My channel has been on RU-vid since 2011. I hope I can help save my viewers some time in learning about drone mapping and other drone related topics. I do mapping, photography and aerial video. Thanks for stopping by! You can find me online at www.MidsouthDroneServices.com and on social media at: instagram.com/MidsouthDroneServices facebook.com/MidsouthDroneServices www.linkedin.com/in/tim-durham-1291558a/
Hey Tim, I recently got my Part 107 certification and I'm aiming to become a drone map pilot for my survey company. I've already purchased a Phantom 4 RTK and now I'm considering either the Emlid RS2 or RS2+. Given that I'm on a budget, which one would you recommend? Thanks!
Nice job on getting the 107! The Phantom 4RTK was a nice drone. I hope you got a great deal on it. The Mavic 3E is the work horse that replaced it. If the P4P RTK is flying well it will do the job. So for a base unit, you would want the RS2+ so that you can put a SIM card in it. You can put SIM cards in there that cost $10 per month. The RS2 is very good but it only supports 2g cellular that is long gone here in the USA. If you found a good deal on an RS2, you could just strap a hotspot to your pole and use that for internet access. A new RS2+ is $2500 on DroneMappingTools.com . You really need to use a Base AND Rover setup for the drone mapping. Your GCP's need to be shot with the same base that your Drone is using for the flight. In other words, when you occupy a control point with the RS2+ base unit, you need to use a Rover to shoot all of your GCP's and Checkpoints and that rover will be using the Emlid RS2 Base as will the P4P RTK drone when it is flying. Now all data is tied to the same base point and you should end up with rock solid data. The RS3 has lean compensation but other than that, it is identical to the RS2+. You would also have the option of getting an RS2+ for your Base unit and then getting an Emlid RX for a Rover ($1995). The only thing worth noting is that the Emlid RX is RTK only. There is no log file to do PPK processing in the event you lose RTK or do not have RTK available at all (an area where there is no cell service). I hope this helps! Holler if you have any questions.
@@DroneMappingTools Thank you for your detailed information! I’ve been thinking a lot about my equipment and how to enhance my surveying capabilities. Upgrading to the Emlid RS2+ will definitely boost the quality of my work. Pairing the RS2+ with my Phantom 4 RTK should provide a solid foundation for mapping my survey sites. Although I can't get a second Emlid RS2+ or RS3 right now due to financial constraints, I can still establish GCP using my total station or an old R8 setup as a start. As a scanner survey tech, mastering survey mapping will be a huge advantage in my career. Eventually, I’d love to move into LIDAR technology. Your insights have been incredibly helpful as I plan my next steps, and hopefully, my employer will support my next upgrade.
@@carlhenri4767 @carlhenri4767 My pleasure! Using a TS to do gcp's and checkpoints is perfectly fine. As long as all of the points are tied to the same control, all is good. If using a TS, you can mount a prism under the RS2+ and then backsite to that control point to shoot gcp's and check points. If you have multple control points set for the job site, you can just backsite to anyone of those. However, if you only have one singe R8, the problem is that it would not be using the RS2+ base unit and the points you shoot on that R8 are from an outside RTK network, not your local "on site" network. Can you achieve good results with that? It is possible. But you really need to have your entire project tied to one base unit or at least tied to the same local "on site" control network (ie multiple benchmarks set around the job site).
T,im you nailed it ! This is far better detail than even the Emlid website provided. I'm using a data only sim card from ATT utilizing the cheapest plan (2gb of data per month I believe)@ 5 bux a month and have never ran over the card limit. Making it a stand alone setup and totally goof proof.
Hey thanks for the great video! I was just wondering if you are going to do episode 2. It has been 2 months since this was posted, and I'm really interested in learning more about this L2.
I have a question. I have done the PPK processing and my understanding also is that the exported (tagged output) images would be NAD83. My GCP csv file with coordinates is in WGS84 from the surveyor, is there an easy way to convert my GCP's (lat long) in WGS84 to NAD83 so they will correctly locate on my map? Currently they are off becuase of the differing projections.
I just recently got the xt32 and would like to diversify it. Can you go in to detail a little more with your set up on mounting the unit on the suction mount?
Thanks for the great video! I'm still struggling with some of the forestry modules but this was very helpful! Why is it that you prefer Global Mapper over LiDAR360 in terms of contours?
Michael, you can generate contours in Lidar360 but in general I just prefer Global Mapper Pro to do that. Lidar360 will sometimes generate broken (non connecting) contours which I don't want. The two things that Lidar360 does very well is ground point classification and also generating a DSM (geotiff). Because in some cases it is better to generate the contours from the DSM/ GeoTiff rather than the point cloud. It just depends on the situation. The DSM (or really a DEM) can sometimes do a better job of interpolating holes from heavy vegetation and then you can generate the contours using the DSM/ DEM rather than the point cloud itself. Have a super duper day and visit DroneMappingTools.com for any lidar and photogrammetry needs.
@@DroneMappingTools Thank you for the reply! I appreciate what you're doing! I'm trying to solidify my software choices and trying not to end up with too many! I'll reach out on your website soon!
Hello, great video. Looking forward to Episode 2 ! By the way, can you use the M350+L2 handheld (without flying) as a terrestrial scanner ? Can you start the acquisition if the drone is not in flight ?
Using the L2 on M300 or M350 as a terrestrial scanner would likely not work. Most of your Terrestrial scanners are 360 scanners. The FOV on the L2 would not be conducive to terrestrial scanning. The Inertial Labs XT32 would be a much better choice for Aerial, SLAM and Mobile scanning. I hope to have part 2 out soon.
@@DroneMappingTools Thanks for the info, I will look at the XT32. I'm sure there are far better option for mobile scanner, but when you have the occasion, could you try starting an acquisition with the L2 without flying and let me know it DJI allows it or not ?
Glad it was helpful. The full tutorial is just needing the final video editing. After recording the tutorial 5 or 6 times over quite a time span, I decided the last one was the final regardless of any imperfections :0 It will be out very soon.
Thanks Tim, this was very helpful! I have a mentor helping me to learn photogrammetry and LiDar, and he let me borrow his Emlid RS2's and M3E. These videos are excellent for me just starting out in the field. I love these Emlids, and I can't wait to buy them for myself! Now I just need the P1 for my M350 and I'll be picking up a lot of work😁
I am glad it was helpful. The M3E and P1 are both awesome photogrammetry tools! If you get ready to purchase the Emlid units or any Drone/ Mapping/ Lidar Equipment, we can take good care of you. Just visit www.DroneMappingTools.com . Thanks for watching!
Hello thanks for this accurate video, one question, I can we do when we are in an area without any CORS station around, I mean really nothing; Can we just use the base and rover information to accomplish the mission ?
I wish I could help you on that. If it will not read the TIFF photos, then I would presume it won't work. I have only had JPG photos from drone photography. Depending on how many photos you have, you could use an image converter to quickly convert your TIFF files to JPG, run the IMAP program to verify you have full coverage, and then delete the JPG files after you have confirmation. Just one idea. You can also use any photogrammetry program to check them. WebODM is free so you could install that just for the purpose of checking the photos locations (coverage). I don't use webODM but that should definitely do that for you.
I have to finish the complete lidar tutorial this week. Then I will make my next video showing all the RTK options on the Stonex units, including when you have no Internet and using any RTK drone. They are very good units. www.dronemappingtools.com/collections/stonex
Have been using my Emlid rover and base for over 4) years, along with Cedar CT8 tablet and Fieldgenius Android software. No complaints, just purchased a 3rd unit... RS3.
Thanks for watching. The Emlid units are awesome and very good! I have been using them since the M+ thru RS3. And adding Field Genius makes them more awesome. The Stonex are equally great. The S980 has a 5w internal radio for long range RTK via radio when internet is not available. The Stonex line is a full line of Survey equipment including gnss, robots, lasers, and machine control. I love both lines and proudly use/ represent both of them. Thanks again and let us know if there are any videos you want to see in the future.
Does anyone have experience with Stonex / South / Carlson / Insert Chinese receiver here versus Emlid? Any benefits? We have Topcon Hiper VRs with all constellations enabled, and honestly can't tell any advantage against our Emlid receivers other than data collector software availability. We wouldn't even have Topcon anymore if it weren't for our grade control earth moving equipment.
Thanks for watching!! I love the Stonex equipment. So not only do we sell them, we use them too. The Cube-A software is very good with the Stonex GNSS receivers and Robots. And at a price point that is very affordable! Stonex also has Machine Control equipment. Let me know if you ever need info on that or details on their GNSS receivers. 901-444-0804
Great! Thanks for the content. Pls also do the video about PPK process with L2 and Agisoft (to combine photogrammetry with LiDAR), would be very interesting.
I don’t know if you explained it in the video, but recently I started working at a surveying company, and I’m not quite sure why we check our control points before we actually survey.
I noticed Terra doesn’t have the option to classify the visible light point cloud. Only the Lidar point cloud. Do you know if they plan on this option for future releases so a DTM can be created. Thanks
When you purchase the L2 you get a perpetual license of DJI Terra for processing your Lidar point cloud. When you purchase the Terra pro license then you are able to process not only the Lidar point cloud from the L2, but also all of your RGB photogrammetry missions as well as multispectral. So for real world flying and processing, you do need to have a current license of DJI terra pro . Having the lifetime ability to only process the lidar is of little value imo. if you need to purchase an L2 and want the best service money can buy, visit Dronemappingtools.com or give me a call at 901.444-0804. Tim
Thank you Dennis, I have a new video coming out on the DJI L2 which will also cover alot about photogrammetry. I am now 100% RTK all the way. I will also do another 2024 Photogrammetry 101 updated video in the next few weeks.
Fantastic videos and informative content - Thank you a lot for such a hard work and great content! I'm struggling a bit with Lidar360 to achieve specific deliverable steps like DEM with/without contouring. Could you possibly provide a demonstration or guide on how to accomplish this effectively?
HI Hilai, If you want to upload your dataset to use for a video , I will process it and see if I can correct your issues. DroneMapping.WeTransfer.com Tim
This process is amazing... i have followed the tutorial to work on my dataset and the end DTM i generated had a gap which does not show its elevation... How can i resolve that issue
Hi Freida, does the area that you're missing in your DTM have a very very limited number of ground classified points? Was it under heavy vegetation? What program are you using to generate your DTM? You can upload ur classified point cloud to DroneMapping.WeTransfer.com and I will take a look
@@DroneMappingTools Hello...the section that is not showing elevation is under heavy vegetation cover. I have started the processing from lidar 360 then later on imported to global mapper...let me share with you the DEM I generated and the classified point cloud...
Thankyou very much for assembling this video. I find it very intersting how other folk use the kit. Prior to getting an M3E I had used Trimble RTK kit for years so found applying the set up to the RTK drone remarkably easy. The Emilid enjoys a huge price advantage over the Trimble R12/10 but the caster setting is easy to apply onTrimble too. I am usually setting up a base at a convenient position to deliver correction to the rover and the drone controller point. I use Trimble Access to start the base. Unfortuanately, every time you do this it resets the caster to a Trimble default so you then have to reconnect with a phone browser to talk to DJI. This doesn't disturb the radio RTK correction, and by this time you might have a colleague already under way doing the RTK pole work. They can work on unaffected and the drone mission can then get under way. Here in the Highlands lack of phone signal is a huge problem. You can't get a network RTK position by VRS (Trimble term) and you may be in wilderness with no control points ever installed. I think others have a similar service but if you have VRS licence you can get an RTX SV correction without phone signal. Three, three minute measurements are normally pretty close and you can take the middle one for the new base point, reconfigure the RTX rover to be a base, reset caster NTRP, and do the drone mission. The downside is you end up carrying some very heavy kit in the mountains instead of just a mobile phone on hotspot. (If you have phone signal network RTK is best in the mountains because a phone is so light) I favour a tribrach mount and heavy duty tripod but as you move across the hill side you have just one receiver to worry about. You don't have to go back and recover a base station perhaps 4 miles from where you started in morning. I note the most recent DJI update allows you to save individual RTK profiles, say one for Trimble R10 and one for VRS. A separate subject (pre drone I was a sceptic) but I have found modern ground extraction modelling tools give superb results and have had great feedback.
And thanks again Tim I spent hours figuring this out myself when I got my Emlid. This would have saved me a lot of headache I hope it helps some others from the frustration I felt.
Glad to hear it will help others. Bummer I did not do it before you went thru all the frustrations :0 Thanks again for stopping by! Holler if you ever need anything.
This is a little note for any surveyors and in case EMLID is reading. When you choose IMPORT > CSV (PENZD) you dont actually need the headers since the columns are assumed. Its irritating that they dont have a PNEZD option as well, theres really no reason they shouldn't at this point(I export PNEZD to the office so I have to keep remembering to change the options each time Id rather not have one more thing to remember to check). But most survey software allows you to export in PNEZD or PENZD format. So its easier to export in PENZD without headers and not have to change the headers to import into Emlid. As far as exporting from Emlid, I had to create a custom export through the flow360 website of PNEZD in order for it to work for my software (I use magnet sotware)(also why cant you custom import, only export?). For some reason importing any file from the two default CSV export options DID NOT work with my magnet software, the points would be swapped, just a heads up. I go between GPS and Total station and it can be a little bit of a burden with importing/exporting but once you get the hang of it, you can get it done pretty quick. Those gripes aside I love my RS3 and use the caster network all the time. The accuracy you get for the price is insane. Theres no reason to pay 10k for an overpriced GNSS unit anymore (Unless you want the L5 frequency)
Myka, let me clarify a few things. 1. In 2024 you should be flying the Mavic 3E in RTK. There is no reason not to fly RTK if you have a Emlid Receiver or a Stonex S900/S980 receiver. 2. Emlid Studio offers free PPK processing for any DJI Enterprise RTK drone. (the M3E requires the RTK module) 3. EZsurve is software that I have owned for many years. EZsurv, TopoProcessing and Emlid Studio are all doing the same thing. But Emlid Studio does not do reprojections where as EZsurv and TopoProcessing do in fact do reprojections for the PPK processing. Hope this helps.
@@DroneMappingTools thanks for the prompt response. My question was mainly a newbie question because I am learning the data processing workflow from A to Z and all the steps required. It is hard to find good literature or videos with the explanation why this or that step is required. Also, I am not sure why to do the reprojection so trying to gather as much info as possible. Great video btw, learned a lot.
Actually, they now embrace it and they are the majority of my customers. They realize the accuracy it offers and it is a tool that makes them exponentially more productive (profitable). Took a lot longer than I would have imagined but it has finally happened.
