Do you need a drone for survey and mapping purposes? The best way to find the most appropriate one is to keep in mind the budget and your needs. This article will help you in finding out the best drone for mapping.

Mapping and surveying have the best use of drones. Surveyors no longer require days to walk in the survey area. Drones have made surveying much easier.

They can produce data and models that are more accurate. Drone survey has appeared to be the most logical among drone users. Surveyors no longer need to go around the survey area for days or weeks. Drones have made it more accessible and can provide more precise data and models. It saves time and money.

Mapping drones are UAVs equipped with mapping payloads such as cameras and sensors. They are used to capture images that can be processed into maps or 3-D models. Mapping drones are becoming popular for surveying land, inspecting infrastructure, and can capture images for marketing purposes.

The drone provides a cost-effective and safe alternative to old traditional methods that were ground-based surveying or manned aircraft. Most mapping drones are quadcopters that have four rotors that help in lifting and flying in a stable condition. Multi drones are easy to control and can hover which makes them ideal for mapping. While fixed-wing drones are difficult to control but are more energy consumers and are efficient in-flight time.

What are Mapping drones?

Mapping drones can be used or they can be even controlled by a person. Drones fly depends on GPS and sensors to work out their location, directions, and height. This article contains the best drones for mapping.

Things to consider while buying mapping drones.

There are a few things that need to be considered when buying the best drone for mapping.

• Battery size
• Camera
• RTK feature
• Propellers
• Transmitter
• Gimbal
• Payload capacity
• Price and budget

1. Battery

Mapping drones need long battery life in order to cover large fields or areas. A drone with a 25 -30 minutes flight time can only cover an acre or two to map a field, whereas a drone with a longer flight time of 50-60 minutes can map areas of field up to 10 acres.

2. 4K Camera

Mapping highly depends on high-resolution photos and videos to create more, accurate models. 4 K camera resolution is sufficient for a good mapping experience.

3. RTK Feature

Navigation is important in UAVs for mapping. The drone can move around more precisely and accurately by using GPS.

4. Propellers

The longer its life, the larger the propeller. This means it can carry heavy loads more easily.

5. Long-range Transmitter

The ground controller requires a long-range radio with its drone for better control.

6. Gimbal

Gimbal is important for the stabilization of the device which keeps the camera steady during the whole flight process. Moreover, it helps in capturing clearer, distortion-free photos and videos.

7. Pay Load Capacity

This shows how much capacity weight a drone can carry. The weight must be 2-3 pounds if you are using a UAV for mapping so it can carry a 4K camera and a gimbal for stabilization. Different sensors can be used for mapping purposes.

8. Price

Best drones for mapping and surveillance are a bit expensive. They are worth spending the money on as you can collect more data so it can produce better results.

Best Drones For Mapping & Surveying 2023:

Here is the list of Best Drones For Mapping & surveying in 2023:

1. Matrices 600 Pro
2. DJI matrice 300 series
3. Yuneec H520
4. Mavic Air 2
5. Parrot Anafi
6. DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise
7. DJI Phantom 4 RTK
8. DJI Inspire 2
9. Free fly Alta X
10. DJI Mavic 3 Cine

1. Matrices 600 Pro:

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Specifications:

• 32 min Flight time
• 5 km range
• 40 mph speed
• Several Zen muse cameras
• Gimbals are compatible
• 5 kg weight

Features:

• Powerful payload ability
• Compatible with Zen muse cameras and gimbals
• Designed for aerial photography and cinematography

The DJI matrices 600 pro is a high-end mapping drone that offers long flight time and has great range and powerful payload ability. It’s compatible with a Zen muse camera or gimbal and makes it a great choice for photographers and cinematographers. This drone is for aerial photography and videography which makes it the best choice for mapping.

This drone has a long flight time and range that is of 32 minutes making it ideal for mapping. This has a range of up to 5 km making it cover a large area without losing signals. The DJI matrices 600 has a speed of 40 mph which makes it cover a large distance area in a shorter span of time. to get a clear shot, you can adjust the speed. The camera isn’t present however it is compatible with Zen muse and gimbals. The drone is large and heavy with a weight of 9.5 kg making it the heaviest drone on the market.

2. DJI matrice 300 series:

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Specifications:

• 55 min flight time
• 15km range
• 23 m/s speed
• 960 p camera
• 6 kg weight

Features:

• Long flight time
• Best range

The DJI Matrice 300 series tops the drone line that offers impressive flight time range, speed, and camera. This is the most expensive drone on the market however its features justify the cost. This is the best choice for professional mapping. In terms of flight, this offers impressive 55 minutes of flight time.  The Matrice 300 has a large battery with powerful motors making it one of the longest-flight drones on the market. The drone has a range of 15 km which helps it to cover large areas without worrying about losing a connection.

The speed of 23 m/s makes it one of the fastest speed drones allow covering large areas quickly and more efficiently. This comes with a 960p camera that gives high-quality imaging and mapping ability. The camera is stabilized and doesn’t give blur imaging. This has a weight of 3.6 kg which makes it a bit hefty. This drone is suitable for commercial purposes.

3. Yuneec H520:

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Specifications:

• 30 minutes flight time
• 1640 ft range
• 17 m/s speed
• 1’’ CMOS camera
• 1645 g weight

Features:

• Fast speed
• High-end camera
• 25-30 minutes flight time
• 17 m/s max speed
• 5 km to 7 km transmission range
• 4S 5250 mAh battery

The Yuneec H520 is a larger and heavier drone with large rotor blades. This is a high-end commercial drone with STI 6S control technology that helps it to fly flawlessly. The mission mode means that you can set the drone flight route and let it follow it. Moreover, the drone has an obstacle avoidance system with ultrasonic sensors which helps it to avoid crashing. This drone is suitable for mapping and is made for a multi-rotor operation that features six rotors to enhance stability and lift.

The large 1 CMOS Sensor capture high-quality images and videos. The H520 has GPS and GLONASS for positioning as well as to avoid obstacles or collisions. The Yuneec is stable and has a high-end camera.  Its flight time is of 30 minutes which makes it further impressive. This helps in covering a large area to get detailed photos and videos. Another important factor is range. The Yuneec has a range of 1640 feet which is plenty for most mapping.  The speed of 17 m/s makes it fast enough to move around.

This has a high-end camera which helps in taking clear photos and videos. The Yuneec has a 1 CMOS sensor camera that has high-quality images and videos.  The size of the drone is very crucial for mapping. The 1645 g weight of Yuneec makes it a bit heavier but is sufficient to carry a good camera.

4. Mavic Air 2:

 

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Specifications:

• 34 minutes flight time
• 10 km range
• 19 m/s speed
• ½ CMOS pixels camera
• 570 g weight

Features:

• Good battery life
• Hyper lapse option
• Affordable
• 5 km transmission range
• 3500 mAh battery life
• ½ CMOS sensor camera

The Mavic Air 2 is the most popular drone in the market. It’s a great choice for those who look for a powerful drone. The sleek design makes it easy to control. The camera is superb and the flight time is quite impressive. The Mavic Air 2 has a flight time of 34 minutes making it one of the longest-flying drones. Longer flight time makes it possible to capture amazing footage.

The Mavic Air 2 has a range of 10 km making it the farthest-flying drone with its superb power transmission system. The 19 m/s speed makes it the fastest drone. The powerful motors and aerodynamics make it further faster. The Mavic Air 2 has a 1/2 CMOS sensor making it the best-equipped drone. The high-quality camera takes the drone to the next level. This drone makes transport easy as it is smaller in size and weighs 570 g.

5. Parrot Anafi:

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Specifications:

• 25 MIN flight time
• 4km range
• 15 m/s speed
• 1/ 2.4 CMOS camera
• 320 g weight

Features:

• Durable drone
• Great camera

Anafi is a powerful drone. The Anafi is a great drone for day-to-day life. It’s small in size so it can be carried out everywhere. It has a long flight time and range and makes it enables to cover a large surrounding area without fear of losing signal or battery run out.  The flight time is of 25 minutes. This is a good flight time, especially for small light drones.

The Anafi has a range of 4km which makes it fly to a distance.  The speed of 15 m/s makes it a very fast drone. The fast flying can be a bit dangerous so keep an eye on drones. And don’t make it fly near people or objects. The Anafi has 4K videos and 16 MP photos.

The videos are smooth and clear. The sensor is large and results in better capturing of videos and photos. This makes it to capture high-quality images even in dim light or at night. The Anafi is a small drone that makes it easy to carry anywhere. The 320 g weight makes it the lightest drone on the market.

6. DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise:

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Specifications:

• 31 Min flight time
• 1000m range
• 72 kph speed
• HFOV camera, 1/ 2.3 CMOS,12MP pixels
• 4K ultra-HD
• 899 g weight

Features:

• Fast speed 72kph
• High resolution
• Wide field view
• 3850 mAh battery

The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise is a powerful and versatile drone that is perfect for mapping. It’s due to its long flight time, range and speed. This drone is designed for mapping applications and can be used in various situations. The DJI Mavic 2 enterprise gives a 31-minute flight time that is quite impressive for pilots and allows them to cover a large portion of the ground.

The drone has a range of 10000 meters which is best for mapping projects. It can cover a large area. The long-range help in covering a larger area without even losing the signal. The 72 kph speed makes it the fastest drone which can be useful for mapping and can cover a large area in a shorter span of time. The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise is equipped with a high-resolution camera providing superb image quality.

The camera has a 2x optical zoom lens which can be useful in getting closer shots. The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise is small enough to get easily transportable. The drone has a weight of 899 g. This makes it the best drone for large mapping distances.

7. DJI Phantom 4 RTK:

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Specifications:

• 30 minutes flight time
• 7km range
• 36 mph speed
• 1’’ CMOS, 20 M, FOV camera
• 350 mm size
• 1391 g weight

Features:

• Good transmission
• Return to home feature
• Sensor size
• High video quality
• Operating range
• Navigation is improved
• Upgraded obstacle sensors
• The communication system is improved

The DJI Phantom 4 RTK is the best professional drone in the market for surveying. This is an excellent high-quality drone with RTK capabilities which makes it more reliable for use. The DJI Phantom 4 RTK allows large projects and has 1 inch CMOS sensor and 3-axis gimbals. The 5870 mAh battery can keep drone flight up to 30 mins. The RTK can collect spatial data up to centimeters accurately.

The swappable lithium battery, SD card for survey data, and 4 G connectivity for cloud-based backup allow easy flight. The 4 RTK is a professional mapping drone that measures centimeter-level accuracy. The built-in surveying ability, of the RTK module, makes it further good in the market. The Phantom 4 RTK is a reliable tool for mapping. This has a GNSS module and an IMU for positioning.

The RTK has a flight time of 30 minutes which is enough for mapping projects. The 7 km range is sufficient for mapping projects. The longer range helps the drone to fly in difficult environments. The 36-mph speed is fast enough for mapping a large area of ground. The 1 CMOS sensor camera that captures 20 MP images with 84-degree field video gives the best image quality. The 350 mm size is suitable for even cars. If you need to transport it, it’s light enough to carry with a weight of 1391 g.

8. DJI Inspire 2:

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Specifications:

• 27 min flight time
• 7 km range
• 94 kph speed
• 8 diagonal size
• 3440 g weight

Features:

• High speed of 94 km/h
• Obstacle avoidance system
• 3-axis gimbal system
• 0 to 50 mph within 5 seconds
• 58 mph speed
• Microfiber cleaning cloth
• Proper storage during transport
• Clad in magnesium aluminum foil
• durable

The DJI Inspire 2 is a professional-grade drone that gives a top-line performance. this drone is designed not only for mapping but also if you are a professional photographer and you need aerial shots, then this is a must-go. The 3-axis gimbal stabilization system ensures smooth, steady footage. The obstacle avoidance system avoids any type of collision. The flight time is up to 27 minutes with powerful batteries in it. The flight time is quite impressive.

The range of 7 km is more than enough for most drones. The range allows getting the shots without losing the power. The inspire 2 is a fast drone with 94 km per hour. This makes it the fastest drone in the market. It’s suitable for those who want to get quick shots. Long-range pilots also appreciate the high speed as it can cover large portions of ground in a shorter span.

This drone is designed for professional photographers who have a high-quality camera. The drone doesn’t have a camera but is compatible with many different types or kinds of cameras. The inspire 2 is a large drone with a diagonal size of 23.8 inches which makes it the best drone in the market. Its weight is 3440 g makes it a bit heavier.

9. Free fly Alta X:

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Specifications:

• 50 min flight
• 10 km range
• 72 km speed
• 2273 mm size
• 11 kg weight

Features:

• Powerful batteries
• Stable operation
• Fast speed
• 8 propellers

The Free fly Alta X is a top-line drone that is perfect for mapping and surveying. It is specifically made for filmmaking with free fly own Gimbal which offers smooth and stable operations. The free-fly Alta X doesn’t make shaky videos. The flight time is of 50 minutes and has powerful batteries which are designed for long flights. The longest flight times in the mapping drone are a great choice for those who want to stay in the air for larger times. The range is 10 km which is enough for mapping.

The 72-mph speed makes it fast enough to get around quickly but slow enough to ensure stability. The powerful motors can keep pace with traffic and make sure you don’t miss anything. The camera isn’t present however is compatible with others. This drone is not portable at all.  It is great for aerial photography.

10. DJI Mavic 3 Cine:

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Specifications:

• 46 min flight time
• 15 km range
• 19 m/s speed
• 4/1 CMOS camera
• 20 MP
• 899 g weight

Features:

• Fast speed
• Good range
• Professional grade camera

The DJI matrices 3 Cine is the best drone in the market that offers great flight time, range, speed, and camera. The matrices 3 cine is a great choice for business photographers. The Matrice 3 cine offers 46 minutes of flight time and has a dual battery system. In case one battery fails, it eventually takes the second one. The range is 15 km and has ocu Sync 2.0 technology.

The Ocu Sync 2.0 uses both radio frequencies and optical signals to keep the drone connected to the controller. The 3.0 transmission system uses the 5.8 GHz, frequency band. The 15km range makes it to travel without losing any connection. The 19 m/s speed makes it the most powerful motor and aerodynamic design. The 3 cine is the fastest drone in the market making it perfect for mapping.

The 3 cine is equipped with a 4/3 CMOS camera with 20 MP pixels. The camera is capable of recording 5.1 K videos at different rates i.e., 24/25/30/48/50 fps. This makes the cine best for mapping or other commercial purposes. The drone has a weight of 899 g making it the best drone on the market.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, this article has listed the top ten mapping drones available in the market. This buyer guide has comprehensive details for drone mapping and enables you to choose the best mapping drone of your choice according to your need.

All the above drones are good for mapping and surveying purposes. Each drone has its own features, select the right one according to your own need. We hope this article will help you in finding the best one for yourself.