HoverAir X1 ProMax Drone Review for Mountain Biking

[@ZeroZeroRobotics]

Hi there, thanks for your review. Currently, the X1 PROMAX doesn’t support gesture landing, but we plan to release this feature in a future update. We also noticed the drone pausing during the follow mode while you were cycling. This is due to our unique front-side follow/avoidance algorithm, which operates differently from traditional obstacle avoidance systems. Instead of reacting to obstacles, our system tries to reconstruct your trajectory and follows that as the flight path. Essentially, we rely on users to naturally navigate around obstacles, showing the drone the way forward. Most traditional obstacle avoidance systems, whether using stereo vision, LiDAR, or Radar sensors, wouldn’t have the precision to handle high-speed flying in narrow paths. In fact, they would likely detect obstacles too frequently and cause the drone to pause constantly. Plus, adding these systems would significantly increase weight and cost, which we aim to avoid.

[@mtbmonk7076]

Thank you for the explanation, as I mentioned in the review, I think your product is a serious competitor to other drones on the market.

[@emtbhookes]

skydio 2 was already there 4-5 years ago. I used it for MTB several times with no issues but sadly the company stopped selling to consumers and the drone was to be fair significantly bigger.

[@BikingBadwithTC]

It’s a risk to purchase something expensive (relatively speaking) without knowing how it’ll perform for specific application. Your testing was helpful, thx!

[@Downhillbothways]

I have the original Hover air X one and it always reminds me of AI teammates in a video game. It tries to do the basics, but when it loses you, it will literally just stare off in the space and wait for you to come and save it. I have almost lost it a couple of times and what saves me is going into the app. There is a command and manual mode to turn on the camera. So then you can at least see what it’s looking at and try to walk into frame if possible. Awesome video by the way! Great information.👍🔥

[@Realokboy]

Nice review! Same doubts here whether it's mature for fast-moving sports

[@Slipryrok]

Thanks for the explanation. I agree with what you’re saying. I have the x1 and neo. Just ordered ski combo pro max. I’m concerned I made a mistake . I hope they have some updates for the issues. The Neo works really good, for $200. I’m a sucker for these drones, they add another level of fun when you’re out riding and you somewhat relive your day watching it. Cool tech but may not be there just yet. Agreed. 👊🏻🇺🇸

[@mtbmonk7076]

Hopefully for skiing it’s better.

[@sylvesterwatson314]

Great review and it's quite upsetting to know that people are getting their drones before the clients who preordered and paid in full and are still waiting 😢 Not your issue but I await my drone which was paid for some 7 weeks ago. It's also upsetting to see that you have the top spec drone and it's crashed 😢 I expect this only from the first model X1 and not the X1 pro max with it's obstacle avoidance system. You took the drone through a great test for all to see. Well done you.

[@mtbmonk7076]

Thank you, hope you get your drone soon

[@enablerdave]

Thanks for the review. It's awesome to see an honest review. I almost cancelled mine after seeing a couple other similar reviews including one where the drone crashed hard enough to dislodge the camera. But, it shipped out just this morning so I was too late. It seems the obstacle avoidance is going to be more of an issue with the Pro and Pro Max being faster. Much more at stake at higher speeds. Hopefully Zero Zero can improve it through software upgrades. If not, it may still be good for slower technical terrain. Save the faster stuff for my DJI.

[@CalebHMR]

This was an awesome review. Thank you so much putting yor time and effort into this. Honest, well constructed and fair point of views when it is most needed just before they start shipping in eu and lots of people are on the trigger. I'm going for a similar use-case and was already convinced but this made me think. I have to speculate that if the beacon might've helped with the jump scene. But this clearly needs some fine tuning with collision avoidance (better flightpath calculation?) includong othe ör reliability features and the "find my drone" feature seems to be vital. These could be solved within software updates - hopefully sooner than later

[@colinheffell6698]

Great honest video, gave like and subscribed

[@mtbmonk7076]

Much appreciated!

[@alphasportstv]

Thanks for this! Interesting to see more and more MTB videos come out, but sadly without the results I have been hoping for. I already tried a Neo over the last couple of weeks on moderate DH trails in the woods but it was a total fail, lost me and parked at least 5 times in the first 5 minutes, sometimes for no reason at all. It went back to Amazon so I've been hoping the Hover might be an improvement, but apparently not (yet).

[@MrOscillot]

As someone who has mountain biked with three drones including the prior Hover X1, I am very impressed with yours for the price. But I agree that for mountain bike videos, you really need a Skydio 2 with beacon at minimum.

[@mtbmonk7076]

Can the skydio follow from close behind at head height with good obstacle detection?

[@sir_numbskull]

@@mtbmonk7076 Skydio 2 is probably the best autonomous drone at the moment. Sadly, the company exited the consumer market and now exclusively sells to law enforcement and government agencies. It's not clear what the future holds for their consumer units that are still in service, but I have to assume that at some point the software will age out and the birds will be grounded. Really a shame.

[@MrOscillot]

@@mtbmonk7076 not as close as Hovers, but yes with the beacon. Higher consequence if you break it though.

[@Peakabike]

@@mtbmonk7076 no it can only track from a distance and pretty high up, it's a large drone with no cage so it can't be as agile.

[@mailpubblica2]

Very good job. Thank you

[@divenylbantillo13]

You have to practice all the flight modes before you can unlock the advanced function of hand gestures. Did u do that already?

[@mtbmonk7076]

No. This goes back to my other issue. It’s hard to find a coherent set of instructions. I had no idea this was the case in the sparse documentation and tutorial videos I found.

[@christiankohlhaas6273]

Also, in Dolly mode it will stop and return after you stop for 3s. Anything you did in the beginning was just about 2s...

[@Peakabike]

Gestures are NOT implemented for now.

[@raymondlau7983]

Dolly mode as ZZR commented in my other post, it won't work when you did a turn and it will just become follow mode and land.

[@19ab59]

I used the first X1 on many roadbike rides and loved it but went for the pro cause it's faster. Like you said, that foldable design is unmatched

[@mtbmonk7076]

Totally agree!

[@JerseyStyle7]

I just got mine today did not fly yet. I just opened it, tonight I can’t believe this video was just one day ago. I thought they fixed all of these bugs. I am very upset now I don’t even know if I wanna fly it. I think I want a refund. I’m very happy with my DJI Neo for the price and they sell insurance.😩😩😩🤦🏽‍♂️

[@mtbmonk7076]

Hopefully they will improve it

[@raymondlau7983]

Thanks

[@raymondlau7983]

completely agree with you! the clear explained user manual is MISSING! ZZR please listen to this, many people got this drone now might lose it because of NOT clear explained user manual. The one shipped with are completely useless.

[@iamnotapoet]

Thanks so much for the thorough and unbiased overview. Our pro max is do by end of month . It was be great for our beer vlogs like the x1 has been . But it’s important to temper our expectations. - Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [ 🤣Professional🤣Poets & Bed 🛏️ & Beer🍺 Vloggers ]

[@SFBenjaminK]

The problem is the software an aps is not really ready they pup this out to fast now the updates coming left and right every week since they're released it, I don't think going to be completely ready till the end of the year

[@xantophyll]

I think using the higher end X1 ProMax with 8k video against the Neo is not a fair comparison. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. Perhaps the cheaper X1 Pro is a better choice since it has a similar sensor size to the Neo and both shoot at 4K. The X1 Pro may cost slightly more than the Neo but the X1 Pro is miles ahead in terms of video quality, speed and tracking the subject. With firmware upgrades it can only get better.

[@mtbmonk7076]

You make a good point.

[@xantophyll]

@@mtbmonk7076 Perhaps you might wanna do another update video once the bugs are all fixed. I'm a newbie and the X1 Pro is my first drone and I'm pretty satisfied with it. I loved your video as it pushes the capabilities of the drone and I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@brian8936]

@@xantophyll I’m definitely going to do update videos as they work out the bugs.

[@conniedebeer8058]

why not rather go High instead of flat when biking...? I wouldn't even think about flat-mode whilst biking...specially with bushy dusty terrain like you've got there. A CO2-bomb with controllable applicator might be your best friend for the odd motor-winding blow-out whilst out on the trail. Nice review by the way💯!

[@mtbmonk7076]

I updated to the most recent firmware and tried high-far today. It was slightly better but still crashed. Still not reliable for downhill mountain bike from my perspective.

[@conniedebeer8058]

@@mtbmonk7076 I'll fly down my fav DH over the weekend with my MAX and see how it goes. Got my RTH set to just hover in place too; instead of going back to the start line.

[@marciomvp9458]

Where you using the Beacon?

[@mtbmonk7076]

No beacon

[@Emuspaul]

Ah, the price of cutting-edge technology. I just got my pro max. Can't seem to figure out connecting smart phone as a display to the beacon joysticks. I agree the documentation sucks. I guess they are playing catch up with different aspects. Cart before the horse. But meanwhile it's in hand to play with -- while bugs are worked out.... Just have to be careful not to push it into dangerous circumstances while it is in hand.

[@mtbmonk7076]

I’m definitely using it more conservatively since I want to keep it for as long as possible

[@ofirr673]

Is this with the beacon ?

[@mtbmonk7076]

No beacon.

[@ElectricunicyclesUK]

you need to change the height it wont recognise small branches its more user error using wrong settings

[@mtbmonk7076]

I tried that today. But with downhill mountain biking, with constant elevation changes, it has a hard time remaining high enough above the bushes.

[@luyennguyen7406]

It still tracks better than DJI drones. Not as good as Skydio 2. Great video

[@mtbmonk7076]

Thanks! I agree it’s a good option but it’s still early days with it.

[@Whoisramtin]

Are you using the beacon?

[@mtbmonk7076]

No, I don’t think it will help because crashes were the limiting factor, not losing track of me.

[@Peakabike]

@@mtbmonk7076 Yeah, can't see it helping either.

[@RomanoCortesJorge]

Perhaps using a full face helmet messed up its facial recognition software used for landing on the palm of your hand.

[@mtbmonk7076]

Perhaps

[@conniedebeer8058]

@@mtbmonk7076 or the glove...

[@AnotherCG]

My only reason for waiting for X1 pro max is faster mtb filming. I have to switch back like a snail for any of my drones to stay on business.

[@mtbmonk7076]

In fast, straight treeless areas it works well

[@conniedebeer8058]

@@mtbmonk7076 will be doing just that and try stay just shy of 42Km speed limit😬

[@AnotherCG]

It takes hours of flight time to unlock higher functions. Even them, gesterd only work in custom mode. Well for X1 thats true.

[@mtbmonk7076]

Just so viewers know where to look, where can you find this information? I had a really difficult time finding relevant instructions for this drone.

[@Peakabike]

Gestures not implemented yet ! Read up ;-)

[@mtbmonk7076]

Can you tell the viewers where to read up? I think that’s one major problem. The directions are fragmented and non searchable.

[@Peakabike]

@@mtbmonk7076 Yeah I see what you mean, for now you'd need to be spending some time in Hover FB Launch group to be up to speed with what it can do for now.

[@gibsondegroot7900]

Dolly track: stand still for a view seconds and the drone should fly towards you. ☺️

[@LoveMTB]

Thanks for posting, this is actually not much better than the NEO? Just posted my 0.02 on that one😉

[@mtbmonk7076]

Just saw your video. I had a similar experience but we have less trees in Southern California. I’m going to try flying it on high mode today

[@LoveMTB]

@@mtbmonk7076 Yeah agree with you that we're a few years away from autonomous flights from these toys. But hardware is impressive already I'm sure they can squeeze way more out of it just from the firmware/ software. Looking forward to your findings!

[@Peakabike]

It's a LOT better, the Neo can only follow up to 22/23 kph.

[@LoveMTB]

@@Peakabike well neither can actually follow in real life as you saw in both vids…

[@AnotherCG]

Let there be Beacon