Review on 📸 250g FIMI X8 Mini Camera Drone - 8km Range, 4k, GPS, Remote Control by Minoru Taguchi ᠌
I like the product, the quality did not disappoint.
This is my first copter, I chose between it and DJI Mini 2. I made a conscious choice in favor of Fimi, knowing about its shortcomings, because I understood that I could “play enough”, but I didn’t want to overpay for a “toy” ) As a result, Ali took a copter, an additional bag, 2 PRO batteries, a 256GB Samsung U3 card and a polarizing filter. I gave a total of 38.5K, the kit turned out to be almost like a "fly more combo" from DJI, only much cheaper. DJI Mini 2, of course, is generally better made and has better picture quality out of the box, and more accessories, but given such a difference in cost, these advantages, especially for the first copter, can be neglected. I put FIMI x8 mini 4 stars only because of the indistinct color reproduction, as well as stupid firmware glitches, such as overheating on the ground and a littered horizon. Fixed, I'll change my rating) Attached are examples of screenshots from a 4K video shot in very bright sun, with "standard" color reproduction and "quick fix" color correction (pros, don't kick it, I opened the video editor for the first time). And also a photo from a height of 500m. to evaluate the "high" quality of native photos from the copter. True, the videos and photos were taken without a CPL filter, it would have been a little better with it.
- 1. Simple operation, you can set the "Beginner Mode" in the settings or simply limit the parameters. Even a child can cope with the first flight; 2. Rich application settings, there is everything you need, including adjustment (logarithmic!) of control sensitivity for roll, pitch, yaw and stabilizer sensitivity; 3. Confidently "holds" the wind; 4. The stabilizer perfectly parries almost any fluctuations of the copter in flight; 5. Excellent range under the condition of "direct" visibility of the remote control. I flew 2km. and at 500m. up, the connection keeps confidently. Who does not like the quality of communication, do not believe in advertising booklets, but google how radio waves propagate and what necessary positions of the transmitter and receiver must be maintained. 6. The standard battery gives a confident 23-25 minutes of flight; 7. Constructive, made simply and reliably; 8. HDR video "out of the box"; 9. Ability to mount filters on the lens (see photo with CPL filter); 10. The remote control holds a charge well, if you do not charge the phone from it, then one battery division is enough for about 1.5-2 flights with the copter battery landing "to zero". 11. Humane price tag compared to its main competitor (DJI Mini 2). 12. The ability to directly charge batteries from USB-C - a special thanks for this! I landed the battery, connected it to the QC3.0 power bank (9V, 3A), in a little less than an hour the battery was charged. With 3 batteries, you can fly almost indefinitely); 13. Lots of flight modes, Tripod and Cinematic Mode work really well. 14. Good "foolproof" in the form of automatic pre-flight preparation, with appropriate messages about the reasons for not passing one or another check. 15. Warnings about being in the NFZ, just a warning, not a physical flight ban ;-)
- 1. Raw firmware, namely the current problems with the periodic obstruction of the horizon (stabilizer recalibration helps), as well as "black disconnects" (not critical, since RTH works properly, but not pleasantly); 2. The quality of video in 4K is at the level of an "average" smartphone or even worse. The color rendition curve and vignette (are treated by post-processing), but the blurry upper left corner of the frame is not treated (probably a defect in my lens); 3. The quality of the photo is at the level of the "phone of the late 00s" . Even screenshots from 4K video are of better quality than native photos. 4. The problem of overheating when on the ground (apparently the transmitter is operating at full power), hence the problem of increased consumption during pre-flight preparation, it may be fixed in the new firmware, or maybe not; 5. Compared to its main competitor, a small number of accessories and spare parts are available, although I bought a bag, batteries (PRO), filters and blades on Ali without any problems; 6. The software crookedly stitches its own panoramic shots, it is better to stitch them on a PC; 7. There is no easy way to turn off the phone charging from the control panel (I decided through the special Charge Control software on the phone). Constant charging does not benefit either the phone or the remote control (the charge is spent on the phone, not on flights); 8. Clumsily working Orbit mode and not the highest quality Smart Track during a "free" flight, obviously due to a firmware glitch.
