The DJI M30T and the DJI M300 RTK are currently some of the best enterprise drones from DJI. And having used them in some capacity and researched them for the past four months, I would like to share my experience and thoughts on each drone and the best applications for each.
DJI M30T Overview
Released in March 2022, the DJI M30T is one of the latest enterprise drones from DJI. It prides itself on being a utility drone that you can get up into the air in a few seconds. Some of the notable features of this drone include the three types of cameras, 48MP photo quality, 200X digital zoom, and 5X to 16X optical zoom.
The 200* comes in handy in conducting surveillance during the day since you can zoom and observe activities from up to 1.5 KM away without being detected. It also features a thermal camera and infrared lens, which makes it applicable for night operations.
DJI M300 RTK Overview
The DJI M300 TRTK was released in May 2020, two years before the M30T. However, despite DJI releasing more advanced drones, it still has excellent features that make it worth consideration.
These features include powerful batteries, longer flight times, and payload capacities. DJI M300 RTK’s standard H20T camera also offers up to 200X digital zoom. The good thing with the DJI M300 RTK is that you can purchase different cameras depending on the task.
Portability and ease of setup
When looking for a drone for any application, one factor you must consider is how portable it is. And in this, there is a significant difference between both drones. The DJI m30T is light, weighing about 3.77 kg with both batteries.
It’s foldable, and you can launch it in a few minutes since the arms have a locking mechanism that automatically locks when you unfold the arms. On the other hand, the DJI m300 RTK weighs about 6.3 kg with the batteries.
While you can carry the DJI M30T and its charging hub on your own, you will feel the weight of the M300 RTK. Another drawback of the DJI M300 RTK is the process it takes to set up. While the arms fold like those on the M30T, it’s a whole process to unlock and lock them, and if you do it in a rush, you may not lock them correctly, and the drone could end up crashing.
Attaching the camera will also delay you a few seconds. In a situation where you need to surveil an area as soon as possible, you will love how easy it is to get the DJI M30T up and running.
Payload capacity
In this area, the DJI M300 RTK excels. This is because it allows you to attach up to three payloads and conduct a wide range of activities, from survey work and surveillance to even cleaning solar panels if you have the right payload. However, the DJI M30T is not designed to carry any payloads.
One could argue that the payloads for the DJI M300 RTK are expensive, and you may never need to add any payloads depending on your line of work. But it comes down to what you need the drone for. If you see yourself using the drone only for surveillance, search and rescue, and other applications where you only need the camera that comes with the drone, then the DJI M30T will be applicable.
If you need to use the drone for more applications, you can get the DJI M300 RTK.
Controller ergonomics
This is one area you should be mindful of, especially if you continuously use the controller for several hours. Having used both controllers, I find the DJI M30 T controller, the DJI RC Plus, more comfortable.
While it seems larger, it’s also light, and the larger screen is a huge plus since you don’t have to strain that much.
The DJI M300 RTK’s controller, the DJI Pilot 2, is smaller, heavier, and quite uncomfortable if you use it for a long period.
You can use straps, but the smaller screen also means you must strain to see objects on the screen. You can take a few breaks between the flights, allowing you to ease the tension that builds up when holding the controller.
The DJI M300 RTK comes with two controllers, so one pilot can handle flying while the other deals with the camera, making the whole process a lot easier.
One excellent feature that both controllers have is the external and internal batteries. The external battery charges the internal battery. If you charge the external batteries promptly, your controller will never shut down due to the battery getting depleted.
Range
The DJI M30T uses OcuSync 3 Enterprise, while the DJI M300 RTK uses a previous version, the OcuSync Enterprise. Both drones have a powerful transmission that can ensure a decent connection from up to 5 KM away. Still, the DJI M30T seems to have a better connection, especially in areas with interference.
When used in the same conditions, the DJI M300 RTK seems to struggle when just a few meters away from the controller, and you have to look for an open area or a clear path where the signal is not obstructed. With the DJI M30T, the transmission will often be stable.
Battery life
Where the DJI m300 RTK lacks in range, it compensates in terms of battery life. The DJI M300 RTK uses TB60 batteries that last up to 55 minutes. But in an actual operation, you will get a maximum of 40 to 45 minutes, which is still a long time for a multirotor drone.
On the other hand, the DJI M30T comes with a TB30 battery which is indicated to last 41 minutes, but in the real sense, it lasts about 30 minutes or less. Regardless of the operation you need the drone for, longer battery life always wins.
Thermal cameras
Both drones’ thermal cameras work almost similarly. They both detect heat signals, and in areas with a strong connection, you can differentiate between people, animals, plants, or the ground. Both would work well for search and rescue, surveillance at night, or inspection where thermal cameras are needed.
Cost
The DJI m300 RTK is quite expensive compared to the DJI M30T. You will have to spend between $7000 and $10000 to get the drone without any payloads. Payloads like the H20T or the Zenmuse cost about $9000 or more.
As such, you could spend at least $25,000 or more to get the M300 RTK with one of the payloads. On the other hand, with$14,700, you can get a complete package of the DJI m30T, which includes the drone, a charging hub, three batteries, a carrying case, and several accessories to use with the drone.
The Verdict
Both drones have proven themselves; you can’t go wrong with any of them. But if you had to choose one, you would have to consider your budget, the task at hand, and the tools you will need to accomplish that task. The DJI M30T is currently the best drone for most people since it is cost-efficient, can accomplish several tasks without needing an extra payload, and is cheaper and easier to maintain.
The fail-safes, such as alerting you when you have not locked the arms, minimize the risks of crashing this drone. But if you have the budget for it and would like to do a lot more with your drone, including mapping, LiDAR applications, adding a public address device, and many more options, the DJI M300 RTK would be a better choice.
Excellent comparison!