Why I like to recommend this 360-degree digital camera drone to each rookies and professionals

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I will be sincere: I used to be a little bit nervous when requested to overview the Antigravity A1. Earlier than this, I had by no means flown a drone. However after spending time with the A1, I’ve come to appreciate that I’d’ve been the proper particular person for this job: reviewing it from a contemporary perspective and studying as I went — exactly the drone’s power. 

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If you happen to’re unfamiliar with the identify, Antigravity is a comparatively new drone firm that launched its very first drone, the A1, again in December 2025. For a primary timer, the corporate did an ideal job. It is extremely easy to function, making it a strong option to function for first-timers, and the 8K, 360-degree cameras seize gorgeous footage. That stated, it will not be the precise match for everybody. 

The A1 is a compact plane, weighing simply 249 grams. Folded, it measures 5.56 x 3.79 x 3.2 inches; unfolded with its propellers prolonged, it reaches 12.15 x 15.05 x 3.51 inches. That weight is very notable as a result of it means leisure pilots will not need to register the drone with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). In america, all drones that weigh 250 grams or extra must be registered, so it clears the edge by a single gram.

Throughout its physique, the A1 carries eight particular person cameras, every outfitted with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, f/2.2 aperture, and an ISO vary of 100 to six,400. Harnessing the magic of Insta360 software program, these cameras all work collectively to file 360-degree hemispherical footage. 

You do not see the sphere directly; as an alternative, the drone routes its video feed on to the goggles, narrowing it to a 65-degree subject of view. You bodily flip your head to see the remainder of the scene.

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It’s kind of difficult to elucidate if you have not skilled it, so I’ve included a YouTube video under that I created from drone recordings in motion. These clips have been created utilizing Antigravity Studio, the model’s proprietary modifying app.

The YouTube video above is in 4K; nevertheless, it’s attainable to file footage in 8K at 30 FPS. The outcomes are gorgeous. The footage seems crisp, with far-off rooftops and landscapes showing impressively clear. You possibly can step down to five.2K or 4K to realize larger body charges. 

For instance, 4K recordings can attain a body fee of as much as 100 FPS. It is also the one video decision that helps slow-motion seize on the A1.

You possibly can modify digital camera settings by urgent the button above the controller’s set off to open the digital menu. Navigating this menu may be difficult, nevertheless. The motion-based Grip Controller has a tough time registering exact actions — it is higher swimsuit for broad gestures. 

The drone’s batteries weigh over 67 grams. Attributable to vitality calls for, flight instances are comparatively quick. Antigravity claims the A1 can fly for twenty-four minutes on a single cost beneath preferrred situations. Exterior components, comparable to wind, altitude, and backbone settings, can additional scale back flight time. As soon as the battery hits 15%, the drone will robotically provoke a return-to-home process.

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Antigravity’s Imaginative and prescient Goggles are a variety of enjoyable to put on. They’ve a definite “Kamen Rider” aesthetic that makes you are feeling like a superhero the second you set them on, sporting two antennas and bug eyes. The accent weighs simply 340 grams. Antigravity achieved this low weight by omitting the battery from the headset. As a substitute, it sits externally as a person pack and connects through a USB-C-to-DC cable.

To stop the battery from swinging, the corporate features a lanyard that permits it to relaxation comfortably round your neck. It is not good (the dangling battery can really feel a little bit awkward), however it’s nonetheless higher than having the load in your head.

Contained in the headset are two 1.03-inch micro-OLED pancake lenses, every with a 2560 x 2560 decision and a 72 FPS refresh fee. Picture high quality is superb, thanks partially to Antigravity’s OmniLink 360 function, which delivers ultra-low-latency video so long as you stay inside 10 kilometers of the drone. As a result of the goggles show a streamed sign, what you see is not an identical to the recording, so maintain that in thoughts.

My largest complain with the goggles is that they don’t seem to be pleasant to individuals who put on glasses. The lenses include built-in diopter changes that vary from -5.0D to +2.0D. For me, this vary is ok. 

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Dialing the view to -5.0D allowed me to see screens clearly, though it will not be sufficient for some. Antigravity states that corrective lens inserts are deliberate, however as of this writing, they are not but accessible for buy.

The A1’s Grip Controller, in my view, is probably the most divisive a part of the package. It’s a one-handed, semi-motion distant you maintain like a Wii distant. You pull the set off to maneuver ahead and tilt your arm to steer. It does not fly very quick, as famous within the video above. 

It strikes sooner in Sport Mode, however it’s not a big pace enhance, and it is not the smoothest-flying plane. It is truly fairly stiff. That stated, it is extremely simple to fly. My brother and I, neither of whom had ever flown a drone earlier than this, caught on instantly.

The goggles present a reticle that influences the drone’s path. Maintain the set off, and the A1 follows the reticle with out affecting the digital camera feed. You possibly can go searching and fly straight. Proximity sensors assist you keep away from obstacles, and the Return to Dwelling (RTH) button causes the machine to robotically fly again to its recorded residence level. Touchdown is easy, too. Pull down on the slider, and the drone will descend in a managed style.

Under is a picture detailing what every button does. Two buttons aren’t seen: the ability and menu buttons, situated on the precise.

A lot of the buttons are simple. You will have a Report button for video, a Shutter for nonetheless photos, and a Flight Mode change to hop between Sport, Regular, and Cinematic speeds. Then you’ve got extra distinctive choices, such because the RTH button to name again the drone and the 360 Dial. The latter serves as a substitute for movement controls, letting customers management the drone with out having to maneuver their arms.

All controls sit inside simple attain of your thumb and fingers. I might additionally loved the accent’s form. It is snug to carry, even for smaller palms.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

On the time of this writing, Greatest Purchase has a number of Antigravity A1 configurations on sale.

• The Antigravity A1 Normal Bundle is on sale for $1,359 ($240 off) as talked about earlier. It consists of the drone, a protecting case, the Imaginative and prescient Goggles, a battery for the goggles, the Grip Controller, two further units of propellers, and a flight battery.
• The Antigravity A1 Explorer Bundle is on sale for $1,609 ($290 off). It has lots of the similar equipment, however it consists of three flight batteries, a charging station for these batteries, and 4 pairs of propellers.
• The Antigravity A1 Infinity Bundle is on sale for $1,699 ($300 off). It’s almost an identical to the Explorer Bundle, besides it comes with a USB Fast Reader for the drone’s SD card

Sure, it is costly, however I might nonetheless advocate the A1 to anybody considering drones. Its ease of use makes it nice for newcomers, and creators might be impressed by the video high quality.