Beacon Now Compatible With Original Hover Air X1 (Firmware Update)

Good day, folks! Shawn here from Air Photography. Today, I’m sharing a quick update for original Hover Air X1 owners. The drone is now fully compatible with the Beacon, launched alongside the Hover Air X1 Pro and Pro Max. While it has some limitations, which I’ll cover shortly, this is an exciting update. You can purchase the Beacon separately on Amazon or directly from the Hover Air website. A Firmware Update enabling compatibility was released a few days ago.

Firmware Update Availability

The firmware update may not appear immediately, as Hover Air rolls out updates in stages across regions. I received mine this morning, so if you don’t see it yet, check back in a day or two—it should be available.

Connecting the Beacon

To connect the Beacon to your Hover Air X1, press and hold the power button on the Beacon’s side. Once powered on, it enters searching mode to locate a drone. Power on your Hover drone, and it should detect and connect automatically. You’ll need to confirm the connection on the drone’s screen the first time. After that, the Beacon and drone will connect automatically upon powering on.

Limitations Compared to Pro Models

The Beacon’s functionality with the X1 has some limitations compared to the Pro or Pro Max:

• No Hover Link: The X1 doesn’t support Hover Link, which provides advanced tracking beyond visual tracking.
• Range and Height Restrictions: The X1 is limited to a 50-meter range and a 10-meter height, compared to over a kilometer of range with the Pro and Pro Max.
• No Return-to-Home: The X1 does not support the return-to-home feature.

You can change filming modes, and a future firmware update is expected to allow the Beacon to function as a microphone for embedding audio into videos.

Joystick Functionality

The Beacon supports joystick controls, offering flexible flight options. When you purchase the Beacon, you can opt for one or two joysticks:

• Single Joystick: Attaching one joystick turns the Beacon into a motion controller for various maneuvers.
• Dual Joysticks: Adding a second joystick transforms it into a traditional controller, making manual mode easier for cinematic shots.

The Beacon’s small screen provides a preview when using joysticks. Unlike the Pro and Pro Max, which allow smartphone mounting for a larger preview, this feature isn’t supported on the X1 yet. However, Hover Air noted it will be added in the next firmware update.

Practical Uses

The Beacon is a handy accessory for X1 owners. I frequently use it for its preview screen rather than joystick flying. Various attachments let you mount it on a bike’s handlebar, wear it on your wrist, or use a GoPro mount for versatile setups. The preview is especially useful when the drone follows you during activities like biking or hiking, ensuring it’s tracking correctly and framing shots nicely.

I hope you found this video valuable. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next one!