Hi everyone! Im new to the drone community

[Orion 313]

Im looking at starting a small business. Would buying a Mavic 3 enterprise be overkill for a begginer?

 

[msinger]

Welcome to the forum!

Would buying a Mavic 3 enterprise be overkill for a begginer?

Overkill for what type of tasks?

As for being a beginner, you should be able to learn how to use any DJI drone as they are fairly similar control-wise. The learning curve might be a little higher though if you ever venture up into the true enterprise drones.

 

[Cafguy]

I wouldnt call it overkill but what do you intend to do? You don't need an Enterprise edition to do most things so why pay the extra money?

 

[Orion 313]

Well, I am looking at starting with inspections and that sort of stuff, something for beginners to get my feet wet so to speak.. Actually, I really would like to know what type of drone to start,and is this something that I can make some money as a side business? I am semi retired, but havent fully decided if this business would be something that is in high demand?

 

[Cafguy]

WELL...I did security with an Air2S succesfully until those darn new contraptions came out lol.
Enterprise models make good business sense if you are running a few Drones or more and they do run more specialized equipment BUT I wouldnt get one if a "consumer" model did the same task.
Don't spend anymore on the tool than you need too.
If you are wanting to get into electrical, or roofing inspections, then a Thermal Enterprise would be the tool you need BUT it doesnt come with the education needed to interpret these images. Unless you are "versed" in the field Start with a simple business and work your way up.

 

[Orion 313]

Welcome to the forum!



Overkill for what type of tasks?

As for being a beginner, you should be able to learn how to use any DJI drone as they are fairly similar control-wise. The learning curve might be a little higher though if you ever venture up into the true enterprise drones.

My interests are many. However, I just wanted to invest in a drone that has many features, just so I can be prepared for more difficult jobs and needed technology.

 

[moldorf]

Well, I am looking at starting with inspections and that sort of stuff, something for beginners to get my feet wet so to speak.. Actually, I really would like to know what type of drone to start,and is this something that I can make some money as a side business? I am semi retired, but havent fully decided if this business would be something that is in high demand?

"inspections" is a little vague

inspecting what? like roofs, buildings, etc?

to start with, I'm pretty sure you'll need Part 107 license from the FAA to legally operate drone(s) commercially

as for the drone, as others have said, it may be that the recreational drones, which are far less expensive will be able to do what you need. On the other hand, some of the higher end enterprise drones have a lot of features that recreation drones don't

but again, it's a sizable initial investment for a speculative endeavor. A new DJI Matrice 4E will cost around $6000. The Matrice 4T (thermal) around $9000

DJI's promotion of the 4E:

"The DJI Matrice 4E is designed for surveying, mapping, construction, and inspections. High-speed aerial surveying from multiple angles can be done with the 24mm wide-angled lens (4/3 CMOS, 20MP, f/2.8-f/11) with a mechanical shutter. It supports rapid 0.5-second interval shooting in orthophoto and oblique photography modes with mapping flight speeds reaching up to 21 meters per second. With the 3x optical 70mm medium telephoto lens (1/1.3 CMOS, 48MP, f/2.8), screws and cracks can be identified in medium-range inspections for power lines and bridges from a distance of 10 meters. For longer-range inspections, the 7x 168mm telephoto camera (1/1.5 CMOS, 48 MP, f/2.8) can capture incredible details from up to 250 meters away."

if you're unsure about doing this, maybe you should look for one of the refurbished Mini models just to get your bearings on if this really interests you and you'd like to take it further. There's a refurbished Mini 4 combo at DJI for $309. Drone Nerds usually have several Mini models refurbished

 

[Felix le Chat]

Im looking at starting a small business. Would buying a Mavic 3 enterprise be overkill for a begginer?

Enterprise models are the bigger (read: heavier) birds and face greater urban flight restrictions. The cameras on the smaller, lighter drones are more than sufficient for academic quality architectural component photography (study/comparison/analysis) and you can legitimately get 'em in closer to subject.

 

[careless]

I would start with the Air 3

 

[Orion 313]

WELL...I did security with an Air2S succesfully until those darn new contraptions came out lol.
Enterprise models make good business sense if you are running a few Drones or more and they do run more specialized equipment BUT I wouldnt get one if a "consumer" model did the same task.
Don't spend anymore on the tool than you need too.
If you are wanting to get into electrical, or roofing inspections, then a Thermal Enterprise would be the tool you need BUT it doesnt come with the education needed to interpret these images. Unless you are "versed" in the field Start with a simple business and work your way up.

Thanks for your response! Im looking into making some extra income on the side as a beginner. Im really questioning if this is something that most people can do?

 

[Orion 313]

"inspections" is a little vague

inspecting what? like roofs, buildings, etc?

to start with, I'm pretty sure you'll need Part 107 license from the FAA to legally operate drone(s) commercially

as for the drone, as others have said, it may be that the recreational drones, which are far less expensive will be able to do what you need. On the other hand, some of the higher end enterprise drones have a lot of features that recreation drones don't

but again, it's a sizable initial investment for a speculative endeavor. A new DJI Matrice 4E will cost around $6000. The Matrice 4T (thermal) around $9000

DJI's promotion of the 4E:

"The DJI Matrice 4E is designed for surveying, mapping, construction, and inspections. High-speed aerial surveying from multiple angles can be done with the 24mm wide-angled lens (4/3 CMOS, 20MP, f/2.8-f/11) with a mechanical shutter. It supports rapid 0.5-second interval shooting in orthophoto and oblique photography modes with mapping flight speeds reaching up to 21 meters per second. With the 3x optical 70mm medium telephoto lens (1/1.3 CMOS, 48MP, f/2.8), screws and cracks can be identified in medium-range inspections for power lines and bridges from a distance of 10 meters. For longer-range inspections, the 7x 168mm telephoto camera (1/1.5 CMOS, 48 MP, f/2.8) can capture incredible details from up to 250 meters away."

if you're unsure about doing this, maybe you should look for one of the refurbished Mini models just to get your bearings on if this really interests you and you'd like to take it further. There's a refurbished Mini 4 combo at DJI for $309. Drone Nerds usually have several Mini models refurbished

I was referring to rooftop inspections for starters. I know nothing about drones and I am a total newbie. All I can say is that the drone world has suddenly captured my interest and being retired I am looking at other forms of side income. Thank you for your reply!

 

[Cafguy]

Being a commercial pilot can be a nice way to make a few bucks. I would say Photographers and Cinetographers make up most of the field. Then would be survey, construction, inspections, things like that. There is always a niche out there tho you just need to find the demand in your area.
If you want to make a living at it. Its very time intensive work and the pro Drone guys I know are always working or traveling and when in town you can find them taking some kind of "Required" class for the next job. Its a very cutthroat field and a bad day can end a career They also buy their own Drones and equip and as cinematographers we are talking 70 grand easy!

 

[Orion 313]

Being a commercial pilot can be a nice way to make a few bucks. I would say Photographers and Cinetographers make up most of the field. Then would be survey, construction, inspections, things like that. There is always a niche out there tho you just need to find the demand in your area.
If you want to make a living at it. Its very time intensive work and the pro Drone guys I know are always working or traveling and when in town you can find them taking some kind of "Required" class for the next job. Its a very cutthroat field and a bad day can end a career They also buy their own Drones and equip and as cinematographers we are talking 70 grand easy!

Im not really wanting to make a living since Im already retired. Im just looking to make some additional income on the side. Thanks again for your input!

 

[Cafguy]

I used to do security its nice work Basically I flew over a big tank farm and looked for people scrapping the stuff. I would call the security chief and he would call the cops, Iloved it but then some......at the company found a company that put cameras on wires all around the place. so no need for me. Ranchers and Farmers can use fence inspectors too.