What we fly now
Our daily workhorse is the DJI Mini 5 Pro.
At 249.9 g it sits in the lightest category of aircraft, and that matters to you rather than to us: it means fewer restrictions on where and when we can fly, which usually means we can get to a site sooner and without the cost and delay of arranging clearances.
The trade-off you would expect, that a small drone means a small camera, is not the trade-off you get. It carries a 1-inch sensor shooting 50 megapixels, which is a larger sensor and more resolution than the Phantom 4 Pro we used for years.
What it captures
- 50 MP stills, up to 8192 x 6144, in JPEG or raw DNG
- 4K video up to 120 fps, in 10-bit D-Log M where the job needs grading later
- A 24 mm equivalent f/1.8 lens on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing with forward-facing LiDAR, which is what lets us work close in to a building or a roof
What stops it flying
Rain and snow, as with any drone at this size. Wind above 12 m/s, which is around 27 mph. Flight time is 36 minutes on paper and about 21 minutes in real conditions, so we plan around batteries rather than pretending they do not run out.
Our past drones
DJI Phantom 4 Pro
Our mainstay for a long time, and industry standard for a wide range of UAV applications, unless you are in the USA of course.
It had a 20 MP camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor and a mechanical shutter, recorded 4K UHD at a range of frame rates, and managed a maximum of 30 minutes per battery, though 25 was more realistic. It could not fly in rain or snow, or in winds above 22 mph.
DJI Matrice 210
A platform we used for some time. Three gimbal mounting positions, and capable of carrying multiple payloads in different configurations.
Bump Cage
We still have the bump cage that fits Phantom 4 drones.
The cage gives an extra level of protection for operating up close, either indoors or outside, while carrying out inspection work. This is for sale, so if you fly a Phantom 4 and need something for close work, please get in touch.
Other Drones
We have access to hire other drone platforms that are more suitable to specific tasks, so if you have a job that requires different technical capabilities, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.