The DJI M30 Series: Major Power in a Portable Design
DJI’s history of bringing high-quality enterprise-level drones to the market is undeniably impressive .
And, the company’s latest enterprise drone, the Matrice 30 (M30) series, continues their storied legacy.
Whether you’re a commercial drone pilot or looking to bring drones into your business’s line of work, the DJI M30 series offers features you’ll love.
Looking for a portable, rugged design with amazing optical zoom features, an option for thermal imaging, and flight times up to 41 minutes?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these, then keep reading – the M30 series might be just what you’re looking for.
DJI Matrice 30: A Portable & Rugged Design
The specs for DJI’s Matrice 30 series are one of the biggest draws to the platform.
With two batteries, the M30 weighs only 3770 g (just under 8 ½ lbs.)
But, it’s not only light enough to carry around; it’s compact enough for those on the go, as well.
This drone’s unfolded dimensions measure 470×585×215 mm (L×W×H), with folded size coming in at 365×215×195 mm.
(Approx. 18.5×23×8.5 inches unfolded, 14.5 ×8.5× 7.5 inches folded.)
This makes it simple to take the M30 on nearly any journey, fitting into most backpacks with ease.
If you’re looking to take your drone on an off-the-grid exploration, the M30 series is ready for adventure.
The Matrice 30 series is IP55 rated, meaning it’s both dust and water resistant, and capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -20° C～50° C ( -4 F°～122 F°).
But, DJI didn’t just limit themselves to developing their UAV. They spent time improving the controller, as well.
The DJI RC Plus flight controller features a 7-inch widescreen with improved ergonomics and transmission capabilities.
With an IP54 rating, it’s also both water and dust resistant, and also operational between -20°C to 50°C ( -4 F°～122 F°).
That means no matter where your travels take you, you’ll be confident in your drone’s functionality.
Flight Performance
One of the critiques of older DJI enterprise offerings was the limited flight time – less than 20 minutes when equipped with a full payload.
DJI listened, redesigned, and responded.
Now, the M30 can provide up to 41 minutes of airborne time.
With a maximum speed of 23 m/s (over 50 mph) and a wind resistance of 15 m/s (33 mph), this craft goes where you need it – in a hurry.
Add that to a service ceiling of up to 7,000 m, and you have an aircraft ready to take on any environment.
Optics Package of DJI M30 Series
If you need a payload that can handle nearly everything your enterprise clients need, look no further – DJI M30 series has you covered.
First, it’s important to note that Matrice comes in two versions: the M30 and the M30T.
Though otherwise the same as the M30, the M30T version features an additional 640×512 px radiometric thermal camera, letting you capture all the data you need for precision work.
But otherwise, the optics packages are the same between the two.
With a 1/2″ CMOS sensor, this RGB camera captures beautiful pictures in 48MP.
An optical zoom of 5x-16x, along with a max hybrid zoom of 200x, means you’re able to get up close and personal from nearly any distance.
Photo resolution is up to 8K, and if you need video, you’re covered with 4K/30fps.
It’s a seriously impressive camera system for professional pilots everywhere.
Safety
As a professional drone pilot, you probably find yourself in new, challenging environments all the time.
Safety is always your top priority, and the Matrice 30 series helps make your flights accident free.
Both models feature dual-vision and ToF sensors on all six sides, and a built-in Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) detects nearby crewed aircraft.
In addition to these, the drone also has several redundancy features for peace of mind.
The M30 is actually able to land with only three propellers and still operate if one of the drone’s two batteries fails.
Flight control sensors, dual transmission links, and redundant control signals give you even greater confidence that your operations will be accident-free.
Additional Innovations
As if you needed more reasons to love the Matrice 30 series, DJI has introduced a new app (DJI Pilot 2) for improved user interface, as well as the DJI Dock (drone in a box).
The app lets you run pre-flight checklists, sends alert notifications for improved situational awareness, and improves the navigational display.
And, if you operate from a single location, the DJI Dock could be the turnkey solution your operation has been looking for.
The DJI Dock can facilitate near-continuous drone operations, and works in challenging environments.
In addition to acting as the drone’s launch and landing platform, the dock can execute programmed missions and charge the drone to 90% in just 25 minutes.
Final Thoughts
You can purchase one of four bundles within the Matrice 30 series.
Worry-free basic combos and worry-free plus combos are available for both the M30 and M30T.
Note that there are no hardware differences between the bundles, just the number of repairs and replacements available in the first year of activation.
DJI’s Matrice 30 will usually set you back around $9,999, while the Matrice 30T is closer to $13,999.
Innovation and adaptability are the hallmarks of DJI’s Matrice 30 series.
The drone’s rugged design and impressive performance specifications make this UAV ideal for commercial drone pilots across numerous industries.
DJI has once again shown the industry why they are among the leaders in drone technology.
So, which drone is right for you? And, how do you get started? Do you hire out or bring your drone program in-house?
At Consortiq, we help you find a better way with drones, whether it’s training, consultation and program implementation, or doing the hard work for you.
Ready to learn more? Just complete the form below to schedule a risk-free consultation!
David Daly - Contributing Author
David Daly, is an award-winning photographer/writer and licensed (FAA) Commercial sUAS pilot. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David is a former Marine Corps officer with a BS in Oceanography and has earned his MBA from the University of Redlands. David has worked for Fortune 100 companies and has a background in aerospace, construction, military/defense, real estate, and technology.
