HOVERAir X1 PROMAX: The Follow-Me Drone I Actually Want in My E‑Bike Kit
November 27, 2025
If you’ve been wondering what I’m using to get those moving follow shots during e-bike rides, it’s the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX. I’ve tried a few “follow me” options over the years, and this is the one that’s actually earned a permanent spot in my grab-and-go filming setup.
What matters most to me isn’t a spec sheet. It’s whether the drone can track smoothly, stay predictable, and not turn every ride into a stressful game of “please don’t crash into anything.” The PROMAX gets a lot right for the way I film e-bikes.
The simple setup I keep coming back to
For e-bike filming, I keep it minimal:
The drone
The homing Beacon
A handlebar mount for the Beacon
That’s it.
There are other accessories (like a joystick module and ND filters), but for how I shoot bike content, I’d rather spend my time riding than piloting.
Battery-wise, I don’t drag flights out. A fully charged battery is good for roughly 15–16 minutes, but my actual riding shots are usually short. I’m typically in the air for about 5–6 minutes per scene, so one battery is usually all I need.
Portability: the underrated win
The PROMAX is compact enough that it doesn’t feel like a whole separate “drone mission” when I bring it along. I can fold it up, toss it into a small crossbody bag, and keep going.
That’s a bigger deal than it sounds. If a drone is bulky, loud, and attention-grabbing, I’m less likely to use it on casual rides or quick review sessions. This one feels low-key.
Why I chose this over other follow-me drones
I’ve been through the follow-me drone learning curve, including the kind of drone that’s heavy enough that every crash feels expensive.
I also compared it against the DJI Flip, and for my use, the deciding factor was the way the PROMAX tracks.
Smoother tracking when it matters
On an e-bike, the drone has to pan and follow in a way that looks natural. The PROMAX feels smoother and more stabilized, especially when it’s tracking left-to-right movement. That’s the difference between footage that feels cinematic and footage that feels twitchy.
Predictability beats fancy behavior
I care a lot about predictable behavior in follow mode. The PROMAX is the kind of drone I can trust to do the same thing over and over, which is exactly what you want when you’re focusing on riding lines, demonstrating handling, or doing repeated passes.
Real-world ride testing: wind, speed, and tracking confidence
I tested it in conditions I wouldn’t normally choose on purpose: cold, windy Michigan weather. The kind of wind where you immediately wonder if the drone is going to behave.
In cycling mode, it locked onto me and stayed with me while I did the usual e-bike review stuff:
Wide laps in an open lot
Quick speed changes
Turns that show handling and tune
A hill section to see if it keeps lock during elevation change
Slow-speed messing around (even when I’m not moving much)
Even when it was clearly working against the wind, it kept tracking.
The mode that works: cycling mode (middle / flat)
For my e-bike filming, cycling mode with middle / flat settings has been the sweet spot.
It stays close enough to look connected to the ride, but not so close that I feel like I’m dragging a drone through tight space. It also doesn’t back way off and turn me into a tiny dot.
Ski mode: a great way to remind yourself why you keep things simple
I experimented with ski mode to see what it would do at higher speed, and it didn’t inspire confidence. It pushed the distance in a way that made it harder to keep tabs on where the drone was, and in my testing it ended up crashing.
The good news: it survived.
The better news: that’s exactly why I stick to cycling mode for e-bike shots.
Beacon noise: the one thing I had to “fix”
The Beacon is useful, but it’s loud.
Mounted on the handlebars, it makes alert sounds that are very easy for a microphone to pick up. If you’re recording ride audio, those beeps can become a real nuisance.
I tried looking for a clean software toggle to disable the alerts and couldn’t find one, so I went old-school: I used soundproofing putty over the vents that emit the sound.
If you’re not recording audio, this probably won’t bother you. But if you care about clean sound, plan on dealing with it.
The angle I trust most
For what I do, the most reliable setup is a behind-the-back follow angle. It gives a clean look at the bike’s movement and keeps the drone in a safer position compared to more aggressive angles that can increase crash risk.
It’s also the easiest way to get repeatable footage when I’m doing multiple takes.
What We Like
Super portable and genuinely easy to bring on rides
Smooth tracking that looks natural for e-bike movement
Beacon-based follow feels precise and predictable
Battery life is more than enough for typical short ride scenes
Cycling mode is a dependable “set it and ride” option
Things To Consider
The Beacon is loud and the alert sounds can get into your recorded audio
Some flight modes feel more like extras than useful tools for e-bike filming
I’ve found behind-the-back follow to be the most reliable and lowest-stress angle
In high wind, it can struggle, even if it generally holds lock
Final Thoughts
The HOVERAir X1 PROMAX is the rare follow-me drone that fits the way I actually film e-bikes: quick setup, compact carry, predictable tracking, and smooth motion that doesn’t ruin the shot.
I don’t need a drone that does a hundred things. I need one that can repeatedly nail the same tracking pass at speed without acting chaotic in public spaces. In cycling mode with the Beacon, this one delivers.
If you’re mainly trying to capture dynamic riding footage without hauling a bulky setup (or relying on someone to chase you with a camera), the PROMAX makes a strong case.
Links
HOVERAir X1 PROMAX: https://amzn.to/4ipEu4E
Incase A.R.C. Crossbody Bag: https://amzn.to/49I41DV
Bell Super 3R MIPS Bike Helmet: https://amzn.to/3TJ1vTR
Fox Racing Bike Gloves: https://amzn.to/40P5SyQ
Fox Racing Hip Bag: https://amzn.to/3xmW4mT
Hafny Handlebar Bike Mirror: https://amzn.to/3FVubmN
Veeape Electric Air Pump: https://amzn.to/3LPLTf9
Denlix Military Sling Bag: https://amzn.to/3LTKN2c
Lamicall Bike Phone Mount: https://amzn.to/3LXmD6O
Onvian Wireless Bike Alarm: https://amzn.to/42KUgyE
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/