Advance drone reviews: Walkera runner 250

Unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones, have transformed from a leisure hobby to a whole cultural phenomenon. Today, we’re going to have a closer look at Walkera Runner 250, the small drone that is making big waves.

Drone enthusiasts are probably familiar with Walkera Runner 250. However, if you’re a newbie or are planning to undertake drone racing, you might be wondering what this product can offer.

Walkera Runner 250 is specifically designed for FPV (first-person view) real-time transmission video racing.

Many veteran FPV drone-racers opt to build their custom-built drones. However, for beginners, it would take a lot of drone-racing experience and mentorship to master drone engineering.

If you’re planning to get into drone racing, you can begin by buying a state-of-the-art drone to give you a kickstart.

The Walkera Runner 250 is one of the most popular racing drones in the market since its initial release in 2014.

It comes pre-assembled in the box so minimal assembly will be required from the user to make the drone fly.

Standard components such as the battery pack, propeller, and the camera would require manual installation.

However, aside from these essential components, all the other vital parts are securely fastened behind the thick metal frame.

Walkera Runner 250 drone is designed to withstand crashes, shocks, and stress because the frame is built to absorb impact.

With Walkera drone, you can be sure that it is built to last as it can endure much punishment in the process.

Unlike most standard drones with long thin propellers, the Walkera Runner 250 has a more robust and chunkier set of propellers.

The propellers are designed this way to because the heavy duty frame will require much force to fly.

This robust drone will need equally robust propellers to move a lot of air around and generate a force that can lift it off the ground.

For easier maneuverability, it uses the DEVO 7 transmitter controller that you can never find in other drones.

With this controller, you can fly this drone with ease. Rather than focusing on the drone, you can concentrate more on the flight itself.

Moreover, because this Walkera drone is fully-mounted and built to last, you can save yourself from building or repairing circuits and wiring.

Compared to other drones in the market, Walkera Runner 250 is undoubtedly the fastest among the bunch.

Whether you’re into drone racing or just for recreational purposes, this fast and durable drone can make the experience more enjoyable for you.

True to its promise, Walkera has given novice FPV racers a taste of what drone racing is all about. Its latest addition, the Walkera Runner 250 Advance, is the next generation of drone technology that features GPS.

To learn more about this drone, we present to you the Walkera Runner 250 reviews. This article will give you an overview of the product, its features as well as its pros and cons.

We’ve also included the Walkera Runner 250 Advance review to let you select which of these models is the right one for you.

Company Review

Since 1994, Walkera has been manufacturing different types of small remote vehicles. Later on, they’ve narrowed down their production to small remote-controlled drones.

Aside from producing drones, Walkera also produces consumer grade aircraft and custom design high-end commercial UAV.

Initially, their drones were intended for agricultural and civil engineering applications. However, the rise of FPV racing drones gave them the innovation to design their racing drones.

In 2014, the company introduced the Walkera Runner 250 and was by far their most successful model.

For the past few years, this company has changed drone racing experience by offering pre-built solutions in the market.

This means that users don’t need to build the drone by themselves, just like most veteran drone enthusiasts do.

Walkera drones have all the necessary hardware (propellers, motors, boards, screws, and more) included in the package. Plus, the metal frame comes fully-assembled in the box.

All the user has to do is follow the simple instruction manual which is also included in the package. Assembly is simple and straightforward. Once assembled, the Walkera Runner 250 is ready to fly and race.

Product Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

-Width: 8.1 inches

-Height: 3.6 inches

-Depth: 8.9 inches

-Weight: 1.17 pounds

Motor

-Type: Rotor

-Max Speed: 24.9 miles per hour

-Width: 5.5 inches

Vehicle

-Max Horizontal Velocity: 49 feet per second

-Diagonal Size: 9.8 inches

-Interface: Wi-Fi

-Wi-Fi Bands: 2.4 GHz

-Vertical Hovering Accuracy: 2.6 feet

-Horizontal Hovering Accuracy: 3.3 feet

Remote Control

-Max Operating Distance: 1 mile

-Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz

Battery

-Detail: Rechargeable

-Technology: lithium polymer

-Supported Configuration: 3S

-Capacity: 2200 mAh

-Voltage: 11.1V

-Run Time: 14 minutes

Camera

-Type: Digital

-Horizontal Resolution: 800TVL

-Power Input: DC 12V

-Video System: PAL/NTSC

-Video Out: 1.0Vp-p

Environmental Parameters

-Min Operating Temperature: 14 °F

-Max Operating Temperature: 104 °F

Key Features

-Carbon fiber structure that can withstand shock and impact damage

-DEVO 7 transmitter controller with four-axis design to provide smooth control

-Easy to disassemble and re-assemble

-The high-definition 800TVL digital camera offers crystal clear picture with lack of delays to let you see even the smallest details

-On-screen display real-time data and built-in head tracking system with optional Goggle2 5.8G receiver function and Section B channel set

-An ultra-fast speed of 24.9 miles per hour with tactile control

-Accurate and sensitive remote control range of up to 1 mile

-Modular design for comfortable and convenient maintenance

Overview

Let’s kick off our Walkera Runner 250 reviews by presenting the product’s good side and a not-so-good side.

To sum it all up, the Walkera Runner 250 offers super resistance carbon fiber structure. This makes it able to ram into walls, crash or toss around without getting damaged.

However, the heavy duty construction of the vehicle itself could take a toll on its weight. Without a doubt, the frame is super sturdy, but it is also heavy. With the battery mounted on, it generally weighs 1.17 pounds.

To lift the robust vehicle off the ground, it comes with a chunky set of propellers that can generate much force. So, no matter how heavy the vehicle is, it can spin out from high altitudes at ultra fast speed.

Ultimately because the Walkera Runner 205 is capable of reaching high altitudes at great speed, the 2200mAh battery can only give 12 to 14 minutes of flight time. Flight time is shorter than most drones, but this is to be expected due to its dominant performance.

Every drone model in the market has its pros and cons. However, for the Walkera Runner 250, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

To put it just, each feature of this Walkera drone is carefully fabricated to allow it to withstand any impact. Some of its shortcomings are compensated by other components to provide optimum performance that can last for long.

Packaging

The Walkera Runner 250 comes in a suitcase-type packaging which is filled with shock absorbing sponge to secure the contents.

Inside the flashy package, you’ll find:

-One drone

-1 DEVO 7 transmitter controller

-1 set of 4 propellers

-One camera

-One battery

-One battery charger

-One electrical adaptor

-One transmission module

-1 OSD

-1 Goggle 2

As mentioned earlier, the Walkera Runner 250 comes fully-assembled. This means that the power board and other essential circuits are already installed into the drone.

The only thing left for you to do is to assemble the spare parts such as the propellers, battery, camera, and so on.

You will find a simple instruction manual in the package to help you assemble the drone in no time.

For beginners, it is advisable to buy a few spare parts particularly propellers, batteries, and head/tail lights. These parts are usually the most likely to get damage especially if it crashes too often.

You can buy each spare part for this model, from the power board to the propellers. So, you can purchase any spare part in case you’ve misplaced or damaged them.

It is also wise to have an extra battery at hand considering that the flight time is only limited.

Durability and Design

When it comes to sustainability, no other drone can even come close to Walkera Runner 250. This drone can take much punishment and would get in track and keep flying.

Its shock-absorbing frame is well-built and sturdy. The durability of this Walkera drone is equivalent to a tank that can withstand shock, stress and other impact force.

Even if you accidentally crash it into a wall, you can rest assured to get it back in one piece.

As for the design, it is not as eye-catching or as flashy as other drones in the market. The frame and inner workings are exposed and visible which makes it look like a bare-bone drone.

However, the motors and mechanical joints are securely hidden and shielded. This is to prevent dirt, dust, and moisture from getting into the machine.

It has bigger head/tail lights that are more visible from afar. However, the only downside to the lights is that they cannot be panned or tilted around.

This makes night time landing riskier because the immovable lights will only illuminate the front and back. However, it cannot do the same to both sides and beneath the drone.

Camera

Its 800TVL built-in digital camera does a decent job for a racing drone. Of course, don’t expect it to have the resolution for professional film clips or high budget project shots.

Besides, the Walkera Runner 250 is intended for FPV racing and not for aerial filming.

Moreover, one thing more, the built-in camera does not support in-flight video feedback. However, you can be sure that the video and picture quality taken in-flight is very high.

You have the option to attach additional cameras to the drone if one isn’t enough for you.

Battery and Flight Time

Battery life and flight time is where this drone falls a bit short of the mark. However, this is because of the drone’s weight and the powerful motor to propel the drone.

Some drone racers have attempted to attach more battery to it, but they have been unsuccessful so far.

They also tried replacing the battery with bigger batteries that hold a more significant charge. However, minor adjustments would be necessary to make the bigger battery fit into the drone. This is to make sure that it won’t get thrown off balance.

The good thing about its standard battery is that it has a short recharge time. However, it is advisable to buy spare batteries if you want to use your drone for more than 14 minutes.

Controller

One of the most amazing features of Walkera Runner 250 is its standard controller – the DEVO 7 transmitter. What makes DEVO 7 transmitter a cut above the rest?

Specially designed for racing drones, DEVO 7 transmitter allows quick flight at very high speeds. Plus, it provides easy maneuverability of the drone around harsh obstacles.

Sharper maneuvering is essential in races, and the designers made sure that the users achieve this.

Unlike most drone controllers, this transmitter has the auxiliary controls located at the top to allow more comfortable maneuver.

However, apart from the auxiliary controls, all main controls are still in their standard places as to not to confuse the pilot.

The lower part of the controller contains a small LCD screen for flight information which relays the coordination and range track of the drone.

Flight Performance

You may not expect much from this drone at first sight due to its bulky frame and bare-bone design. However, wait till you see it fly.

As a racing drone, it can fly at impressive speeds and take sharp corners very efficiently. Moreover, this is because it is carefully balanced to maximize the drone’s agility and speed.

Don’t be fooled by its tiny motors. The motors may be small, but they certainly make a big punch as far as power is concerned.

Experienced drone pilots can even perform flips, barrel rolls, dash dives, and pancake turns without losing speed.

However, to achieve their full potential, the motors would require much power from the battery, which explains the short battery life.

Additionally, the drone’s altitude can stretch to about the length of the transmitter signal. However, remember that flight performance can be reduced as it goes higher.

Price and Satisfaction Guarantee

If you think you’ll need to spend a fortune to get one of these fantastic UAVs, then you’re wrong.

The Walkera Runner 250 is one of the most affordable FPV drones in the market. For around $300, you get a heavy duty racing drone that can meet your expectations and more.

However, why is it cheap despite its high performance and premium quality? It is mainly because of its simple bare-bone design with replaceable parts.

Although this Walkera drone is constructed with special protection, you may still need to purchase some spare parts.

Moreover, this product comes with a standard warranty which makes you eligible for either a full refund or free replacement in case of a technical flaw.

Buying this product ensures that you’re getting the best deal and great value for your money.

Target Audience

Walkera Runner 250 is perfect for novice drone racers and those who have a decent amount of experience with smaller FPV models.

Thanks to its bare-born construction, the user can easily understand how FPV drones work. With more experience, the user can make adjustments or modifications later on.

Despite its speed and agility, it is not a recommended model to be used in professional FPV racing. Take note that veteran FPV racers are using custom-built drones that are designed explicitly for hardcore racing.

Unless you make some modifications to upgrade its machine or prolong its battery life, then you may consider it for professional racing.

This drone can do a decent performance in amateur or casual racing. However, it may not be suitable for those with no flight experience or absolute first-timers.

One of the essential features that this model lacks is the presence of a GPS. Because of this, it will require constant adjustment from the pilot to make it hover in place.

Hence, only someone with some flying experience can operate this model.

If you’re mainly looking for a camera drone intended for film-making, then this is not the model for you.

Like we said earlier, its built-in camera can take videos of good quality. However, it is not the high-resolution quality that is required in high-end film projects.

If you’re not into racing and are only looking for something to fly then this one can give you a leisure experience.

Aesthetics

Nothing can be said much about its aesthetic value. However, if you prefer a simple design without any flashy feature, then you may find this model very impressive.

There’s a good reason why the designers kept the design to the minimum. The metal frame itself is heavy and bulky on its own. Adding more details to make it appear fancier would only add more weight to it.

However, as far as aesthetic design is concerned, it also has its trump cards.

Its landing gear is well-integrated to provide sturdy and reliable landing. Both front and back sides are equipped with big LED lights for orientation in line-of-sight flying and racing.

Points of Improvement

Overall, the functionality and flight performance of the Walkera Runner 250 is first-rate.  However, there are also some downsides to its features as well as the lack of other special features.

Even though this model is not a camera drone, there’s still a need to protect the built-in camera. Instead, the camera sticks out conspicuously in front of the drone with no protection at all.

Because of its lack of protection, the camera becomes vulnerable to damage when the quadcopter crashes.

One more issue about this model is the absence of a battery compartment. Instead, a strap is used to hold the battery in place which is inadequate. Moreover, the battery is located just behind the camera. In case of a crash, you can easily see the battery staggering forward, potentially damaging some electronics in the process.

Another helpful feature that this model lacks is the inclusion of a GPS. Integrating GPS module into a drone can significantly assist the pilot with accurate global positioning, steady flight for better navigation.

Unfortunately, Walkera Runner 250 doesn’t have this technology. If you want a quadcopter with GPS, then we have a better option for you – the Walkera Runner 250 Advance.

Walkera Runner 250 Advance GPS System Quadcopter

The upgraded version of the original Walkera Runner 250 has all the right things about the original version and more.

Retaining some of the essential features of the original version, the Walkera Runner 250 Advance is also compatible with Goggle 2 System. This unique feature provides 5.8 GHz of real-time image transmission frequency. It is also made of ultra-resistant carbon fiber to endure crashes and heavy falls

An outstanding racer, it featured brushless motors with an impressive speed of up to 25 miles per hour. Just like the original version, Walkera Runner 250 Advance is also powered by a 2200mAh lithium polymer battery.

For the controller, it still uses the standard DEVO 7 2.4GHz transmitter. So, what makes this new version different from the original?

First and foremost, it is equipped with a GPS in which the original version lacks. The integration of GPS technology makes this model suitable for absolute beginners.

With GPS navigation, the user can opt for an autopilot mode by pre-determining the flight path. You can do this by establishing GPS paths that define the trajectory.

GPS also allows the drone to remember the spot from where it took off. By pressing the home button, the drone automatically returns to this spot.

In addition to this, it also allows the quadcopter to maintain position at fixed location and altitude.

All of these useful features cannot be attained in UAVs without GPS. Aside from GPS, the Walkera Runner 250 Advance comes in 2 camera editions – the 800TVL camera and 1080P camera.

An 800TVL camera equates to a roughly 720P camera. So, if you want an HD camera with a higher resolution, the 1080P camera edition is undoubtedly the better choice.

Plus, this new model’s airframe features anti-vibration dumpers that allow you to attach small-sized cameras.

Key Features:

-Brushless motors provide the extreme speed of up to 25 miles per hour with tactile control

-Carbon fiber construction for ultra-resistance performance and better protection

-DEVO 7 transmitter controller gives exceptionally long, high sensitive remote control range with LCD screen to display flight information

-Goggle 2 head tracking system with OSD real-time image transmission without delay

-GPS navigation system allows the drone to hold a stable hover by locking onto a precise position

-Comes in 2 camera editions – the original 800TVL camera and the more advanced 1080P camera

Conclusion

Start your drone-racing journey with the Walkera Runner 250, and you are guaranteed to make your way to the top.

As a novice racer with too much room for learning, this quadcopter is an excellent platform to enhance your piloting and technical skills.

Getting the UAV rammed into walls or getting crashed into obstacles are only inevitable for a learning pilot.

However, don’t worry about committing those mistakes. This durable quadcopter is designed to take much punishment without compromising flight performance.

It may have some downsides and may lack other useful features, but the pros outweigh the cons. Plus, it is offered at a more affordable price, to begin with.

Other people may think it is not flashy enough to flaunt around. However, why would aesthetics matter when this drone can offer durability and functionality that some ‘flashy’ models fail to give?

If you’re new to drones, you may want to opt for something with a GPS to assist you in your first piloting experience. Walkera Runner 250 Advance with GPS System is entirely the best drone for that case.