How can I solve the range issue with my Parrot Bebop 2 drone?

General Drone Discussion
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Quick Summary: The Parrot Bebop 2 drone isn’t reaching its advertised range.

  • Drone: Parrot Bebop 2
  • Controller: Skycontroller 2
  • Platform: Samsung S7 running Android Nougat
  • App: Freeflight Pro

What range are you guys getting with your Parrot Bebop 2 drones? It’s supposed to have a max range of 2km (1.2 miles), but I’m only getting around 500m (545 yards) on average, with a maximum of 750m (820 yards).

Other than the range issue, it works fine. It drops the connection at around 500m, but the Return to Home (RTH) function works well, and I have no problem reconnecting once it’s back within 400-500m.

I’ve tried flying in various locations, temperatures, and elevations without success. I’ve also read that putting the phone in airplane mode might help, but it didn’t make a difference. I usually fly in remote areas, so interference isn’t the issue.

Am I missing something? Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. I love the drone but feel misled by the advertised range.

EDIT: Solved! I powered on the drone first, then the controller, hit “take off,” and connected my phone to the controller after the drone was already in the air. This way, I achieved a max range of 1.9km and an average of 1.4km. Huge improvement!

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Try changing your location setting to the US. It seems that other locations limit Wi-Fi power due to local regulations. A guy on YouTube boosted his range from 200 meters to over 1500 meters using this trick.

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Thanks, I’ll try that. Although, I highly doubt it’s the issue since I’m in a very remote part of South Africa, even by African rural standards.

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Also, avoid using your phone’s Wi-Fi. I had a problem where my phone connected to the drone instead of the Skycontroller, which severely limited my range. Try powering on the drone first, then the controller, and attach your phone to the Skycontroller without activating your phone’s Wi-Fi. I tested this today and easily flew out to 1 kilometer, compared to a maximum of 200-300 meters when the drone was connected to the phone.

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But that’s the point he’s making. Your local regulations might limit the range, but setting your location to the US should remove that restriction.

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If you’re experiencing range issues with your Parrot Bebop 2 drone, try these steps to improve performance:

  1. Update Firmware: Ensure the drone and controller have the latest firmware.
  2. Antenna Orientation: Properly position the controller’s antennas.
  3. Wi-Fi Extenders: Use Wi-Fi range extenders or signal boosters.
  4. Clear Line of Sight: Avoid obstacles between the controller and drone.
  5. Fly in Open Areas: Choose less congested areas to avoid interference.
  6. Check for Interference: Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find the best channel.
  7. Battery Health: Ensure batteries are in good condition.
  8. Replace Antennas: Upgrade to high-gain antennas if necessary.
  9. Manual Channel Selection: Select a less congested Wi-Fi channel.
  10. Weather Conditions: Fly in optimal weather for better performance.

These tips can help enhance the range and overall performance of your Parrot Bebop 2.