Guide to Beacon&JoyStick for your HOVERAir X1 Series

The Beacon+JoyStick combo is designed to give you full control over your HOVERAir X1 flying camera. With its intuitive interface and advanced features, you can easily manage your flight, capture stunning footage, and ensure safe operation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started and make the most of your Beacon and JoyStick.

The Beacon, together with two detachable Joystick sub-components, features a patented Tri-state modular design that provides three distinct experiences. When used without the JoyStick, Beacon activates HoverLink™ for high-precisionprecise tracking and allows users to monitor camera footage without needing to look back. 

You can transform the Beacon into a one-handed controller by clipping on the right-hand piece of the Joystick to control the flying camera's movements through motion and single Joystick use. The JoyStick also extends the battery life of the Beacon from 120 to 180 minutes. 

Attaching both Joystick modules transforms the Beacon into a full-featured, two-handed RC controller. The USB connection port enables seamless smartphone integration, turning your phone into an extended monitor with a larger display, while delivering up to a 1 km video transmission range.

The Beacon comes with several key features to enhance your flying experience:

• 1.78" OLED Touchscreen: A bright, responsive display that makes navigation easy.
• Power Button, Select Button, and Fn Button: Provide quick access to essential controls for seamless operation.
• Built-in Microphone and Speaker: Supports sound recording and real-time audio feedback.
• Lanyard Hole: Convenient for carrying your Beacon around during outdoor shoots.

To turn on your Beacon, long press the power button. Once it's powered up, follow the on-screen prompts to activate it and connect to your HOVERAir X1 flying camera. 

Important: Before taking off, make sure to complete the Over-The-Air (OTA) update for optimal performance.

When your Beacon is connected to the flying camera, you might receive an OTA update notification. Here’s how to complete it:

1. Tap 'Update' on the screen.
2. Wait for the update to download and install.
3. The Beacon will automatically restart after the update is complete.

Tip: If you’re using a Joystick with your Beacon, connect it during the OTA update to ensure it gets updated simultaneously. You can also manually check for updates through the Settings Menu, ensuring your Beacon and Joystick are always running the latest firmware. Once set up, you can select different flight modes or tap 'preview' to view the video transmission to monitor what the camera is capturing.

The Beacon’s touchscreen allows you to control various settings and options with ease:

• Swipe left to go back to the previous menu.
• Swipe down to access the system settings.

Note: Adjustments to flight mode parameters will be available in a future update.

The Beacon provides basic flight control functions in emergencies:

• Emergency Stop: If you need to take over during an automated flight, press the Fn button to brake, then press the Select button to switch to manual control. You can use the directional buttons on both the Fn and Select buttons to adjust the flight path as needed.

Important: The Beacon is primarily designed for emergency intervention, not full manual control.

To activate the Return to Home feature:

1. Long press the Function button for 2 seconds.
2. The flying camera will return to its starting point. 

Keep an eye on the video feed during the return process, and be ready to short-press the Function button if obstacles appear, so you can take over manual control.

• Use the Magnetic Charging Cable to charge the Beacon.
• If you have a Joystick A, use a C to C cable to charge both the Joystick and the Beacon simultaneously when connected.

• The Magnetic Clip allows you to attach the Beacon securely to your clothing or backpack strap.
• The Magnetic Adapter is compatible with existing camera mounts or can be used with the HandleBar Mount, making it easy to keep track of what your camera is capturing, without needing to look back.

HoverLink will provide additional tracking information to supplement visual tracking, allowing your device to know if you've been occluded or lost. Make sure the green link icon on the Beacon is fully lit to confirm that HoverLink is active.

• If the upper half of the icon appears gray, wait for the OmniTerrain icon on your X1 PRO or PROMAX to turn on. Ensure the flying camera is facing up and placed in an open area.

• If the lower half of the icon appears gray, make sure the Beacon is facing up and positioned in an open space.

By attaching JoyStick A to the Beacon, you can switch to Manual Control mode. This mode will appear at the top of the Home menu, allowing for more precise flight adjustments. Tap 'Go' to select modes, and tap 'Preview' to display the real-time video. You can set your default flight orientation in the X1 App settings.

• Motion Button: Hold and tilt the controller left/right or forward/backward to control the direction of the flying camera.
• Joystick: Move it up or down to adjust the height, and left or right to control rotation.
• Gimbal Angle: Adjust the gimbal by pressing the up/down buttons.

Note: Joystick A has the Hover logo, and it’s important not to force it into Joystick B’s slot as they are not interchangeable.

To enable a full-featured two-handed controller, attach both Joystick A and B to the Beacon:

1. Place your index fingers behind the joysticks.
2. Gently pull them out and turn them downwards.

Now you have a dual joystick setup for more precise flight control, with real-time video transmission up to 1 kilometer (depending on environmental conditions).

• Gimbal Control: Use the scroll wheel on the left joystick to adjust the gimbal angle.
• Smart Preview: Connect your phone to the right joystick with a C to C or C to Lightning cable to use it as a live display. Open the X1 app and tap ‘Smart Preview’ to start streaming.

In both one-handed and two-handed control modes, short press the X1’s power button to take off. To land the camera:

• Select a safe spot, ideally away from water.
• Slowly push the joystick down until the flying camera is about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) off the ground, and it will land automatically.

Alternatively, you can land the camera directly in your hand if that’s more convenient.

The Beacon automatically records audio during video capture. Once the video recording ends, the audio file is transferred and merged with the video. (The automatic video merging feature will be released in the future).

Tip: You can also transfer the audio file to your computer using a HOVERAir C-to-C cable if you need to edit it separately.

The Beacon is a versatile tool that provides you with smooth, responsive control over your HOVERAir X1 flying camera. Whether you're navigating tricky terrain, capturing footage on the go, or simply ensuring a safe flight, the Beacon ensures you have the tools you need at your fingertips.