Comparison Parrot Bebop Drone 2 + Skycontroller vs Parrot Bebop Drone 2

The maximum resolution and frame rate supported by the aircraft camera when shooting in HD (720p).

HD 720p is the first high-definition video standard. Notably inferior to Full HD and 4K formats in terms of performance, it nevertheless provides pretty good detail without significant demands on the camera and processing power. Therefore, HD support is found even in relatively inexpensive copters. And in high-end models, it can be provided as an addition to more advanced standards.

In drones, HD cameras typically use the classic 1280x720 resolution; other, more specific options are practically non-existent. As for the frame rate, the higher it is, the smoother the video turns out, the less movement is blurred in the frame. In general, values up to 24 fps can be called minimal, from 24 to 30 fps — medium, from 30 to 60 fps — high, and speeds over 60 fps are used mainly for slow motion HD.

The range of the drone is the maximum distance from the control device at which a stable connection is maintained and the device remains controlled. For models that allow operation both from the remote control and from a smartphone (see "Control"), this item indicates the maximum value — usually achieved when using the remote control.

When choosing according to this indicator, note that the range is indicated for perfect conditions — within line of sight, without obstacles in the signal path and interference on the air. In reality, the control range may be somewhat lower; and when using a smartphone, it will also depend on the characteristics of a particular gadget. As for specific figures, they can vary from several tens of metres in low-cost models to 5 km or more in high-end equipment. At the same time, it should be said that the greater the range of communication, the higher its reliability in general, the better the control works with an abundance of interference and obstacles. Therefore, a powerful transmitter can be useful not only for long distances, but also for difficult conditions.

The presence of a mount for a smartphone or tablet on the quadcopter control panel.

This feature allows you to fix the electronic gadget in such a way that in the process of controlling the machine, its screen is constantly in front of the operator's eyes. This function is relevant primarily for live broadcasts from the device (see "Live broadcast (FPV)"). At the same time, the mount for the gadget can be found both in quadrocopters that initially have FPV mode, and in models that are not equipped with cameras (in which the possibility of live broadcasting depends on the characteristics of the installed camera). However, note that the size of the mount and its compatibility with various electronic devices may be different, so before buying it's ok to clarify what exactly can be installed on the remote control.

The operating voltage of the battery supplied with the quadcopter. This information is not particularly important for everyday use, but may be useful in some specific cases — for example, if you need to pick up a charger or a spare battery. In addition, voltage data is needed for a correct comparison in terms of capacity (see above): recall that only batteries with the same voltage can be compared by ampere-hours, with a different number of volts, you need to use a special formula.

Battery model for which the quadcopter is designed. Most often, such a battery is supplied with the device, and data on the battery model is not needed for everyday use. At the same time, such information can be useful, for example, if the battery or "charging" to it is out of order and needs to be replaced, or if you are looking for a backup battery.