Sky Viper V2450 GPS Streaming Camera Drone Review
The Sky Viper GPS streaming drone is the newest edition to the Sky Viper lineup, and it’s probably the best one yet. This little quadcopter offers live video streaming and GPS positioning, all for under $200!.
But the best feature by far is the drone’s firmware. The V2450 is the first Sky Viper drone to utilize an Ardupilot based flight controller.
Features like GPS positioning, throw to launch and auto hover make this is a great drone for beginners or anyone looking for a GPS drone on the cheap.
In our in depth look at the V2450 GPS streaming drone, we’ll go over the main features, the pros and cons should you decide to get one, some operating tips and what’s included in the box. Check out the details below.
Overview of the Sky Viper GPS Streaming Drone
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The V2450 is a small quadcopter…it weighs just over a quarter pound. It’s small enough to fly indoors but also just big enough to fly outdoors too. The GPS positioning does wonders to combat the breeze when flying such a light drone outside.
The motors on the V2450 are brushed, which is a small downside. But that is typical of a drone this size. Brushless motors are ideal but you’ll only find them on bigger drones.
Sky Viper’s GPS streaming drone is controlled with a handheld controller and the Sky Viper video streaming app. The app runs on a connected smartphone and links to the drone via WiFi.
You can live stream video to your phone and record it there or on an installed micro-SD card. You’ll get a slightly higher frame rate if you choose the card option.
Buttons on the controller allow one press tricks and stunts and there’s also a return to home button.
Flight time of the V2450 is not bad, given the 1S 1200 mAh battery, but less than most larger GPS camera drones. Expect about 10 minutes if you’re flying aggressively and around 12 minutes if flying more modestly.
Accurate GPS Positioning
This drone is equipped with a very good Ublox GPS module, which enables super accurate position data with a lot more satellite fixes than more expensive drones.
The GPS positioning on the V2450 allows modes like auto hover, position hold and return to home. Just make sure you wait for a good GPS lock before relying on any of these modes.
At any time during your flight, if you let go of the sticks the V2450 will hover and hold its position.
Return to home is activated by a button on the controller. And the location can be updated within the app, mid-flight, if you move and want your home position to move with you.
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Powerful and Capable Ardupilot Firmware
The flight controller on this Sky Viper streaming drone is the real star feature.
If you’re not familiar with Ardupilot, it’s an open source mulitrotor firmware used by many DIY-ers and hobbyists. The firmware is the result of an ongoing collaboration of literally thousands of professional engineers and computer scientists.
It’s also the same flight control software used by 3DR robotics It’s reliable and proven drone firmware, that allows total customization of all the flight control settings. You can even update the firmware via the app.
If you’re a beginner, don’t let the advanced firmware on the V2450 scare you off. It’s actually perfect for beginners, right out of the box. It’s great software to learn on, then dive deeper into the settings and customization as your skills improve.
As someone who has learned on Adrupilot and has been using it for many years, I can speak to this first hand. I wish this firmware was on all my drones.
When connected to WiFi, the V2450 drone can even host a web interface where you can change all of the settings. You can change the GPS settings, flight characteristics and camera settings. You can even map different flight modes to different action buttons on the controller. Check out the video below from SUAS News to see the WiFi interface in action.
There is even a ground control app you can use with your smartphone to interface with the drone as well. Qground control lets you change settings and will even show you a map of your position. Live flight data is also displayed with some virtual gauges.
V2450 GPS Camera Overview
The camera on Sky Viper’s GPS drone records video in 720p, either to a micro-SD card or saved from the stream to your phone. You’ll get a higher frame rate of 30 fps when recording to the card, compared to only 20 fps when done by your phone.
You probably noticed that the camera on V2450 is integrated into the body. That means there’s no gibmal to stabilize the video, which is one of the only downsides to this drone.
But honestly, for the price you really can’t complain. You would pay at least 2-3 times the price of the V2450 to get a drone with GPS and gimbal stabilization. Plus, the lack of stabilization will give you a better FPV experience.
Flying the V2450 GPS Drone
The Sky Viper V2450 is extremely easy to control fly right out of the box. Just make sure to follow the proper set up in the manual.
You really want to make sure the compass and accelerometer calibrations are done properly. If not done correctly, the flight will probably be unstable and erratic.
This drone will also learn and refine its calibration over time. Each smooth and stable flight longer than 20 seconds, will allow the V2450 to learn and tweak its calibration values. Just another great feature of the Ardupilot firmware.
It’s also important to be patient and wait for a good GPS signal. But honestly, this drone will get a fix on many satellites pretty quickly compared to other GPS drones.
When switching to indoor mode, press the button on the controller. The light will change from green to red and the drone will be ready for indoor flight.
There is no positioning while in indoor mode. But there is a cool feature that lets you maintain a specific height while flying. It helps you not to crash into the ceiling.
Pros and Cons
There are a few downsides to the V2450, but given the price and maintaining reasonable expectations, this drone is definitely worth it. Check out the pros & cons listed below.
Pros
- Awesome value for the price
- Ardupilot flight control firmware
- Very easy to fly
- GPS & FPV
- Ability to change settings
- Firmware is upgradeable
- Altitude hold mode during indoor flight
- Failsafes for low battery, and lost controller signal (indoors and out)
Cons
- No gimbal, video not stablized
- The range is small for a GPS drone, around 500 ft
- Brushed motors won’t last as long as brushless ones
- Flight time is on the lower side
All in all, the Sky Viper V2450 GPS streaming drone is a great little quadcopter. It’s super easy to fly, which makes it great for beginners and the customization options will appeal to more advanced users as well.
The combination of GPS positioning and Ardupilot firmware is really what makes this drone stand out from similar ones in the same size class.
Whether you’re looking for your first drone or another fun little quad to add to your collection, the V2450 GPS from Sky Viper is an excellent choice!
What’s In the Box
- V2450 streaming camera drone
- Controller
- Phone mount holder
- Battery
- USB charger
- 1 set of replacement props
- Prop guards
- 2 pro-style thumb sticks
- 2 game style thumb sticks
- Screwdriver and extra screws
- Instruction manual
V2450 GPS Specs
| Weight | 188 grams |
| Range | ~ 150 meters |
| Flight Time | 10-12 min |
| Battery | 1200 mAh 1S LiPo |
| Camera Resolution | 720p |
| Positioning | GPS |
As requested in the comments, here are links to purchase a replacement battery or if you want a battery upgrade for the Sky Viper V2450 GPS drone…
Has anyone had any luck finding extra batteries for the V2450 GPS? I’m not looking to do any mods right now, just want to have a couple of spares to extend “play time”. I don’t know what the policy on posting retail links is here, so, you can email sources. Thanks
Hi Larry, I put up some links at the bottom of the post – for both a 650 mAh & 1200 mAh replacement battery. Cheers!
How do I adjust the camera while flying? Any advice?
Hi Jacob, if you’re asking about adjusting the camera’s angle, it has to be done manually – before you take flight. The angle cannot be adjusted remotely, or while flying. There’s a couple comments below that mention this as well.
Happy Flying!
Has anyone put out a video to use the 2450gps ‘out of box’ capability? such as
– How to switch between home (house icon) and local (man icon) landing point
– How to adjust the geo fence (I saw the ring and somehow changed it diameter on my tablet)
– How too switch between map and video
– Determine map grid map dimensions for the real earth (one block is ??? feet) And How to adjust the zoom of the grid
Hi Marv, I have not seen a video specifically for all the items you mentioned but if you or anyone else comes across one, let me know and I’ll add a link to it in the post.
Thanks!
Thanks Rob !! , that worked.
No problem Bunky, happy to help! Glad it worked. 🙂 Sometimes those replacements can be tricky.
I replaced the motors & the drone will not lift. New motors w/ connectors. HELP !
Hi Bunky, did you verify the CW motors were replaced with CW ones, and the CCW motors replaced with CCW ones? If the wrong rotation motors are installed, the drone will not lift properly.
I don’t know what some of these comments are talking about, especially when they say this is comparable to a $1000 drone. It is nowhere near that, this drone isn’t worth more than $20 IMO. Complete lack of quality, anyone who says otherwise is clearly getting paid to do so.
I haven’t done this but here is an idea
1 battery 18650 = 3.7V 1500-2000 mAH
If you connect 2 18650 in parallel, ,you have 3.7V 3000-4000mAH
Then attach 2×18650 to the done, and connect to drone with polarity
Make sure the pair of batteries is in the mifdle, don’t enhance gravity center
@nimusa GUYS PLEASE PAY ATTENTION. THE battery clearly says 650mah. Testing it out at 650 will yeild proper results. It ships with a 650mah and the 1200mah is interchangeable with this model. You need to buy those extra since it only comes with the 650. Pkus these lithium cells need at LEAST 10 to 20 full cycles before you break them in.
Familiar with arducopter. This drone is simply amazing. Has the capabilities of $1,000 drones. Impressive frame, design and hardware. Careful thought-out design to give consumer BIG features in creative ways to keep price down. Can’t wait for 2018 model.
Cant get my 2450 to turn on anyone know what i should do battery is good ????
i have tried too get motors for my 2450 for months. I have only flown it 2 times when a motor failed. I have been on the waiting list several times. They send me an email saying they are in stock but when i go too there support center they are out of stock. I called and the message said they would return my call, that was 2 weeks ago. I have talkedtoo other people and they said they were having the same issue.
I suggest stay away from this product.
I have flown mine two times. One of the motors failed. I put my name on the waiting list several times they say they are in stock but when I go too the support center and bring up motors it says they are out of stock. I am very disappointed with this product
Does anyone know where to get replacement propeller guards
SkyRocket has a replacement parts store that list them…currently out of stock but there is a waiting list.
Could you send me the link please
Sure thing, I have sent the link to your email.
How long does it take to fully charge this battery because I charged it for 30mins and it only lasted 3 to maybe 4 mins…this sucks because this is my 1st drone and to maybe get 5+ mins of flight time…. it takes forever to charge…. this sucks …
It takes about 45-60 minutes to charge the battery with the USB charger. The charge rate is limited by the charger to a level that will not damage the battery (they all have different charge and discharge ratings). Use a fully charged battery and you should see longer flight times. If you really don’t like waiting my advice would be to invest in a couple more batteries…then you can charge them all, and swap out as they deplete.
This was the first quad copter I’ve bought. To be honest I was really intimidated by the whole idea before grabbing the controls of one. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to play with my Sky viper 2450 GPS. I made sure that I initially got that version just because it’s simpler to fly. What a pleasure it’s been, I’ve flown that drone 200+ yards in clear vision don’t be fooled about that and hit one button only to hear it buzzing above me a couple minutes later. The battery life is short, I have three batteries which are utilized. This was my first drone I now have a Traxxas atom plus(hobby grade) but I always play around with my sky viper. And I have to give credit where credit is due, I learn to fly with that drone. It’s really durable, it’s reliable and it teaches you the basics of flying quad copters. If you go out of range it comes directly back, it’s perfect for your beginner or older 29-year-old big kid who likes to mess around lol it’s always nice having a toy you and your son can share
I have tested the batteries in a hobby grade, charger. Only holds 600ma out of the box brand new.
So in my opinion, the batteries are over rated at 1200ma instead of 600ma for real, based on testings.
Somebody is selling fake batteries and the law must be enforced.
Day 3 won’t launch at least 2 motors spinning in reverse. Called customer support multiple times got NO response. After a week returned it to retailer. Terrible way to do business. Beware!
Is anyone having a problem getting parts for thier 2450gps?
Yes, cannot find parts.
Is the drone camera position adjustable up or down, left or right?
Hi Mike-
Unfortunately the camera is fixed to the body of the drone, so there is no position control or stabilization of the camera. That’s a feature you’d find on considerably higher prices drones.
Cheers
The camera does adjust up or down manually about 45 degrees, I didn’t measure it, but it does adjust.
That’s a good point Attilles, thanks. I was referring to the lack of a controllable gimbal and totally failed to mention the manual adjustment.
Manual up and down before flight
Great drone and easy to fly. Don’t be fooled by flight times. I have two batteries and only get a maximum of 6 minutes of flight from each one…and that is only hovering. Expect less if flying aggressively.
Yes, that is also about all the flight time I can get. That battery, besides powering the motors, has to power the Wi-Fi transmitter and camera. (it is busy)
What size battery are you using (mah)?
It is the stock 3.7 volt 1200mAh battery.
Do you know of any bigger compatible batteries for it?
I would like to know the same. if I could find a 3000 mAh that would be awesome
I do not know of any larger but if you find one please let me know!
I have seen a guy who modified a battery ncr18650BF that claims a solid 20 min flight time.
Anyword on how it worked ?