HOVERAir X1 - How is it for Hiking? (Up/Down hills, Uneven Ground, a Dog, and More)

We try out the HOVERAir X1 on a hike. Wanted to see how it would perform going up and down hills on uneven terrain. Also wanted to see how it would dodge trees and other things we encounter on trail.
Some things we learned:
Orbit: An orbit starts from the direction you are facing and moves counter-clockwise. Camera locks on person that launched it while X1 conducts the orbit route. If person moves, X1 continues circular orbit while rotating to keep person in frame.
Birds Eye: Camera and X1 does not lock on person. If person moves, X1 does not follow.
Zoom Out: Camera and X1 does not lock on person. If person moves, X1 does not follow. When returning, X1 seems to stop a little further away from the launch position meaning we had to move several steps forward to land it. Important if launching near an obstacle.
Follow: X1 self-adjusted for inclines when walking up and down steep hills.
Manual Control: Works well for a walk-by or walk-under as the camera will not follow you but stay fixed on the spot you pointed it at.
File Time Stamps:
Files were time stamped to the time we transferred them to a device, not to the time they were filmed. The file naming convention seemed to keep them in time order when sorted by “Name”
Sound Recording Setting: The only time our phone picked up sound while the X1 was in flight was during manual control. Our phone’s screen might have timed out the times it did not work.
Some Odd Findings: When editing in Lumafusion, we were not able to speed up the frame rate of several Dolly Track and 90 and 180 degree Orbit clips. We were able to speed up a clip of a 360 degree Orbit though.
thehover.com/p...
Overall we think it will work well when hiking on trails where allowed and there are not many people around.

[@RhodySeth]

Seems like it works great for hiking videos. I’m definitely intrigued.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

So far it's been good for us. Definitely not the in the same category as high resolution drones, but love the easy launch without needing to pull out a phone and connect cables

[@sargevining]

I am literally in the middle of shooting a video on this for hiking. All of the other X1 videos seem to be about mountain bikes, road cycling, running, etc. I've been looking at them for weeks now trying to find one about suitability for hiking/backpacking. I got one and am in the middle of testing right now. Good job.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Awesome! Will be interested in seeing it for sure. Still a bunch of things I want to figure out...like how deep a stream crossing can be before it gets confused (calf deep was no problem). Also zoomed out off some steep embankments, but still leary of trying that off a cliff. Also trying to find the perfect hard case for hiking with it. Ill look for your vid!.

[@sargevining]

@@WillowWalksTheAT We have different challenges in terrain. I'm in north coastal Texas. There's not a whole lot of relief in the terrain with the exception of deep creek beds that are only filled after a rain. My challenge is a very steep drop of 6-8 feet, hop across a trickle, then scramble up the opposite bank. Want to see how it handles that and whether its better in follow or dolly track. I have found out that if in follow, it will track you from a standing position to a kneeling position. Good for walking into a campsite, removing your pack, and setting up camp. Am also testing battery recharge scenarios.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

@@sargevining Gotcha! Bet you could get some good sunrise/sunset shots. Will be interesting how "follow" mode would handle you dropping down the bank. Guessing if it can see your head still, it'll keep following while it's bottom sensors should prevent it from hitting the bank as you (and the X1) move across the wash? It's nice be be able to change the follow (and other) distances. Dolly track is interesting...seems like you can turn it into a follow if you can get around the X1 while moving. Either way good luck and look forward to seeing what you learn. Like you said, not a lot of X1 hiking vids yet!

[@shutthedoor2052]

this is the video that i'm looking for as i do hiking too

[@inmyfreetyme]

What a cute little drone. GREAT review by the way. I may just have to get me one for my KZbin videos. Thanks 4 sharing. Cheers!😎😎

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

It's an interesting device. Finding it useful for some shots but has it's limitations that we have to work around. Been using it some more and will share more videos!

[@ElSantoLuchador]

I love the concept. My problem is they have half the flight time of other drones like the DJI mini. Right now flight time is about 15 minutes. If it goes up to 30 minutes, then I'm in.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Definitely understand that! We find we put it up for about 30 seconds at a time, so it lasts most of the day. Since it only goes about 50ft away, you really can't fly it around like the Mini...at least our experience...

[@danielhutchings8222]

How does it know to focus on you? And not other people or moving objects?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

@danielhutchings8222 not sure exactly. Guessing it is something in the software.

[@steveyost5530]

That is pretty cool! It is nice that it is enclosed so if it does run into things it should not damage it. Also, Willow is such a good dog. My dog would be spending his time trying to grab the thing out of the air or barking at it instead of hiking.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Enclosed is nice for sure. Already ran into plenty of branches. Seems like Willow has gotten used to it. Thankfully kinda ignores it!

[@davidmacdougall910]

@@WillowWalksTheAT My labrador totally ignores mine as well, not interested in it at all (even when I'm using her as the test subject for some of the shots!)

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

@davidmacdougall910 that's interesting...guess they figure it's not a threat

[@madeiraislander]

My main issue with this is the image quality and the price for the image quality. at 450€ it's a bit steep for the image it provides 1:08. It's kind of unusable when combined with 5.3k of the Gopro.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

We feel the same regarding image quality/price ratio.

[@bluedeath4888]

Is that Rattlesnake viewpoint in Canada? Nice place!

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

@bluedeath4888 It's actually in southeastern US...but still nice!

[@daveiwhittle]

Interested in one but battery life and the whining puts me off just now

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

I understand! I get about 10 minutes out of each battery so I bring the 2 slot charger and 3 batteries. That works for us over about 8 hours of hiking when we just throw it up when there is something interesting to film. For the noise, we just make sure to use it when no one else is around. It definately has its limitations, but find it works well for how we like to use it...

[@oldbiker57]

Does the constant buzzing of it annoy you after awhile?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Not really. Mainly since I only fly it for about 20 seconds at a time.

[@DavidMackenzie]

Interesting video, thanks. If you are on a slope and it does a 360 does it stay level with you or the same height above the slope?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

I don't think I've tried 360 on a slope. I'll have to give that a go

[@DavidMackenzie]

@@WillowWalksTheAT that would great if you could 😊

[@littleBIGGRiggs]

Great video & review my friend. Did you get a discount price or did you have to pay full price. I would love to try it but the battery life seems so short. Anyway thanks again & tell Willow we said 👋🏻🐾

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Willow says hi too! Paid full price. Ended up getting a couple extra batteries. Luckily they charge pretty quickly

[@growingupisatrap6688]

I have the DJI 3 pro which is a great drone but defo takes more work to set up and control, so I’m liking the idea of this neat little package and quick use for quick shots. The only thing so far putting me off is the somewhat annoying high pitch noise of the rotors, especially compared to the mini 3 which are nearly silent. You can fly that without anyone really noticing, not so with this one, especially in areas where people don’t want to be annoyed by the like. How have you found it and does that bother you?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Cool info!! I think it's no louder than the Mini 2, but big difference is it doesn't fly as far away so easier to constantly hear the rotors. I find it hard to compare the 2 because the X1 can't really get the same shots distance wise but is so easy to send up

[@TimHief]

My wife and I do Camino walks in Spain. This drone would be perfect the capture many of the shots I was trying to get but couldn't. I'm asking the Hover folks to create a 'recon' mode. Straight up about 30m with a controlled orbit to see the terrain or using the app, choose the direction you want to see. It would be great for hiking, if you lose your bearings, for festivals, even rallies or protests and traffic jams. I'm sure it can transfer the videos to a phone, so a person can review the footage quickly.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Great idea!

[@fluxfaze]

This spring I’ll be assessing destruction to my homestead caused by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. This drone will be an essential tool for recording as I hike the destroyed property to gather evidence imagery for presentation to FEMA. Thank you for this video.

[@TonysTravels2023]

Looks like great bit of kit!! Got mine on order. I’m globe travelling will be good. Being delivered to Uk, friend bringing out to Thailand for me. It’ll be joining my Gdi Osmo 6. I think they will be a great team! …. Hope so!

[@TechInspected]

The drone looks pretty cool but I want a Willow instead. 🙂

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Lol! Willow's battery lasts longer, but she needs more food😀

[@krshoreham7634]

I love using mine….its fun and simple ….on that basis it’ll get used a lot…and I have no issues with the quality of output…I’m not working for a production company!

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Same here. Not making Hollywood movies, and it's so easy to get in the air with no cables or phone

[@fabiogentili]

Thank you for this very useful video. The drone is not bad at all for hiking, I think though it lacks the possibility to increase the shooting distance in follow, bird's eye and orbit. It would also be useful to have a follow from the side and not just from the front or back. Last but not least, the quality of the lens at the edges is not exactly the best

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Glad it was useful! We've found the same limitations you mention

[@johnwhittaker6433]

thanks for review mine is coming in a few days and i cant wait - song is Iban · Sillaba for those that are wondering

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Nice! It's a cool little device. Good ear on the song too!

[@joaopaulorodriguessoares2835]

good morning. The drone videos are edited right? Or is the drone video pure? If you have any idea, can you tell me which program you used. thanks

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Hello. The overall KZbin videos are edited using LumaFusion on a tablet. The individual drone clips are not touched-up in any way, just trimmed to the length we wanted. We are not experts at editing, but we do like LumaFusion for putting these videos together. Below are several videos we posted that sort of show how we do it. Good luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5jcZ6NrfsSbZrssi=V56l6tYuHUfeBNUR kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKrHd4OvZ79nn80si=f-yJKOjM0aEAquj3

[@changein3d]

The idea is nice, but please don’t go out into remote nature with a drone blasting behind you and disturbing every animal and human in a big radius.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

So true.

[@quangyung6751]

how long does one battery last?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

About 10-11 mins of continuous flight, but we'll get a good 4 hours of hiking out of one battery since we really only throw it up for 10-20 second shots at a time. For an 8 hour day of hiking, we'll go through about 2 batteries then charge them up again that night at camp. Hope this helps!

[@quangyung6751]

@@WillowWalksTheAT can it record straight all 10 mins?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

@quangyung6751 Have not tried that. Limiting factor might be internal storage space.

[@whippet71]

Great video and and super dogo assistant!

[@hotchihuahua1546]

Ever get caught in an interstate traffic jam and want to see what’s up ahead ? This could be useful to pass the time away . lol

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Great idea! I have launched it out of my car window and had it 360 orbit around and come back to my hand...while parked...not moving!

[@goodvibesvideos9704]

beautiful demonstration of what the hoverAir X1 can do. ANd the resolution is notbad. DJI is going to be nervous at this point. Just subscribed!

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Glad you enjoyed! You may notice in our videos since this one that we sprinkle in some hover shots with GoPro and phone footage. Thx for subscribing!

[@aaallllen]

The obstacle avoidance needs work, but the orbit/zoom out/follow modes look pretty neat.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Agreed! I'm learning I need to take wide turns around trees

[@FlamethrowerintheDark]

My understanding is that this device has no obstacle avoidance at all. It might give some illusion of it thanks to quite smart tracking algorithm. But I was expecting it to auto-land when it hit the branch but it just auto corrected and kept going, so perhaps I know nothing.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

​@FlamethrowerintheDark It seems to be a bit in between. Sometimes it auto corrects, and sometimes it starts to land. There is definately a learning curve and has limitations.

[@santoslorenz]

No obstacle avoidance at all.

[@AndrooJeanPierre]

Thanks for this great video, and trial of this drone. One question, though: it seemed to ignore your dog, but what would happen if you met other hikers ? Would there be a risk of it following the wrong person or getting confused as to which person to follow ?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

It seems to know to follow you somehow. When you first set it up you hold it facing you, presumably to "learn you" so it can follow you only. I have never had it start following another person, but it has dipped down before and started following Willow. I think each firmware update changes how that works slightly, but overall, I think it does a pretty good job at staying locked on you. Hope this helps!

[@AndrooJeanPierre]

@@WillowWalksTheAT thank you so much for your response

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

Hello does it have mechanical type gimble stabilization or is it software stabilization?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Hello. The gimble does move around and the camera physically tracks, but I think there might be some software stabilization too

[@MarriedToTheKGB]

@@WillowWalksTheAT thanks. It might be a drone I will get but I will wait for the price drop as the camera isn’t so high quality

[@domovancan]

Your dog needs water.

[@Fei_Bi]

So cute!!!❤

[@RayDCO]

#WillowCam

[@bubbalovesoatmealadventure108]

Very cool...it fallows your phone? Phone is controller also? How is battery life?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

It somehow knows how to follow you. Sensors I think. You don't need the phone to fly it, but their app has a "manual mode" which has virtual controls. Battery lasts about 10 mins...not much but really only using it for short shots

[@bubbalovesoatmealadventure108]

@@WillowWalksTheAT sounds awesome!

[@teofilol2666]

I think it locks on to your face or body to track you, the AI algorithm will remember you

[@eksodass]

Willow takes cools shots😊

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Thanks! She is a partially cooperative camera mount!...but a great hiking companion

[@eksodass]

@@WillowWalksTheAT got me thinking did he by a dog and a Go pro in Combo?😀 happy hiking!!

[@ervinslens]

Nice upload friend 🔥

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Thanks!

[@AZGeek520]

Thanks for posting some real world performance. I'm impressed with how well it handled the tasks. What are you using for the zippered sleeve pouch for the drone?

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Hope it was useful. The soft case was a hard drive case from Amazon. We ultimately settled on a waterproof hardcase from Bass Pro Shops...fits perfectly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWndoJ6GqrOqe6csi=7luS52aLrF-gnr-Q

[@bishopshaw5691]

What did Willow think about it? 😎

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Surprisingly, she pretty much ignores it...unless it gets too close.

[@paganed]

I see the weight on the drone + battery is 125g = 4.4 oz what's the weight of the charger + a second battery (?) is the battery chargeable from a non-110v plug (?)

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Great questions! I'll weigh them when I have my kitchen scale back and let you know. They feel super light though. As far as wall plugs go, guessing the charger can handle non-110v since I've seen reviews from all over the world. The battery dock charges via USB C, so you would just use whatever wall plug you have and the USC C cable

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Charging dock is 51 grams, 1 battery is 40 grams.

[@paganed]

Awesome .. Thank You ! 91grams = 3.2 oz

[@vladtepes481]

Well done production!

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Thanks!!

[@TonysTravels2023]

Am I being stupid? Is it possible to Mount this say, at front of a cycle? Are mounts available for this….. or am I stupid. Real, real newbie to this stuff. Regards.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

I wouldn't clamp the X1 in any sort of mount given the frame is sort of fragile. You can have it fly in front of you on a cycle filming back at you as you move forward (Dolly Track mode). Or you can have it follow you from behind on your cycle. If you want to attach a camera to your cycle filming forward, maybe try a GoPro or just your phone mounted to your handle bar. Hope this is what you were asking! Good luck

[@TonysTravels2023]

@@WillowWalksTheAT many thanks. Having looked around hot advice from you and others doesn’t look like a great idea. As you can say, it can film from front and rear, thall do what I need. Many thanks. Cheers.

[@Tractor-boy1]

What’s on the dog

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

She has a backpack with sleeping pad and GoPro on

[@bournefree]

Does it work on iOS

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Website says compatible with iOS, but I have not tried it with iOS...thehover.com/products/hoverair-x1-self-flying-camera-combo?variant=46001310007581

[@bob-ny6kn]

"Hiking" - ha. This word is now meaningless. KZbin "hikers" are more like "hotel residents" who walk for two days and rest for three "because I must recharge electronics"... seriously... why hike? Why not just stay home and program your drone to do it for you and sit in front of a washing machine. Same enjoyable sound, and the washer lasts for more than ten minutes.

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

Good points. Thx for the comment

[@benhikescamps]

He’s just showing you how a new drone works. I’d recommend you watch the video again.

[@hotchihuahua1546]

I think it’s neat if only it would be quiet it would be perfect ! I wonder if it draws mosquitoes. lol

[@WillowWalksTheAT]

@hotchihuahua1546 It definitely screams!

[@naritcom]

@@hotchihuahua1546 try using it in manual with an external mic. It uses AI to filter out the prop noise & focus on your voice or the other sounds around you or where you placed the mic and your phone.