Mavic 4 Pro - RTK Module?
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Recoveryone
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Technically any drone can be outfitted with an external RTK module
e38surveysolutions.com
But you will need to modify the drone a bit.
Reach M2 Multi-band RTK GNSS Module
The Reach M2 L1/L2 RTK GNSS Module streams its cm accurate position to drones, sonars for bathymetry, and directly to a camera's hot shoe for accurate geotags for photogrammetry/mapping.
e38surveysolutions.com
But you will need to modify the drone a bit.
It would not be an easy modification anyway. You would need a rigid 3D mount, a power source (external battery), measure your camera to module offset, and worst of all tap into a board on the camera for triggering a time stamp for each image to be saved as a time stamp file. I did something similar on a Phantom 4 Pro V2. While it worked incredibly well in terms of accuracy/precision, it was a clunky workflow, PPK only and while flying never knew if you indeed had FIX.Thanks everyone for your help. I can’t see myself modifying my new M 4.
OP if you really want to mess around with RTK, Phantom 4 RTK's can be found very cheap now, and they are just as accurate as the Mavic 3 E and Matrice 4 E. I have all three and the Phantom only loses on the image quality and the speed at which it can fly to obtain the images. I can use other software to program the fancy flight routes such as facade and similar.
Litchi waypoints can be converted to DJI Waypoints, but Litchi itself cannot be used to fly the Mavic 4 Pro because no SDK has been released for the Mavic 4 Pro that would allow Litchi control over the Mavic 4 Pro.
What is the difference between a global edition and a non global edition of the Matrice 4?
Must a global edition Matrice 4 be activated outside the U.S. to be able to fly in the U.S.? Several sellers of Matrice 4 units in the U.S. are making this claim, selling imported open box activated "global edition" units that have never been flown before. Are they making this up, and having them activated overseas so they can be imported as used, to lower tariffs?
I thought DJI Global editions adjusted their transmission strength by GPS location. In the US with FCC regs it would allow for greater range than in Europe. It just basically adjusts its transmission for the country it is operating in.
Heliguy has an article on it.
www.heliguy.com
Heliguy has an article on it.
DJI Universal Edition Drones For International UAS Operations
<span>DJI Universal Edition drones are perfect for multinational organisations and drone service providers, enabling seamless operations across different countries. After understanding its location, the drone adjusts itself to be compliant ... Read More
www.heliguy.com
Isn't that the same thing? Having read the article, it basically confirms our mutual present understanding that the transmission strength is determined based upon the location the drone, which an only be determined by its GPS acquired location. I also presume that RID broadcasting is location/GPS dependent on Universal Editions, where no RID is broadcast in countries where it isn't currently required, but it is transmitted in countries where it is required.I thought DJI Global editions adjusted their transmission strength by GPS location. In the US with FCC regs it would allow for greater range than in Europe. It just basically adjusts its transmission for the country it is operating in.
Heliguy has an article on it.
DJI Universal Edition Drones For International UAS Operations
<span>DJI Universal Edition drones are perfect for multinational organisations and drone service providers, enabling seamless operations across different countries. After understanding its location, the drone adjusts itself to be compliant ... Read More
What escapes me is how a non-universal edition is different, if there even is such a thing. Are there say EU versions only, that are only capable of CE transmission no matter where in the world they are operating? Are non-Universal editions cheaper?
Are there KR South Korean versions of the Matrice 4 that do not transmit RID even in the U.S.?
I also presume that RID broadcasting is location/GPS dependent, where no RID would be broadcast where it isn't currently required, but it is transmitted where required.
Lastly, must Universal Editions be activated prior to sale in the country where they are shipped from, as some sellers are claiming? If not, why are they selling them already activated, before shipment to the U.S.?
I haven't checked the forum in a while, so I'll answer your question now. The drones are manufactured in China, and the drones sold in mainland China are the Chinese version, meaning they can only fly within China. They cannot take off in other regions due to regional restrictions. Also, the RTK service is divided into global GNSS hybrid and single BeiDou satellite positioning. The global version can fly outside of China. There's no difference in hardware configuration. As for the products you receive, they are all activated, mainly to circumvent sales channel regulations. Activation means they are considered second-hand by default, thus bypassing sales channel oversight. Regarding RID, all drones have this function. The drone's broadcast cannot be turned off.
Thank you for your very helpful clarifications, which raise some additional questions:
1. What are the sales channel regulations that prior activation circumvents?
2. What is the sales channel oversight that prior activation bypasses?
3. Since activation results in the drone being considered second-hand/used by default, is this also being exploited to change the valuation for tariff purposes, resulting in significantly lower tariffs, because, if it is considered used, they can basically set then their own valuation?
4. RID broadcast can, in fact, be turned off in the drone FW by DJI. For example, the Mini 4 Pro will not broadcast RID when used with the Mini 4 standard battery, but it definitely will broadcast RID with any other battery. I have tested and confirmed that myself with a Dronetag RIDER. Similarly, the Mini 5 Pro was also originally intended to operate the same way with the Mini 5 Pro standard battery, based upon the original User Manual, which was later changed to reflect that RID will now be broadcast with all batteries. However, with those battery based exceptions, are you suggesting that RID is broadcast globally regardless of whether the country it is currently being flown in requires RID broadcasting?
5. It is my understanding that RID broadcasting, much like CE and FCC modes, is GPS determined by the drone's location, such that it is only broadcast in countries that require it. Is it your understanding, that even in countries without an RID requirement, RID is still broadcasting, and therefore detectable by anyone with the appropriate RID detection equipment in such countries?
Feel free to PM me, if you would prefer to discuss these issues privately, since they seem to be touchy subjects among the resellers.
Thanks in advance for your helpful insights!
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Due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, China's drone exports are subject to export controls, including both consumer and professional models. Furthermore, prices in China differ significantly from those in other regions. For example, the Matrice 4T is priced at RMB 43,076 on the official Chinese website (discounts may apply when purchasing from distributors), while in Canada it costs USD 7,270, approximately RMB 50,725. Activated drones can circumvent some restrictions. Exporting professional drones requires strict registration procedures, while activated drones are less stringent. (Activation requires connecting to DJI's servers, and DJI can track activation locations. Activation before shipping can circumvent DJI's scrutiny of distributors.)
RID broadcasting is required by the laws of various countries. DJI can only comply with legal requirements. Newly manufactured drones in mainland China must have RID broadcasting capability (the "249g" rule doesn't exist in mainland China; all drones require real-name registration). Monitoring includes not only RID but also radio frequency monitoring, which can identify and locate drones. In mainland China, this is mandatory; it should be enabled by default in other regions as well. Regarding the Mini 4P you mentioned, it might be related to the firmware. I don't know if the latest firmware mandates broadcasting. Just fly it according to local regulations. I won't fly if the government bans it; safety first.
RID broadcasting is required by the laws of various countries. DJI can only comply with legal requirements. Newly manufactured drones in mainland China must have RID broadcasting capability (the "249g" rule doesn't exist in mainland China; all drones require real-name registration). Monitoring includes not only RID but also radio frequency monitoring, which can identify and locate drones. In mainland China, this is mandatory; it should be enabled by default in other regions as well. Regarding the Mini 4P you mentioned, it might be related to the firmware. I don't know if the latest firmware mandates broadcasting. Just fly it according to local regulations. I won't fly if the government bans it; safety first.
Thank you for your reply and explanations.
It would appear to be quite profitable for U.S. importers to contract with Chinese entrepreneurs to buy the Matrice 4T from DJI distributors in China at a discount below RBM 43,076, and have them activate it in China, before exporting and drop shipping it to their U.S. customer as an activated/“used” drone, and somehow limiting all U.S. import duties to a mere $65 by deliberately completely mislabeling the description of the Matrice 4T kit contents as "PI967-II Plastic motor top co" while claiming the 15.5 pound box weighs only 1.5 KG.
As to the RID broadcasting, I'm not questioning the RID broadcasting capability, but rather how DJI chooses to implement whether or not to enable the broadcasting in countries where it is not currently a requirement. It is my belief that DJI controls whether or not to broadcast the RID based upon the GPS location of the drone, rather than universally broadcasting RID worldwide whether it is required or not. Anecdotal accounts support this belief, as Mini 5 Pro units with the standard battery bought in France did not broadcast RID in France, but did broadcast RID in the U.S., once brought home to the U.S..
Clearly, DJI does have Firmware control over RID broadcasting. They enabled it retroactively on most DJI drones when RID became mandatory in the U.S. on all drones through a FW update. DJI also wrote an English User Manual for the Mini 5 Pro stating it would not broadcast RID when used with the Intelligent battery, but later changed their minds by making it broadcast RID in the U.S. when it became clear that the weight was over 250g, and then DJI deleted that statement from the User Manual when I proved to them that it was still broadcasting RID with that standard battery, contrary to the User Manual.
As to the Mini 4 Pro not broadcasting RID when using the standard Mini 4 Pro battery (which has 249g printed on it), that is per the Mini 4 Pro User Manual, on the most current FW, and not a fluke, or an older version of the FW. In that configuration, it always still weighs under 250g (unlike the Mini 5 Pro) so it is both exempt from FAA registration and RID broadcasting per the FAA, and is not required to broadcast RID with the standard battery insertion the U.S.. When any other battery is used inside it, it will properly broadcast RID, as it should, as it is then over 250g. Clearly, the FW recognizes the unique Mini 4 Pro "249g" labeled battery insertion, and the FW then disables RID broadcasting in the U.S.. as long as it is being flown with that battery.
So, the question remains, does DJI use GPS to determine activating the built-in RID broadcasting capability only where it is legally required, or is it activated worldwide regardless of GPS location?
Your thoughts?
I'll answer my own primary question, from an escalated DJI support inquiry answer.
DJI does use GPS to determine activating the built-in RID broadcasting ability of all their drones, depending upon the RID requirements of the country you are currently flying in.
RID is not just activated worldwide, regardless of GPS location, and regardless of local RID requirements. It is only on where required.
So, when DJI changed their mind about activating RID on the Mini 5 Pro with the Intelligent battery, they turned RID on through a FW update, which eventually led to them also changing the English USA User Manual to delete the line regarding no RID transmission with the Intelligent battery.
Nexus Dragoon
Well-Known Member
1: No, DJI maintains a strict divide between its "Pro" (consumer/prosumer) and "Enterprise" (commercial) series. Here is why the RTK module isn't compatible with the Mavic 4 Pro:
- Physical Port: The RTK module (like the one used for the Mavic 3 Enterprise) requires a specific accessory port and screw mounts on the top of the aircraft. The Mavic 4 Pro's chassis is designed for aerodynamics and consumer use, lacking these mounting points.
- Software Support: The Mavic 4 Pro runs on the standard DJI Fly app. RTK functionality, including NTRIP connectivity and D-RTK 2 Mobile Station linking, requires the DJI Pilot 2 app, which is not compatible with consumer drones.
- Target Audience: The "Pro" series is optimized for cinematography and storytelling. For centimeter-level accuracy in surveying and mapping, DJI intends for users to move to the Mavic 4 Enterprise (M4E) or Matrice series.
Is there a workaround?
Some third-party companies occasionally develop "PPK" (Post-Processed Kinematic) kits that can be strapped to consumer drones. These are independent loggers that don't talk to the drone's flight controller but record timestamps for your photos. However, these are often bulky, void your warranty, and are significantly less reliable than a native RTK system.If you are looking to do professional surveying or high-precision mapping, you should look into the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise or the recently launched Matrice 4 Series.
2: The DJI Mavic 4 Pro cannot be flown directly using the Litchi app for real-time waypoint missions.
This is due to DJI's Mobile SDK (MSDK) policy. While the Mavic 4 Pro has its own built-in Waypoint Flight mode within the DJI Fly app, DJI has not yet released the software hooks (SDK) that third-party developers like Litchi need to control the aircraft directly.
Here is the current state of play for "Litchi Waypoints" on the Mavic 4 Pro:
1. The "KMZ Export" Workaround (Recommended)
You can still use Litchi's powerful mission-planning tools on your computer to design complex flights, then "fly" them on your Mavic 4 Pro using this method:- Plan: Use the Litchi Mission Hub on a web browser to plot your points, camera actions, and altitudes.
- Export: Export your mission as a KMZ file.
- Import: Transfer that KMZ file to your drone’s controller (RC 2 or RC Pro 2) and import it into the DJI Fly app’s Waypoint menu.
- Fly: The drone will execute the mission using its native firmware.
2. Direct Litchi App Support
Currently, the Litchi Pilot app (the newer version of Litchi for modern drones) does not support the Mavic 4 Pro.- The Barrier: DJI typically waits 6–12 months after a drone's release to provide SDK support, if they provide it at all for "Pro" models.
- The Exception: Interestingly, the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro do have SDK support and work with Litchi, but the flagship Mavic "Pro" line is often restricted to keep users moving toward the "Enterprise" models for automated tasks.
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