Best drone for DSAR

[Mavic Mac]

Just curious, if you were to purchase a drone today for DSAR, which drone would it be and what attachments would be added to it ?
Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[BigAl07]

It depends 100% on your budget. If money is no object there are many Custom rigs that can carry payloads, multiple sensors etc but you could easily spend $50K in a blink of an eye.

At the same time if you have a fairly tight budget ANY sUAS is better than none. The M2ED is a good starting point but we've used Phantom3, Phantom4, Mavic Paltinum, Yuneec H520, Matrice 200/210's and then custom.

When we help set up a new Dept program we take their initial budget and cut it in half. That 1/2 covers the initial aircraft system purchase and the other half is for everything you need (Case, Chargers, Props, Batteries, LEDs, wigdets etc).

 

[Mavic Mac]

It depends 100% on your budget. If money is no object there are many Custom rigs that can carry payloads, multiple sensors etc but you could easily spend $50K in a blink of an eye.

At the same time if you have a fairly tight budget ANY sUAS is better than none. The M2ED is a good starting point but we've used Phantom3, Phantom4, Mavic Paltinum, Yuneec H520, Matrice 200/210's and then custom.

When we help set up a new Dept program we take their initial budget and cut it in half. That 1/2 covers the initial aircraft system purchase and the other half is for everything you need (Case, Chargers, Props, Batteries, LEDs, wigdets etc).

Thanks for the input

 

[Enal]

I agree with BigAI07 in regards to budget..
The M210 is really hard to pass up with it’s multi-payload setup and acceptance in this area of support by several orgs.

I’m not a Mavic fan at all andwould solidly recommend the Autel EVO or Parrot ANAFI w/thermal. The few that I’ve assisted with were in areas that the DJI NoFlyBS affected me and the EVO & ANAFI aren’t affected by this. Both are very solid systems that are being used by Public Works groups more and more.

 

[PWidmayer]

Thermal is necessary and a pilot with a night time waiver. I have been contemplating the same question with my agency. Chief just came to me and said " We have extra money what drone should we get" ... Now what is that budget chief ... still waiting for that answer before I recommend something.

 

[Mavic Mac]

Thermal is necessary and a pilot with a night time waiver. I have been contemplating the same question with my agency. Chief just came to me and said " We have extra money what drone should we get" ... Now what is that budget chief ... still waiting for that answer before I recommend something.

Like your webpage

 

[Mavic Mac]

@Enal - Thanks for your reply

Looking at some of the videos of the Parrot ANAFI w/thermal it looks interesting. Have you had an opportunity to have hands on experience flying it ?

 

[PWidmayer]

I have not seen the parrot yet. Only thermal I have seen in person is a Matrice 600 with Zenmuse. The local university geology department has one and I flew it at a demonstration. I was like a kid in a candy store.