The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise drone is designed for industrial use, offering a more budget-friendly alternative to DJI’s other enterprise-level drones.
The Mavic 3 Enterprise was released in 2021, superseding the Mavic 2 Enterprise. The main features that have been improved in this version are the camera quality, improved obstacle avoidance and longer flight time.
There are two models, the Mavic 3E and the Mavic 3T. Both are designed to fit attachments including RTK module and loudspeaker making them ideal for public safety and government organizations.
Why the Mavic 3 Enterprise is an important addition to DJI's product line-up
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise offers a range of advanced commercial features at a price range that’s suitable for local public authorities and many small businesses.
Here’s what makes the Mavic 3 Enterprise stand out from DJI’s suite of drones:
Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance: All-direction coverage is a relatively new offering by DJI. This upgraded obstacle avoidance system includes 12 sensors, compared to the Mavic 2 Enterprise which only has 6.
Longer Flight Time: The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a longer flight time of up to 46 minutes, compared to the majority of DJI’s other drones which average 30 minutes. This extra flight time can be especially useful for longer missions, such as inspecting large infrastructure or mapping large areas.
Optional Payloads: The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a PSDK port on the top of the drone. This can fit either the speaker or the RTK module. These accessories enhance the drone’s capabilities and location accuracy for a variety of commercial and industrial applications, such as search and rescue, and surveillance.
Size: Unlike most industrial drones, the Mavic 3 enterprise fits into a backpack making it more portable and suitable for deployment in areas without vehicle access such as rough terrain. It’s less than 1/3 of the weight of the big sister thermal drone, the Mavic 30T.
The Mavic 3 Enterprise is unique among industrial drones in that it can be packed into a backpack, making it highly portable and ideal for deployment in areas with limited vehicle access, such as rough terrain. It also weighs less than one-third of its larger counterpart, the Mavic 30T thermal drone.
Size of the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise folded down, compared to the Phantom 4 RTK. (Image Credit : DJI)
DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Specs
Camera and Imaging Capabilities
What distinguishes the Mavic 3E and 3T drones from each other is the camera. Both the Mavic 3 Enterprise models feature a 12 MP camera (1/2″ sensor) with 56x hybrid zoom. However, the Mavic 3T has a thermal camera and the Mavic 3E has a wide angle camera.
The Mavic 3E’s wide angle camera has a 4/3″ CMOS sensor with a mechanical shutter rather than an electronic shutter. Mechanical shutters perform better when there is any movement capturing less distortion. This is important in drone mapping and surveying.
The 3/4-inch sensor is larger than most consumer drones, this increased size helps capture more light which produces better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
The thermal camera on the Mavic 3T is 640×512 resolution and can zoom up to 28x synchronized with the standard camera for detail on a point of interest.
The camera systems on both Mavic 3 Enterprise models are a step up from many drones. The ability to capture quality footage in low light settings either with thermal imaging or the larger sensor of the Mavic 3E extends the usable hours of the drone which is an important capability for many enterprise uses including search and rescue.
Flight Performance and Range
The maximum flight time of the Mavic 3 Enterprise is 46 minutes. This is 15 minutes more than it’s predecessor, meaning less frequent battery changes and longer missions.
Mavic 3 Enterprise Flight Specs:
- Maximum Speed: 42 mph (68 km/h) in sport mode
- Wind Resistance: 12m/s
- Maximum Range: 7.5 miles (12 km)
We previously reviewed the Mavic 2 Enterprise and the range, speed and wind resistance have all been improved in this model.
Intelligent Flight Modes
The Mavic 3 Enterprise, being an industrial drone, is not equipped with many of the intelligent flight modes that are designed specifically to aid in capturing cinematic footage. It does, however, have programmable waypoints which are essential for creating repeatable, automated flight missions.
Waypoints
Waypoints can be planned with the DJI Pilot 2 software. I go through how to set waypoints in this article on the DJI Matrice 30.
Pilots can utilize Waypoint mode to plan a precise flight path for the Mavic 3 Enterprise, determining altitude, speed, and direction. This enables the drone to navigate autonomously along the programmed route. Waypoints are especially helpful for creating repeatable flight paths, such as automated surveillance checks or scheduled mapping at specific intervals.
In fields such as construction and mining, waypoints are frequently utilized to generate orthomosaic drone maps illustrating site progress over time with daily, weekly, or monthly flights. These orthomosaics are shared with stakeholders or management to demonstrate progress, as well as any ground conditions resulting from weather that may cause downtime and delays.
Payload Options
The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a single payload port on the top of the drone. This is the PSDK port, it can only support DJI’s custom attachments.
Speaker : The loudspeaker transmits broadcasts over long distances which is ideal for search and rescue.
RTK Module: Enable high accuracy positioning and combat magnetic interference. This can also be paired with a high precision mobile ground station.
Comparison with Other DJI Drones
Previous Version: Mavic 3 Enterprise vs Mavic 2 Enterprise
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise has several improvements and enhancements over the Mavic 2 Enterprise that make it a better drone for industrial and commercial applications. Here are some of the key differences:
- Camera and Sensor: The Mavic 3E comes with a larger 4/3-inch CMOS sensor, which is better than the 1/2.3-inch sensor in the Mavic 2 Enterprise. This allows the Mavic 3 Enterprise to capture better quality images and videos with more detail and dynamic range.
- Obstacle Avoidance: The omnidirectional sensing on the Mavic 3 Enterprise allows the Mavic 3 Enterprise to avoid obstacles in more complex environments.
- Flight Time: 46 minutes, compared to the Mavic 2 Enterprise’s 31 minutes. This extra flight time can be especially useful for longer inspection or mapping missions.
- Accessories: The Mavic 3 Enterprise has an optional RTK module that can be paired with a remote station for more accurate location information.
Mavic 3 Enterprise Obstacle Avoidance
Mavic 2 Enterprise Obstacle Avoidance
The Mavic 3 Enterprise has more extensive obstacle avoidance with upward sensors, and improved range on the lateral and underneath sensors.
Overall, the Mavic 3 Enterprise offers a range of improvements over the Mavic 2 Enterprise, including better camera and sensor technology, more advanced obstacle avoidance and longer flight time, however, the previous version has more payload options.
Thermal Imaging: Mavic 3 Enterprise vs Matrice 30T
The Matrice M30T is another of DJI’s drones that is capable of thermal imaging but they are very different drones.
Here are some key differences between the two:
- Size & Weight: The Mavic 3 Enterprise is a compact foldable drone that can be easily transported in a small case or backpack, while the Matrice M30T is a larger, more robust drone designed for professional use in industrial and commercial settings. The Matrice wights more than 3x the Mavic 3 Enterprise.
- Payload Capacity: The Matrice M30T has a much larger payload capacity than the Mavic 3 Enterprise, which allows for the attachment of much heavier and more complex payloads. The Mavic 3 Enterprise, on the other hand, has a modular payload system that allows for the easy attachment and detachment of specialized payloads, with a smaller weight capacity.
- Camera: The Matrice M30T features a thermal camera with a resolution of 640×512 pixels, which is identical to the Mavic 3T. However, it boasts a super-resolution mode that enables it to capture thermal images with a resolution of 1280×1024 pixels. Additionally, the Matrice 30T offers an exceptional zoom capability, with 16x optical and 200x hybrid zoom. The standard camera on this model is also a 1/2 inch CMOS.
- Obstacle Avoidance System: Both models have extensive obstacle avoidance systems but the Matrice has a slightly greater range. The Matrice 30T can detect objects up to 38m and the Mavice 3 Enterprise can detect objects up to 25m.
- Price: The Matrice M30T is a much more expensive drone than the Mavic 3 Enterprise due to its specialized features and capabilities.
The Matrice M30T is a larger and more expensive drone that is ideal for industrial and commercial use cases that require a high payload capacity. The Matrice 300 RTK has greater adaptability with 3 payload points.
The Mavic 3 Enterprise, on the other hand, is a more compact and affordable drone that is optimized for industrial and commercial use cases that require a smaller drone that can be easily transported. It has a slightly longer flight time of 45 minutes compared to the Matrice’s 41 minutes.
Mavic 3 Enterprise vs Mavic 3 Classic
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is the consumer version of the Mavic 3 Enterprise. Here are some of the key differences between the two models:
- Camera: The Mavic 3 classic has a 4/3 inch CMOS sensor, optimized for cinematic content creation and consumer use. However, it doesn’t include some of the specialized features found in the Mavic 3 Enterprise, such as thermal imaging.
- Payload System: The Mavic 3 Enterprise features a modular payload system, which allows for the easy attachment and detachment of specialized payloads such as the RTK and speaker system, while the Mavic 3 Classic doesn’t.
- Flight Modes: The Mavic 3 Classic has more intelligent flight modes. Both have the option of waypoint missions but the Mavic 3 Classic also has FocusTrack, MasterShots, Quickshots, Hyperlapse and Cruise Control.
- Price: The Mavic 3 Enterprise is around twice the price of the Mavic 3 Classic due to its specialized features and capabilities.
The Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Enterprise share many of the same basic features. They are the same size, weight, and have the same maximum flight time of about 45 minutes. The Enterprise version has a slightly greater range of 32 km compared to a maximum distance of 30km for the Classic.
The Mavic 3 Enterprise is optimized for industrial and commercial use, with specialized features that aren’t found in the Mavic 3. If you’re a professional or enterprise user who requires specialized capabilities like a modular payload system, mapping or thermal imaging, the Mavic 3 Enterprise may be a better choice for you. If you are a consumer looking for a high-quality drone for content creation and cinematography, the Mavic 3 Classic will be a better fit.
Wrap Up on the Mavic 3 Enterprise
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is a highly capable and versatile drone that offers advanced features for a variety of industrial applications. The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is designed for industrial and commercial use cases that require a compact, portable, and versatile drone with specialized features and capabilities.
Some alternatives you may want to review are:
- Fixed wing drones such as the DeltaQuad Pro can carry customized payloads of up to 12kg and fly continuously for up to 100km
- The Matrice 30T or 300 RTK : the Matrice 300 RTK has 3 payload mounting points
- Mavic 2 Enterprise: Although this isn’t the most recent model released it is still a good option and can be picked up at a cheaper price.
