The problem I have is being required to use this control method. It means I have to bring a friend along to act as a spotter every time I fly the drone. Plus, I have to take off my glasses before putting on the goggles, which also need their own separate battery. With sluggish controls added to the mix, the whole setup becomes time-consuming and complicated—a far cry from the convenience of a drone like the DJI Mini 5 Pro. That drone allows you to pull it out of a bag, fly for five minutes, and pack it away without any hassle.
I’d much rather use a standard twin-stick controller with a built-in screen or a docked smartphone for flying. I suspect that a second-generation version of the A1 might come with multiple control options.
The amount of gear in the setup likely contributes to the A1’s high price point, too. With standard bundles starting at $1,599/£1,219, it’s almost as pricey as the DJI Air 3S Fly More combo, which has a touchscreen controller. The Air 3S is a premium drone featuring two pro-quality cameras and flight controls that are easy to master. While it can’t match the A1’s capability for 360-degree video, its image quality is outstanding in most conditions.
If Antigravity can lower the price of its next 360 drone and either simplify the control setup or provide alternative flying methods, it could really challenge DJI. For now, the A1 is an interesting and innovative product, but it feels a bit too complicated and expensive to be a must-have.
