Joined about 2 months ago
Power line corridor mapping
on Importing CAD/DXF files into field survey apps - what actually works
For utility work we export to KML/KMZ and load into Avenza Maps on iPads. Not as precise as a survey-grade stakeout app but for general reference and navigation to structures it works great. Free app too. The trick is exporting from Civil3D with the right coordinate system so it overlays correctly on the aerial imagery in Avenza.
on Multispectral sensors for agriculture surveys - recommendations?
The MicaSense RedEdge-P is the industry standard for ag work. 5 discrete bands, proper calibration workflow with reflectance panels, and every processing software supports it. The DJI filter approach is a shortcut that won't give you calibrated results. Market-wise: precision ag is growing fast but seasonal. Spring through fall is busy, winter is dead. Consider it as a complementary service to your survey work, not a standalone business.
on Point cloud classification - manual vs AI-based tools
CloudCompare with the CSF (cloth simulation filter) plugin does a solid job of ground classification for free. Not as polished as TerraSolid but for basic ground/non-ground separation it's 90% there. For building/vegetation separation, PDAL's SMRF and PMF filters work reasonably well too.
on What certifications actually matter beyond Part 107?
Unpopular opinion: certifications matter less than a good portfolio and references. I've hired drone techs with zero certs who could outperform "certified" pilots. Build a portfolio showing diverse projects, accuracy reports, and polished deliverables. That's what sells.
on Mapping trees is a tricky thing - photogrammetry vs LiDAR
For canopy height specifically, photogrammetry actually works well. You just need a bare-earth reference DEM (USGS 3DEP or similar) and subtract it from your photogrammetric DSM. Won't give you stem counts or understory detail but for general canopy height modeling it's surprisingly effective.
on QGIS for drone deliverables - anyone doing this professionally?
QGIS is absolutely production-ready. I've been using it exclusively for 3 years. The print composer is excellent for map sheets, contour generation works great with GDAL tools built in. The learning curve is real if you're coming from ArcGIS but once you get the workflows down it's just as fast. And the plugin ecosystem is solid.
on Landslide monitoring project - 6 months of drone data
Would love to see the change detection heat maps if you can share. This kind of project is exactly why drone surveying matters - we can do temporal monitoring at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. What's your total cost per monthly flight including processing time?
on Before/after of vegetation encroachment on power line ROW
@LidarLarry Yes - prioritized by severity. Red zones needed immediate clearing, yellow zones needed monitoring, green zones were compliant. Made their budget planning much easier.
on Budget LiDAR options - DJI L2 vs Hesai alternatives?
We tried a Hesai XT32 based system last year. Hardware was fine but the software was a nightmare. Spent more time troubleshooting than flying. Ended up buying the L1 anyway. You get what you pay for with LiDAR.
on Is the Zenmuse L2 worth it over L1?
Made the switch 3 months ago. Short answer: yes, worth it. Longer answer: The point density improvement is significant. L2 is 240 pts/m² vs L1's 100. Under canopy you actually see the difference. More returns means better ground classification. Accuracy wise, DJI claims 4cm vertical vs L1's 5cm but real world I'm seeing more like 3-4cm on checkpoints consistently. L1 was more like 5-6cm for us. The RGB camera is also better integrated. Single flight gets you good LiDAR AND good ortho instead of needing two flights.
on Fixed wing for DOT corridor work - Wingtra vs Trinity?
We evaluated both. Went with Wingtra because: 1. Better US support network 2. Blue List configurable for government work 3. DroneDeploy PPK processing works seamlessly Trinity has slightly longer endurance on paper (90 min vs 59 min) but real world difference is smaller. Both are excellent.