The 2017 Redot Design Award winning drone – Hover Camera Passport Self-flying drone will blow you away with its incredibly good features. With the industry in a time race to produce a drone for practically anything, having a selfie drone was bound to happen eventually and it did happen. In this Hover Camera Passport Self-flying Drone Review, you will see the advanced features of this drone. This is a small drone. It has been made by ZeroZero Robotics and as you will see when you try it out, it has an incredibly powerful camera. Behind that camera is awesome technology that has been designed to ensure that you get the best videos and photos with this drone.
Hover Camera Passport Features & Technical Details
Unique design
One look at the Passport and you will notice that it is very different from all the other drones that you have been used to. It has four rotors, but so do many other drones. But in this case, the rotors are caged, that is, they are in a protective cage. You can hold the drone in your hand safely even when the rotors are running.
Foldability and portability
The Passport is a portable quadcopter that has been built with travel in mind. You can carry it around in your jacket pocket, in your bag or in your purse. It folds down to the size of a book and weighs even less than a book at 242 g, and this with the battery installed. This little weight is attributed to the use of a carbon fiber for making the frame. This is a light drone. When folded down, the drone measures (182 by 132 by 33) mm, quite small as you can see.
The camera
Primarily, the Passport is a camera drone. But as many a Hover Camera Passport reviews will show you, it is not so much about the camera but about the technology that is behind this camera.
High-resolution videos are promised in many camera drones, but many also fail on the promise. However, the Passport can do 4k video recording at 30 fps, as well as 720 and 1080p videos, still at 30 fps! With a CMOS sensor, 78.5 degrees field of view, the 13MP camera is going to take perfect pictures and videos all the time.
The drone can run totally hands-free, following you, taking your photos and videos through the activation of the Owner Mode. In this mode, the drone flies on its own and it will record you as you hike, jog, run, cycle and even run.
Secondly, take only the photos and videos that you want. This drone has been built with technology that enables it to recognize your face. That way, you can wave at it so it starts recording or taking your photos. Face recognition means that the drone will only shoot the photos that you want even when you are in a crowded, public place. Get the photos rolling with a gesture mode, just wave your hand, and that is it.
Another feature that you will love in the camera is live video transmission. This happens through the responsive app that you can download to your smartphone and the video will be displayed on your smartphone screen in real time. The transmission distance is 20 meters which is good for the assurance of the highest quality videos. Transmission of video happens over WiFi connectivity.
This camera has its own flash, which you will find very useful for taking photos and videos in low light. However, this camera lacks a gimbal, which is responsible for stabilizing the camera and instead, it has a mono-axis swivel and digital stabilization features that it uses to take stable photos.
Storage
For your media, there is 32GB storage space. However, because of the regular firmware updates, it is always a good idea to back up your images and videos in case an upgrade erases everything. It is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your media.
Batteries and flight time
No matter how high the quality of videos and photos that a camera drone shoots, if the batteries are of poor quality, you are not going to have a great time with it. The Passport comes with two lithium polymer batteries. When you hover the drone, it can last 10 minutes. When you fly it some, it can last slightly below 9 minutes and when you fly it in windy conditions, it can last a shorter time.
Charging time for the batteries is 42 minutes for one battery and 55 minutes when you are charging the batteries concurrently. You can buy additional batteries so that you have longer flight time at your beach or other vacation and keep shooting wonderful videos and photos for longer.
Body and face tracking feature
This is the reason why this is referred to as a self-flying drone. It will follow you around and take photos and shoot videos of you doing your activities in the park, on the beach or wherever you are. The company recommends that you set the hovering distance at 8 meters. So when you are walking and you stop suddenly, the drone also stops abruptly and then moves back to the set hover distance.
360-degree spin
You will love that you can capture photos and videos at 360 degrees. Just set the drone on orbit and you will be ready to get the best out of it.
Short Summary of Feedback from Existing Owners
I honestly love this drone more than other camera drones that I have had in the past. Among its strongest points is that you do not have to have your smartphone all the time as this drone will just follow you using the follow owner feature. Dalia G
I have found a drone that I can take with me with little or no hassle when traveling. I find it incredibly light and small, yet I am constantly amazed at its powerful videos and pictures. Frank M.
I think this is one of the safest drones in the market for hobbyist drone users. The rotors are protected within the cages thus minimizing any risk of a twig getting inside and breaking them. Erick C
Frankly, I think I will never get used to this drone following me around like that unprompted, but I love it all the same. I think the battery life is too short though. I timed it at 7½ minutes when I flew it at speed. Karen K.
Pros of Hover Camera Passport
- The rotors are protected. This makes it a safe drone to fly outdoors when there is no wind.
- No FAA registration is needed to fly the Passport
- Sold with carry bag, charger, 2 batteries and other accessories
- Can follow you in your car if you lock your face to it
- Hovers steadily when there is no wind
- High quality videos and photos
- Good for traveling – weighs less than a pound
Cons of Hover Camera Passport
- If you turn your head or body abruptly, drone may lose its lock
- Honestly, battery life could be better
- Does not have a gimbal
Who Should Buy Hover Camera Passport?
The Hover Camera Passport Self-Flying Drone is a good companion for everyone who travels and loves to shoot photos and videos of their sojourns. People who need a drone that can last a number of years with consistency and the same quality in images and videos love the Passport. With high quality carbon fiber frame and caged rotors, regular firmware upgrades and other features, this drone will last a long time. As a multi-award winner, the Passport is going to give you good value for your money. Shoot good videos and images for you Instagram, YouTube and other social media accounts. Buy it if you are looking for a video or photo shooting drone for hobbyist use, for you and your friends but not for professional jobs.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Affordable price, good camera quality, accessories and durability are some of the main factors to consider whenever you are buying a drone. Now that you have seen what features to look forward to in this Hover Camera Passport drone review, you can buy it without hesitation, being assured you will get good value for your money. Although it is not good for flying enthusiasts, it will do what it was intended to and do it incredibly well too, and that is taking selfies!
Show me the price !
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