Even though drones were originally designed for use in the military, over the years, they have become popular as consumer electronics. With this rise in popularity, their availability has also broadened. If you are considering buying one of these pilotless flight devices, you may want to consider the Parrot’s AR Drone 2.0.
We’ve taken some time to do a product description and review of this drone to give you an idea of what it would be useful for, and analyze its strengths and weaknesses.
Our hope is that by the time you get to the end of this product review, you will have an idea of whether this is a product you will buy or not.
Parrot AR 2.0 Product Features
There are currently two types of Parrot AR 2.0 drones to choose from: the Elite edition and Power edition. The Elite model comes with a 1,000mAh battery that offers about 10 minutes of flying time. The Power Edition comes with two 1,500mAh batteries and rotor blades.
Other than the difference in power, the versions are very similar. Both editions come in a variety of colors.
Control app
To control the Parrot AR 2.0, you can use a portable device powered by either the iOS or Android operating system. The specific application you will need to download from whichever app store you are using is FreeFlight 2. The application permits for heights reaching 200 feet, within Wi-Fi range.
Camera
The Parrot AR 2.0 is equipped with a 720p high-definition camera, with live streams and recordings sent to the controlling device. It has two cameras: the HD front camera and a lower quality one on the bottom.
Other notable features
This drone is also equipped with an air pressure sensor for stabilization. Other notable features include GPS tracking, Wi-Fi, and 4GB storage.
Uses
The Parrot AR 2.0 can be put to many uses. Teenagers and travelers can use this drone to perform cool tricks and capture their surroundings. There is easy access to video tutorials that help people acquire the skills to fly the drone.
The drone has also been used by journalists to aid news coverage. It’s also being used for capturing images at events. It can also be a useful device for estate agents who want to capture footage of the scenery around properties.
Strengths
The Parrot AR 2.0 has many improved features over its predecessor, the Parrot AR 1.0. It’s easy to use, with your smartphone functioning like a steering wheel. Even though it requires some practice, novices will also soon be performing tricks.
Superior camera
A good camera is essential for a quality drone, and Parrot delivered on this feature. The drone has a powerful front camera with HD quality, streaming quality images at a speed of 30 frames per second. The HD 720p camera will allow you to live-stream your sightings and it automatically stores them onto your device.
Protective hull
The drone can be fitted with either an indoor or an outdoor protective hull. This ensures that any damage to the drone is minimal. Verified users report that the sturdy hull is an effective protection feature.
Altitude detection and stabilization
While in flight, the drone holds its position well and even takes stable images while performing loops and other tricks. The altitude detection ensures the drone doesn’t fly off too far. This, in turn, ensures your drone doesn’t get lost.
The customizable propellers, unique to the Power edition, help brighten them up. Making it easier for you to see where your drone is as it flies.
Adding fun with GPS
GPS in undoubtedly a handy feature to bring more fun to your flights. With the Flight Recorder add-on, users can record flight settings, select coordinates and improve stability.
You can also make the drone “return home” with a simple click. So, if your drone happens to be stuck in a tree or on top of a building, you can use your app to perform a jerking motion to help free it.
Weaknesses
Nothing is perfect, and this drone is no exception.
Weak battery
The Elite drone’s 1000mAh battery takes over an hour to charge. Considering that the battery life lasts 10-12 minutes, this can be a huge drawback. This becomes worse when you run Wi-Fi and record video: the flight time is reduced to five minutes.
To mitigate this challenge, you will probably need to buy another battery. You could also take advantage of the Power edition which comes with two batteries.
Costly
Another downfall is the price of the drone. For new drones, the Power edition could cost as much as $400. The Elite edition averages $230, excluding shipping. Verified buyers complain that the drone is expensive for an entry-level product, and the replacement parts are also costly.
Issues with Wi-Fi
The fact that the GPS on the drone doesn’t work without a Wi-Fi Connection is another drawback for the Parrot AR 2.0. What this means is that if the drone moved out of the Wi-Fi zone, finding it can become a challenge.
Un-adjustable camera
Even though the main camera is great, it cannot be adjusted. The second camera simply isn’t as high quality. The live feed also stops working after around 200 feet, limiting the number of great shots you could get.
The verdict
The Parrot AR 2.0 is easy to use, which makes it ideal for beginners. Both models have great video quality, features such as live streaming, and it comes with two protective hulls. Even though this is not the cheapest drone around, its solid features give it the edge.
The Parrot AR 2.0 drone’s biggest pitfall is probably battery life, but this can be solved by forking out a little more cash and getting the Power edition or purchasing another battery. If you’re looking for an entry-level drone with fun features and an excellent camera, this may actually be the product you are looking for. However, if you want to account for every cent you use, it may be better to continue looking.