Hi, We are in the beginning stages of acquiring / adding aerial services to our list. We have been researching for some time and are still having trouble making a decision on a survey uas. We would like to start on the low price end and work our way up. We are thinking copter 1st then a fixed wing.
I am hung up on the camera megapixel for some of the cheaper uas, 12mp max. I have had discussions with other users (not surveyors) that the 12mp would be sufficient?
Also to make sure we stay under the 4.4lbs total weight of the uas for the upcoming reg by the FAA. We do not have a pilot on staff.
Deliverables DTM, ortho Aerial Photo, utility inspections video and still pics, fly-thru video, real estate videos etc...
Our clients:
golf courses (75)
utilities (2)
private property owners (many)
Any suggestions or thoughts would be helpful?
Probably the very first thing you should do is hire a Licensed/Registered Land Surveyor.
That person would be able to guide you thru the ins and outs of mapping, how your state laws control what you are legally permitted to produce, and the services you can advertise.
I see you are already pretty good at web page design... now on to learning about the mapping.
Peter Ehlert, post: 364704, member: 60 wrote: Probably the very first thing you should do is hire a Licensed/Registered Land Surveyor.
That person would be able to guide you thru the ins and outs of mapping, how your state laws control what you are legally permitted to produce, and the services you can advertise.
I see you are already pretty good at web page design... now on to learning about the mapping.
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wow I didn't realize I wasn't a Professional Land Survey for the past 25 years. I will have to look into this. RE - RLS WI#2489, this must be just a hoax.
other thoughts and suggestions are welcomed.
sorry Todd. I did not find that when I was searching you web page. Good luck.
Hi Todd,
Don't know how much you've researched but simply we use a DJI Phantom 3 ADVANCED, a iPad 3 something model with MAPS as a drone deployment software ans process ysing pix4D and the results are good. Even considering the standard 12MP camera. Would like a better full frame sensor but this one works just fine for what we do
Regards
Dirk
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Yes I have looked at these simply because of the reviews and price. I was thinking of the Phantom 3 or 4 or 3DR Solo because of the Sony camera coming soon.
thanks for your comments
Tgoold, post: 364668, member: 8615 wrote: Hi, We are in the beginning stages of acquiring / adding aerial services to our list. We have been researching for some time and are still having trouble making a decision on a survey uas. We would like to start on the low price end and work our way up. We are thinking copter 1st then a fixed wing.
I am hung up on the camera megapixel for some of the cheaper uas, 12mp max. I have had discussions with other users (not surveyors) that the 12mp would be sufficient?
Also to make sure we stay under the 4.4lbs total weight of the uas for the upcoming reg by the FAA. We do not have a pilot on staff.Deliverables DTM, ortho Aerial Photo, utility inspections video and still pics, fly-thru video, real estate videos etc...
Our clients:
golf courses (75)
utilities (2)
private property owners (many)Any suggestions or thoughts would be helpful?
I have a backup Inspire 1 with extra batteries, HD case and other extras for sale. Works great with Pix4d software. I decided not to continue since the FAA rules.
Over $5,000 worth of equipment for only $3,700 firm.
[email protected] if you want pictures or more information.
http://www.dji.com/mobile/product/inspire-1/aircraft#sub-feature
Thad
dirkie2710, post: 364724, member: 10950 wrote: Hi Todd,
Don't know how much you've researched but simply we use a DJI Phantom 3 ADVANCED, a iPad 3 something model with MAPS as a drone deployment software ans process ysing pix4D and the results are good. Even considering the standard 12MP camera. Would like a better full frame sensor but this one works just fine for what we do
Regards
Dirk
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Similar to what I run. Depends on the scale of the project. Pix4D has improved out of sight over the last couple of years. Not every project needs a million dollars worth of lidar and cameras mobilised to get good results. We do that where the project requires it as well.
Fir what the OP describes a Phantom 3 or similar platform will do a reasonable job and provide a good entry point.
great thanks
Tgoold, post: 364668, member: 8615 wrote:
Any suggestions or thoughts would be helpful?Todd
I see you are from WI, but I think these guys have some nationwide capabilities. They have been helpful and educational...
Oh, and I think it is still illegal without a specific exemption from the FAA, and a certificated pilot. Those guys can answer questions about that, as well.
12 MP is the standard right now. Processing time seems to be the hangup for transitioning to higher resolutions. I use Mapir cameras because they fit all the gopro accessories. http://www.mapir.camera/
I just purchased a Phantom 3 Advanced to play around with and test out the capabilities. The sensor size is rather small, but for the price you cannot go wrong. I'm just using recreational and researching the field and prospects for future use. It is not a survey grade solution but we don't have pilots nor do we have an FAA excemption, although I applied for one 4+ months back. FAA is due to issue revisions in the next few days. It is rumoured they will do away with the pilot requirement but you will be required to log every little think that you do with the aircraft.
I'm going to try out DroneDeploy this weekend to see what it can do!
BlakeHuff, post: 364885, member: 28 wrote: 12 MP is the standard right now. Processing time seems to be the hangup for transitioning to higher resolutions. I use Mapir cameras because they fit all the gopro accessories. http://www.mapir.camera/
Thanks I will look into the Mapir optioins
DandaMan, post: 364964, member: 11506 wrote: I just purchased a Phantom 3 Advanced to play around with and test out the capabilities. The sensor size is rather small, but for the price you cannot go wrong. I'm just using recreational and researching the field and prospects for future use. It is not a survey grade solution but we don't have pilots nor do we have an FAA excemption, although I applied for one 4+ months back. FAA is due to issue revisions in the next few days. It is rumoured they will do away with the pilot requirement but you will be required to log every little think that you do with the aircraft.
I'm going to try out DroneDeploy this weekend to see what it can do!
Phantom 3 Pro has been an option I am looking at, maybe now the 4. I was thinking the Inspire with 5x camera to get the 16mp res but it is a 6lbs system so it wouldnt be considered in the suas revision (4.4lbs) coming soon. Does anyone have more info on this?
FAA when they release their revision, I was told it still will take several months before it is enacted.
Was not aware of the higher weight limitations associated with the Inspire. I think I just picked it from another forum that the FAA is due out with those soon, but yes, who knows!
The little I know about photogrammetry is from poking around online.
But I do know that megapixels are not the be-all, end-all when it comes it to the camera. Sensor size and other factors come into play..
Hi Tgoold, I used a DJI Inspire 1 Pro for a research project, it provided a pretty good ortho-mosaic. We collect some ground control points using GPS RTK, and compared the results of the GPS with the final ortho-mosaic. We didn't have the chance to mark the ground control points before the images were taken, but we measured objects that were easy to be identified (edges of concrete, road paint, etc....), and the results gave a horizontal accuracy around 10cm. If the GCPs were set before, this accuracy could be definitely improved.
Using Pix4D or Photoscan, both softwares will give you an accuracy in their report that most of the times does not reflect the real accuracy. Using ArcGIS for accuracy assessment will give you a more realistic result.
Cheers,
GeomÌÁgico
Great thanks
Another consideration when using a consumer grade platform such as the DJI Multirotorheli is that results may be improved by calibrating the camera lens. AgiSoft PhotoScan (both standard and pro versions) include the utility AgiSoft Lens for deriving the lens calibration parameters to mitigate distortions. These can be imported into your processing software.
I am going to be trying this myself with my Inspire 1 with the he Zenmuse X3 camera later this week.