Parrot Bebop 2 A Fun Smartphone Controlled Drone

The Parrot Bebop 2 is a definite improvement over the original Parrot Bebop.  One of the biggest improvements is that the battery life has been doubled to 25 minutes of flight time.  The overall construction of the Bebop is better and it appears to have become more durable. Parrot fancies this to be a drone for taking high-quality videos but we would suggest you consider a drone with a gimbal  if that is your goal. The Phantom 3 Standard is in the same price range, also operates over WiFi and includes an excellent camera on a gimbal. The Bebop 2 has some improved flight modes, including a Follow Me mode. Unlike many drones in this price range the drone will track an object that you designate, not a remote or your smartphone. That is a very nice feature.

The first thing you notice about the Bebop 2 is the camera.  It is positioned front and center and seems to be the focal point of the drone.  This is different from a lot of other drones like its competitor the DJI Phantom. The positioning of the fish-eye camera is also a great improvement as they have angled it downward for better videos.  You can tilt and pan the video with the new and improved camera. The new camera lens is designed to help with lower light situations as well.  The camera is the same HD capable camera as the original and will take 14 megapixel photos.

Parrot Bebop 2 Features

Like its predecessor, the Bebop 2  is a lightweight and sturdy drone.  The propellers are an improved and safer design that are more flexible and stop immediately upon impact. So if you fly this drone into your friend’s arm (by accident or otherwise) it will cut power to the props, saving your friend a little propeller rash.

The Bebop 2 still utilizes your tablet or smartphone via an app to control the quadcopter.  The app is compatible with both Android and iOs. Some users complain about the tablet and drone losing connection. We here at Half Chrome Drones are not a big fan of the tablet controls and prefer the Parrot Skycontroller. The Parrot Skycontroller increases your range and flying feel but is quite large and it will add to the overall cost of the drone.  The Skycontroller is not included with the drone.

The Bebop 2 also has a Skycontroller option that comes with first person view goggles. If you have not experienced flying a drone with FPV goggles you are missing out. It is an absolute blast. The new Skycontroller has more of a game controller feel and you will feel like you are part of a real-life video game. The FPV bundle is definitely our recommended option. Purchasing the Bebop 2 in this bundle will save you some money. You get the awesomeness of FPV and you will get increased range as well as better control with the dedicated remote.

Check the price of the FPV bundle here

Another option for extending the range on the Bebop 2 is to use a WiFi extender. Some people have had great success doing this and have greatly extended the range of the drone. Your results will vary greatly based on the extender you use, but it is another option. You still won’t get the tactile feel of a physical remote, but if you have an old router you could convert it is definitely a way to save some money. Check how this guy did it below.

Overall, the Bebop 2 is a solid GPS and GLONASS enabled drone.  It takes quality HD video and is well built with a decent fly time.  It isn’t too large and is easy to bring along on quick trips.  Watch the video below for some of the key features of the Bebop 2.

Alternatives to the Parrot Bebop 2

If you are not sure about the Parrot Bebop 2 there are a couple of good alternatives. The original Parrot Bebop is an excellent drone and can sometimes be found at about half the cost of the new model. Check its current price on Amazon here. If you are looking for a drone to take stunning aerial photos that uses a gimbal for video stabilization then check out the Phantom 3 Standard. It typically can be found for about the same price as the Bebop 2. Check its current price on Amazon here.

If you want to see how the Bebop 2 stacks up against other drones in this price range check out our article on The Best Drones under $500.

Not sure if this is the drone for you???

No worries, Half Chrome Drones has you covered. Maybe you want an aerial photography drone, or maybe you want a fun toy. Want FPV?  We’ve developed an advanced system to match you to the right drone. We call it our Half Chrome Drone Cipher™, go check it out. We also are constantly updating our Best Drones Now page to help you stay current.

This is not a full Half Chrome review.  That will be coming soon.  Please check back for more detailed info and video testing.

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