We (the company) are currently looking at mapping planning software and wanted to ask those who do mapping what their opinion is.
I am not particularly looking at the software to use to upload maps to to process into nice 2D and 3D maps (I have someone else doing that bit). I am just looking at the planning and flight control.
I have used DroneDeploy whilst on my PFCO course and found it easy to use and gives some great planning features and I am able to plan on the PC and open up the projects on the tablet / mobile device connect up and go. So this is my finding so far.
DroneDeploy
I have just flown a mission today using DroneDeploy using the M2P. Planning the two missions, one over a field at 60m (9 Hectares) and the second over farm buildings at 50m. Easy to plan and able to access on tablet when I flew.
I found (after a bit of troubleshooting) that I need to open the DJIGo4 app to check connection. Then close the app and open DroneDeploy app, open project, connect drone and fly. The Field had a brief stopover to change the battery (which the software said it would) then straight back on the job to finish it off.
The same with the farm building all nice and straight forward.
Pix4DCapture
I am planning on flying the same mission with Pix4D capture to compare the same results. First thing I found was there is no way of planning the mission on the PC in advance so I have to do it on the Tablet.
The issue I found here was that Pix4D capture to get a 3D image it requires a double grid mission and to fly at the same height of DroneDeploy (60m) it says it would take 47mins and not able to fly because the M2P battery will not fly that long. So to fly in one mission I have to take it up to 95m so a lower resolution.
I did a test connection with my tablet (which works with DroneDeploy) and it would not connect. Opened the CTRL+DJI app and it said it had connected to the drone, but I could not connect the drone when I moved to the Pix4D app.
So I then installed the apps onto my phone, opened my account and the missions I had planned on the tablet does not transfer across. I then added the missions (again) and did a test. I got connection to the app and all is good… just need to find a window in the weather to fly and compare.
Summary
So far DroneDeploy is the preferred option over Pix4D but I need to do a full comparison and test all options before I go back to the boss with my findings.
Your thoughts?
My question after all that droning on, is what is your opinion? DroneDeploy? Pix4D? Pro’s & Con’s? Is there an alternative you want to throw into the mix?
Thanks in advance.