In recent years, advancements in drone technology have been nothing short of revolutionary. Two top models for drone inspections and public safety are the DJI M30T and DJI M350 RTK with the H30T payload.
Drones possess different strengths suited to specific tasks in police work, search and rescue, security, and other public safety operations. Each drone is ideal for varying tasks within these fields. This article will compare these two models, examining their features, capabilities, and applications.
The DJI M30T
The DJI Matrice 30T (M30T) is a powerful drone for businesses, featuring a thermal camera, zoom camera, wide-angle camera, and laser rangefinder.
The M30T offers 8K photos and 4K/30 fps video resolution. It’s foldable and integrated lightweight design is easy to unfold, store and carry anywhere. The drone boasts an IP55 rating for harsh weather conditions and includes DJI Enterprise Shield Basic for added protection.
The DJI M30T is popular in police operations due to its advanced features, real-time video transmission, and precise positioning which allow police to gather critical information and respond quickly to incidents.
Key Features
- Integrated Design: The M30 series includes the M30 and M30T models. The M30T features a high-quality camera with a 48MP sensor and 200x zoom. It also includes a wide-angle camera that captures 8K photos and 4K videos. Additionally, it has a laser rangefinder with a range of up to 1,200 metres, perfect for accurately measuring distances and collecting coordinates.
- Thermal Imaging: The M30T has a 640 x 512 px radiometric thermal camera and a 1280 x 1024 Infrared Image Super-resolution Mode. Thermal imaging is crucial for search and rescue missions and night operations, detecting heat signatures and hot spots not visible to the naked eye. With inspections, high-quality thermal imagery can detect imperfections such as cracks, leaks, and holes in assets that may be difficult to see otherwise.
- Durability: Built to endure harsh environments, making it ideal for challenging work conditions.
| Wide Camera | Zoom Camera | Laser Rangefinder | Thermal (M30T only) |
| Equivalent Focal Length: 24 mm, DFOV: 84°12 MP 1/2” CMOS Sensor Video Resolution: 4K/30fps | 48 MP 1/2” CMOS Sensor5x-16x Optical Zoom 200x Max. Hybrid Zoom Photo Resolution: 8K Video Resolution: 4K/30fps | Range: 3 m – 1200 mAccuracy: ±(0.2m+D×0.15%) | Radiometric sensorEquivalent Focal Length: 40 mm Resolution: 640 x 512 (normal mode). Infrared Image Super-resolution Mode: 1280 x 1024 Frame Rate: 30fps Measurement Accuracy: ±2°C or ±2% |
The DJI M350 RTK with H30T Payload
The DJI Matrice 350 RTK is an improved version of the M300 series, featuring a stronger build, higher video quality, an IP55 rating, and a long battery life with rechargeable options. Compatible with up to 3 professional payloads at a time, it serves multiple industries, including public safety, surveying, inspections, and agriculture.
The Zenmuse H30T payload includes a wide-angle camera that captures expansive and detailed images, perfect for broad-area surveillance and inspection tasks. The payload is equipped with a 400x zoom camera, offering 34× optical zoom and 400× digital zoom, allowing for highly detailed close-ups from significant distances. Additionally, the infrared thermal camera, with a thermal resolution of 1K (1280×1024 px), provides the most powerful thermal resolution available from DJI.
Furthermore, the Zenmuse H30T features a laser range finder for precise distance measurement and a NIR night vision auxiliary light to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. The full-colour night vision capability ensures that even in the darkest environments, clear and accurate imagery is maintained. This versatile and high-performance payload is designed to meet the demanding needs of professionals in various fields.
Key Features
- Modular Design: The M350 RTK’s modular design is a standout feature that enhances its versatility. This design allows for quick and easy swapping of different payloads, making it highly adaptable for various missions. The drone can seamlessly transition between tasks such as mapping, thermal imaging, and detailed inspections without significant downtime for reconfiguration.
- Advanced RTK Positioning: Advanced Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning is integral to the M350 RTK, providing centimetre-level accuracy essential for precise video transmission and detailed inspections. This feature is particularly beneficial for applications requiring high precision, such as infrastructure inspections and collecting precise coordinates of missing persons.
- High-Resolution Imaging and Thermal Capabilities: The H30T payload mirrors the capabilities of the M30T, offering both high-resolution imaging and thermal capabilities. The H30T features a 400x zoom camera, 1k thermal resolution, 3oo0m laser rangefinder, and a night vision sensor. This quad capability is crucial for operations such as search and rescue, firefighting, and industrial inspections, where both visual and thermal information are required for effective decision-making
- Longer Flight Times: The M350 RTK offers extended flight times of up to 55 minutes, making it suitable for prolonged missions with minimal downtime. Please bear in mind that the payload can make the flight time shorter, especially if using multiple payloads simultaneously. It is expected that with just the H30T payload, the M350 RTK will fly for around 45 minutes.
This table shows the new DJI H30T payload compared to older versions in the series.
| Specs | H20T | H20N | H30T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom | 23× Optical Zoom 200× Max Digital Zoom | 20x Optical Zoom 128x Max Digital Zoom | 34x Optical zoom 400x Max Digital Zoom |
| Thermal | 640×512px | 640×512px | 1280×1024px |
| Laser Rangefinder | 1200m | 1200m | 3000m |
| Temperature Range | 550°C | 550°C | 1600°C (with Infrared Density Filter) |
| Night Vision | No | Yes (b&w) | Yes (b&w, colour) |
| Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080@36fps | 1920 x 1080@10fps 1920 x 1080@5fps (with Enhanced Noise Reduction) | 3840 x 2160@36fps |
| Sensor | 1/2.3 CMOS Effective Pixels: 12MP | 1/2.7 inches CMOS Effective Pixels: 20MP | 1 / 1.3 inches CMOS Effective Pixels: 48MP |
Drone Specifications
Feature | DJI M30T | DJI M350 RTK with H30T |
Zoom Camera | 1/2″ CMOS, Effective pixels: 48MP Max Zoom: 200x | 1/1.8” CMOS, Effective Pixels: 40MP Max Zoom: 400x |
Wide Camera | 1/2″ CMOS, Effective pixels: 12MP | 1/1.3” CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP |
Thermal Video Resolution | 640×512px | 1280×1024px (1K) |
Laser Rangefinder | 1200m | 3000m |
Night Vision | No | Yes (b&w, colour) |
Flight Time | 42 Minutes | 45-55 Minutes |
IP Rating | IP55 | IP54 (H30T) IP55 (M350RTK |
Ease of Use
- DJI M30T: Simplified operation due to integrated design, user-friendly for quick deployment without the need for attaching or calibrating payloads. Fast deployment and easy transportation.
- DJI M350 RTK with H30T: More complex due to its modular nature, but offers greater flexibility. This may require more time for setup but enhances mission performance.
Flexibility
- DJI M30T: Ideal for users needing a complete, ready-to-fly solution. Fixed payload means it cannot be changed or customised in the future.
- DJI M350 RTK with H30T: Remarkable flexibility with its modular design, allowing adaptation to multiple roles, making it suitable for agencies with diverse functional requirements and a desire to future-proof their investment.
Cost and Maintenance
- DJI M30T: Cheaper and easier to maintain due to fewer parts and a simpler design.
- DJI M350 RTK with H30T: Higher initial cost due to its modular design and additional payloads, but offers significant long-term value through its flexibility and extended mission capabilities.
Conclusion
Both the M30T and M350 RTK with H30T payload are exceptional inspection and public safety drones. The choice between them depends largely on specific functional needs:
- DJI M30T: Ideal for agencies needing a reliable, easy-to-use drone for quick deployment and straightforward missions.
- DJI M350 RTK with H30T: Suitable for organisations requiring a flexible platform capable of handling various tasks accurately.
Public safety agencies and inspection teams should carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each model to make an informed choice that meets their specific requirements. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of the M30T and the M350 RTK with H30T is crucial for selecting the right drone to fit their needs.
If you’re looking for an expert opinion or advice to get you up off your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation with your industry’s drone expert.
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