Career Changer Needing Advice

[toddhopper]

I am wanting to get into construction photogrammetry. I am not sure which drone to start with? I am considering an Autel EVO II V3 Rugged with RTK or a DJI Matrice 4E. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Would like to know if anyone prefers one over the other and why?

 

[jaja6009]

Its a somewhat unfair question.

The Matrice is a new drone packing the newest technology, while the Autel is a dated drone that is creeping closer to End of Life.

Both will do the job you need, but if you are going to offer other services the Matrice is a better tool.

• Basic construction mapping - Both will do what you need
• Mapping Speed - The Matrice wins easily with image acquisition of 0.5 seconds per image, but again, the Evo 2 will work just not as fast. This will only matter in very large datasets
• Image acquisition - The Matrice has several more advanced plans such as facade, Smart 3D and the Local 3D model
• Camera - Matrice wins with its mechanical shutter (The Evo 2 will work, but there's always a chance of rolling shutter effect (can be compensated for by software))
• Camera - Micro 4/3 is a superior sensor to the Autel 1" (Evo 2's is still a good sensor)
• 3D modeling - The Matrice wins hands down. It can create a quick 3D Point Cloud to make a second mission having the drone fly a set distance (think 10 feet) from the building making a stunning 3D model
• Inspections - Matrice wins with its zoom. There is no comparison.
• You can now add an AVSS Parachute Recovery System to make the Matrice an FAA Ops Over People Category 2 compliant drone (Think urban mapping)
• Matrice has easy repeatable inspections through Flight Hub 2 with AI conditions change and repeatable zoomed in image
• Matrice has simple low cost live streaming (Makes a nice bells and whistle add-on)

Simple answer, the Evo 2 will work, but the Matrice will do it better at a much higher cost, and is superior when offering other services.


I own a Matrice 4 E and at work use an Autel Evo 2 Dual and Evo 1, so I do not think I am biased, but probably am slanted to DJI if that helps.
The Evo 2 will 100% do the job, but if you have the coin, the Matrice will do it better.

 

[toddhopper]

Thank you for the detailed response. I have been on the fence due to the difference in cost. Knowing that the EVO 2 is nearing its end of life, it makes sense to invest in a tool that I will be able to use for the next several years.