Drones for site surveys vs. old school tape measures - which is actually faster?

I spent last Thursday measuring a 3-acre lot in Raleigh for a retaining wall bid. My partner used a drone with photogrammetry and had a 3D model done in 45 minutes. I was still out there with a measuring wheel and tape noting grade changes. He says his method is always better, but I argue the drone misses subtle drainage issues you catch on foot. Which approach do you guys lean on for accurate takeoffs?

2 comments

2 Comments

hill.david1d ago

Yeah, the drone definitely misses those hidden low spots.

jones.blake1d ago

Interesting take but I've actually been pretty happy with the drone's ability to catch those. The mapping software has been getting better updates lately and it seems to pick up on the ground changes pretty well. Maybe you need to calibrate your drone's sensors before each flight, that made a big difference for me. Also flying slower on the passes seems to help it scan the surface more carefully. What kind of terrain are you working with anyway?

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