What I Learned from Actually Flying the Insta360 Antigravity A1 | A Candid Review from a 10-Year Drone Veteran

Hello everyone!
I'm Megumi Iguchi, CEO of Kanatta Co., Ltd.

I recently came across a very interesting product!

I've been involved in the drone industry for about 10 years.
Having seen countless drones for work, lately when new models are announced by companies like DJI, even if I think, 'This is easy to fly!' or 'Maybe it's time to upgrade?', I rarely have experiences that 'change my values' like I used to.

In the midst of that, I had the opportunity to try out the Insta360 Antigravity A1 at a Drone Jo Plus event the other day.

To put it briefly, if you evaluate it as a 'normal drone,' it might feel a bit underwhelming. But if you think of it as a 'new video device,' it was a very exciting product!

Why I initially felt the Antigravity A1 was underwhelming

When I flew it for the first time, my honest feeling was,

'It's hard to control...'

That was it.

If you are used to using DJI drones, I think you will sympathize with this feeling.

If you imagine flying freely through space and taking aerial shots, the Antigravity A1 might feel a bit lacking. This is because it requires intuitive operation with a simple stick rather than a dedicated drone transmitter.

Moreover, while you can move forward and backward and turn, you cannot move sideways!

'Wouldn't a normal drone be better than this?'

At first, I thought so too.

But that was because I was looking at it as a 'normal drone.'

When I was shown the footage through the goggles, that thought changed.

The Antigravity A1 is equipped with a 360-degree camera.

In other words, you don't need to think about the composition in detail while flying.

Since you can crop the desired direction later, you can create sufficient footage without mastering the techniques required for traditional aerial photography, such as 'moving to the right to create a composition' or 'circling around to the left to shoot.'

Thinking about it that way, I could understand the design that doesn't prioritize lateral movement.

Rather than a drone, once I understood it as a 'device for recording 360-degree video from the sky,' my perspective changed completely.

The experience of capturing footage itself is fun

What I found most interesting was the feeling of "creating footage later" rather than "shooting it."

While flying, you can enjoy the flight itself more than worrying about fine composition.

And after shooting, you edit it by deciding, "I'll crop this part" or "This angle is interesting."

The process of video production itself is different from previous drones.

That is why I felt that the Antigravity A1 is not a rival to DJI, but rather a new video device that is an extension of 360-degree cameras and action cameras.

I felt it has potential for inspection purposes as well

Another thing I found interesting was its potential for inspection use.

Of course, its purpose is different from specialized aircraft used for full-scale infrastructure inspection or surveying.

Even so, isn't it suitable for purposes like "just recording the site in 360 degrees for now"?

For example, if you fly it around equipment to record footage, you can check any direction you like later, even parts you might have missed on-site.

Inspection has value not only in "finding things on the spot" but also in "being able to look back later."

The 360-degree video feature might expand those possibilities.

It might be underwhelming for DJI users. But it's a new option for beginners

On the other hand, I think there are times when people expecting the free flight performance of a DJI might feel a bit underwhelmed.

For those who want to enjoy precise control or do full-scale cinematic aerial photography, conventional drones would be more suitable.

But that doesn't mean the Antigravity A1 is inferior.

The experience it aims for is different.

At Drone Jo Plus, we have held many trial sessions for beginners.

Many people who touch a drone for the first time find it difficult to think about "piloting" and "filming" at the same time.

The Antigravity A1 significantly reduces that burden.

First, enjoy the act of flying.

You can think about the footage later.

This approach is very attractive as an entry point into drones.

Summary | The Antigravity A1 is not a "drone," but a device for enjoying a new video experience

If you purchase it expecting a "DJI-like drone," the image might be a bit different.

However, if you are thinking, "I want to have a new video experience using the sky" or "I want to enjoy 360-degree video more easily," I think it is a very interesting option.

I personally felt a bit underwhelmed at first, but once I understood the concept, my evaluation changed significantly.

Don't look at it as a drone, but as a new video device.

When you think of it that way, the Antigravity A1 is a product with a kind of fun that hasn't existed before.

And above all, if this product leads to even one more person feeling that "drones are interesting," I feel that it has great value for the drone industry as well.

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