Some of the best drones on the market don’t come set up for mounting a camera, but if you’re looking for the best drone for GoPro (and don’t mind doing a couple of modifications) then the Parrot AR Elite Edition could be a great project for you! Far cheaper than some drones like the DJI Phantom 2, this drone offers decent stock performance for an extremely low price (at just under $100). It could be a contender for top-rated drones in the market.
Why We Like It – Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition
The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition is a great option for someone who’s just getting into the drone hobby. This AR drone offers a variety of AR games/features, can easily be controlled from your favorite mobile device, and even comes with separate hulls for indoor & outdoor use.
- 720p Video Recording & Streaming Capabilities
- Analog or Gyroscope Mobile Remote Control Options
- Comes With Both An Indoor Hull & An Outdoor Hull
- Poor Battery Life
- Short Legs
- Requires Minor Modifications to Add Additional Camera(s)
Speed & Power
Although it won’t be able to keep up with the 3DR Solo Drone, the Parrot AR still packs a decent punch despite its cheap price. Powered by a 1000 mAh lithium-polymer battery, the Parrot can take off at 6.7 MPH from a standstill and reach a maximum speed of just over 24 MPH! While it’s fast, it’s not as fast as the Freefly Alta 8. The performance will decrease slightly if you’re using the indoor hull (due to the added weight and reduced aerodynamics) but these numbers are still extremely impressive for a drone at this price point. Check out our Parrot Bebop 2 drone review and Parrot Mambo Fly review for more great drones from this brand.
Range
Many drones come with a dedicated 2.4 GHz controller, like the RC Helicopter with a camera, but that is not the case with the AR Drone 2.0. There isn’t a dedicated controller available; rather, the quadcopter is controlled by your choice of the mobile device. Since the device is controlled over Wi-Fi, the range is somewhat limited, with a maximum control distance of 165 feet. Realistically, you should probably expect between 100 and 150 feet of range unless you’re in the ideal flight conditions with no obstructions or interference.
Related: Be sure to also check out our Parrot Ar Drone 2.0 review for a drone that works with both your iOS and Android device.
Durability
The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition is a fairly lightweight device, coming in at four pounds. Both of the frames appear to be made of polystyrene material, but the outdoor frame also has an additional plastic cover to increase durability (although it doesn’t protect any of the blades). The indoor frame doesn’t have any plastic, but it does provide blade covers for all the propellers. You should try to avoid crashing this drone because it’s not the most durable design.
Camera Features
Unlike the YUNEEC Q500, the Parrot AR doesn’t offer a 4K camera. Instead, it has two 720p cameras that provide an OK image. You will need to make sure to keep the bottom-facing camera clear of obstructions because the drone uses it for stability control. Unfortunately, since the drone uses cameras for stability, you won’t be able to fly this drone at night (unless you have adequate lighting). The front-facing camera is built into the frame, so if you want to upgrade your camera, you will have to mount one on the bottom. Take a look at our Parrot Anafi Drone review for a drone that comes with a 4K camera.
Value
While the Parrot AR may not be the best drone around, it’s certainly worth picking up. The product has been discontinued, so this may be one of your last chances to grab one for yourself. Originally priced at $300, you can pick up this drone on Amazon for just under $100 today. For that price, you also get free shipping, which is good because this drone scores relatively low at 3.6 out of 5 stars (based on 196 Amazon reviews). We were unable to find any warranty information.
Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition Wrap Up
It certainly isn’t the best drone out there, but for the price, it’s hard to beat. If you’re just getting into drones (or looking for your first), the Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition is a great way to start the hobby. It also has the advantage of being discontinued, which in a sense makes the drone a “limited edition”. For beginners and collectors alike, we think the Parrot AR is worth the money.
