Thinking about buying a drone… Is this a good deal?

I’ve only got a cheap $20 drone that’s fun, but I’m looking for something a bit more solid. I don’t really know much about drones, so any advice would be really helpful.

It’s kind of a mixed bag. If you’re just getting into drones, this might not be the best choice. It’s been out of production for over five years, and if something breaks, it’ll be a hassle to find parts. On the flip side, an old but working Bebop could be a cool find for someone who’s more experienced since there are some unique mods you can do with it.

@Nico
Yeah, I used to love this drone. It took a while for other brands to match its features, but now it’s quite outdated and probably not supported anymore.

Cameron said:
@Nico
Yeah, I used to love this drone. It took a while for other brands to match its features, but now it’s quite outdated and probably not supported anymore.

It seems like the new app doesn’t support the Parrot BeBop drones at all. :frowning:

@Nico
This was my first drone too. I got it because it was cheap, so I didn’t mind if I crashed it. Definitely didn’t want to crash my Mavic instead!

Yes and no. The Bebop, like most entry-level Parrot drones, has been discontinued for a long time. Depending on local laws, this might be a big deal. Finding a working app could also be an issue since I haven’t flown one in over six years. Another thing to think about is that the batteries might be old or hard to come by.

Even though the drone is a mix of foam and plastic, it feels sturdy and offers decent image stability, range, and speed compared to others in its price range. It doesn’t feel cheap in the air, and it’s got some power to it.

The biggest problem with the Bebop and other older drones that weigh over 249g is that you now need an RID module to fly them legally in the US.

I’ve still got my old Parrot AR Drone 2.0 since it was my first one, but I don’t think the Bebop is supported anymore. If you can, check out the DJI Mini 2; it’s a great option if you’ve got the budget.

@Sky
I got into drones briefly and picked up a Bebop 2. I thought it was pretty cool, especially since you could find it for a reasonable price. I also bought a cheaper Chinese $200 drone and a $300 one for my mom just to compare. The cheaper ones had better cameras, but they flew terribly, and the videos were unstable in the wind.

The Bebop 2 wasn’t perfect with its fixed fish-eye lens, but it was well-stabilized and fun to fly. Mine’s been under my bed for a while now, so I’m sure the batteries are dead, and I’ve heard there’s no support for it anymore. Plus, I’m out of the loop on the new drone regulations.

Damn, that’s cheap. Go for it!

@Sawyer
Here’s another option I was looking at: https://placehold.co/600x400.png

@Sawyer
Both of these are going to be much worse.

Tory said:
@Sawyer
Both of these are going to be much worse.

Agreed. But the Tello is pretty fun for indoor flying.

If you’re looking for a good budget option, check out the DJI Neo. Best value for your money and a solid little drone.

Kei said:
If you’re looking for a good budget option, check out the DJI Neo. Best value for your money and a solid little drone.

This one was posted 22 hours ago… thoughts?

Sawyer said:

Kei said:
If you’re looking for a good budget option, check out the DJI Neo. Best value for your money and a solid little drone.

This one was posted 22 hours ago… thoughts?

If you mean the ‘DJI Tello’, then nope. It’s not actually a DJI, it’s made by Ryze but uses DJI’s software. The Tello is really small and light, with only a 720p camera. It’s fun for flying indoors but not so great outside unless there’s no wind at all.

I’ve had the original Parrot Bebop with the Sky Controller. It was a decent drone when it first came out, but it’s outdated now. The app for it seems to be discontinued, and the batteries are expensive and hard to find. The camera is fixed, so you’ll get decent 1080p footage, but it’s cropped for stabilization. Also, the frame is plastic with a foam covering, but it does have GPS for stability.

If you’re set on getting a Bebop 2, just double-check the app situation and make sure the batteries can hold a charge. But honestly, it’s tough to find a good drone for $100. If you can, I’d recommend saving up for a DJI Neo. It’s around $185 from DJI directly, and it’s stable in most situations. Plus, since it’s under 250 grams, you won’t need to register it with the FAA or get a Remote ID, which costs around $40.

Just my two cents on the matter.

If you’re buying from Marketplace, stick to cash and meet in person. Keep all your messages on Facebook for proof if anything goes wrong.

@Emerson
I’ll check them out, thanks!