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SecurityPortable drones for small teams: light enough to take along
A drone left in the vehicle is no use. Small teams need one they can carry and launch quickly.
What is the best portable drone for a small team?
The best drone is the one in the air when it is needed. If it takes a vehicle, a crew and a long set-up, small teams will often go without it.
It depends on how far you need to see. For a quick look over a wall or ridge, a nano drone is hard to beat. For longer reach and a better camera, a foldable quadcopter is the better fit.
Weigh the whole kit, not just the aircraft: batteries, controller and spares all go in the same bag.
Signs you have this problem
- Your drone often stays in the vehicle
- Set-up takes too long for the job
- Launching needs more people than you have
- Teams move on foot, away from vehicles
What to look for
- Total kit weight, including batteries
- Folding arms or a very small airframe
- Fast single-person launch
- Enough range and flight time to return safely
The main causes
Size
Fixed-arm drones need large cases and vehicle space.
Crew
Some systems need several people to set up.
Set-up time
A long set-up can miss the moment.
Before and after
How to solve it, step by step
- 1
Define
How far must the team carry it, and how far must it see?
- 2
Choose
Pick nano for a quick look, or foldable for more reach.
- 3
Pack
Plan batteries and spares for the mission.
- 4
Practise
Drill launch and recovery until they are quick.
Common questions
How light is the Vision Nano?
Vision Nano weighs 250 g, with a 20 MP camera, 5 km range and 25 minutes of flight time.
Does Vision 2.0 fold?
Yes. It is a foldable quadcopter with a 4.0 kg MTOW, a 500 g payload and a 25 km range.
Nano or foldable: which should I choose?
Choose nano for close-range looks by one person. Choose foldable when you need more range and payload.
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