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*Message sent from a system outside of UConn.* I've had mixed success using our Mavic Air for drone mapping. I expect a part of it (besides my being a novice) is the focal length of the camera. It's fairly wide-angle, which I think is distorting the images and is why I've had to set the overlap very high (like 90%) to get a good resulting image mosaic from drone mapping software. I think the focal length also makes it difficult for the software to mosaic and rectify the images taken over features of varying heights (like buildings, trees, or quick changes in elevation), which take on quite a lean in the images as the drone is further from them. So, I'd look at the camera specs of the models you're contemplating. But perhaps - following Jarlath's advice - the lack of RTK/more accurate GPS collection by the drone would fix my problems, which I've tried to address in by adjusting overlap, flight altitude, etc. Happy to talk with you about my (mostly) failures and (some) successes with the Air and what got me there, but ultimately I think the solution is a more professional level drone with RTK and perhaps a less wide-angle camera. As for the software, as far as I know Drone2Map and other drone mapping software will work with any collection of overlapping geotagged images and any GCPs from the flight. I use Map Pilot from Drones Made Easy for flight planning/piloting - mainly, because it's cheap. If you're only mapping small sites, their online mapping service (Maps Made Easy) is free up to a certain size job. Or, if you're only doing larger sites occasionally, their pay-as-you-go service is reasonable and might be cheaper over the course of a year than getting a license for Drone2Map or other professional mapping software. But I've also used Drone2Map to mosaic/map image sets from a DME Drone Pilot flight. Best, -Neil Neil Curri, GISP GIS Analyst, PVE, LLC Vassar College Academic Computing Consultant [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> | 845-437-7708 | 845-664-2100 (mobile) On Tue, Oct 6, 2020 at 12:46 PM Jarlath P.M. O'Neil-Dunne <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: *Message sent from a system outside of UConn.* I would give strong consideration to a system with RTK/PPK capabilities. While ground control will always be required for verification, RTK/PPK systems are more cost effective in the long run. Keep in mind the three rules of buying a drone: 1) there is the drone you crashed, 2) the drone that is not working, 3) the drone you actually fly. Invest in backups of everything – tablets, propellors, batteries, etc. Safe flying, Jarlath -- Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne Director, Spatial Analysis Laboratory University of Vermont | US Forest Service R&D From: Northeast Arc Users Group <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of Alex Hiller Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 12:17 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Drone Purchase recommendation *Message sent from a system outside of UConn.* Hello, We’re in the process evaluating drones and we’re interested in hearing from others in the GIS community. Our primary use will be production of ortho-rectified imagery of construction sites, with a secondary need for occasional production of video footage. We have already identified the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise as a viable high end option and the DJI Mavic Air 2 as a more cost-effective option. We are interested in learning about any comparable non-DJI products that are compatible with Esri’s Drone2Map and SiteScan apps. If you have any suggestions, please let us know. We appreciate your help. 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