Consumer vs Enterprise - There Is a Difference

I recently ran a series of tests comparing the accuracy of drone-based 3D models using different setups: enterprise vs consumer drones, with and without RTK, and with and without ground control points (GCPs).

The aim? To find out how much of a difference the right drone and the right setup really makes when accuracy matters.

Here’s what stood out: the Matrice 4E consistently achieved sub-2 cm absolute and relative accuracy, whether RTK was active or not, as long as GCPs were used. With correctly configured RTK (aligned to ETRS89 and transformed to OSGB36 with OSGM15 height correction), the Matrice even held accuracy without GCPs.

By contrast, the Mini 4 Pro, even when used with GCPs, showed less accurate results. Without ground control, its positional error exceeded 2m.

The lesson is clear: GCPs are essential if you care about ground truth. RTK can streamline workflows, but only if it’s correctly aligned to the right datum and vertical reference. And while consumer drones have their place, they’re no substitute for professional equipment when precision matters.