At DRONELIFE, we’re asked all the time to recommend tools for commercial operators. There’s good news today for everyone out there looking for a little advice: leading drone data platform DroneDeploy has just released the ultimate commercial drone buyers guide for 2017. While DroneDeploy specializes in mapping, the guide is a must-read free resource for anyone looking for a new drone this year.
DroneDeploy is a data platform, so their guide – designed to benefit their community of operators – is hardware agnostic: the right drone is the one that performs your mission best.
“There is no one-size fits all drone solution that will suit every use case. In fact, more than 20% of pilots on the DroneDeploy platform fly multiple drones,” says the guide. “This number is increasing every year as companies expand the use of drones for commercial applications. So, you should remain flexible. Your businesses may need to invest in more than one drone model to accomplish all of its goals. If your budget doesn’t allow for several drones, pick a model that is multi-use and has wide range of applications.”
The 36-page e-book is packed with insights and advice for drone buyers. Commercial operators can read case studies about drone use in agriculture, construction, mining, surveying, and inspection – which might help operators deciding where to put their focus.
There are a detailed discussion and checklist outlining the functional differences between multi-rotors and fixed-wing aircraft. A drone vs. drone hardware comparison gives recommendations about the right drone for your application. And for new operators – or anyone who needs a crash course – there’s an intro to drone hardware, both multi-rotor and fixed -wing.
Drones are just one part of the package. As anyone who’s purchased a setup recently knows, the payloads are often the largest part of the investment. DroneDeploy’s buyers’ guide covers the differences: RGB, NIR and thermal are all explained in a detailed section on cameras and sensors.
As drone technology advances and the commercial applications for drones expand, more operators than ever are investing in drones. A little research beforehand can ensure that your investment is a good one: DroneDeploy’s 2017 Buyers’ Guide is worth the read.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.