As the drone enthusiast “Parrot Bebop 2 Drone “, I’ve fielded an array of questions during the holiday season, particularly from those seeking the perfect drone gift. The common request was for a drone under $500 with a decent camera. While many options fit this budget finding a truly great drone that captures high-quality aerial photos and videos can be a challenge.
What Works Well about Bebop 2 Drone
One standout candidate in this price range is the Parrot Bebop 2 drone. Priced at around $550. It promises more than 20 minutes of flight time features a 14-megapixel camera that records 1080p video, and has a maximum range of 300 meters. Although it lacks 4K video, HD live streaming, and a sophisticated two-stick remote control, it still offers a solid starting point for newcomers.
Battery Life and Build of Parrot Bebop 2 Drone
Let’s dive into the positives. The Parrot Bebop 2 Drone has a vastly improved battery life compared to its predecessor. The new battery not only lasts longer but also locks securely into place, moving away from the previous Velcro strap system that often led to issues.
The drone’s design remains largely consistent with the original Bebop, but with a few thoughtful tweaks. For instance, the rotors are now color-coded, simplifying reassembly. Despite its compact size, the Bebop 2 performs admirably in windy conditions, demonstrating stability that belies its small stature.
Enhanced Stability and Connectivity
The Parrot Bebop 2 Drone has shown marked improvements in connectivity compared to the original model. Users won’t face the same disconnection issues that caused crashes and unreliable flights with the earlier version. The drone holds its position more reliably, contributing to a smoother flying experience.
Innovative Camera Approach
The Bebop 2 takes a unique approach to aerial photography. It uses a fisheye lens mounted on the drone, which captures a wide field of view. Rather than manually adjusting a camera on a gimbal, you shift your focus within the lens’s broad perspective through software. This approach allows for creative shots and is particularly effective when capturing downward views.
Areas for Improvement
Camera Quality and Storage
Despite its innovative camera design, the Bebop 2’s camera quality lags behind competitors. The footage often appears blurry and compressed when compared to drones from brands like DJI and Yuneec. For those prioritizing high-resolution images and smooth video, this could be a dealbreaker.
The 8GB of internal storage is another limitation. It fills up quickly when shooting in 1080p, necessitating frequent transfers of footage. The absence of removable storage means you’ll need to transfer files either through Wi-Fi or directly from the drone to your device, which can be cumbersome and drains both the drone’s and the device’s batteries.
Connectivity Issues
Testing the Bebop 2 in various locations—New York City’s park, a Connecticut beach, and a Fairfield golf course—revealed significant connectivity problems. Despite trying different Wi-Fi bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and a combination of both), the drone struggled with maintaining a stable connection.
The video feed became choppy and pixelated beyond 100 meters, and connectivity was frequently lost at around 150 meters. While moving closer sometimes reestablished the connection, the drone would often hover and then automatically return home. A particularly challenging test involved flying the drone over the East River, where it disconnected at 250 meters. After a tense retrieval process, I managed to recover it with only 9% battery remaining.
Skycontroller Performance
Using the optional $399 Skycontroller, which includes a Wi-Fi range extender, did improve performance. It extended the range to roughly 550 meters with fewer interruptions. However, this added expense and bulk make the Bebop 2 comparable to higher-end models like the DJI Phantom or Yuneec Typhoon, potentially undermining its value proposition.
Product Specifications of Parrot Bebop 2 drone
- Brand: Parrot.
Model Name: Parrot Bebop 2 Drone. - Special Features: App-controlled, FPV-enabled, integrated camera, video downlink, Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Color: White.
- Video Resolution: 1080p.
- Effective Still Resolution: 14 megapixels.
- Parts availability: One Bebop 2 Drone, propeller assembly tool, 8 propellers, batteries, USB cable, charger with cable, universal adapter & Quick Start Guide.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Item Weight: 504 g (1.11 lbs).
- Battery Capacity: 2700 milliamp-hours.
- Video Capture Format: MP4.
- Remote Control Technology: Wi-Fi.
- Control Type: Remote Control.
- Maximum Range: 300 meters.
- Material: PP (polypropylene).
- Wireless Communication Technology: Wi-Fi.
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Ion.
- Batteries Included: Yes (1 Lithium Polymer batteries).
- Video Output Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels.
- Remote Control Included: No.
- Rechargeable Batteries Included: Yes.
- Product Dimensions: 15″ L x 12.9″ W x 3.5″ H.
- UPC: 015784589641.
- Manufacturer: Parrot Inc.
- ASIN: B0179JFAW2.
- Item model number: PF726003.
- Customer Reviews: 3.6 out of 5 stars (353 ratings).
- Bestseller Rank: #717,290 in Toys & Games, #4,437 in Hobby RC Quadcopters & Multirotors.
- Discontinued by Manufacturer: No.
- Date First Available: November 13, 2015.
- Department: Unisex-Adult.
Pros and Cons of the Parrot Bebop 2 Drone:-
Pros Parrot Bebop 2 Drone
- Lightweight and Compact: The Bebop 2 is designed for easy portability, making it convenient to carry around thanks to its compact size and light weight.
- Stable Connection: The drone offers a reliable Wi-Fi connection with a range of up to 984 feet, allowing stable communication during flight.
- Decent Flight Time: It offers an average flight time of about 19 minutes on a single charge, giving you a good amount of time for your aerial adventures.
- Aerial Tricks: The Bebop 2 supports impressive midair maneuvers, including flips and rolls, adding a fun dimension to your flight experience.
- Adjustable Geofence: The drone has an adjustable geofence, allowing you to set boundaries and keep your drone in the designated area.
- Compatible Flight App: Its flight app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, offering flexibility for different users.
Cons of the Parrot Bebop 2 Drone
- Limited range: The Bebop 2’s range is somewhat limited, especially in suburban areas, which may limit your flying opportunities.
- Fish-eye distortion: Full-resolution images from the Bebop 2 have a fish-eye effect, which may distort the perspective of your photos.
- Camera viewing: To view the camera feed, you’ll need to use a smartphone or tablet, which may be inconvenient for some users.
- Average video quality: The video quality has been reported by some users as mediocre, falling short of higher-end models.
- Unreliable Wi-Fi connection: There are concerns about the drone’s Wi-Fi connection being unreliable and prone to frequent drops, which may disrupt flights.
- Limited internal storage: With only 8GB of internal storage, you’ll quickly run out of space for photos and videos, requiring frequent transfers.
- Additional costs for autonomous features: Some autonomous functions are not included in the basic price and may come with additional costs, which may increase the overall expense.
Gist of parrot Bebop 2 drone
The Parrot Bebop 2 drone is a solid choice for beginners due to its improved battery life, compact design, and user-friendly features. It offers a decent starting point for those new to drone flying, especially if you can overlook its shortcomings. However, the persistent connectivity issues and subpar camera quality are significant drawbacks.
At its price point, the Bebop 2 could be a valuable entry-level drone if Parrot can resolve these issues. For now, it sits in a tricky position offering some great features but falling short in crucial areas. If you’re looking for a drone that reliably delivers good connectivity and high-quality footage, you might need to consider spending a bit more or looking at other options on the market.
While the Bebop 2 has its strengths, including a decent camera and longer battery life, its connectivity problems and limited storage options make it difficult to recommend without reservations. For those new to the hobby, it’s worth considering, but be prepared for potent.
Also read:- Parrot ANAFI 4K HDR drone, Best Parrot drones.
People also ask
Is the Parrot Bebop 2 worth it?
The Parrot Bebop 2 is arguably the best drone you can buy for under $300. This drone has a lot of great features, including a 25-minute flight time, a range of 2,000 meters, and a 14 MP camera. Its wide-angle lens and electronic image stabilization provide impressive performance, making the Bebop 2 a great option in its price range.
How far can a Bebop 2 drone fly?
984 feet
When connected to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi MIMO (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), the Bebop 2 maintains a stable connection up to 984 feet.
How heavy is a Parrot Bebop 2 drone?
500g
Lightweight, compact HD video drone.
After two years of careful design, the Parrot Bebop 2 has emerged as the ultimate flying companion. Weighing just 500 grams and with an autonomous flight time of 25 minutes. This advanced leisure drone delivers cutting-edge performance in a compact and lightweight package.
Does Parrot Bebop 2 have obstacle avoidance?
None of the Parrot drones come with an obstacle avoidance feature. The Bebop 2 Power offers five flight modes, including a “follow me” option that enables autonomous operation. The Parrot Mambo, on the other hand, offers three different modes, each of which offers different levels of stabilization assistance