So I got me a little drone.....

Review by Simon Willis

He's been using the HOVERAir X1 for some time too.

Clever.

It looks to be getting pretty close to the other people, ie it looks like you set it to fly a bit low. Is it actively avoiding everyone else?

I've been tempted to replace my Mavic Mini with a Neo, looks fun and simple to use, as well as a bit less faff than the Mavic.

I'll add the fun-police link, just in case you're not aware of what's needed to fly a drone;

https://skykam.co.uk/need-license-dji-neo/

I think this might be about to cost me a load of money...lol

Have to admit I've been tempted by these little buggers.

They look like a very handy thing for getting some additional footage

It looks to be getting pretty close to the other people, ie it looks like you set it to fly a bit low

It's at the 'high' setting, but possibly because my daughter is only teeny it's flying low... but i take that on board!

Probably shouldn't have been flying around other people so close - will learn for next time..

DrP

Mates got one. Follow-me mode was good, trying to fly in front of you only worked in a straight line devoid of trees so not good for the local single track in that view. Luckily it makes a high pitched whining 'cry for help' as it hits the trees and cant stabilise 😀

I've been drone curious for a long time, but was struggling with the cost.. currently the Dji Mini 4K (an update Mini2, it has no obstacle avoidance sensors or chase setting) is on Black friday sale for £210. The mini series being under 250g have a huge amount of more freedom to fly, where bigger drones simply cannot legally. Looking at the reviews, this is a great starter unit though you need to move up the mini range to use it for proper video creation (camera sensor is limited). I was all ready to go, then I started check out where you can fly them legally, and by god there a huge amount of places that you will get into trouble flying them. For me this is places like the Wyre forest, or another local forest (the million) where you simply wouldn't expect there to be limits, are within air port exclusion zones. A mircolite air port has the same exclusion zone as a RAF base! Then I looked at the free Drone assist app, and fricken everyone seems to be some sort of exclusion zone. Admittedly some of these are due to limitation like SSSi's , which you can fly over thee depending on what the SSSi is in place for (eg: Plants are not going to be affected, but nesting bird could be, if it's during their nesting season) but so much is not allowed and will get you into trouble if you do not take it seriously. Maybe it's not quite as bad as all that, but it worth taking it seriously. It is not the fun police you need to worry about, it's being prosecuted and a major fine

All good except without collision avoidance not much use for mountain biking, skiing, kitesurfing etc.
Which is interesting because on the dji website they show a video of it following a mountain biker and appearing to dodge out of the way of obstacles, hen in reality (I think) it would crash into them…

Very cool. Yeah, get some tech trails filming done, hopefully will be awesome.

@andylc it seemed to do OK at lower speeds in follow-me mode through tight tracks. Not seen the 15+mph footage yet so I can't comment on that.

One thing that is impressive is you can link a bluetooth mic to the phone app and do a 'tech talk-and-walk' style of video as you walk round pointing at things which was neat for a Vlog the owner does at RC Glider competitions.

As cool as it is DrP, you need to familiarise yourself with the drone code and get the basic licence. No flying within 50m horizontal of people for example.

Collision avoidance is the only thing stopping me getting one now the firmware update has increased the follow speed

That thing plus collision avoidance would be awesome!

Having seen DC rainmaker and a few others, it looks like as long as you don't make sharp turns and you're not having to dodge and duck under branches, it seems to follow your route pretty well, so shouldn't hit things..

Shouldn't being the optimistic word!

Might have a go at some tree lined routes and technical climbs this weekend (weather permitting).

Just waiting for my top-gun pilot licence stickers to arrive too!

(BTW, the operator licence is jsut over 11 quid a year)

DrP

The Neo is under 250g so you can fly it in a LOT more places than bigger drones, @tthew. (I think a crowd is defined as a group of people unable to move freely, so you're okay there too)

Yeah, as it's only 135gm the appeal was there's no requirement for a licence, and can be flown closer to people/groups.

Howeve, rule 1 etc etc always needs to be employed!

DrP

Ah, as you were, my knowledge is obviously out of date. I bought one for work back in the days of the massive DJI Mavic for doing simple inspections at height without needing expensive rope access gangs or big scaffold. Sound idea but I was absolutely shite at piloting it and crashed it every time it was deployed. Gave myself quite a decent thumb injury on one of the props too! Never admitted that to the safety team. 😀

You still need an operator ID (this is not a license) for drone under 250g with a camera*, you don't need a flyers ID (but is a free test currently) & that operator ID must be on your drone @DrP

DJI Neo need to know

* even £30 toy drone off amazon, if they come with a camera, you need an operator ID to use it outdoors

Yeah obvs rule 1 always.

My knowledge was out of date too, I only know 'cos I'm being seriously tempted by the Mini 4k. I really don't need it though, and I'll probably never use it.

How was it recived in this kind of social environment.  I would have imagined some funny looks at you recording other peoples kids regardless of your innocent intentions.

I actually think this is ace.  Would be fantastic for some outdoors bouldering videos

How was it recived in this kind of social environment.

Honestly, many parents came up to me asking about it..they seemed really impressed and all wanted them.. No one seemed bothered, and several were chatting to their own kids about them.
A 'grown man' sk8r boi was asking me about it too - so I got it to film him as he impresively grinded adn jumped his way around the park! I emailed him his clip.

Many kids came running up saying "film me...film me..."!!!

I politely declined!
I guess it would have been different were I rubbing my thighs and sans child!!!

DrP

Some good links to registering my neo above... Cheers.

You must have a very trustworthy face.  Its really nice to hear it was received in this way because i bet loads of those kids/families really found it interesting.  If it were me i would expect to be hung, drawn and quartered for even considering it.

So took the drone out for a little play on the bike today... was proper fun being chased by it, and playing around etc!

Forgive the poor video quality-  ALL of this is new to me; from drones, to filming, to editing... I'm obviously doing something wrong in the editing -> compressing/rendering..
Need to lear Davinci Resolve a bit better!

But anyway..not bad for effort no. 2!

The drone is VERY impressive at following at reasonable speed..you soon learn to take corners WIIIDE or it'll hide behind a tree!

DrP

OK..i'm learning... i THINK if i render in a better CODEC it'll make it higher quality. It seems at EVERY stage quality is compressed.
Rendering... and then youtube have their say too!

DrP

@drp three corner copse and the rest. i lride the same trails. will keep an eye out.

Better vid!

DrP

That looks pretty cool.  Loved the lad at the skate park getting buzzed up close by it.

The only thing that takes the gloss off the footage is everyone I’ve seen with these is constantly looking behind to checks it is still tracking. I’d fall off.

Fab, including the old bloke popping wheelies at the end ! LOL.  Seemed to follow really well and avoid most obstacles

Hey...I may be old, and a bloke, but.... Erm... LOLZ!

DrP

Excellent wheelie skills.  Impressive bit of kit.  How does it dictate who it follows and what effects the height it seems to follow at.

How brilliant is that skatepark 🙂

I'd seen a video a while ago of the LocoSkates guys there. Wish we had something like that around here.

How does it dictate who it follows and what effects the height it seems to follow at.

You choose the height (Low, flat, high) and the distance (close, mid, far) via the app  on you phone...

You can choose these for all the different modes... You can change the modes with just the drone, but need a phone to change those parameters. I used a variety of flat and low follow... And med when climbing, close when descending

DrP

I've got mixed ideas about the Neo, having watched the DC Rainmaker review video he seemed to be able to flumox it with the foliage  near running trails and by out-paced it at not particularly huge speeds in the open, on a bike.

I can see it being fun to capture a few chasing and orbit or panning shots on MTB and Gravel rides, but I don't think it's going to keep up with spirited DH sections, and I can see it impacting a good ride with lots of stopping to retrieve a hung up drone from a bush. At the same time the price is pretty good, it's in the fun toy range Vs buying something as pricey as a new GoPro it's not a bad deal.

I can't help wondering if a better version with some collision detection and a bit more ability to keep up/track at higher speeds will be about in 24 months or so.

My wishlist feature that would make these a really awesome toy is Garmin edge pairing and a connect IQ app so you could send basic commands from the bars.

I've got one sat in my Amazon basket...

I can’t help wondering if a better version with some collision detection...

It seemed to do OK avoiding the trees and street furniture.

I can think of a couple of trials I'd like to try one on, but like the GoPro videos I made a few years ago, it all come out looking a bit flat and samey. Well the MTB one, the skatepark was great.

I can’t help wondering if a better version with some collision detection and a bit more ability to keep up/track at higher speeds will be about in 24 months or so.

I agree...

But I'm happy to be an early adopter!

I wonder if a lot can be done with software AI updates... I think "path tracking" i.e figuring out the route I take, and following that precisely (rather than just keeping me in frame), would help avoid getting lost in corners... ?

DrP

Great wheelie skills @Drp

For a small relatively inexpensive drone it’s produced some impressive footage. I’m sure DJI will improve on this - but what an impressive bit of kit.

i don’t need one but seriously tempted to buy one now regardless

what’s the battery life like ?

Ok pretty good what it can do but very irresponsibly used

There are rules about how these things should be used which clearly have not been followed.

Also IMO they are no better than Sur-Ron ie completely anti social. Just imagine if everyone had one

There are rules about how these things should be used which clearly have not been followed.

Care to share said rules? Adding to what's already been covered above?

Bearing in mind the drone is <250gm, has an operator licence ID on it, and isn't flying over a crowd...?

DrP

That looks a lot of fun, tempted to add one to the Christmas list.

the rules seem pretty.... complex. Glad to see you are taking time to listen to the advice in here OP.

RE battery life - that video I edited about used almost 3 batteries...
Each battery lasts about 13-14 minutes; I swapped them over when it was close to empty.

The 'fly more' pack comes with 3 batteries adn teh controller -I'd strongly suggest getting this pack as it's actually really fun having a proper controller/range. You CAN fly with jsut the phone, but you're limited to about 10m range.

I took the drone out early this week and played around with our local pier being fixed!

I missed the good light by about 10 minutes..but wouldn't have been able to get this shot without the DJI controller.

DrP

I think drones are great and seem like fun..... Would like one.

However,

Can't stand them over my house and garden :-(.  Sometimes less than 10ft. Spot them and they scampet away.. c.....ts who ever you are.

Burgulars and scrotes charter 🙁

The law is interesting @redthunder because it's completely LEGAL (note, legal, not moral!) to fly the NEO and other lightweight drones over property/gardens/businesses etc...

I've flown mine up high from my garden and over my house (sunrise in Hove and the downs can be stunning), which of course will also be able to see other houses...but I wouldn't fly it 10ft away from a private property that wasn't mine!

DrP

How can you maintain vlos at all times, when your riding your bike and its behind you ,

Care to share said rules? Adding to what’s already been covered above?

Bearing in mind the drone is <250gm, has an operator licence ID on it, and isn’t flying over a crowd…?

TBF Having it follow you along a public road feels like it shouldn't be legal, but IANAL and can't think of a specific law it would technically break, I guess its just another case of the law not really keeping up with available technology. But also maybe a bit of 'Rule one' should apply?

As ever context is everything of course...

How can you maintain vlos at all times, when your riding your bike and its behind you ,

VLOS; It doesn't actually mean looking at it the whole time. it means not letting it get so far/hidden, you can't see it.

It's close enough to be seen.

DrP

This is what the caa states about. vlos

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/the_drone_code.pdf#page8

Some drones or model aircraft have a follow-me mode
that means you can set your aircraft to follow you within
a fixed distance.
You do not have to keep your drone or model aircraft in direct
sight when follow-me mode is active and set to follow within
50m of you. You must still follow all of the other points.

p41.

if you are going to quote rules, at least read them 😉

I’ve got a hover x1 pro got it from igg but can’t use it yet as it’s my Christmas present.  I bought the cycling combo and the controller.  I’ve been drone curious for a while but I know that I’d never be bothered to get something like a mavic mini out my bag, I can barely be bothered to switch on my go pro.

I do have a little buyers remorse after the neo had the speed increase but the x1 pro will be a step above and bit more portable but a lot lot more expensive.   I’ve been waiting for this tech to become a reality since lily drone on kickstarter that vapourware.   I’m recent bought a few dji thing and they are great.  The x1 pro seems to have been released a little early to compete with the neo they have been desperately trying to get the firmware sorted it’s looking at lot better now so I not too bothered about not been able to use it yet.  Here’s some footage someone else has short.   It looks great and I can’t wait to use my flying suron

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ge1GXyv4pY4?si=VBhDdDxT-Atlc0w-" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sorry to be grumpy but leave it in the city. No place in the countryside . Noise.

One of the local kids had one and my dad was just waiting for it to fly over his field. An ounce of number 5 shot was waiting. The kid go so many bollockings from the neighbours that the parents gave it away.

Sorry to be grumpy but leave it in the city. No place in the countryside . Noise.

Dude... I get it's a bit noisy/annoying, but it passes quickly, and if someone can't deal with a slight portion of legal annoyance in Their life, I can't be responsible for their issues!

I don't like dogs. At all. I don't go telling dog owners (with dogs off a lead) where they should/shouldn't walk their dogs!

DrP

Sorry to be grumpy but leave it in the city. No place in the countryside . Noise.

One of the local kids had one and my dad was just waiting for it to fly over his field. An ounce of number 5 shot was waiting

There's a difference between flying it over some fields and buzzing someone at the top of Kinder Scout.

Your dad sounds like a ****

Now on offer at Very.

https://www.very.co.uk/dji-neo-drone/1601062970.prd

I’ve taken a punt on one at that price.

And slightly cheaper at curry’s Curry’s neo £119

Just come across this about something called a 'Drone Swarm'(probably the last person on earth to know)

Meanwhile in the UK, we roll a lump of cheese down a hill

Sorry to be grumpy but leave it in the city. No place in the countryside . Noise.

One of the local kids had one and my dad was just waiting for it to fly over his field. An ounce of number 5 shot was waiting. The kid go so many bollockings from the neighbours that the parents gave it away.

Great story about how you think bullying a child is worht bragging about on the internet. "Grumpy?" because of someone doing something you don't like,  do pay much attention to militant walkers who don't like MTB-ing?

Please tell me where this is? So I can buy a drone to fly there, as dicks like your dad that shouldn't have fire arms license. If he fires at a drone, he soon won't have one, but will have a criminal record as a bonus prize.

Wow..£120 for the drone, or £250 for the fly more kit, is incredible!

I'd strongly recommend the fly more kit...get the controller and 3 batteries!

@dynati

I'm watching a drone Xmas show with my daughter at Hove cricket ground next weekend!

DrP

For such a small and (relatively) cheap bit of kit, that’s bloody awesome! The follow me ability with a bike is practically witchcraft, and further updates and improvements in AI ability to avoid obstacles it’s only going to get better.

I’m interested, but while I could afford one, I think there’s a faff factor which makes me feel I’d just get bored with it and leave it at home.

Good riding skilz, mind, if I attempted popping wheelies like yours I’d be flat on my back in the middle of the road!

Sorry to be grumpy but leave it in the city. No place in the countryside . Noise.

About the only time I can remember being out in the countryside when it was almost silent was the day things reopened after the foot & mouth shutdown; normally there’s aircraft flying around, vehicles on nearby roads, farm machinery…

It would be interesting to see what the kites and ravens that turn up around my road would make of a drone like that; one question, does it have FPV?

Its very easy to break rule 1 and be a dick with drones.  Fortunately folk tend to get bored of them.  I did.  I find them very annoying when out in public and I do not like them flying over my flat ( its an obvious scenic cityscape)

Great toys tho

Tempted to pick a Neo up at those prices, but guess that the 'follow me' tech is the same as in my Mini 3 Pro? Still might be worth it as  my drone is bigger/heavier and more faff to launch. Wonder if my existing DJI controller would hook up to the Neo?

I had to have a word with myself about this, yeah it's cheap, but actually from the reviews and footage people have posted the thing that's clearly is it's really just a toy to capture slightly fancier selfies.

It's not got the runtime to get lots of rad chase-cam footage, and it'll inevitably look less awesome than I imagined, I could spend the money on ten better things before I need a 15 minutes and spent drone.. I'd play with it on a couple of rides then it'd end up as neglected as half the other 'tech' I've ever bought.

Cool toy Dr P, enjoy yours, but "I'm oot"...

@countzero

Yeah, it has fpv....

For a tiny cheap drone it packs a lot of goodies like the follow me, fpv etc ..

DrP

I would get bored with a drone.

It would be another ton of Digital Litter of naff footage.

They look fun, but hate them anywhere near me 🙁 or in your face observing.

Anyway, I got a Insta360 X4 and you can achieve drone lookalike footage especially from behind to a point.

And it can do so much more at ground level.

Great fun. Actually it makes my riding look slightly faster. Upgrade from Slug to Snail speed 😉

DrP,

Watched your little vid.

Firstly - it looks like it's amazing tech for the price.

Secondly.....hmmm...for me you crossed the rule 1 threshold into dick move. Not with malice, just maybe noob naivety/over eagerness.

I've got an old drone I don't use much now and have been actively considering a new one (Air 3S is currently my sweet spot) but consequently have done the operator licence and flyer ID stuff. Whilst riding along a public road with cars going the other way and pedestrians being pedestrians with a drone in follow me mode is 'probably' (I've got my doubts - follow me is a VLOS workaround - but in full control around other people not connected to the filming?) legal for a sub 250g drone - for me at least that is not something I'd consider. Ever. It's aesthetically dull as **** too - but I suspect you know that and are only filming to test what can be done with your funky new tech. I'd bet my house that give it a week and you and everyone you know will never bother watching it again.

So go out and become the next Peter Mckinnon and make cool little beautiful vids of lovely places or go and get some sentimental footage of the family akin to a flying point and shoot camera that you'll revisit in years to come. But no more filming yourself riding down the road please.

It's not unusual for CAA UAV rules to contradict each other.

You can find two sets of rules/codes for VLOS and the 'follow-me' exception currently.

Since I've been flying them there's always been this sort of thing.

My take, as would be most commercial drone pilots - can you do it safely?

'Follow-me' mode in a wide open space in country is likely more safe than a built up area - where if something does go wrong, citing you were in follow-me from the code will be no defence.

Point is you are still responsible if the follow-me mode fails and causes an incident.

Both fly safely and follow the rules is the best advice.

All that said in this day of road rage and manic sur-ron riders I think drone enthusiasts are given a hysterically hard time compared the relatively low number of issues.

Its  privacy, people seem to get excited about being filmed 🙂

The issue I have with follow me is that it can position itself into face level of oncoming cyclists .

For £120 it’s a great flying platform to get a few selfies on or get a great overview of your location, if it flies off into the great unknown it’s not a total catastrophe as your not losing £1k.

I’ve got one and plan to charge on the go, I’ve had drones before and this is a zero farf tool to get a quick vid to set the scene of where I’m riding.

It’s like taking a mid ride waz thou, only whip it out when no-ones around 🙂

Loved the technology and ability to follow. My first watch of the skatepark video had me thinking about £800.

The wife came past and said, no there about £200 to which I laughed at.

To see she isn't wrong is amazing, think I'll get one to have a play with.

The mtb ride would be good with some gear and rider noise imbedded too. Not sure how feasible that is.

I get the comments and thoughts about privacy etc but I'm thinking of open land / moorsides / very out of the way. If I see two people on a ride, I've done well. As for noise, surely a heavy breathing rattly (and slighty sweary occasionall) rider is just as much of an annoyance to anybody else in comparison to a very small drone.

edit - got the flymore kit from Currys for £250 with a code they show on their site.

DrP hasn't broken rule no 1 with the on-street filming. His little drone is harming no-one. There are people driving 2 tonne cars at 20 mph down those same streets.

There are people driving 2 tonne cars at 20 mph down those same streets.

Well, were not quite at the point that any of those cars in that vid were moving autonomously. All drivers 'should' have had hands firmly on the wheel. The drone......shooting the video....the user couldn't make that claim. Those of us with a smidge of drone experience know that follow-me modes are not all that (yet) - more than happy to veer off to the side, change altitude , loose it's target and just hoover or even lock on to something else by accident. And.....this is a drone without collision avoidance......

Yes...a sub 250g drone with prop guards isn't going to kill anyone (apart from baby robins maybe) but suddenly veering off into the windscreen or the path of a driver of one of those 2 tonne cars you're concerned about who then reacts with unfortunate consequences.....very much within the realms of possibility.

Rone put it very susinctly - sensible drone use passes both the legal test and the 'is it safe" test. That didn't do that for me. In fact I'd go as far as saying it wouldn't do it for me even if I'd been using an actual controller. Follow me in that scenario - no, no, no. I don't profess to be an expert, I've probably only got around a thousand hours of use, but that would definitely not be something I'd do.

So for me rule 1 ........breached. Again - not with malice, just naivety/ignorance/over enthusiasm.

Hi @DrP - this looks like a very nice bit of kit. Out of interest, are you using the hand controller at all or is this mostly controlled from the unit itself (or is the an iPhone/Android app that you use to control)? Very tempted!

The WHOLE MTB video was done with JUST the drone buttons (ok, using the phone app I changed the follow me height/distance settings, but no manual control at all).

The skate park video was a mix of drone AI and the controller...

So you can see, for £120 the drone can do a fair amount by itself!

@convert... You certainly have a lot more experience than me, so I do take on what you say. And the only experience I've had of the drone going a bit 'flippy out' was flying it indoors in darkish conditions (no gps, and not enough light to position itself).. but at the time of using it outdoors, in the light, with a high follow mode, I made the decision it was safe. If it 'lost' me it would simply hover 10ft in the air. It wouldn't lock onto a car or other person (as far as I believe), and IF it did, it would follow them from 10ft in the air. There was minimal wind, and no instructions.

Yes, the unknowns are unknown, AND I reiterate, you've more drone experience than I, but at the time I felt it was a safe action.

I also take in board your statement it was a boring bit of video... I had fun, no one died, my kids and parents liked it. That's a win for me!

DrP

It’s not got the runtime to get lots of rad chase-cam footage, and it’ll inevitably look less awesome than I imagined, I could spend the money on ten better things before I need a 15 minutes and spent drone.. I’d play with it on a couple of rides then it’d end up as neglected as half the other ‘tech‘ I’ve ever bought.

TBH you can’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to get good footage and assemble it and if your filming yourself then it’s even more.

Being able to chuck it up for a quick circle around you or a 2 minute follow, or just get a little higher view of the scenery  can make for an interesting post on social media/Strava  as opposed to something pretty boring.

For £120 you’re not going to get as much bang for your buck and it’s super convenient to just  let it do one of its inbuilt shots.

On up and then back on your hand and back in your bumbag .

DrP hasn’t broken rule no 1 with the on-street filming. His little drone is harming no-one. There are people driving 2 tonne cars at 20 mph down those same streets.

But to drive a 2 tonne car at 20 mph you have to have passed a test and paid to be using that road.

Again comes back to me that if we all had one of these anti social  devices and were just testing them out where we fancy, everyone would be more annoyed

Hopefully OP has got some public liability insurance that covers injuring people/damaging property for flying drones?

Sometimes the 'whatiffery' of you lot amuses me!
It's not a drone crtical mass!

I agree - if EVERYONE had one, life would be awful. If EVERYONE had a kite on teh seafront, life would be awful. If EVERYONE decided to skateboard in the park, life would be awful....

heck..if EVERYONE decided to take a mountain bike on the hills, legally, life would be awful...

Hopefully OP has got some public liability insurance that covers injuring people/damaging property for flying drones?

Nope... not a legal requirement, and a decision made based on my personal useage, potential risk possibility, etc etc..

Anyway.. you do know a FRISBEE weighs more than this drone?! Do you have insurance for your frisbee in the park...sigh.....

DrP

TBH somethings always anti social to somebody and some people just seem to want to be offended by everything.

You’ll never win 🙂

Again comes back to me that if we all had one of these anti social  devices and were just testing them out where we fancy, everyone would be more annoyed

In this scenario of yours are the drones going to become self aware too?

I used my neo to check if my gutters were full of debris from the previous storms.

Pity DJI haven't added an automated house gutter check setting. I had to fly it manually with the controller. Sad face/winky eye emoji.

My neighbours are impressed with the drone and they are in their 80s.