Complete Review of the Parrot mini ball launcher smart health innovation

After the exclusive Review of the Parrot Disco, the flying wing drone, here is that of the new Parrot MAMBO mini drone. A flying object, guided by its smartphone which throws balls and catches small objects while taking some photos.

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Mark : ParrotCategory: DroneRelease date : AvailableMarketing price: 119.00 €Tested on: ASUS Zenphone 

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxAW9QWhOhs (/ embed) 

Unboxing / Unpacking the Parrot Mambo

In a small rectangular box where the object is clearly highlighted, we find the drone. Underneath it, you can see the charging cable, the ball cannon, the fluorescent green balls and a user manual. Everything is well hung and sometimes difficult to remove. If the Parrot Mambo drone easily comes out of the box, the other components are harder to extract without tearing off the cardboard.

The User Manual of the Parrot Mambo is very clear and very complete. Although it is possible to manipulate the device without, it allows you to deepen and discover all the possibilities that the device offers. Explanatory drawings and diagrams make it possible not to get lost and to be able to quickly grasp the product.

Parrot Mambo design and finish

Few changes, the Parrot spirit is well preserved with this new model. However, it can be noted that, now, around the aircraft, it is no longer two continuous waves that protect the propellers but four arcs of a circle. For the rest, it is very similar to mini drones. On the front of the device, you can see LEDs that form a kind of eye and indicate the charge of the device. When these turn red, there are only a few moments of play. In conclusion, a clean style, an object very light and practical, always with a space for LEGOs.

Two different structures depending on how useful the product is: one ball launcher or some sort of pliers at the front complete the device.

The Parrot application

Easy to use, it is almost completely understandable without reading the instructions. The design has not changed since the brand's previous devices. A kind of joystick appears on the screen, you can pilot very easily without too many bumps, the first time.

The Mambo and its Flypad controller both use a Bluetooth connection. It is therefore not possible to connect the two devices without going through an intermediate device such as a smartphone or a tablet.

The possibility of taking photos is clear, as is that of using predefined diagrams (spin, closing opening of the clamps, etc.). Several modes are available, of course, the expert mode is much more complicated to use.

The device takes off only if it is placed on the ground and this is explained to you on your smartphone screen. When the battery becomes weak, a count is made on the screen and a vibration is felt – in addition to the "beeps" emitted by the drone and the color change of the LEDs -. In the settings it is possible to trigger GPS, of monitoring usage time, to know if a crash intervened or to share the data collected.

The photos taken by the camera are available for download but nothing very simple. First you have to announce the download, then search for the latest uses for the device, then find the photos, click on the Facebook logo, log in and send them to your account. Nothing very pleasant and usual so …

Use / Getting started with the Parrot Mambo mini drone

Whether it is the pliers or the ball-thrower, it is quite easy to install the elements on the device, on the other hand, it is necessary to be more careful when removing it. Plastic gives a slightly weak appearance and it seems very easy to break an element.

A pleasant flight

Very intuitive, the flight went smoothly and the aircraft withstands the wind very well. If it ever collides with anything, this one automatically lands. It is the same at the end of the battery, if you do not stop the device in time, it goes down by itself, land on the ground. If you are not a fan of piloting on the phone, it is possible to connect a controller sold by the brand.

The ball launcher

Very disappointing, the ball is just ejected from the device, if it lands at a meter, that's a big maximum. Reassuring from a security point of view, however, we cannot imagine ourselves really playing with it in the long term, so much to aim seems mission impossible.

The clamp

Very nice to use but very complicated too. We must plan to hang what we want before takeoff, otherwise, we quickly trigger the security system by colliding with the carrier of the paper (but we bet that someone experienced could easily l 'use in full flight). Still, the pliers works very well for light and especially very fine things since even a tree leaf can be maintained.

The photo function

A small lens under the drone allows you to take photos. Despite the not always easy stabilization, the photos are sharp and original seen the angle of view. The resolution is not dramatic or even better than you might think.

Autonomy, a disaster

After 45 minutes charge so that the battery is full, what a disappointment when after about six minutes, the aircraft performs a forced landing by the battery that is too low. A phenomenism that gets worse during the updates. The device loses up to 20% without any real use.

This can be changed by purchasing an additional battery / charger pack. This will allow you to use your drone longer, but also charge the batteries separately and use them one after the other. Parrot has a special battery format that is compatible with all of its minidrones.

But because a ehealth is better than a thousand words, here is a short ehealth of our tests.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xgOJKtq8M4 (/ embed) 

Parrot MAMBO accessories

There are two: the remote we were talking about and a troubleshooting kit. The controller called Parrot FLYPAD allows you to control the device. It is sold at the price of 39 euros. The tool box is intended for Parrot Bebop and Parrot Minidrones, it is composed of screwdrivers to facilitate repair. It will cost you 19.99 euros. For the moment nothing indicates the availability of spare parts, however, the warranty lasts two years.

Against competition

Very close in its design with the Parrot AIRBONE, it does not however provide the possibility of seeing it at night, that said, according to our Review, this option is not very effective either. For the rest, no big changes, the design is very close, the robustness is identical, the price very little. Let’s conclude that, even if it is a matter of choosing, at least, the soft words function is effective on the MAMBO… Archos should also release a smart health connected mini drone by the end of the year.

Conclusion

We are immediately disappointed by the ball launcher and the battery life which does not make you want to play regularly. However, the easy handling and the photo function can be pleasant, just like the clamp. Remember to locate the recipient beforehand, otherwise the message may not reach its destination, due to lack of time.

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Good points

• • easy handling

  • the nice design

  • robustness

  • gripper function

Negative points

• autonomy

• the disappointing ball throw function

• retrieving photos

Design and Ergonomics – 8

Features – 6

Getting started – 8

Application – 6

Value for money – 4

6.4

Design and finishes: Robust and pleasant to look at but not very innovative.

Features: : The pliers are nice, the photo is a pleasant surprise but the ball-thrower very disappointing.

Use / handling: : Very intuitive, almost no need for the manual, it's nice.

Application : : Two functions out of three pleasant but too low autonomy do not allow full use.

Value for money: : The battery life does not make you want to play it regularly, hence the severe note. For the price, and in view of the games offered, we hope to be able to offer it to children who get tired at first use just the idea of ​​waiting between each period of 6 minutes of play.

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW