u/bald_botanist

I recently posted about a plan to use a Parrot drone to take aerial photos to map flower abundance in a nonagricultural setting and now I realize that Parrot is not a good option. In fact it's a terrible option.

I'm limited in funds ($10K, but the possibility for a little more) and limited by the NDAA, so no DJI or Auten drones. Has anyone built their own drone using a Tarot frame? Any camera recommendations (non DJI)? Any good guides out there for doing so? I work in a relatively technical field and I'm pretty handy generally (woodworking, electrical, plumbing, etc.). I also have family and colleagues that have more experience with electronics that can help. I'm open to any advice you can give me. My work won't happen until next growing season, so no real rush at the moment.

I'm hoping to do a study next year using a drone to take high quality photos to estimate floral abundance from orthomosaics. The best set-up for my budget is a DJI Mavic 3 multispectral, but because I'm in the US and I'm funded through the federal government, I can't use DJI products. I'm limited to a budget of $10,000 all-in. I might be able to squeeze some more money out at some point (and a colleague may also be getting a more complicated drone that I could possibly use), but that's what I have to work with at the moment. I've settled on the current system.

1. Drone will be a Parrot Anafi USA drone. It has a thermal camera that I probably won't use, but the price point is within budget. I've heard it's reached it's end of life, but I don't have another good option. I'd love a FreeFly or ACSL Soten or any other better drone, but we don't have the budget. My other alternative was an Aurelia X4 standard drone, but I've heard horror stories about them, they haven't responded to any of my questions, and once I buy the drone and outfit it with a gimbal, camera and lens the price goes over my budget with no wiggle room for other essentials. If someone else has a better option, I'm all ears.
2. Ardusimple RTK Smart Antenna, poles, and ground control points. I was excited about the Mavic 3 not necessarily needing ground control points because of the built in RTK module, but the Anafi USA doesn't have a built-in module, so I have to use a separate base station. It adds time to the work, but like most things, we have to make a trade-off between cost and time. This will allow for PPK corrections, at least in theory.
3. Tablet for internet connection and for reviewing images in the field and uploading them into the cloud.

With these options and a couple other requirements (extra SD cards, training fees, etc.) my costs are just under $10000 with some wiggle room for shipping costs. Does this sound reasonable? Anything I'm missing? Anyone have any experience with the Ardusimple products?