Activity Feed › Discussion Forums › Photogrammetry, LiDAR & UAS › DJI Phantom 4 Pro
DatuSurvey Enterprise has orthos, full high density pointclouds, and 3D modeling.
Plus, as a customer, we’ve had excellent tech support with any issues.
I prefer it, as you have more control over your product. Much like how I prefer to process gps control, instead of serving it to OPUS.
andrewm, post: 447267, member: 10888 wrote: I like Pix4d, but I’m also evaluating Datumate. It allows for vector data creation from the raw geo-referenced images instead of the ortho generated from the point cloud. That has some advantages, as vertical edges can get distorted in the ortho. However Pix4d has it beat for output products. It can output a ortho mosaic, DSM, DTM, contour lines, etc. Datumate can export the CAD data that you generate but can only export seamless ortho tiles, not a mosaic. Also no DSM, DTM, or contour lines export. I want to evaluate Drone Deploy also.
Whichever photogrammetry software you chose doesn’t mean you have to use their app to capture the images. DroneDeploy App seems better than Pix4d. I haven’t used Datumate App yet. However, I will likely be using DroneDeploy app from now on because I can sync its flight logs with https://airdata.com/. Flight logs and maintenance records are the biggest pain. AirData makes this very simple.
We fly a P4 pro with an iPad and use Dronedeploy for flight planning and photo processing. Its easy to use and we have done around 200 flights. I would avoid using android devices, we have the Nvidia shield and it always gave us trouble even though it was a supported device. The biggest issue is troubleshooting errors but usually a reset of everything and it will work.
Are the DJI drones you guys are mentioning in here capable of terrain modeling? I don’t know anything about drones, but I’ve heard a lot about the P4. Or does everyone use it pretty much just for photos?
Yes, terrian model and Ortho photo.
Datumate will let you demo their software for a month. It is setup for use with the Phantom 4 Pro. It has more customization available than dronedeploy. It has the automated flight planning but allows you to adjust settings by comparison to dronedeploy which generates orthos without much insight into how their images are created.
Dronedeploy is free though, if I recall.
makerofmaps, post: 447859, member: 9079 wrote:
My buddy just got this bad boy. LIDAR drone. It weighs about 20 lbs. The only disavantage I see is that it only has a 15 minute flight time per battery. But he has a new one coming that can fly three hours. It is gas powered I believe.That looks inexpensive.
-All thoughts my own, except my typos and when I am wrong.I’ve also got some questions about this, not a hijack, but hope to expand on the original post.
1) Is it better to buy a kit, or just the barebones drone and purchase necessities?
2) Do I need a license for it to learn to fly it, or is there some kind of grace period, or training area (i.e. below 100′ agl)?
3) Does trial surveyor software come with it, such as the pix4d that some posters mentioned?
4) Where does one find services to produce ortho’s and / or surface models, and how much does it cost?
5) Is there a package available with the drone, accessories, and software available for surveyor applications?Seems like these are getting where we could all afford them, and probably should be embracing, at least part of it, in house.
TIA, JTWell, 1st search only used “Phantom” and found 1 post (???). Second search “DJI Phantom” found several pages, don’t know what the diff is.
My trouble is, I don’t know where to start. I didn’t even play video games, so I have a long way to go.J. T. Strickland, post: 452014, member: 246 wrote: I’ve also got some questions about this, not a hijack, but hope to expand on the original post.
1) Is it better to buy a kit, or just the barebones drone and purchase necessities?
2) Do I need a license for it to learn to fly it, or is there some kind of grace period, or training area (i.e. below 100′ agl)?
3) Does trial surveyor software come with it, such as the pix4d that some posters mentioned?
4) Where does one find services to produce ortho’s and / or surface models, and how much does it cost?
5) Is there a package available with the drone, accessories, and software available for surveyor applications?Seems like these are getting where we could all afford them, and probably should be embracing, at least part of it, in house.
TIA, JTThere are a few directions to go. Ive been researching and believe I have a plan that works for me.
Most entry level folks should by an entry level kit. Going a la carte isn’t good for any subject when you have limited kniwledge. That’s not an insult, just a fact.
If you want to learn basic flight it will require one of two things. Buy a drone that meets hobby specs, knowing it wont be the one you make money with. Option 2, get a 107 pilot or trainer to work with you.
There are some trial software packages available. I haven’t looked for bundles with the birds.
We researched one service that seems to do what you are asking. For a bit over 9 grand you get the bird, 1 year insurance, 2 pilot certs and a half day on site training. After that its 475 a month for project processing and software rental.
In the end I decided to get the remotepilot101 class done first. Next I will grab a cheap hobby drone followed by a phantom 4 this winter. We have UAS master by Trimble and I will explore that before looking at more software.
Goid luck, TomA rule of flying r/c is: dont fly anything you cannot afford to crash”.
I purchased a DJI Phantom 4 Pro with a bunch of accessories last month. I am studying for the 107 before I get into the processing. It is easier to fly that I thought it would be.
spledeus, post: 452972, member: 3579 wrote: I purchased a DJI Phantom 4 Pro with a bunch of accessories last month. I am studying for the 107 before I get into the processing. It is easier to fly that I thought it would be.
Flying us certainly the easiest part. Post processing point clouds, break lines and DTM are bit more difficult.
I previously said this:
“I purchased a new Phantom 4 pro GPS basic kit, battery, controller props etc. for $495 off ebay. Can’t wait to see how this is going to end up. Probably gonna get ripped off.”And I did.
But after Ebay refused to provide me a refund I filed a complaint with the USPS fraud division and lo and behold ebay reversed their decision 2 days later. The best deal on a Phantom 4 I can find is $948.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.FL/GA PLS., post: 452977, member: 379 wrote:
Any suggestions would be appreciated.Dronenerds.com, or any survey equipment supplier that also does UAS’s.
I’m a little surprised that a purchase of a drone, to be used for one’s work, would be considered any different than buying a robot, gps equipment, or anything else: Buy from a reputable dealer who will provide service after the sale.rfc, post: 452984, member: 8882 wrote: I’m a little surprised that a purchase of a drone, to be used for one’s work,
I agree, but this is a drone purchase for fun, not survey related applications. 😎
PS: nice site!
Richard Imrie, post: 446623, member: 11256 wrote: Down this way, sellers are advertising Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Advanced. I see the DJI website tells the difference between the two, including that the Advanced is a tweaked up version of the Pro and has a mechanical shutter. I think the other discussions on this forum have advised which is better.
So what should we be buying: 4 Pro, 4 Pro Plus, 4 Advanced?
4 Pro should be only one considered.
4 Advanced has less options.
4 Pro Plus will not able to use apps like Pix4d Mapper on the controller. No third party apps can be used.
FL/GA PLS., post: 452989, member: 379 wrote: I agree, but this is a drone purchase for fun, not survey related applications. 😎
PS: nice site!
I believe I would be bored with a drone in about 5 flights of i did not have a cause, a goal or some other objective.
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spledeus, post: 453026, member: 3579 wrote: I believe I would be bored with a drone in about 5 flights of i did not have a cause, a goal or some other objective.
Me and SWMBO have a oceanfront condo in New Smyrna Beach. When there I am out on the beach at dawn for a walk and there is always some sort of marine activity raising hell just offshore. I’ve seen Whale sharks, schools of manta rays and huge schools of bluefish tearing up mullet and menhaden.
With my luck I’ll crash it in the ocean before I get bored with it. 😎
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