50 Words or Less
The HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is a pocket-sized drone that can turn your round into a movie. Very easy to use. Loads of options. 8K resolution. Not a great choice for swing analysis.
Introduction
Pros on the PGA Tour have it pretty good. They have galleries full of people to find their wayward shots, they get free clubs, and entire crews of people are devoted to making their game look awesome on TV. While I can’t do anything about finding your sliced drives, today’s review does provide a way to make your game look more cinematic. The HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is a self-piloting camera that will make your game look as good or better than any PGA Tour broadcast.
Set Up & Ease of Use
I unboxed the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX and found the drone, two batteries, and the battery charger. There was also an instruction manual, but HOVERAir smartly wrapped the carrying case with the quick start guide which was all I really needed. I downloaded the HOVERAir app, charged the batteries, and was off and running.
One of the things that makes the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX so appealing is that it can operate completely on its own. There’s a small screen on the drone above a control wheel, and from there you can choose the flight mode and launch it. Also, it’s so small that it doesn’t require FAA registration to fly. More and more places are prohibiting full-sized drones, but the HOVERAir can fly under the radar (pun intended).
There are advantages (and some necessities) to using the HOVERAir app. In the app, you can fine tune the flight modes, adjusting things like height and speed. This is also where you can see the footage that you’ve recorded and transfer it to your phone. The drone connects to the app quickly with a couple taps.
If you want full control, you can add the Beacon and JoySticks. The Beacon provides a screen where you can see the video you’re recording and control the camera. For those that get nervous about letting their drone fly long distances, the Beacon also provides a Return to Home function.
With the JoySticks, you can get a traditional, manual drone flying experience. You can connect either one or two JoySticks to the Beacon and use your phone as a preview screen. Throughout my testing, I was consistently impressed with how intuitively everything worked together, the different flying options that this system provides, and how much fun it is to use.
Overall, the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is fun and easy to use, but, if your goal is to grab epic shots at the drop of a hat, you will need to practice with it. After half an hour, you’ll have the settings dialed in for the shots you want, and you’ll understand the timing and spacing of how to launch the drone then hit your shot. Similarly, if you want to get into manual controls for specific shots, take some time to practice the set up so you aren’t holding up other groups.
Features & Performance
I want to stick with that idea of fun. I’ve owned a couple different drones over the last decade, and the word “fun” is not one I’ve used a lot. There are moments when I enjoy flying, and I love how a drone expands the possibilities for photo and video, but they’re kind of a headache.
In contrast, the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is fun. It has a variety of different flights modes – Follow, Bird’s Eye, Side Track, Dolly Zoom, 360 Spin, Orbit, Zoom Out, Ski Mode, Cycle Mode, Indoor Follow. Set one, let the camera lock in on you, and let it go. You can go deeper into the settings to get the exact shot you want, but the camera does all the work, leaving you with professional looking shots. The camera launches from and lands on your hand, and it’s compact size lets you bring it wherever you go.
I’ve frequently seen cameras and other devices sold with some version of the line, “Unlock your creativity.” I’ve never found that to be true. Most new devices require a lot of learning and have substantial friction. With the HOVERAir, however, I find myself taking more videos, trying different things, and letting the different flight modes expand how I would photograph a round.
Despite being small, the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX boasts some impressive specs, flying at speeds up to 26 MPH. Each battery is estimated to last 16 minutes, which is about what I saw in my testing. That doesn’t seem like much, but it’s enough to capture over twenty different short shots. Finally, the PROMAX does a great job protecting itself. The rotors are enclosed, so they won’t get tangled in branches, and the camera has collision detection. After watching the camera navigate forests in some of the cycling videos, I had no concerns about letting it fly around a golf course or my neighborhood.
Golf Functionality
Now we get to the question you’re likely asking: “How does this relate to golf?” The honest answer is that, for many of you, it doesn’t. But that’s true of almost every review on this site. High handicappers don’t care about blade irons, and scratch players don’t care about cavity back wedges. The HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is for a specific golfer who wants to have awesome video of their game.
As I mentioned, I regularly bring a drone when I travel (you can see some of my latest drone shots HERE), but it’s a whole production. I would not recommend it to anyone for whom making content isn’t their job or primary hobby. However, because of the ease of use and compact size, I would recommend the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX. You can keep this in your golf bag, walk up to a scenic hole or memorable shot, and leave with an epic video as a souvenir.
If you become “The Drone Guy” in your group, you can expect to be invited on every golf trip from now on. I’ve yet to see a golfer – regardless of age or handicap – who didn’t become giddy seeing a drone video of their par 3 tee shot. And if you run a golf outing, this would be a smash hit. Camp out on the prettiest hole and offer a Bird’s Eye video in exchange for a donation to the cause. You’ll be the charity’s new favorite person.
Click HERE to see my demo of the HOVERAir’s Camera Modes
The one “negative” is that I don’t think the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is particularly useful for coaching or video analysis. It can fly in a set position, but it’s loud enough that it’s going to annoy other golfers on the range. If you want to film your swing [though I would argue that you shouldn’t, explained HERE], just get a tripod for your phone.
Value
The HOVERAir X1 PROMAX retails for $699 and the Beacon and Joysticks are $250. The HOVERAir X1 Pro retails for $499. You can buy them all HERE.
The primary difference between the PROMAX and Pro is that the PROMAX shoots up to 8K. You can find the comparative full spec sheet at the link above.
Despite the title of this section, buying a HOVERAir isn’t about value; it’s about fun. If you have the money and want a way to capture unique video of your game and your travels, this is tough to beat.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an aspiring Tour Pro, the next YouTube star, or just someone who wants some cool shots to share, the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX makes it easy and fun to shoot cinematic videos. For me, what sets this apart is that it can go anywhere and work independently – no phone or other devices required. That level of freedom means you’ll actually take it out and make cool videos, which is the whole point.
Buy the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX HERE
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.