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Looking for answers on how to use various type cameras on Mavic before I purchase.

shieldscd

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I can not afford the thermal version of the Mavics - today. I am asking if there are limitations on these drones that would prevent me from adding various different cameras, to include a thermal, down the road. I am seeing zoom cameras in different models, but want to pick and choose what kind of camera I want to run and add it on the drone. What do I need to purchase in addition to the Mavic Drone to allow me to do this? Thanks CDS
 
The Mavic enterprise line only comes with the installed payload (camera), you will not be able to swap out cameras. It's either going to be a Mavic 3E (for mapping) or Mavic 3T (comes with thermal, but not very good for mapping). If you are looking at something that will allow you to swap out cameras you will need to move up to the Matrice 300/350 line, average cost per payload (camera) is around 7k and up. After it's all said and done for a full Matrice 300/350 setup with multilabel cameras talking around 25k and up
 
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Thanks for both of your inputs. What about adding a different camera as a payload? I've read where users say a gimble etc to be added and can use other camera equipment. I have a farm and want to use in both day and night with a DJI that won't break the bank but allow for different external payloads as cameras?
 
Thanks for both of your inputs. What about adding a different camera as a payload? I've read where users say a gimble etc to be added and can use other camera equipment. I have a farm and want to use in both day and night with a DJI that won't break the bank but allow for different external payloads as cameras?
You would need to check with Flir or Boson to see if they make a clip on unit for the Mavic 3 series. It will not be supported/integrated with DJI software
 
Thanks for both of your inputs. What about adding a different camera as a payload? I've read where users say a gimble etc to be added and can use other camera equipment. I have a farm and want to use in both day and night with a DJI that won't break the bank but allow for different external payloads as cameras?
As stated, the Mavic 3 does NOT have interchangeable payloads, meaning you cannot change the camera.

I am not sure what posts on this forum state you can swap payloads on the Mavic 3.

On the Mavic 2 series, you could swap between the Zoom camera and the 1" Pro camera. But that was for those older models that are no longer sold.

The Autel Evo 2 will allow for what you are asking. You could buy the Pro model and then add a 640T payload (thermal).
Going the Autel route will not be cheap. Thermal cameras, even Chinese cored versions are not cheap. One thing to note though is that the connection method when swapping out cameras is not meant to constantly swap. It is a ribbon cable and this connection point will wear out with constant swapping IMO.

If you want a thermal drone on the lower cost side and want a DJI look for a used Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced. I have spotted them as low as $3000 and they include a 640 resolution thermal camera as well as a decent 32x digital zoom. For an entry level thermal it is more than capable and its normal RGB camera gets the job done for images, video and mapping tasks. If you want precise accurate mapping you will need to add ground control.
 
For those on a budget, used is the way to go.
Plenty of older adequate models being upgraded to newer ones.
 
OP,

I forgot about a new lower cost solution.
I know you said DJI, but Autel now has the lowest costing 640 resolution (640 is the current mainstream drone thermal resolution. Lower than 640 will have issues such as limited range).

The Autel Evo Lite 640T Enterprise Edition @ ~$3300 to $3900.
It does have some interesting features such as AI object detection, a decent flight time, small and portable.

But I would heavily research this drone first. Autel is notorius for not adding all promised features, short life cycles, not so smooth firmware updates. With that said at work we have and Autel Evo 2 Dual (FLIR original version) and she still does her duty well. I have viewed many Autel Thermal images and they are of high quality.

I am with GadgetGuy, if you find a used DJI with thermal (Only look at the Mavic 3T and Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced as they have the 640 thermal sensor), go with that. But with shortages of the Mavic 3T, you will most likely not find a low priced deal.

If you buy a used DJI drone, MAKE SURE YOU GET PROOF FROM THE SELLER THAT THEY DID THE UNBIND PROCESS!
Sorry for yelling but there is a current thread on the forum where a member has a drone bound to another account.
 
OP,

I forgot about a new lower cost solution.
I know you said DJI, but Autel now has the lowest costing 640 resolution (640 is the current mainstream drone thermal resolution. Lower than 640 will have issues such as limited range).

The Autel Evo Lite 640T Enterprise Edition @ ~$3300 to $3900.
It does have some interesting features such as AI object detection, a decent flight time, small and portable.

But I would heavily research this drone first. Autel is notorius for not adding all promised features, short life cycles, not so smooth firmware updates. With that said at work we have and Autel Evo 2 Dual (FLIR original version) and she still does her duty well. I have viewed many Autel Thermal images and they are of high quality.

I am with GadgetGuy, if you find a used DJI with thermal (Only look at the Mavic 3T and Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced as they have the 640 thermal sensor), go with that. But with shortages of the Mavic 3T, you will most likely not find a low priced deal.

If you buy a used DJI drone, MAKE SURE YOU GET PROOF FROM THE SELLER THAT THEY DID THE UNBIND PROCESS!
Sorry for yelling but there is a current thread on the forum where a member has a drone bound to another account.
Good info but ... range is primarily determined by the size of the lens not the resolution of the sensor.
 
I don't know what small thermal cameras exist that could be put on a Mavic or 3s or something. Seems it would or should be reasonably easy to do so....
 
The Mavic enterprise line only comes with the installed payload (camera), you will not be able to swap out cameras. It's either going to be a Mavic 3E (for mapping) or Mavic 3T (comes with thermal, but not very good for mapping). If you are looking at something that will allow you to swap out cameras you will need to move up to the Matrice 300/350 line, average cost per payload (camera) is around 7k and up. After it's all said and done for a full Matrice 300/350 setup with multilabel cameras talking around 25k and up
what about the matrice 30T/E? dont they have a removable camera?
 

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