. Good lighting and low wind it worked well. 👍

[@Leonardokite]

Nice little drone and nice review of it. I can see why you like it so much.

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks! 👍

[@login7784]

how many video takes was the video, your battery level was up and down so many times lol

[@AlienDrones]

Most of it was in the same day and continuous except for the obstacle avoidance portion which I did a different day. The return to home footage was done in the middle of the day, but it just made more sense to show that at the end so I moved the footage there in post so it probably made the battery look a little sporadic.

[@uascolombia]

what hubsan is looking for with painting the drone black and making a relaunch for the united states market a drone so criticized by many due to its software failures, without spare parts, without technical service we cannot understand what hubsan is looking for with this "alliance"

[@AlienDrones]

I think EXO is supposed to help fill in those gaps where Hubsan struggles. They are taking over the work on on the app, repairs and customer service. Just talked with technical support about parts today and EXO does offer spare parts and repairs if you don't want to do it yourself.

[@sergeim6815]

still can’t understand how to start motors, manual doesn’t work

[@AlienDrones]

You are correct, the "manual" start did not work for me either. Have to use the "auto" take off button on the app. Seems like some moving the sticks down and in to arm the motors did work, some it did not...

[@romanmax8561]

Great review like the new intro to . I'm wondering why they didn't go with the newer wifi to controller technology? Like ruko has on the gim 2 having the phone connect with Wire to controller that can get damaged over time i mean the technology is out there now seems like it would be better then having wires and different phone connections.

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for noticing the new intro! That's a good question for sure. The connection this way is a bit annoying that the connector(s) is in your hand while holding the controller so it is not ideal. Wireless would have been a lot cleaner, though that being said, I do hear of a lot of problems in general with WiFi connections as well. I would imagine manufacturing a device that is compatible with everyone else's phone/device is not as easy as it should be, but I always say it seems really easy when I don't have to do the work myself... 😎

[@romanmax8561]

Just got a message says I won a drone from you ? I'm going to guess it wasn't you just letting you know .

[@AlienDrones]

@@romanmax8561 Spammers are in full force, thanks for letting me know!

[@romanmax8561]

Yeah this guy used your logo and everything. Can't stand spammers

[@bobbylefebvre6298]

Nice footage cool channel

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for coming!

[@kurt53641]

Bought! Why? I do not want CCP companies getting my American cash. I look forward watching EXO grow in the USA!

[@clauzone03]

Too bad the colors in the video are not good. Noticed the greens are exagerated, the yellows/blues understated and a redish spot is in the center center of the image and the color of the ground changes when drone is orbiting because the red spot is always changing the image. Was looking to get away from DJI... I guess the Autel Nano + is my only choice for now...

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for the comments! DJI does do a decent job though they have made mine bricks using the app on Android. Keep in mind that this was all in auto mode for simplicity and improvements in color and exposure are likely possible on any drone utilizing manual settings, ND filters, LOG mode, HDR and LUTs that are available. If color is your thing I hear Autel does a better job with their color science. Good Flying!

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

10:35 😂 I love it.

[@AlienDrones]

Lol! I figure if you're pointing a drone at your face and pushing the forward stick it deserves a little attitude... 👀😂

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

@@AlienDrones lol

[@VariusStylz]

Is it sub 250g?

[@AlienDrones]

yes

[@capeRCouple]

i dont know why everyone thinks these are new drones,exo even admitted these are hubsan drones rebranded and i highly doubt these guys can do a better job with the firmwares,the owner of exo is just a kid

[@AlienDrones]

Admittedly I don't have a lot of history with Hubsan, but which Hubsan drone model is the same as the Blackhawk 2 pro model?

[@GorillamansGarage]

@@AlienDrones one is the Hubsan ACE Pro.. the small one is the ZMP

[@AlienDrones]

@Gorillaman's Garage From what I understand, the Ace Pro has never been sold in the US before now. If EXO helped upgrade the firmware and added robustness to the product before releasing it in the US, isn't it a newer tech product regardless what it's named?

[@Dustinthedragonfire]

Wow it's great the most important one is the landing pad if they can improve that to be spot on OMG this would be the best drone lol. Thanks for the videos and hope to win one of the drones. Have a great night.

[@AlienDrones]

Thanks for stopping by, it's been a while! Indeed that landing pad feature is underrated for sure. 🎯

[@Dustinthedragonfire]

@@AlienDrones lol these people trying to be you lol. I'm a tech geek so I know not to fall for anything like that. When they say I won I look at the name then I click on the page if it's the same name and I click on it it should take me to your page but if goes to some random page then scam lol. Hope you have a great 4th.

[@AlienDrones]

@@Dustinthedragonfire indeed. spammers 💩

[@georgealexander2955]

Too expensive for a toy drone. Had a better price before.

[@AlienDrones]

This is much better than a toy drone, but I agree the price with batteries is a bit up there. I think if the price were a little better they would clean up in the market as the quality and function is pretty decent.

[@johntuff]

These aren't even brand new drones as described, they're copies of other brands and they partnered up with hubsan and the price range is ridiculous now especially with attachments. Those came standard with everything like obstacle avoidance. Might as well get an Autel or DJI for the price you're paying. From the looks of things they're not going far in the market with false advertising.

[@gimpman1357]

Black is a bad color choice for the exo mini pro. The original Zino Mini Pro had overheating issues.. Watch for overheating especially in hot places like Texas and Florida.

[@AlienDrones]

It does get fairly hot during use. Has a temperature display front and center on the app that switches from green, yellow, orange, red. I did fly it through 3 batteries in 95 deg and 101 heat index doing some hyperlapses (not much movement) and I didn't have any overheating though... 🤞

[@gimpman1357]

@@AlienDrones Did you have OA turned on and recording in 200 mbps?

[@AlienDrones]

@@gimpman1357 Yes, 200 Mbps was enabled and OA was on majority of the time...

[@nickrich710]

I think imma get that for my birthday which is this month😊😊😊😅😅😅

[@AlienDrones]

Getting a present for yourself, sounds like a great idea! 😎

[@georgealexander2955]

Picture is not good

[@AlienDrones]

Honestly, I'm curious what was wrong with the picture quality? This was in Auto settings, it could have been better I imagine in manual settings and in LOG, which I didn't do...

[@hellome2686]

Take $200 off the price of all the drones..... or we might as well stay with DJI mini series. also the battery price is outrageous...

[@AlienDrones]

The BH2 batteries are even higher, yikes.

[@nukerzerothefirst3417]

so the exo is essentially a hubsan mini pro repackaged ?

[@AlienDrones]

I believe they update the app, have US based sales and service, and have a line directly to Hubsan so they can be an advocate for the US market to get things updated/fixed directly with the engineers at Hubsan. Hopefully this makes a better drone and customer experience for us in the end...