Commercial drones have optimized tasks across many industries, including surveying and mapping. With the ability to fly over large areas quickly and capture quality images, survey drones have become an essential tool for professionals in fields such as mining, construction and agriculture. However, with so many options available on the market it can be challenging to determine how much to spend on a survey drone to get the features you need.
In this post I’ll take a look at some of the top survey drones currently available, comparing their features, capabilities and price points. Whether you are a seasoned drone pilot or just starting in this field, this guide will help you find the best survey drone for the job.
For a deep dive on the terminology like RTK, PPK, the difference between mapping and surveying, the drone mapping process and what software to use software check out Drone Mapping Explained.
What features are important when choosing a survey drone?
- Long flight time: The longer the flight time of the drone, the more efficient the drone is for surveying (less frequent battery changes will be required). In general, fixed wing drones have a much longer flight time.
- Waypoints & Automation: Waypoints allow a drone to repeat the exact same flight path and actions, creating an automated mission. This is useful when a survey or map needs to be acquired on a routine basis to track progress. For example, the weekly progress on a construction or mining site.
- Size: The size of a survey drone becomes important when surveying a remote area not accessible by vehicle or when space is limited in your vehicle. Some drones are very large and take up the entire tray of a utility vehicle and require two people to lift to the ground. Some survey drones are more compact and can be folded down to fit in a backpack.
- Precision GPS with RTK or PPK accuracy: A drone with a precision GPS system can provide accurate data, which is crucial for many surveying applications. Look for drones with high-precision GPS like PPK or RTK.
- Durability and weather resistance: A reliable surveying drone needs to be deployable in challenging environments and weather conditions, so it’s important to choose a drone that is durable and weather resistant to ensure it can handle the work environment such as high dust levels in mining. Some drones have an IP rating, this stands for Ingress Protection Rating. The higher the IP number, the more resistant the drone is to dust and liquids. The first number relates to solids and the second number relates to liquids and moisture.
- Payload capacity: The payload capacity of a drone refers to the weight it can carry in addition to its own weight. A drone with higher payload capacity can carry more advanced sensors and equipment allowing it to perform more specialized tasks like thermal imaging and RTK modules.
- Budget: The price of survey drones can vary significantly so it’s essential to consider your budget when selecting a drone. Look for a drone that offers to features you need at a price point that fits your budget.
Survey Drone Comparison Table
(*Scroll the table left to right to see all drones)
 |  |  |  |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (With RTK Module) | DJI Matrice 300 RTK | DeltaQuad Pro #MAP | WingtraOne Gen II VTOL | |
| Price Comparison | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Flight Time | 45min | 55min | 110min | 59min |
| Max Speed | 18 m/s | 23m/s | 25m/s | 16m/s |
| Max Wind Speed | 12m/s | 15m/s | *9-14m/s | 12m/s |
| IP Rating & Weather resistance | NA | IP45 | Rain and snow resistant | IP54 |
| Camera Resolution | 12MP (3E model : wide cam 4/3”, 20MP) | With Zenmuse: Multisensor 20MP | 61MP | 42MP |
The Best Survey Drone on a Budget
Survey drones don’t come cheap but if you need to create precision surveys and your budget is restricted, the Mavic 3 Enterprise is a great place to start.
While there are drones that have a much longer flight time, the Mavic 3 Enterprise hold it’s own against survey drones twice the price. The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a detachable RTK module that pairs with a mobile station for accurate positioning and has a dual frequency capability for higher reliability which is important in urban areas where there may be interference.
Pros of the Mavic 3 Enterprise for Surveying
- Compact, foldable design that can easily be carried in a backpack
- Optional thermal imaging
- Centimeter level accuracy
- Multirotor – no take off space required
Cons
- Flight Time: 45mins max flight time which is likely to be more like 30 minutes in real life conditions
- Camera Resolution: The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a 12 MP Camera which is decent but not as impressive as many other surveying drones on the market
For the full take on this UAV check out my Mavic 3 Enterprise review.
Survey Drone with the Longest Flight Time
The Deltaquad Pro #MAP is one of the top fixed wing drones available on the market. The long flight time is possible thanks to the gliding nature of fixed wing drones, making this UAV ideal for surveying.
Designed in the Netherlands, it’s also one of the most climatically robust drones for surveying and can be deployed in rain or snow.
When paired with an Emlid Reach PPK/RTK solution the Deltaquad gives highly accurate georeferenced images for constructing 2D and 3D models.
Pros of the Deltaquad Pro for Surveying
- Long flight time: 110 minutes in one charge, 1200 hectares coverage
- 100km range (50km range with FPV and control)
- Very high resolution camera: 61MP
- Robust: Deploy in Rain or snow
- Vertical take-off (no runway required)
Cons
- Expensive
- Low wind resistance during take-off and landing: The Deltaquad pro has a good wind resistance of 14m/s when in flight but is limited to a windspeed of 9m/s during take-off and landing.
For more on the Deltaquad Pro, check out the 5 Top Fixed Wing Drones.
Wrap Up on Surveying Drones
Survey drones have leveled up the way we gather information and data for various industries such as construction, agriculture, mining, and mapping. They offer an efficient, cost-effective, and safe method for conducting aerial surveys and inspections, allowing professionals to capture detailed imagery and data that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain.
The Deltaquad Pro #MAP is one of the best surveying drones available. It has an impressive flight time of almost 2 hours, an incredibly high resolution 61MP camera and robust enough to fly in rain or snow… a rare capability for any type of UAV.
As technology advances, survey drones are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the technology is becoming more affordable with features such as real-time data transmission, high-resolution cameras, and advanced mapping software. The most affordable, high quality survey drone is the Mavic 3 Enterprise when combined with the RTK module.
For more information on the topic checkout the guide on Drone Mapping and Surveying.
