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- Jan 6, 2018
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I need some help looking into some reputable brands of drones, but of course the desire is also to try and be cost effective.
I work in Texas and a lot of project photos will be of state DOT projects (TXDOT).
Unfortunately they need to follow state DIR rules which includes a list of prohibited software and hardware companies and of course DJI is on that list.
dir.texas.gov
(Slight side note, it sounds like nationally we may be getting more bans or maybe it's just the sale of new products and DJI specific? I haven't looked into it much, but heard a few days ago something passed regarding DJI at a minimum.)
The other minor concern would be if we happened to find a company not currently banned/prohibited, but in 6-18 months maybe they get added to that list. I think the only fairly realistic case of that would be if it is another Chinese company or has ties to China. Autel for example may not be on that list now, but I believe they are based out of China and may be a risk getting their product?
I am aware of some of the bigger players such as Skydio X10 and Parrot ANAFI, but those are like $15,000+ and such a big jump from the existing Mavic 3 we have currently.
I am not sure if those include more autonomy, FLIR cameras, or what puts their price so high, but $5000 is probably more of a realistic max we are looking for.
I don't believe we need to go as far as green or blue list approved, but a USA company or I guess just not Chinese would be one way to be on the safer side of things with this new purchase.
I just need to get construction photos during the day, probably nothing overly fancy in terms of special hardware needs, the Mavic 3 for example would have been all we needed.
What brands/models are people aware of that would be worth considering?
I work in Texas and a lot of project photos will be of state DOT projects (TXDOT).
Unfortunately they need to follow state DIR rules which includes a list of prohibited software and hardware companies and of course DJI is on that list.
Prohibited Technologies | Texas Department of Information Resources
Notice DIR is currently working with DPS to develop a model policy for the prohibition of covered applications per SB 1893, 88(R). The Statewide Security Plan for Prohibited Technologies and Model State Agency Policy for Preventing Use of Prohibited Technology located on this page apply to...
dir.texas.gov
(Slight side note, it sounds like nationally we may be getting more bans or maybe it's just the sale of new products and DJI specific? I haven't looked into it much, but heard a few days ago something passed regarding DJI at a minimum.)
The other minor concern would be if we happened to find a company not currently banned/prohibited, but in 6-18 months maybe they get added to that list. I think the only fairly realistic case of that would be if it is another Chinese company or has ties to China. Autel for example may not be on that list now, but I believe they are based out of China and may be a risk getting their product?
I am aware of some of the bigger players such as Skydio X10 and Parrot ANAFI, but those are like $15,000+ and such a big jump from the existing Mavic 3 we have currently.
I am not sure if those include more autonomy, FLIR cameras, or what puts their price so high, but $5000 is probably more of a realistic max we are looking for.
I don't believe we need to go as far as green or blue list approved, but a USA company or I guess just not Chinese would be one way to be on the safer side of things with this new purchase.
I just need to get construction photos during the day, probably nothing overly fancy in terms of special hardware needs, the Mavic 3 for example would have been all we needed.
What brands/models are people aware of that would be worth considering?
