HoverAir X1 Pro - Great Hardware, Disappointing Software Implementation To Start!

[@MiyagisRant]

Update: Well this morning I finally got the firmware that addressed 95% of the issue which is good. It was certainly an adventure but that's the risk us early adopters take when getting these, at least we got it at a discount price lol So onward with much playing and testing and I will come back with a full review of this vs the original X1.

[@EspenJohan]

HoverAir X1 Pro looks like a cool drone with great potential

[@Cute_Maxi]

This is actually why I canceled my indiegogo contribution... I was afraid the software just wouldn't be up to snuff. I hope they get it all straightened out because I would love to buy one retail at a future date.

[@MiyagisRant]

@@Cute_Maxi yup, new firmware finally rolled out this morning and everything is working as it should, couple of minor glitches but nothing major. Not a good starting experience for sure. But the drone itself is solid and well built, better than its predecessor imo

[@Cute_Maxi]

@@MiyagisRant Ok cool! If you don't mind me asking, hows the video signal? Range, latency, etc?

[@MiyagisRant]

@@Cute_Maxi doing some testing today stay tuned 😉

[@odlanorirom]

..thanks for sharing...the focus of your dog is excellent, trying to ignore the noisy propeller...😀

[@MiyagisRant]

Yah, the new X1 Pro 4K is actually quote good and it also shoots 60fps and slow motion. There was no propeller noise in the video lol My app is not working right so I can't record the sound, I prefer just record on the Mic2 with a deadcat and sync it post.

[@michaelbuddy]

I got the original one, from seeing some videos by you, camera conspiracies and some others. I like it. Now I think it's probably not going to get much by way of software upgrade since theyu've already released this new one. I was hoping for some software changes such as the orbit being more controllable and just general options for each of the settings. The new DJI one looks cool too. 4K would be nice, but I think 2k is plenty for most of these mini cameras if it keeps processing down and battery life up. Edit: Now that Iv'e seen the back camera of the pro, if it can do a follow from the front that would be ideal for some biking and running footage in certain precarious places. The beacon may be the key to everything that I'm interested in having. Man, if this tech would have been out in say 2010. That would have been so much fun to take advantage of then. I still can now but you know what I mean.

[@MiyagisRant]

Actually, I've already talk to tech support and they are aware of the issues so just a matter of time. As for the app, they have made changes to the flight modes in terms of distance/flight times. Not sure exactly what as my app is not really working lol. If everything gets ironed out, I'm definitely going for the Beacon, that thing is wild and also backwards compatible to the original X1. The 2k is nice on the X1 but the 4K is a big difference from what I've already seen, even the dynamic range and colors are better not just the rez. I almost pulled the trigger on the NEO but I'm glad I didn't, we are now seeing some serious issues with the Neo, ie. questionable "4K" resolution, the tracking is horrible especially the front tracking mode. It's slow and often loses the subject. Everyone's argument is that well it works with other controllers, has gps and goes farther and cheaper. Well, 1st off, the battery is so small that you ain't going too far with it so that's redundant, you can but it's not going to make it back lol. The reason I was going to buy it was because I have the Avata 2 with the goggles and motion RC, would have been cool but I think that fad will die after about 3 flights. People say, oh yah, you can fly it like and fpv, not quite true again as we are finding it, it can do 'some' of the fpv acro stuff but it's limited. It's cheaper, sure, less built in memory, not foldable, less speed, less battery and horrible 4K resolution, you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong, I love DJI stuff as you've already notice and I have the M3P and Avata2, love them both and wouldn't trade them for anything but the NEO, it won't in the gaps I need as a travel drone but that's me ;)

[@MiyagisRant]

I would also suggest you check out Roo's Reviews, he's done some pretty extensive testing on the NEO, I trust him as he's big into image quality. I also found out that he lives in the same city as me lol small world and he's funny as shit.

[@riccheng2274]

Still waiting for mr HoverAir X1 Pro Skiinh Combo, not start ship yet

[@MiyagisRant]

Yah, I was surprised to get mine this early but I was 423 contributor so I think I was on the first batch sent out.

[@AnotherCG]

Soon enough. Soon enough.

[@LGW3-Orchids-Exotics]

I am still trying to troubleshoot with support. I am able to connect via bluetooth, but the drone wifi will not connect with my Samsung S23 (Android) phone! It's extremely disappointing! They have yet to provide a solution for me. I also can't understand why the app has such low ratings. I mean why design great hardware and not get good developers to create a decent app?! I did manually pull the micro SD card out and connect it to my computer. The video has great picture quality. They need to get the software resolved ASAP!

[@MiyagisRant]

I agree, the app needs a lot of work which is strange as they didn't build it ground up, it was already there for the X1 which I never had issues with on the app. Not sure why this is such a problem. I have literally 7 Android phones all using different versions of Androids ALL have different responses to the app lol. The drone is solid that's the good thing but that app is just brutal, seems like there are less problems for Iphone users which is surprising as there are more Android users then Apple users. They have a lot of damage control imo with this app. Are you in the HoverAir X1 Launch Group? should join, might find some answers in there. I'm going to give app a break and come back to it in a couple of weeks, there's already been 4 app updates since I got it so I'm hoping they are on this and if they are not, it's going to kill their future sales. At the very least, the drone is independent and I can use it the way I need it to for now.

[@LGW3-Orchids-Exotics]

Where can I join that group? Perhaps I can find some info there. Thanks for the heads-up.

[@MiyagisRant]

@@LGW3-Orchids-Exotics facebook.com/share/p/njd7LWErmiDMyJAc/

[@LGW3-Orchids-Exotics]

@@MiyagisRant I signed up. Thank you!

[@AnotherCG]

Updates are endless. Long as its field upgradable....Lets roll!!

[@nkrezz_]

Mine glitches when recording, not sure how to fix that

[@MiyagisRant]

Is that with the new app and firmware? Mine so far is working flawlessly with the replacement, knocking on wood lol I honestly think the first batch had hardware issues because some of the people in the group were having the same issues I had as they were also the ones that got the first shipment.

[@simistef]

Well it was not just Android. iPhone users had the same problem

[@MiyagisRant]

@@simistef yah not a great app experience that's for sure

[@SFBenjaminK]

THANKS FOR Android info, I am Android Samsung Google guy from the get-go , F That rip off APPLE never buy or support those greedy mother fathers , I can't believe this device have problem with Android I'm going to get ProMax in next couple of weeks and I have S24 ultra at this time, bought the cycle combo pack comes with all the accessories and added the extra battery to the combo , this is disappointing ... But I'm pretty sure they're going to fixed it on the updates for sure, I paid around $1,000 for this , this is B.S

[@MiyagisRant]

No problem, you might be safe, seems like people with Samsung phones are not having the same issues. I guess people who are using any other brand is SOL, Weird thing is, I have a Samsung S8 tablet and an older Samsung A12 phone, they both don't work either so I'm out of ideas. I literally have 9 android devices and tried them all, all with some problems so I don't think it's me as even ZZR is aware of these issues. Oh well, the drone is working fine, it's just the app, not a big deal, I don't RC this anyways, I have other drones for that kind of fun ;)

[@SFBenjaminK]

@@MiyagisRant Well also I ordered combo pack comes with all accessories with the beacon controller, so we'll see how is that one work ,there is no videos about it

[@MiyagisRant]

@@SFBenjaminK dang, you went all out lol I got the cheapest one due to the fact that it was first launch product and I anticipated issues.. case and point lol. I figured if I'm not happy with it, I didnt' blow a wad of cash. I really wanted the Pro Max but just couldn't justify it as I wanted a couple of other toys as well. And we still have the Ace Pro 2 coming, never ends. I think the Hoverair X1 Pro/Pro Max will do well, as I said, the drone is rock solid and the 4k looks damn good on this end. The issues is just the app and it was just badly implemented, it'll get fixed. Don't forget, we weren't suppose to get these until about mid to end of October so they were early shipping these out and probably they werent' ready with the app, still no excuse if you ask me lol

[@gregb1599]

Its got bugs in the flying as well like avoid under pass bridges as the drone gets lost and auto lands, not so great if you are over water or on a busy road, just avoid bridges lol

[@Reem_Geez]

Are you speaking about the original X1 or the Pro or Pro Max?

[@MiyagisRant]

I haven't had a chance to test that yet but it should do well with water and snow now, that was one of the big features of the X1 Pro/Max

[@gregb1599]

@@Reem_Geez The pro and pro max

[@gregb1599]

@MiyagisRant I believe if the X1 pro just like the original losses track, it will auto land, the Neo will just hover in place and keep looking for you. I am guessing the same will happen if it gets lost over water and just land. Hopefully, that setting can be changed to hover like the Neo.

[@MiyagisRant]

@@gregb1599 Yah, that's strange with the NEO, it's got GPS so wouldn't it have RTH? From what I've seen, it needs the RC to get the RTH feature, which is kind of dumb. So now you have to go buy a $200 RC? So much for a 'cheap' alternative. As for HoverAir, I believe and correct me if I'm wrong, it only has the RTH feature if you have the Beacon, HoverAir even though doesn't have gps, they have their own triangulation method. Once they sort out this app issue and everything is smooth, I will likely get the Beacon.

[@simistef]

That sky is totally overexposed and burn out

[@MiyagisRant]

@@simistef still looks better then the DJI A5 lol I'll be doing more testing

[@The10thManRules]

This is a simple 8bit travel selfie drone, not a cinematic, 10bit, D-log, landscape, 10+km range, sports car chasing, FPV compatible, professional quality, Part 107 licensed, videography drone. People shouldn't try to shoehorn drones into false "apples to apples" comparisons when the manufacturers aren't doing that. Hoverair isn't trying to compete with DJI in rhetoric or features. It absolutely can't. No one else should. Expectations should be managed accordingly. The cost difference between the Hoverair and DJI should also be tempered because Hoverair isn't a billion dollar company with global government/corporate contracts.

[@simistef]

@@The10thManRulesso what you are trying to say is the reason why the sky is overexposed ?

[@The10thManRules]

@simistef There are the same reasons any lens would overexpose an image. Are we assuming that any DJI drone is impossible to overexpose a scene? Suppose that the operator didn't care to properly expose the scene. Suppose that the drone wasn't equipped with an ND filter. Suppose that the specific environmental conditions we're ripe for perfect sky exposure. Suppose that the video editor didn't care to bring out the detail in the sky because it wasn't necessary relevant to the purpose of the shot. My point is that no camera can be smarter than the operator/editor. Manage your expectations.

[@The10thManRules]

@@simistef Are all of your drone videos perfect exposed? Why or why not? Are you the best drone scene capturer? Why or why not? Is your drone(s) the absolute best drone? Why or why not?

[@robbart7599]

video with drone firmware not updated : click bait !

[@MiyagisRant]

@@robbart7599 what does that even mean lol and you're under the impression I give a crap about your 'clicks' 🤣

[@19ab59]

My mouse hovers over the refund button....

[@MiyagisRant]

I wouldn't the drone is a solid piece of hardware and the good thing about this new version is that the drone works independently so that was nice that I can use the drone. The 4K quality is incredible, it blows the NEO 4K away hands down. At the very least, ZZR has been good at responding to issues and i'm finally updating the new firmware that's suppose to fix these issue as we speak. I just think the rolled this out prematurely, doing this is never a pretty picture but that's the risk us early adopters take ;)

[@LGW3-Orchids-Exotics]

I am close to that solution as well! 🤣

[@scottgivens27]

Good and honest. I hope ZZR fixes this issue for you and all android users. Fortunately it’s only a software issue. If it were hardware, it would be all kinds of bad. Regardless, we’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity, and for you to experience this disappointment is a downer for most of us early adopters

[@MiyagisRant]

Yah, looks like just software. I just got word from tech support they will be rolling out a new app version to address these issues and a fw update for the X1Pro in the next couple of days. Trust me if it were hardware it would have been returned lol

[@scottgivens27]

@@MiyagisRant awesome news Brother! Yeah hardware issues, I still have time to cancel my order too. 😆 Keep us posted with a video update!

[@MiyagisRant]

@@scottgivens27 For sure!

[@MiyagisRant]

@@scottgivens27 for sure, the footage is really quite good I have to admit. I just cranked mine to 4K/60fps, gonna do some testing with that. I wouldn't cancel it, the drone is good, just the goofy app. If you're an Iphone user, you're good, just isolated to Android users.

[@scottgivens27]

@@MiyagisRant that’s great news! Thanks for the update. I see that they should have the fix in a day or two. I do have the iPhone, but I convinced a buddy of mine to buy one and he’s an android user as well and he is disappointed with the news. I’m so excited to see the image quality of this compared to my former X1. 😁

[@CallaFab]

I'm glad I cancelled my order for the Pro Max cycle kit. I'll wait till it's all worked out and decide if it's really better than my X1.

[@MiyagisRant]

Although the start experience wasn't great, the hardware is solid and as they said. Don't forget this is an isolated Android app issue, nothing to do with the quality of the drone. I'm 100% confident it will be ironed out. Tech support has also informed me that they are aware of these issues and fixing it as we speak. But for me, this is inexcusable as Android users were left in the rain, not acceptable in my books ;) The drone, wow, the footage awesome and the drone is much better quality then the orig X1 IMO.

[@gregb1599]

Its amusing, so many bagged the Neo for not being tested enough at launch and the X1 is even worse! I am onto my third firmware update on my Neo, unfortunately its night time here so not able to see if it has any improvements, but wow no Android support on release that is seriously messed up!

[@MiyagisRant]

don't read wrong, there is Android support and seems like it's isolated to device brand. I almost pulled the trigger on the NEO but we are now seeing some not great reviews on it specifically that 4K resolution which is being questioned. The X1Pro is a solid piece of hardware and the new models are independent unlike the original X1, meaning you don't need the app to work. While waiting for the 'app' fix, I've been playing with the drone and trust me, it's impressive, the video is incredibly sharp. Unfortunately as early adopters to any device, this is the risk we take but still no excuse to a simple Android 'app' problem. I finally got the fw update while typing this, so looks like everything is working as it should be via Android. That was an adventure for sure!