A few days ago, I wrote a comparison article between the DJI M300 RTK and the DJI M30T, two of the latest DJI’s flagship drones that are quite useful in public safety, law enforcement, search and rescue, disaster management, and many other applications. When comparing these two drones, some of the issues I raised with the M300 RTK were the range, controller ergonomics, and the few seconds it takes t set up compared to the M30T’s unfold and fly design.
Little did I know that DJi was planning to release an upgrade to the DJI M350 RTK, an update to the DJI M300 RTK, and it might solve some of the issues I raised. Below is a brief overview of the new release and how it compares to the older version. I hope to give a more detailed review if I get lucky enough to use the DJI M350 RTK.
A better Controller
One of the major issues I had with the DJI M300 RTK was the DJI Pilot 2 controller. There’s nothing wrong with it; it’s just it’s small, has a small screen, and you may have to strain a bit to see objects on the screen, especially when using the drone for search and rescue or surveillance.
DJI solves this by making the DJI M350 RTK use the DJI RC Plus, which is the controller that comes with the DJI M30T. Having used this controller, I can attest that it’s lighter, more comfortable, and has a much larger display, making it easier to use for long periods.
The buttons have also been strategically placed, allowing you to switch between camera views, start and stop RTH, and perform a myriad of other activities without letting go of the controls. However, upgrading to the newer drone wouldn’t make sense just to get the controller, especially if you already have the DJI m300 RTK. Luckily, DJI has made it possible to use the DJI M300 RTK with the DJI RC Plus. This doesn’t solve the range issue, but at least you will have a better controller, which could improve your efficiency.
Improved Range
The DJI M350 RTK also comes with the 03 Enterprise, the latest transmission system for DJI’s enterprise drones. This is the same transmission system used by the DJI M30T. As I mentioned in the previous post, the M30T’s transmission system is quite powerful, even in areas with signal interference.
I would assume it will be the same with the DJI M350 RTK, making this drone even better for long-range missions. After using the DJI m30T and DJI M300 RTK, one wish was that the DJI M300 RTK had the range and transmission power of the M30T, and the DI just made that wish come true.
Improved Batteries
The new DJI M350 RTK comes with newer and more powerful batteries. While they may last almost the same time as the M300 RTK’s, they have been improved to minimize overheating, and the charging cycles have been increased from 200 to 400, making them cost-efficient.
The charging hub also gives you different charging options, such as normal mode, where you charge the batteries to 100%, or fast charging mode, where you charge them to 90% when you need to fly continuously but have few batteries.
There is also a storage mode where you can charge the drone to a specific percentage when you don’t think you will use the drone for a while. Like with the controller, you can also use the batteries and charging hub of the M350 RTK with the M300 RTK.
Improved durability
DJI has increased the M350’s durability from IP45 to IP55, making the drone more water damage-resistant. While flying a drone in rain or snow is never advisable, some projects may require you to do so.
Improved endurance reduces the chances of stalling your projects due to unfavorable weather. However, regardless of the IP rating, don’t deliberately subject your drone to unfavorable weather conditions since this may void your warranty and may also be against local aviation regulations.
Improved safety features
The DJI M350 RTK has improved safety features, such as the arm-lock sensor. I first saw this feature in the DJI M30T, and it comes in handy when you unfold the drone in a hurry and forget to confirm if the arms have locked. The DJI M300 RTK lacks this feature, and there have been cases where the drone crashed when pilots forgot to lock at least one of the arms.
Other safety features include 6-directional obstacle detection and infrared sensors and an option to add a radar sensor to detect close range and smaller obstacles such as power lines, ensuring safer flight. The FPV camera also has night vision, allowing you to navigate easily at night or in low-light conditions.
Improved efficiency
The DJI M350 RTK comes with AI spot check, live mission recording, PinPoint, Oblique, Terrain Follow, and many other automated features that allow the user to automate the data collection process while ensuring accuracy.
Payload capacity
The DJI m350 RTK maintains the 2.7 KG payload capacity of the DJI M300 RTK, which can carry up to three payloads simultaneously. You can choose to use the H20 or Zenmuse payloads or customized payloads, depending on the task. Thanks to Payload DK, Mobile SDK, and Cloud API, you can integrate the DJI M350 RTK with a wide range of payloads, such as gas detectors or loudspeakers, or integrate it with third-party apps.
Should you get the DJI M350 RTK?
That depends. If you already have the DJI M300 RTK, you don’t need to get the DJI M350 RTK since they are similar in many ways. It shows how powerful the DJI m300 RTK was when it was released, and the new release shows that M300 RTK is still worth it.
However, if you are looking to add a new drone to your fleet or want to get your first Matrice drone, it would be better to go for the newer version due to the additional features.