The Elios 2 vs. the Caged Mavic 2: Drone Inspections or Surveillance in Hard-to-Reach Spaces

Caged drones are a revolutionary tool for flight in confined spaces.   Here, we get an expert deep dive comparison on the Elios 2 and the caged Mavic 2.   Read on to learn which tool is best for surveillance or industrial inspections in hard to reach places.

The following is a guest post by inspections expert Jason De Silveira, Managing Director, Nexxis, a global specialist equipment rental and services company. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts.

The Elios 2 vs. the Caged Mavic 2

The successful deployment of Flyability’s Elios 2 inspection drone has, inevitably, led to copy-cat products being brought to market – generally at a much cheaper level. One such option is the safety cage that can be used with the Mavic 2 series. In the interests of healthy competition, we take a look at how the two products compare and – particularly in the field of inspection and surveillance – the importance of selecting the right tool for particular tasks.

While both the Elios 2 and the caged Mavic 2 might appear similar at first glance, nothing could be further from the truth. The main takeaway is that the Elios has been produced specifically to carry out inspections within confined spaces. On the flip side, the cage that surrounds the Mavic 2 is simply that – an exterior skeleton to protect the drone within.

With that in mind, let’s explore the reasons why you might select the less expensive option for particular surveillance tasks.

Pros and Cons of the Caged Mavic 2

Interestingly, the cage for this has been designed to be used across the complete Mavic 2 series. This low cost option might give the impression that it’s suitable for tight spaces, but it’s important to remember that this is an add-on – not a whole solution. While it will help protect the Mavic 2 should an impact occur, it’s not a rounded solution to fly within tight spaces.

This option is a good choice for outdoor surveillance with few obstacles, and the Elios camera can’t compete with the Mavic 2’s thermal and visual 20MP camera. However, adding a cage to a drone doesn’t suddenly make it suitable for hard to reach areas. The following are the most pressing reasons why you wouldn’t want to send the drone (caged or not) into a tight mine shaft or any area where visibility is impaired:

• Adding a cage means switching off the Mavic 2’s sensing feature: Flying in areas with multiple obstacles demands a bespoke sensory system. The fact that it can’t be in use if a cage is added puts both craft and structure at risk.
• The cage weight halves operating time: When you add the cage to the drone, its effective flying time drops from 30 minutes to 15, so reducing its efficiency.
• Additional lighting is limited: The best option to increase visibility is the addition of a 2,400 lumen spotlight. While this is somewhat effective, it can’t compete with the 10,000 lumen, dustproof lighting offered by the Elios 2.

Pros and Cons of the Elios 2

The most important thing to understand is that the Elios 2 has been created for the specific task of confined space inspections. The cage is an integral part of the inspection system, as opposed to being an add-on. The camera and surveillance system has been designed with confined space at the forefront, allowing the most accurate of data capture and clarity of vision. Together, these bring a multitude of advantages for those piloting the equipment and those who plan maintenance and repair tasks:

• Seven stability sensors: These, combined with an altitude mode and enhanced reversibility motors, means the drone automatically corrects its flight path and remains still for crystal clear footage and data capture.
• Boasts a ‘bounceability’ factor: Quite simply, the drone is designed to be able to bounce across any obstacles should it come into contact with them.
• Enhanced visibility for operators: The aforementioned 10,000 lumen dustproof lighting system means the best line of sight possible, even in dark, dusty and hazy environments.
• An oblique lighting system: As every asset owner is aware, the ability to detect the smallest details that could signify a potential crack site or blockage build up is the key to proactive maintenance. The Elios 2 has an oblique lighting system that goes beyond simply illuminating the area – it actively seeks out and detects such issues. Add in the ability to switch on its distance-lock feature whereby the operator can fly at a fixed range anything from 30-200cm away from a wall or object to ensure the most accurate data capture and you get yet another reason why this is such an advanced inspection tool.
• Real time inspection data: Thanks to an upgrade software package from its predecessor, the Elios 1, in-flight data can be analysed immediately in 2D and is accurate to within 0.18m/pixel. A generated 3D point cloud gives a visual representation of the environment in which the Elios is flying, and the exact location at which the POI (Point of Interest) is.

Conclusion

For confined space inspection tasks there’s no comparison between the two products – the Elios 2 wins hands down. However, that doesn’t mean that the caged Mavic 2 doesn’t have its place – far from it. For exterior surveillance it’s a great tool. Yet adding a protective cage to attempt close-quarters inspection at the expense of the associated reduction in performance seems somewhat counterproductive.

Far better to use a tool that’s designed for the job – and the Elios 2, while more expensive, provides unrivalled capability. From tank inspections to mapping underground mine stopes and everything in between, the quality of this cutting-edge tool’s inspection data is a small price to pay for the information it provides to plan and carry out ongoing maintenance tasks.

Tools such as the Elios 2 are just one example of the cutting edge options available through equipment provider, Nexxis. Thanks to an innovative approach, their experts work with plant and asset owners to determine the most advantageous solutions at the time they’re needed – a refreshing approach to industries that demand flexibility in their inspection equipment needs.

Jason De Silveira, Managing Director, Nexxis.  Founder and director of a specialist equipment rental and services company, Nexxis Pty Ltd, Jason has over 20 years’ project management experience on installations, commissioning and start-ups in Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Kuwait, Ghana and Dubai.  

Nexxis is at the cutting-edge of innovating and developing inspection and maintenance technology that drives safer and economically efficient solutions. Nexxis believes in a genuine solutions-driven approach, flexible financing options, expert advice, and the very latest global technologies, which sets them apart from other technical equipment companies.