5 Most Expensive Drones: Professional Big Budget Technology
Duane Beckett
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The drone market continues to grow, fragmenting into different specialist markets, from stunt flight to stunning aerial photography, and beyond.
However, some people and industries need very specialist and powerful drones. These are often the most expensive drones built for very specific goals.
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These are the most expensive drones today:
5. DJI Mini 2, $599
Okay, so this isn’t one of the most expensive. Yet it is one of the most popular drones on the market, especially for aerial photography. And there are countless reasons for this:
The Mini 2 weighs 249-grams (8.8 ounces), which is noteworthy because it eliminates the need for FAA registration. It folds up nicely for portability, comes with the company’s tiny controller (which also folds up), and has a range of up to 31 minutes on a single charge.
The Mini 2 supports DJI’s OcuSync 2 wireless technology, strengthening the connection and extending the range to almost 10 kilometers.
The Mini 2’s new 4K camera is incredible. It shoots 4K video at up to 30 frames per second (with strong 2x digital zoom capability) and 12-megapixel pictures. The three-axis motorized gimbal guarantees that your shots are smooth and accurate.
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4. Xactsense MAX-8, $20,000
The MAX-8 was built from the ground up for surveyors and can create 3D terrain maps (or point clouds) via LiDAR, which is essentially radar with lasers.
This commercial drone can lift over 15 pounds (6.8kg) of sensor equipment with its eight propellers. It also has a 35-minute flight time, a top speed of 50 mph (80.5 km), and a one-mile range.
Additionally, the MAX features a Sony A6000 24 megapixel camera, enabling the combination of LiDAR and photographic pictures during ‘photo-mapping.
3. Freefly Alta Octacopter, $20,000
The Freefly Alta Octacopter features additional rotors and can carry a payload of up to 20-pounds. The Alta X has more advanced lifting capability than most high-priced drones and is perfect to carry heavy filming equipment or supplies. It can even carry heavy cameras, such as the RED.
The Alta 8 features eight highly efficient 18-inch propellers that generate incredible lift, providing an optimized propulsion system, while a lightweight carbon fiber frame contributes to creating a technological marvel with unmatched flight time and the ability to carry impressive payloads.
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2. AIrborne Drones: Vanguard, $45,000
The Vanguard, a long-running reconnaissance drone, receives a lot of attention for its sleek design, but it is also one of the most expensive consumer drones, costing $45,000.
It is equipped with a dual-camera system that includes a thermal detection mode. It is capable of long-range surveillance such as natural life and game in wide areas.
Apart from filming a 4K video, the Vanguard can stay active for an incredible 94 minutes and provides a 1080p visual feed via a dual reception antenna arrangement.
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1. XactSense Titan, $120,000
The XactSense Titan is equipped with an autopilot, which can autonomously cover a range of 10 kilometers, which is far more than many other commercial drones. The drone can also stay in the air for 30-minutes on a single charge.
Additionally, XactSense is the world’s sole provider of a comprehensive LIDAR drone mapping solution. Using an inertial and global positioning system, the drone can produce high-resolution maps of practically any location.
Whether the goal is surveying, disaster relief, search and rescue, civil engineering, construction, power line inspection, pipeline inspection, bearing post-inspection, mapping, or forestry, the XactSense Titan is the drone of choice.
