I am looking to develop a cost analysis on beginning a UAV aerial mapping department, and was wondering what everyone thinks would be my best option for a UAV?
We have two other UAV's, but have only been using them for marketing purposes and no mapping projects as of yet. I was looking to get a separate UAV to do only mapping to be used with Pix4D as our primary software. Was wondering if anyone with experience could help me out with UAV selection, and even software input would be greatly appreciated as well.
Depends on how much $$$ you're willing to spend. There's a huge range of hardware out there with varying capabilities, and like most things you generally get what you pay for.
Agreed. I'm not looking to spend a fortune. Probably somewhere south of $5K would be a ballpark figure I would throw out there. I realize that this technology is advancing very fast so I don't want to dump a ton of money into one just to get started and realize we want to head into a different direction.
No matter what you buy, there will be something better next month.
It's a technology that is moving fast. Lot's of folks are working on it.
N
I have a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, it's amazing what that thing can do for the price and it works well with Pix4D. There are also programs available for automated flight, Pix4D may even have their own and DJI definitely does.
If you go that route DO NOT get the controller with the integrated screen; it's not a true Android device and you can't load those apps on it. Get the basic controller and use an Android tablet instead.
The P4P is very well made, the camera is great, it has collision avoidance, the flight is stable and it's easy to fly. I'm guessing that the only reason it's so inexpensive is economy of scale - when you sell enough of them you can build them a lot cheaper.
Nate The Surveyor, post: 431085, member: 291 wrote: No matter what you buy, there will be something better next month.
It's a technology that is moving fast. Lot's of folks are working on it.N
That's very true. However, there are manufacturers who are pretty set on their airframes and are now more focused on sensor integration. I'm extremely impressed with what I've seen from Microdrones - and that has zero to do with their affiliation with Trimble. But like all high end rotary products, they get a lot of money for them.
I'm also very impressed with the Riegl Ricopter and Bathycopter, but you'd better have plenty of work for it if you're going to make that kind of investment.
Today the most economical starter drone is a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, but literally any day now DJI will be presenting the Phantom 5. DJI's track record for drone End of Life is about 8 months.
The drone alone is only $1500 and just a start. I suggest getting a hard shell carry case, 3 extra batteries, 2 high speed 64 Gb SD cards, extra props. prop guards, IPad Pro 9.7, and Trackimo GPS tracker for added security. In all it will cost about $3500. Then you'll need software such as Pix4d Mapper $8700, or Context Capture and fast PC.
Be sure to add some training (mostly software), lot's of practice and FAA Part 107. Flying the drone is the easy part.
Phantom 4 Pro. You can fully equip with a decent tablet for $2k. We bought ours in Jan, and with a new case, 4 batteries, and an ipad mini, we were at $2500.
leegreen, post: 431100, member: 2332 wrote: Today the most economical starter drone is a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, but literally any day now DJI will be presenting the Phantom 5. DJI's track record for drone End of Life is about 8 months.
The drone alone is only $1500 and just a start. I suggest getting a hard shell carry case, 3 extra batteries, 2 high speed 64 Gb SD cards, extra props. prop guards, IPad Pro 9.7, and Trackimo GPS tracker for added security. In all it will cost about $3500. Then you'll need software such as Pix4d Mapper $8700, or Context Capture and fast PC.
Be sure to add some training (mostly software), lot's of practice and FAA Part 107. Flying the drone is the easy part.
I was thinking about waiting for the new Phantom 5 to come out and see how that would effect the price of the Phantom 4. Usually they discount the current model right before the latest and greatest is released, but they haven't as of yet.
I already have the flying and FAA part 107 covered as I took a training course done by SkyOp LLC and am slated to take the exam. I'm sure I'll have some software training as I haven't ever used any of the processing software.
In recent weeks, prices are dropping for Phantom Pro 4, which tells me vendors are clearing shelf space for the next model.
Problem with getting an early release model, is the software takes a few months to catch up with the hardware version.
There is a big difference between a Phantom 4 and 4 Pro. It's the camera sensor and shutter. Pro has a mechanical shutter, which prevents rolling shutter syndrome.
Also stay away from Phantom 4 Pro Plus, it has built in tablet. But you can not load third party apps on the Pro Plus. Which makes it very difficult to fly an aerial grid pattern autonomously.
[USER=7971]@Lee D[/USER]
Is the P4 as easy to fly as it suggests? I'm about a heartbeat away from buying this.
TIA
FL/GA PLS., post: 431111, member: 379 wrote: [USER=7971]@Lee D[/USER]
Is the P4 as easy to fly as it suggests? I'm about a heartbeat away from buying this.
TIA
Does it have the 20MP camera?
Sure is easy. Key is to follow all instructions and warnings.
Be sure to set return to home option suitable for you conditions.
Fly in safe areas.
Calibration when needed.
Check air craft, props, battery is locked it, etc carfully before flight.
Wait for at least 10 SV's and be certain to aquire home position.
Check weather. Less than 15 mph wind.
David C. Newell RPLS LS CFM, post: 431113, member: 6347 wrote: Does it have the 20MP camera?
No. Phantom 4 has a 12MP camera.
leegreen, post: 431115, member: 2332 wrote: No. Phantom 4 has a 12MP camera.
I have the 4 pro, got just before new camera came out, wish I'd waited.
FL/GA PLS., post: 431111, member: 379 wrote: [USER=7971]@Lee D[/USER]
Is the P4 as easy to fly as it suggests? I'm about a heartbeat away from buying this.
TIA
It's very easy to fly, very stable and pretty forgiving. They have an auto land feature with the 4 Pro that you can use if you're not comfortable touching it down. One of the first times I landed it I pushed the controls the wrong way and instead of killing the motors flipped it over - the damage was very minimal, just scratched up one of the props. It's pretty tough.
