Mavic 3 series (M3E tested) verses Matrice 30 series Realworld Range Assessment done by my SAR Friends In Arizona. MAVIC 3 Series WINS by 2 miles easy

[StevenBrodsky]

My friends in Arizona SAR ( edit: tests done with waiver) have been having issues with their Matrice 30 drones regarding range. This Weekend they tested the Matrice 30T against a Mavic 3E. Mavic 3E went 5.5 miles without any control loss or video glitching before needing to turn around due to battery warning.. Matrice 30T started having control issues and video glitching past 3.5 miles. Mavic 3E and Matrice 30T were flown at same altitudes during testing.

This is further evidence that there is something wrong with the Transmission system in the Matrice 30. A professional drone (the M30T) that commands such a high price should not have less range than the consumer and prosumer Mavic 3 series drones.

Not only did the Mav 3 series accel in range with no connection issues, the battery system in the M3 was able to go 1.5 miles further than the Matrice 30T before the need to return to home because of battery warnings.

The only saving grace for the Matrice 30 is it's zoom lens. Even though it can't go as far as the Mav 3 , the zoom lens allows it to see as good as the Mav 3 at max distance.

SOLUTION: I SUGGEST INSTALLING THE NLD INTERNAL AMPLIFIED RECIEVER TRANSMITTER SYSTEMS IN THE M30 SERIES AIRCRAFT AND REMOTES.

 

[Meta4]

SOLUTION: I SUGGEST INSTALLING THE NLD INTERNAL AMPLIFIED RECIEVER TRANSMITTER SYSTEMS IN THE M30 SERIES AIRCRAFT AND REMOTES.

Realistically, what possible need is there to fly >3 miles out from the launch point anyway>
That should be more than enough for any legitimate purpose.

 

[Max Headroom]

Is visual line of sight not a rule in your country?

 

[StevenBrodsky]

Realistically, what possible need is there to fly >3 miles out from the launch point anyway>
That should be more than enough for any legitimate purpose.

Those tests were to see the difference in the transmission / receiving capabilities of the 2 drones. They have been having problems with less than 1 mile with the m30 series. Think of their range test as a tranmission/recieving quality check. It indicates that the M30 is going to have issues even at shorter distances than a mavic 3 in urban environments, which they have been having. The range test was a way to quantify their issues.

Even at close range the M30 drops signal much easier than the Mav 3 when an object or vegetation gets in the way of the RC and drone. The signal penetration through ground structures and foliage is poor in regard to the M30 series as compared to the Mav3 series.

Why would DJI make a professional drone that can't penetrate ground objects as well as a consumer/prosumer drone? Range tests are way of testing, not just range, but how well a drone will perform at closer distances with ground level object interference.

P.S. These guys got a waiver to perform this range test. They had established an area of operations in a desert like area with patches of trees and manufacturing facilities; Then were able to get a TFR in place for that area. Once they had these, they were able to get a waiver for the test with a time limit (not sure ho long). The process was much more involved than my brief explanation of how they got their waiver.

 

[StevenBrodsky]

Is visual line of sight not a rule in your country?

They were able to get a waiver. Approval had something to do with the location and getting a TFR while they did the test.

Range tests shouldn't just be looked at as "range Testing". They also indicate how well a drone and RC pair can penetrate ground structures. When I see range tests, I get an idea how well my drone will perform when it is close by, where I need it to go around some trees or a structure at low altitude and still maintain connection.

 

[StevenBrodsky]

To any future posters, don't talk about VLOS or Range testing legalities on this thread. These issues are not relevant to the subject matter of this thread.

 

[Max Headroom]

Please don't take this the wrong way i am not trying to wind you up i am genuinely interested.

Could you explain the point of this thread as it will make no odds to most flyers that a drone can travel "5.5 miles without any control loss or video glitching before needing to turn around due to battery warning" as we have to keep the drone within our range of sight we are never going to get anywhere near that range.

 

[sarahb]

To any future posters, don't talk about VLOS or Range testing legalities on this thread. These issues are not relevant to the subject matter of this thread.

You cannot dictate what can be said in a public forum (so long as it doesn't violate forum rules). If you don't want to hear VLOS questions, you should have added the information about the waiver (if indeed you had one) in your opening post

 

[StevenBrodsky]

Please don't take this the wrong way i am not trying to wind you up i am genuinely interested.

Could you explain the point of this thread as it will make no odds to most flyers that a drone can travel "5.5 miles without any control loss or video glitching before needing to turn around due to battery warning" as we have to keep the drone within our range of sight we are never going to get anywhere near that range.

These guys perform search and rescue (SAR) and sometimes surveillance. They expected the M30 series to at least be able to go 1000 feet to 3000 ft without losing significant signal or control when at low altitudes (less than 100 feet) below vegetation and small houses or buildings. When performing SAR missions they've been experiencing frequent signal disruptions with VLOS type missions, often at low altitude (at altitudes Manned aircraft can't fly). Even though SAR operators or Police surveillance operators say they stay in VLOS, in the real world, they often don't and lose VLOS at low altitude, but expect to maintain video and control connection better than a consumer drone.

They would like to fly at longer distances under tree lines or at the edge of tree lines even further than 3000 ft where it's impossible for manned aircraft to fly when tracking a subject. It's a shame DJI has manufactured a Professional drone that underperforms relative to their prosumer drones. One point is simply to show others, by example, to be aware of this issue. Or, maybe, consider buying Mavics as part of their drone fleet, as they would be more effective under tree canopies or other structures at further distances than a M30(T).

Another point is to demonstrate how a consumer/prosumer drone has better signal quality than a professional drone when most people would assume the opposite. It's a warning to professionals who want or are thinking of purchasing DJI's "professional drones".

The "range test" wasn't really about range, it is like a quality control assessment. The SAR guys often fly out 3000 ft and need to be able fly lower, below vegetation or structures, below where manned aircraft can't fly, when a subject is found. Unlike the Mavic 3 the M30 drops it's signal almost immediately when flying low in trees or the edges of roof tops.

My last point is a suggestion. It's to install the No Limit Drone 2.5 watt Bidirectional Amplifiers in their RC and Drones. to get lower when needed during SAR or surveillence operations. Yes, they will be in BVLOS, but also where manned aircraft can't fly. They do this more often than you think.

 

[StevenBrodsky]

You cannot dictate what can be said in a public forum (so long as it doesn't violate forum rules). If you don't want to hear VLOS questions, you should have added the information about the waiver (if indeed you had one) in your opening post

It's just an ask, not a command. I would just hope people would be respectful enough to stay within the subject matter of the first post. Read my other posts for more info on what this thread is about. I ask so the thread doesn't get cluttered with irrelevant posts.

 

[Max Headroom]

It's just an ask, not a command. I would just hope people would be respectful enough to stay within the subject matter of the first post. Read my other posts for more info on what this thread is about. I ask so the thread doesn't get cluttered with irrelevant posts.

Sorry but it didn't come over as a request a please would have helped as it stands (below) it reads like an order.

To any future posters, don't talk about VLOS or Range testing legalities on this thread. These issues are not relevant to the subject matter of this thread.

Thanks for your explanation of the original post in post #9.

 

[LandWaterSky]

It would be nice to hear back from Matrice 30 series owners who've installed the No Limit Drone 2.5 watt Bidirectional Amplifiers.