DroneNerds --> Matrice 4E

[moldorf]

one or twice a week I will check DroneNerds & Adorama to see if they have any inventory of DJI drones. Usually not, and if either do, the window closes pretty fast

this morning, at Drone Nerds, I see they have the Matrice 4E available for $5189

Matrice 4E:

if you add a couple of batteries at $253 each, you can basically get a Matrice 4E FMC for around $5700. Yeah, it's not the Mavic 4 Pro, but the hoops to jump thru to get one of those are many and by the time you do, it's pretty expensive

as for the Matrice 4E, as near as I can figure the 3 cameras are basically the same as the 3 cameras on the Mavic 3Pro. The difference is that the 4E comes with a laser range finder, so at minimum you'd have a way to accurately measure AGL....probably. The RC is the RC + 2E which generates 1400 nits in brightness (might be 1500 nits if it's the latest). The DJI enterprise app is probably more feature-rich than most would use

anyway, if you're really wanting a new drone, this one comes from DroneNerds and they are a reputable company; I've bought a drone from them before and was quite happy with the result

 

[KB9Radio]

That's alot of money, but that's alot of drone also. Very nice looking machine for sure.

 

[moldorf]

That's alot of money, but that's alot of drone also. Very nice looking machine for sure.

for sure....$5700 is a huge chunk of change to invest in a hobby. If somebody plans to use it in a business, then the price is relative....although then the option might be the Matrice 4T

from everything I've read and seen, it sounds like the camera configuration on the Mavic 4 Pro is a little bit better than the Matrice 4E/Mavic 3 Pro. In an alternate universe where irrational politics wasn't throwing monkey wrenches into everything, the natural upgrade for recreational/prosumer drones would be the Mavic 4 Pro. But those aren't available except sporadically and even then, it's high risk and high prices that approach what that Matrice 4E costs. And the advantage of that 4E is that buying from Drone Nerds is low risk. They back their sales. Also, that laser range finder has some value

so this Matrice 4E is available now from DroneNerds for $5700 (includes 2 extra batteries). Adorama is selling the Mavic 4 Pro Creator Combo for $5500....but it's on back-order and may not be available for months; maybe years. If you live in USA and need a high end prosumer drone now it's a pretty easy choice....unless you're absolutely set of the Mavic Pro

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there is already what appears to be a solid alternative to the latest DJI Mini's in the Skyrover drone. I'm not sure if that drone/company will continue to escape the jail DJI is in. Maybe? Probably? But is it does remain a viable alternative, then I'd imagine it's only a matter of time before there is an alternative to the latest Mavic drones.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Matrice 4E also has a mechanical shutter and an RTK module built in, designed for centimeter precision photogrammetry.

 

[microlinux]

It’s a great drone, but for anyone who is interested in it be aware it doesn’t have the array of video and photo settings and modes the Mavic 4 does, and is lower bit rate. It is a very purpose-built drone.

 

[GadgetGuy]

It’s a great drone, but for anyone who is interested in it be aware it doesn’t have the array of video and photo settings and modes the Mavic 4 does, and is lower bit rate. It is a very purpose-built drone.

Indeed.
It is not intended as a cinematographer's rig nor a photographer’s rig.
Mapping and surveying are the 4E's primary purposes, where there is no need for thermal.

IMHO, the Matrice 4T, for a few scheckels more, is the one to get. It can do everything that the 4E can do, albeit at a slower speed, as it lacks the mechanical shutter, but it adds the significant benefit of thermal, which makes it more commercially useful for inspections related to heat, and is very useful for SAR and wildlife searches at night and under tree cover.