Expert Security Drone Recommendations
Before we discuss our expert security drone recommendations – I suggest you go back and read Part One on what to consider when buying a security drone.
Now that you have figured out the purpose for a security drone and have looked into Part 107 training – you are ready to start looking for the perfect match. Expert security drone instructor, Mike Uleski, has offered his recommendations below.
Quick bio on Mike Uleski:
Mike is an active Sergeant with a public safety department and is cross trained as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and EMT. He has a degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle, a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings, and 17 years of experience building and flying remote controlled aircraft.
Mike’s Favorite Security Drone Models
DJI Mavic Pro
- Price: $999.99
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Speed: 40-45 mph
- Flight time: 28 minutes
If you need a small, compact security drone that is loaded with features then don’t bother scrolling down. The Mavic Pro can be folded neatly and transported in a small camera bag and the remote controller can be carried in your pocket. This leaves you with plenty of room to carry additional modifications or batteries that only add to the Mavic’s versatility and flight time.
The Mavic Pro may also be one of the stealthiest drones on the market. Its small build with slanted edges reminds me of a Silent Hawk helicopter. It is also very quiet for a drone which allows it to be used in covert missions.
The Mavic Pro carries a camera that is capable of 4K video. An aftermarket FLIR camera is available to provide thermal capability as well. Also, with the ActiveTrack feature, the Mavic can lock onto a subject and follow it from the sky.
Mike’s expert opinion:
“The Mavic Pro is technology packed and a great option at a lower budget requirement than larger aircraft. In addition, the low observability and quiet flight capability are perfect for security situations where you do not want the drone to be obvious.”
Yuneec Typhoon H- $1499.00 (with RealSense)
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Speed: 40-45 mph
- Flight time: 25 minutes
The Typhoon H allows for the advantages of a hexacopter with increased reliability and redundancy of having six motors with a compact folding package. The ST16 ground station has a built-in 7-inch display that provides real-time flight footage and flight telemetry information. The video is downlinked in 720P for a high definition view.
The ST16 ground station has a built-in 7-inch display that provides real-time flight footage and flight telemetry information. The video is downlinked in 720P for a high definition view. A dual visual and FLIR equipped camera is available allowing for an advanced sensor system for budget conscious agencies.
Adding the RealSense option allows for a powerful obstacle avoidance system that is not only capable of sensing the environment, but also remembering the location of obstacles for future flight paths.
With the retractable landing gear, the camera is capable of 360-degree rotation and an unobstructed view.
The Typhoon H is an excellent choice for daylight operations out of the box, or when the budget allows, the addition of the dual visual/FLIR camera to allow for night operations or fire scene operations.
Mike’s expert opinion:
“The Typhoon H brings the redundancy available with six motors. Also, having the option to add a powerful obstacle avoidance system and advanced visual/thermal camera system makes it well suited for security missions.”
DJI Inspire 1v2.0
- Cost: $1899.99
- Weight: 7 lbs
- Speed: 45-55 mph
- Flight time: 18 minutes
This security drone is the bigger brother of the previously mentioned DJI products. It may be a few years old but it still holds up against the latest products. It has proved itself to be a reliable system for many commercial industries.
The Inspire has a few advantages over its little brothers. This aircraft has characteristics that allow it to operate in steady winds up to 30 mph. Its larger build allows it carry more equipment. Specifically, it can carry different camera systems. The standard camera can be upgraded to the Z3 that has 7x digital zoom, the Z30 with 30x zoom, or an FLIR thermal system. Inspire 1 can incorporate thermal imaging for more effective night time operations, and the latest version of the Inspire platform (Inspire 2) is capable of extended flight times up to 30 minutes – compared to the average 18 minute flights of the original.
Mike’s expert opinion:
“The Inspire 1 is a jack-of-all-trades in the commercial and security drone industry. With power to spare and the ability to quickly change payload system, it is highly capable of many different mission requirements.”
