At VUMEDIA Group we frequently get asked what drones we use and how do we pick which drone to use for a particular project. We have a variety of drones and each one has strengths and weaknesses which we are familiar with after years of experience that comes from working many different types of projects in varying weather conditions and with different project requirements. In this article we discuss the main types of drones that we use and how we pick the right drone for the job.
In this article we will focus on the drones that we use for drone video projects. The best drone for a drone video project may not be the best drone for a drone photography project.
The DJI Mavic Pro is the smallest member of our fleet and is our go to drone when we travel for non commercial use. Specifically we use the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum edition which has a distinctive color and is quieter than the original. In case you need a quick refresher on the specifications, below are the ones that matter to us when using this drone for aerial drone video projects.
The MAVIC Pro is our go to drone when we need something super small and compact when traveling. We have hiked up mountains, taken cruises, and navigated overseas destinations with the Mavic Pro in our bag. Due to the small sensor and limited video bitrate we do not consider the Mavic Pro to be a commercially feasible drone, however for highlight reels, documentaries, personal projects, and non-commercial use the Mavic Pro is a valuable member of our drone fleet.
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is our all around workhorse. This is our go to drone platform for commercial customers for drone video. Our DJI Phantom 4 Pros have successfully completed hundreds of aerial drone video jobs and we have put over 1,000 hours on one of them without a single safety incident or mechanical malfunction. From aerial event video to offshore commercial work for shipping customers, this drone is our first choice for most projects.
In case you need a quick refresher on the specifications, below are the ones that matter to us when using this drone for aerial drone video projects.
With its larger camera sensor, higher bitrate, mechanical shutter, and 60FPS 4K video recording option this is a great multi-purpose drone that will meet or exceed the typical video needs for most customers. When we travel for commercial customers we also use this drone when possible due to airline battery restrictions. Although not as travel friendly as the Mavic Pro, the P4P is a viable traveling drone option when working for commercial clients.
Unfortunately DJI no longer makes the P4P and has instead replaced it with the DJI Mavic Pro 2 which has the same size sensor as the P4P. The one problem we find with this strategy is that the Mavic Pro cannot handle windy conditions as well as the P4 series can and this could cause problems for jobs that would not be a problem for the P4P. At VUMEDIA Group we will continue using the P4P until the P5 or better replacement is available.
The DJI Inspire 2 is the largest member of our fleet and we have outfitted it with the DJI X7 camera. We consider this a specialty drone which we use for projects such as TV commercial drone video footage or when high speeds are needed such as for speed boats, or car tracking video footage. Due to the size of the drone and the size of the support system needed for it (case, batteries, charging system, etc) we do not travel out of state with this drone. In case you need a quick refresher on the specifications, below are the ones that matter to us when using this drone for aerial drone video projects.
We use the Inspire 2 for the larger commercial jobs where every pixel counts and for commercial customers who need B roll or A roll for major productions.
As you can see, when it comes to filming drone video the drone platform used is not a one size fits all. At VUMEDIA Group we use our years of experience combined with our fleet of drones to ensure that we pick the best drone for your drone video project. Using this approach we are able to exceed our customer’s expectations while also meeting their budget requirements.
