Introduction
There are countless UAS platforms available, and the market only looks to continue to grow. Navigating through all of the options available can make one feel overwhelmed and confused, but when the dust clears, there are a few choices that stand above the rest. Searching for the right vehicle can be a time consuming task, and this report looks to address that. As one searches, they may notice that there are certain tiers of choices that separate the available drones: the lower end drones mostly available for short flight hobyyists, mid-level commercial drones that are available for basic consulting processes, and high end commericial drones that will accomplish the most complex of tasks. Throughout this report, the different tiers of choices will be highlighted for their pros and cons, as well as explaining the different uses of each.
DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter Pro $1,429
i. Sensors
The Altavian F7200 does not have any sensors built into the system. This does not detract from the overall quality though, as the sensors offered by Altavian are very high quality. The suggested sensor to attach to the F7200 is the Fusion MP22. It collects 3D data at 1 in resolution, and also collects GPS data at sub centimetric data. Versions of the Fusion MP22 also have NIR band image capturing available.
ii. Mission Planning Software
Flare GS10 offers a very robust mission planning software. It utilizes a radio modem to use the F7200 from the ground. Once the modem is plugged into any computer, the software can be installed and the system is ready to go. The battery can last over 8 hours of uninterrupted use.
iii. Range
The range of the Altavian F7200 is over 3 miles. This is very good and can allow users to survey a whole agricultural field or survey a whole plot of land with ease.
iv. Flight time
One of the major benefits of a fixed wing platform is the flight time. Because the F7200 can depend on the wings to glide, it can utilize this technology to extend the flight time to 90 minutes. This is extremely beneficial, and is one of the major reasons that this system is fantastic to collect any UAS data.
v. Distinctive characteristics/ Bottom Line
One of the very interesting characteristics of this unit is that the F7200 can launch from a hand. This allows a field worker to use this vehicle in any environment that has at least a 10x30 m area for soft landing. The unit also has a hands on comprehensive training included, which can improve any new to intermediate users skills. The F7200 has a nine foot wingspan and can work in winds up to 15 m/s. There is an amphibious version also available for purchase for landing in water bodies. Because of the flight time and other characteristics, this unit is very capable of completing most data collection from the air. If a company is in need of a quality UAS without breaking the bank, this unit would be one of the best choices available.
Tiers
Hobby/ Low Level Commercial
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| Figure 1: DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter |
i. Sensors
The DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter Pro+ is equipped with a 20 megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K/60fps HD video. This equipment gives users high end video to use for either professional quality video edits, or low commercial visual analyzing of agriculture or urban landscapes. This would not be a good choice for individuals looking to do quality surveys with a UAS.
ii. Mission Planning Software
The software included with the DJI Phantom 4 is the DJI Go App. It is available on the App Store or on Google Play. This app is very robust, and is intended mostly for professional photographers looking to create stunning shots with their Phantom 4. It has a variety of settings and tools that allows users to create very well produced images or videos with their unit.
iii. Range
The range of the Phantom 4 is 3.1 miles in optimal conditions. This is a good range considering the price.
iv. Flight time
Each battery for the system is rated at 28 minutes. Users report much less, something along the lines of 20-23 minutes. Most owners end up buying 3-4 batteries to complete a flight time of around 45 minutes. This is very poor for anything beyond basic imaging flights, and does not make it a viable options for any type of survey work.
v. Distinctive characteristics/ Bottom Line
One very compelling case for the DJI Phantom 4 is that it is very easy to fly. New users will be able to pick up the vehicle and learn it with no previous flight experience. Another characteristic is the video quality. The camera collects extremely clear 1080p video and 4K images that are great for anything involving any sort of professional photography mission. The price is also very good for an entry level drone. The basic version of this system can be had for less than $1,000. It is capable to do very basic visual commercial work, however if you wanted to do any sort of DTM, orthomosaic, or any sort of measurements, you would need to go to one off the next two tiers up from this.
The DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter Pro+ is equipped with a 20 megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K/60fps HD video. This equipment gives users high end video to use for either professional quality video edits, or low commercial visual analyzing of agriculture or urban landscapes. This would not be a good choice for individuals looking to do quality surveys with a UAS.
ii. Mission Planning Software
The software included with the DJI Phantom 4 is the DJI Go App. It is available on the App Store or on Google Play. This app is very robust, and is intended mostly for professional photographers looking to create stunning shots with their Phantom 4. It has a variety of settings and tools that allows users to create very well produced images or videos with their unit.
iii. Range
The range of the Phantom 4 is 3.1 miles in optimal conditions. This is a good range considering the price.
iv. Flight time
Each battery for the system is rated at 28 minutes. Users report much less, something along the lines of 20-23 minutes. Most owners end up buying 3-4 batteries to complete a flight time of around 45 minutes. This is very poor for anything beyond basic imaging flights, and does not make it a viable options for any type of survey work.
v. Distinctive characteristics/ Bottom Line
One very compelling case for the DJI Phantom 4 is that it is very easy to fly. New users will be able to pick up the vehicle and learn it with no previous flight experience. Another characteristic is the video quality. The camera collects extremely clear 1080p video and 4K images that are great for anything involving any sort of professional photography mission. The price is also very good for an entry level drone. The basic version of this system can be had for less than $1,000. It is capable to do very basic visual commercial work, however if you wanted to do any sort of DTM, orthomosaic, or any sort of measurements, you would need to go to one off the next two tiers up from this.
Mid-Level Commercial
Altavian F7200 $15,180
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| Figure 2: Altavian F7200 in launch. |
i. Sensors
The Altavian F7200 does not have any sensors built into the system. This does not detract from the overall quality though, as the sensors offered by Altavian are very high quality. The suggested sensor to attach to the F7200 is the Fusion MP22. It collects 3D data at 1 in resolution, and also collects GPS data at sub centimetric data. Versions of the Fusion MP22 also have NIR band image capturing available.
ii. Mission Planning Software
Flare GS10 offers a very robust mission planning software. It utilizes a radio modem to use the F7200 from the ground. Once the modem is plugged into any computer, the software can be installed and the system is ready to go. The battery can last over 8 hours of uninterrupted use.
iii. Range
The range of the Altavian F7200 is over 3 miles. This is very good and can allow users to survey a whole agricultural field or survey a whole plot of land with ease.
iv. Flight time
One of the major benefits of a fixed wing platform is the flight time. Because the F7200 can depend on the wings to glide, it can utilize this technology to extend the flight time to 90 minutes. This is extremely beneficial, and is one of the major reasons that this system is fantastic to collect any UAS data.
v. Distinctive characteristics/ Bottom Line
One of the very interesting characteristics of this unit is that the F7200 can launch from a hand. This allows a field worker to use this vehicle in any environment that has at least a 10x30 m area for soft landing. The unit also has a hands on comprehensive training included, which can improve any new to intermediate users skills. The F7200 has a nine foot wingspan and can work in winds up to 15 m/s. There is an amphibious version also available for purchase for landing in water bodies. Because of the flight time and other characteristics, this unit is very capable of completing most data collection from the air. If a company is in need of a quality UAS without breaking the bank, this unit would be one of the best choices available.
High-Level Commercial
Topcon Sirius Pro $53,000
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| Figure 3: A field worker preparing the Sirius Pro. |
i. Sensors
The Topcon Sirius Pro boasts a 16MP CMOS sensor ad a Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R lens with a fixed focal length which increases the post-processing quality. There is also an NIR option like the Altavian F7200, which allows the user to conduct relative NDVI computations.
ii. Mission Planning Software
The MAVinci software is an incredibly intuitive flight planning software that is essentially just a point and click program. Once you select the area of interest and the ground Sampling Distance, the software automatically calculates the optimal flight plan, which can be adjusted mid-flight if need be. It also gives options for mountainous area.
iii. Range
Like the other two UAS devices mentioned above, the range is around 3 miles. This because of the FCC regulations on line of sight of the aircraft limit aircraft to 5km, which translates to about 3 miles. By establishing the radio link as just over three miles, the companies can help users to stay out of trouble, and harms way to their vehicle, by remaining within the line of sight regulations.
iv. Flight time
The flight time on this device is 50 minutes. This is significantly less than F7200, however the reason behind the shortened flight time is because of the camera's extra weight added.
v. Distinctive characteristics/ Bottom Line
Like the F7200, the Sirius Pro offers an incredibly easy hand launch with no need for a catapult. One of the major features of the Sirius Pro is the high accuracy RTK stream. This eliminates need for GCPs in post production and saves an immense amount of hand work by calculating extremely accurate GPS location at all times and pinning it to the earth. The Sirius Pro can also fly comfortably in up to 31 mph and can take gusts up to 40 mph. All of these combinations make the Topcon Sirius Pro one of the more desirable UAS units out there. It can handle anything for forestry surveying to as-builts of cities. If this thing is in the budget, it would be worth it to take a hard look at it.
The Topcon Sirius Pro boasts a 16MP CMOS sensor ad a Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R lens with a fixed focal length which increases the post-processing quality. There is also an NIR option like the Altavian F7200, which allows the user to conduct relative NDVI computations.
ii. Mission Planning Software
The MAVinci software is an incredibly intuitive flight planning software that is essentially just a point and click program. Once you select the area of interest and the ground Sampling Distance, the software automatically calculates the optimal flight plan, which can be adjusted mid-flight if need be. It also gives options for mountainous area.
iii. Range
Like the other two UAS devices mentioned above, the range is around 3 miles. This because of the FCC regulations on line of sight of the aircraft limit aircraft to 5km, which translates to about 3 miles. By establishing the radio link as just over three miles, the companies can help users to stay out of trouble, and harms way to their vehicle, by remaining within the line of sight regulations.
iv. Flight time
The flight time on this device is 50 minutes. This is significantly less than F7200, however the reason behind the shortened flight time is because of the camera's extra weight added.
v. Distinctive characteristics/ Bottom Line
Like the F7200, the Sirius Pro offers an incredibly easy hand launch with no need for a catapult. One of the major features of the Sirius Pro is the high accuracy RTK stream. This eliminates need for GCPs in post production and saves an immense amount of hand work by calculating extremely accurate GPS location at all times and pinning it to the earth. The Sirius Pro can also fly comfortably in up to 31 mph and can take gusts up to 40 mph. All of these combinations make the Topcon Sirius Pro one of the more desirable UAS units out there. It can handle anything for forestry surveying to as-builts of cities. If this thing is in the budget, it would be worth it to take a hard look at it.
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