Fimi X8 Mini V2 vs Hubsan Zino Mini Pro (EXO Blackhawk Mini) September 2023 Mini Drone Shootout

This is a comparison that I've been wanting to do for a while. The Hubsan Zino Mini Pro has been out for a couple of years and is now sold in the US as the EXO Blackhawk Mini. Fimi updated their X8 Mini to a version two this past spring. Honestly both drones have had their problems but performed okay for this video. I updated both to their latest firmware before the flights. Take a look at the video from each drone and judge for yourself.
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[@bigr2dog]

Thank you so much for your videos. Great help for professionals and beginners alike.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you so much!

[@user-zr1rm5zw4q]

I love flying over the water no problems with my air 3!

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yes, the Air 3 is amazing!

[@Roys_Drones]

Outstanding... Thanks for the shared knowledge.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georgekelly1948]

Interesting comparison, Marcus. You are the definition of a true drone enthusiast with the wide array of drones in your hanger and the way you put them to use. Cheers, buddy.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you, George! What else is an old, retired guy gonna do? 🤣

[@georgekelly1948]

@@IdahoQuadcopter 🙂

[@camposvazquez]

​@@IdahoQuadcopterMr IQ... Please can you recommend an entry level non DJI 4k 60fps drone.. I keep looking up specs and many times the same drone will have varying specs... Especially the video camera...

[@johnk7649]

Hi Marcus, FIMI video quality, and that it nailed landing gives it a convincing win IMO. Gotta love that lady walking over your landing pad with her pup -- what the heck was she thinking??? Wow.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

The strange thing about that lady is that the park was all but empty that day. There were acres and acres for her to walk her dog, yet she chose right where I was.

[@IchySacFPV]

FIMI RULES....The DJI Killer.....Love my 2020 X8 SE.....never have had an issue....Awesome as usual Mr.Marcus...QuadMafia Out...😎

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Call me a DJI fan boy Sam!! 😂

[@capeRCouple]

Traded my zino mini pro a while back for an ipad 6th gen , i have the hubsan blackhawk 1 on the way to review and it should be here soon.I really didn't mind my zino mini but hated having to calibrate the avoidance all the time.Fimi should get on top of their quality control issues.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I get it. Honestly, I'd take a Mini 2 SE over either of these drones. 🙂

[@capeRCouple]

absolutely,especially at the prices they are asking for these drones.certainly what it costs me here in canada,a mini 2se cost you $309 usd so by the time i transfer that to canadian it comes to $423,it sucks living in canada for this reason alone.@@IdahoQuadcopter

[@abdulhaseeb5810]

​@@IdahoQuadcopteryou means mavic mini 2se is good????

[@bc6373]

I bought the ZMP in 2021 after watching videos from both @IdahoQuadcopter and @capeRCouple. After the latest updates, the OA on mine has never needed calibration. With calibrations done, my drone flies flawlessly. It's a bummer you guys seem to have gotten janky units. I have enjoyed and appreciate the videos from both of you, thank you.

[@capeRCouple]

thanks,i apreciate it@@bc6373

[@gooddaysdroningmattgoode4353]

Without watching I go with hubsan I have both hubsans camera is far better exo is finished in usa fimi V2 has to many problems my experience now I watch your video 😊 thanks for sharing

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you for watching!

[@chefb1461]

OK my friend, let’s get that bird in the air. Great video as always.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you Robert!!

[@RonaldBrown59]

This was the Superbowl of Mini Drones, LOL. What did Fimi do to the color profile on their Mini drone, that's about the most over-saturated and overly warm look I've seen in a while. Hubsan color profile was much more normal and true to life. Both these drones certainly have their issues, especially considering they have been out for a while now. Great testing, and you even got video bombed by the dog walker. Thanks for sharing Marcus.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

They're interesting products Ron. I call them second tier drones.

[@GorillamansGarage]

[@geezerpleasers_OG]

I remember the buzz around the Hubsan Mini Pro drone when it was announced. I pre-ordered one, and then waited, and waited, and waited, in the worst rollout I have ever seen of any new drone. I finally canceled my order. I never did buy one. I do now have the Fimi Mini V2, and the Autel Nano +, and I'm perfectly happy with both of them. I do think that the Hubsan's video quality looked a little better in your comparison, but I'm still going to stick with my two little Fimi and Autel minis.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Your little Autel Nano has great video quality.

[@JohnCuppi]

OMG the return of the Fimi Mini 👁.👁

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I had to John! 😁

[@jimanderson4865]

Hi Marcus....Nice day out with the two drones. Looks like your gonna need to start bringing doggy treats with you......👍

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Ha! Yeah, that was a crazy deal Jim. She had the whole park to walk her dog. 😄

[@henrytaaffe7058]

awsome review Marcus.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you again Henry!

[@RDsRCReviews]

Nice comparison of these two drones. They both have their pros and cons. I wish I could get my FIMI mini to connect to my phone again. Sucks that mine no longer works

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you! That's an odd problem Ryan. Have you tried another phone?

[@RDsRCReviews]

@@IdahoQuadcopter yes and it used to work with an old Samsung but now it refuses to connect to the app on any phone and I've tried another cable.

[@GorillamansGarage]

@@RDsRCReviews : It is a proprietary cable.

[@RDsRCReviews]

@@GorillamansGarage no it isn't because I ordered a different cable from Amazon and tried it. It's USB- C.

[@GorillamansGarage]

@@RDsRCReviews : Not just any OTG cable will work.. you have to pony the original to another.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJm5oXyEmbZ4g5osi=Btup2ZIpqttfqJok

[@lezbriddon]

HI, at 27:35 or anywhere really look at the tilted horizon, then look at the light poles, the trees, the edges of building, they are all true, the horizon is not 'tilted' at all, the ground level is falling off, I bet if you could identify a street on the far left and one on the far right and then got their heights above sea level etc you would find the fimi is telling it like it is... i know fimi have had horizon tilt for years I had the full fat se 2020 and it was terrible, but I think a lot of the time people say horizon tilt its just ground fall off. I would love to know if i was right, any chance of putting both up together pointing at the same piece of 'tilted' horizon?

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you! I appreciate your thoughtful comment.

[@FredHarvey-wp2qy]

You are a true done junkie! You fly them all. I'm such a DJI snob that I only get to experience drones from other manufacturers through you. How many drones do you own right now?

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I have no idea how many drones are in the hanger Fred. Too many! 🤣

[@FredHarvey-wp2qy]

@@IdahoQuadcopter I'm trying to work up some sympathy for you and your "problem"....I got nothing!

[@Bondangoed]

Given the choice ace pro or mini pro? The ace 2 looks very good but not enough reviews yet Ps I noticed a little gello at 12:54 with the hubsan, not really seen it do that before

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

My Hubsan Mini has always had that jello problem. I do prefer the Ace Pro.

[@nahpeeford1]

Thanks,for your review of drones👌👍 i have zino mini pro its a good drone for trips but,.. i had often problems for usb disconected everytimes before fly it..😁 while,drone'technician changed a new usb cable i hope its will be ok next fly.😁🇹🇭

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Enjoy your Zino Mini Pro! Thank you!

[@alainb4238]

the hubsan camera is very good ...more detail and beautiful color

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@ssb73q]

Hi Marcus, good informative video. Flying over water is usually okay unless you are my friend Ron Brown. One Mini 2 and one Nano+ in the drink. lol

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Ha! Thank you, Richard! 🙂

[@welbeckairphotography]

Nice and easy to compare. When are we going to see some footages from fly for fun Welbeck here.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you Welbeck!

[@golds335]

I have these two drones but my hubsan is a se refined I love them both I find the fimi has a better camera fly's faster gets satellites faster ,but I feel the hubsan mini is better built better flight time goes further.Great drone's

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

That is great to hear! These drones are really great fun!

[@otero2235]

After watching many reviews on mini drones I’m glad I went with DJI. Seems like all the other minis have their problems.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

That is so true!

[@GorillamansGarage]

Some do.. here are 6 of the top.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmeooYSup9llb8Usi=IHu-DKUSHZvTgsyt

[@SofiaisSunshine]

What about geo fencing shut downs when close to restricted air space?

[@otero2235]

@@SofiaisSunshine that is a minor issue for me. I have plenty of open airspace in my area but, I do live next to a small airport and I have whitesands missle range that covers everything west of me. All of it is restricted airspace anyways if you get caught flying there you go to jail. I just fly where allowed so I don’t have to worry about it. I kind of like the geo fence keeps me out of trouble. But yea it could be a pain in certain areas.

[@BradleyWilliamHughes]

Fimi X8 Mini v2 vs DJI Mini 2 SE Comparison / Shootout might be interesting.... is the DJI worth the extra $50-$100? Is the 2K vs 4K camera similar?

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

If you need a lot of features the Fimi has them. The DJI Mini 2 SE is far more reliable. 👍

[@chucapo]

Hey id take some advice I just got into drones and my first drone was a potensic atom se I honestly have no complaints other than no gimbal (gentle joy stick allows me to level the horizon) so an opportunity has appeared to buy a hubsan mini pro for cheap or I can upgrade to a potensic atom with a gimbal. Not looking into DJI I minis as I plan on buying a mavic 3 in the close future ( but I still want a non DJI mini)

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I prefer the Atom to the Zino Mini Pro. 👍

[@UKBUBBLERS]

Great video Marcus it's such a shame that dji rule the roost because if dji wasn't about we would think these drones was the best thing since sliced bread lol it won't be long before gopro disappear the way dji are ruling the market. Can't wait to see some more videos with the mini 4 pro, lol. See ta soon my friend 😁👌👍🇬🇧

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

They don't hold a candle to that DJI Mini 4 Pro! 😎

[@jb678901]

Flying in the summertime, amongst beautiful yellow Rapeseed fields in Switzerland, has always been a high point for my drone videography...until the usual swarm of bees attacks the drone mid-field. Damn bees make a mess of my white drones...they must love the buzz. Maybe they think my drone is a giant hornet and they swarm in for an attack? In any event, the props make nice work of them. However, the clean-up is not fun! Had more than one Red Kite glide in for a close look and have "filmed" some nice video of these big raptors (70" wingspan), too! At least the Red Kites are not mean like the damn bees...flying only close enough for a selfie. I do stay away from the intercity double-decker trains speeding at about 70mph across the countryside. Tried filming one from about 70 meters altitude and 70 meters from the track-side...the train's air wash sent my Hubsan H109S into a tumbling freefall. In a panic...I hit HOME and the drone finally righted itself within about 2 meters from the ground. Close call. Never again.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yes, I've landed drones that were covered in bee guts. 😮 Thank you for watching!

[@ronaldmodesett8579]

I have the Blackhawk Mini pro w/OA, In just over one year I've had to replace three batteries, 1 covered under warranty. Twice on return to home it took off to never never land, had to cancel and fly back manually. last night was the first time I got to do an orbit correctly. I have to really play with the charging plug to get a bttery to start charging then half the time it just stops charging and I have play with the battery connection to get it to start charging again. I'm going to stick my Autel EVO mini.

[@BASSstarlet]

:/

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yes, the Hubsan Minis need some work. I agree.

[@joeymaterese8095]

Your all over the place buddy

[@BAMDrones-MichaelBelshe]

I think the Hubsan picture was a little better, but the FIMI seems to fly better. The picture quality wasn’t bad in the FIMI just a little better with the Hubsan.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Both of these drones are what I call second tier products. Thank you!

[@shapethefuturetech6005]

Hubsan mini pro uses a larger camera sensor , and hubsan mini pro's price is much higher indeed. But I still think they can be compared.

[@shapethefuturetech6005]

Husan/EXO mini pro: 699USD around, fimi x8 mini: 269/299 around, the price tag is not on the same level.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

That's true. 👍

[@jimyjames0075]

I just got a fimi x8 mini 2... I'm not sure if something it's wrong with it. It suppose to have a transmission range of 9km but it gets disconnect at range of 1.5 km even if I'm flying it on a remote zone with no interference from the city. Do you have any idea what could be wrong? Thank you for your videos.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yeah, Fimi is not always accurate in their range estimations. I often lose connection at 500 meters.

[@ronaldmodesett8579]

Did I mention that charging takes HOURS, even at 25% battery

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I noticed the same thing.

[@waynenartker6014]

Walkera t210 in sport mode 56 mph.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

That would make it the festest camera drone ever. 👍

[@HikeFly22]

How do you keep track of all these batteries do you have a schedule for when you need to check them and do you ever loose batteries for lack of charging them?

[@BASSstarlet]

lol thats what im thinking!

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Ha! it's a full time job! 😄

[@theflyingdutchman7171]

Maybe the Fimi does not support a 64gb sd card. Maybe that's why you get an error while trying to format !

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I've found that Fimi drones can be finicky with any TF cards. 🙂

[@jb678901]

@@IdahoQuadcopter I am using a 256GB SAMSUNG EVO PLUS MicroSDXC(130MB/s; Class 10; UHS-I; U3). No issues for me. I stick to the minimum recommended spec (U3; 8-256GB)...per the spec sheet.

[@IchySacFPV]

FIMI for the win......On the pad Baby.....

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

😂🙃🤣

[@ronaldmodesett8579]

I never get as many sat with the EXO as with Autel

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yes, the Fimi received way more satellites. 👍

[@WilliamHorsley1962]

You can say pickleball nobody gets upset you say Frisbee and they get pissed off?

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yep, tell one of those guys they're throwing a Frisbee.

[@ronaldmodesett8579]

Black hawk mini only has internal memory no SD slot

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yeah, I forgot about that. It had been quite some time since I flew the drone.

[@BlairAir]

Ahh, Fimi's wee X8 Who will fly it, deem it great? There's not much to debate The podium? Not Fimi's fate. Perhaps Fimi could repurpose it... as a crop duster. 🤔 For Bonsai trees. 😂

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Meh, not a bad idea! 😄

[@alainboyer7891]

do you have hubsan zino mini pro at this time

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Yes I do.

[@alainboyer7891]

do you solve the jello problem in the wind!

[@jb678901]

The FIMI has a VIVID mode...this saturates the video output and should've been turned off, IMHO.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you. 👍

[@ertatta]

Marcus, can you confirm that this flight of the Fimi was with vivid mode on? The Hubsan is far better with colors & the overall natural quality of its video in this comparison.

[@1rabid1]

I've gone all mini fleet to avoid the RID nonsense. Mini 3 pro, Autel Nono +, first release Hubsan Zino Mini pro w/64gb, anf Fimi X8 Mini with 3 pro batteries V1. I have to admit my guilty pleasure is the Fimi. Just fun to fly with very quick response time, no lag at all. Hubsans will be Hubsans. Before the Exo debacle you got a good drone at a great price in exchange for "beta testing" iffy firmware and spotty support. Now with Exo branding you pay as much as legit pro-sumer drones but with all the same Hubsan issues and worse support, all for a paint job.

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

I hear you, I enjoy the Mini drones too.

[@betaodrone]

Show like garantido

[@IdahoQuadcopter]

Thank you very much!