FIMI X8 Mini: start flying today.

Introduction

The well-known developer of mid-budget UAVs - FIMI Technology LtdDJI Mini / Mini 2, which until now were the only models capable of providing the potential of full-size dronesup to 250 gram. FIMI X8 MINI is a portable, lightweight quadrocopter, positioned by the developer as an entry-level product, designed primarily for a novice consumer audience for whom the main criteria when choosing are the quality of shooting, flight time / range, weight that frees the user from the drone registration procedure and, of course, an adequate price.... By tradition, let's start with the key features of the new product. Let's fly!

Features

• Flight weight (with standard battery / Pro battery) 258/245 grams
• Portable design and foldable design
• Positioning GPS GLONASS Beidou visual positioning system consisting of a bottom camera and ultrasonic sensors
• Brushless propulsion system working in tandem with folding propellers
• 5 level wind resistance
• Control methods: Separately with a smartphone (via Wi-Fi 5.8GHz) / Smartphone remote control
• Control equipment specially designed for the Mini version of the drone with a sliding structure, removable sticks and a modified receiver
• 12MP 4K camera built on 1 / 2.6-inch CMOS sensor, working in tandem with the top chipset Hisilicon ISP
• Pixel size 1.55 μm
• 3-axis mechanical gimbal with 0.005 ° accuracy
• 3x digital zoom
• F-Log and DNG RAW
(9 8) Max. bit rate 100 Mbps
• HDR video
• Night Shot mode
• Video compression format H.264 / H.265
• Video streaming via digital system second generation TDMA HD at 5.8 GHz
• Max. distance 8 km
• Video quality 720p
• Max. flight altitude 500 m (electronically limited)
• Max. flight speed 57.6 km / h
• Max. flight time (standard battery / Pro battery) 30/31 min
• 4 × programmed Cine shot shooting modes
• 3 × intelligent object tracking modes
• scheduling tasks
• 3 × options for the execution of panoramic images
• 3 × options for the execution of Motion-lapse that do not require post-processing
• The ability to broadcast the video stream from the drone camera through all known social platforms
• SAR Mode
• New Fimi Navi Mini Mobile App (iOS / Android)

Package Contents

FIMI X8 Mini is offered by the developer in the only configuration, which will include:

1. Drone
2. Control panel
3. Battery
4. 3 × OTG cable (Lightning / Micro USB / Type-C)
5. 4 × spare blades (2CW / 2CCW)
6. Camera transport protection
7. USB-A ⇔ U SB-C cable
8. 4 × spare screws (for attaching blades)
9. Screwdriver
10. User manual

Specification

Drone

Control Equipment

Camera

Gimbal

Battery

Battery charger

Mobile Application

Lightweight solution up to 250 grams

In the class of GPS drones weighing up to 250 gram appeared the first worthy competitor, the potential of which is able to meet such hobby models as the DJI Mini / Mini 2. The palm-sized FIMI X8 Mini is built on an ultra-light folding frame. The minimum weight in flight is 245 grams, which frees the user from the UAV registration procedure, thereby allowing them to start flying and filming immediately after purchase.

Two battery options

The FIMI X8 Mini drone comes with one of two available batteries to choose from:

1. Standard Battery - 2S 7.2V 2400 mAh 17.28 Wh Li-ion; Battery weight: 102 grams; Max. flight time: 30 min.
2. PRO Battery - 2S 7.7V 2200 mAh 16.94 Wh LiPo; Battery weight: 86 grams; Max. flight time: 31 min.

Just note that no matter what battery you choose, in practice the maximum flight time with a mixed style of piloting on average will vary within 23-25 ​​minutes. Accordingly, the key difference when using one of the two batteries in this case is exclusively the final flight weight, where a drone with a standard battery will weigh 258 grams, the weight of a tandem with a PRO battery will be 245 grams.

Type-C Fast-Charging

Good news for those who like speed, because X8 Mini batteries have received Type- C charging port and fast charging mode. To charge the battery, a USB-A ⇔ USB-C cable is provided in the package, which can be used in tandem with any charger (with a nominal output power of 8V / 3A) supporting the charging modeQuickCharge.

4K HDR video

FIMI X8 Mini inherited the camera system of the full-size drone FIMI X8 2020, which is good has proven itself in practice. The video system supports video shooting up to 4K at 30 frames per second in high dynamic range (HDR), which provides clearer and richer footage at the output. Also in the arsenal is support for the H.265 / HEVC codec and F-Log and DNG formats. From which it follows that the overall photo / video potential of the X8 Mini will allow you to easily achieve high results both through preset settings and in the post-processing process, which makes this drone interesting for a wide range of consumers with different levels of experience from beginners to advanced.

3-axis mechanical gimbal

FIMI X8 Mini camera works in tandem with a specially designed lightweight 3-axis gimbal, control algorithms which allowed to achieve an indicative accuracy of angular control - 0.005 °, which predetermines the best-in-class mechanical image stabilization.

FPV

Advanced and proven drone FIMI X8 2020 second generation TDMA HD digital system provides stable transmission and optimized signal sensitivity. In the interference-free zone, the maximum flight range of the FIMI X8 Mini is indicative 8 kilometers.

It is worth noting that the declared maximum flight range is usually achievable only in an interference-free zone, which is often difficult to ensure in our modern world. Therefore, in practice, the offset range will average 3-5 km.

Smart Modes

There are 5 different modes at the disposal of the user that allow you to easily get cinematic content from the air.

Cine Shot

The mode offers the user 5 options for performing automatic aerial photography with a cinematic composition in one tap:

1. Rocket - the drone takes off vertically upward and takes pictures under it.
2. Dronie - the drone takes off from the bottom up at an angle, focusing on the subject for shooting.
3. Circle - the drone makes a circular flight around the object for shooting.
4. Spiral - the drone performs a circular flight around a given object for shooting, moving away along a spiral trajectory.
5. Tap Fly - in this mode, all you need to do is tap a point on the screen of the paired smartphone, after which the drone will automatically fly to it, which will allow the user to focus only on controlling the camera...

Follow Modes

The user has 3 options for tracking the subject for shooting:

1. Trace - tracks an object from different angles
2. Lock - tracks an object from a given angle
3. Profile - follows an object in parallel his movement

Flight to points

Flight planing shooting mode with the possibility of scheduling tasks allows the user to plan not only the flight, but also to set points of interest (POI) which the drone camera will focus on when performing automatic flight.

Panoramas

There are 3 auto panoramas available:

1. Pano-180 ° (180 ° panorama)
2. Pano-Horizontal (Horizontal panorama)
3. Pano -Vertical

Time-Lapse

This mode allows you to realize professional time-lapse shooting in one tap without the need for post-processing. Three options are available:

1. Free
2. Focus
3. Waypoint

Night Scene

Like the full size model X8 2020, the FIMI X8 Mini drone is equipped with a chipset from the company Hisilicon and a powerful AI algorithm to deliver the best possible noise reduction, retaining vivid details in every shot, so you can safely take the drone with you to capture the beauty of the night.

Control

The X8 Mini can be controlled in two ways. The first way is the classic one - by means of specially designed control equipment in tandem with a smartphone, which received removable sticks and a sliding structure for greater portability during transportation, which has already become a visiting card for the FIMI consolesselfie drone. For successful pairing, it is important that the Wi-Fi module of your smartphone supports operation in the 5GHz frequency range. With this method of connection, the maximum flight range will not exceed 100 meters, which in general will be sufficient for a flying selfie camera.

Mobile application

A new mobile application Fimi Navi Mini has been developed for the X8 Mini. With a completely redesigned user interface, it is more intuitive. To pair with a drone without equipment, it will be enough to connect to the drone's Wi-Fi point and launch the application. To pair with the remote control, just install the smartphone in the equipment and connect the devices to each other with the supplied OTG cable. After that, launch the drone, remote control, mobile application and wait until a live picture from the drone camera appears on the screen of the paired smartphone.

Accurate Positioning

GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning systems allow the drone to hover accurately and position quickly. In tandem with or without a satellite system, a sensor positioning system also works, which includes a camera and ultrasonic sensors that ensure a stable hover of the drone at a height of up to 30 meters. In addition, to ensure accurate landing, the drone system uses the lower camera, through which the take-off location will be recorded.

SAR Mode

SAR (Search and Rescue) - Provides access to 3x digital zoom and real-time acquisition GPS coordinates of the current location of the drone. In a compartment with a 30-minute flight duration and a flight range of up to 8 kilometers, if necessary, the drone can be used in search and rescue activities, which in general will never be superfluous.

Safety functions

To maximize the safe operation of the drone, the developer has added all the fundamental functions:

• Auto Return to Home on Loss of Communication (RTH / Return to Home)
• Monitoring and Low Battery Warning
• Auto Return on Low Battery
• Satellite Tracking Drone Location
• No-Fly Zone Control
• Excess Wind Monitoring and Warning

Price

The developer sells the drone at a price of $ 319 (excluding taxes and shipping), but they are not available at the moment. FIMI X8 Mini is offered on various Internet marketplaces for $ 450

Conclusion

The first field reviews showed the absolute rawness of the product. The main bugs include: system warnings about increased vibration, urging the user to stop flying and inspect the drone's body for faults; filling the horizon with a camera suspension; incorrect operation of autofocus; incorrect operation of automatic flight and shooting modes (Smart Track / QuickShot).

Obviously, all these inconsistencies are temporary and will be resolved programmatically with subsequent software updates. In this connection, we recommend refraining from buying the FIMI X8 Mini at least until the first positive reviews. The stated result is temporary and will be adjusted as soon as the product meets the declared functionality.

Video

Quick test of all main functions (flight / quality of shooting / comparison test of quality of shooting with DJI Mini 2 / auto modes) on a standard battery.

Unpacking, preparation for flight and first flight.

An overview of the most popular drone flight functions.

Unboxing the FIMI X8 Mini.