We used to use the DJI Phantom 2 on my old mine site to engage in pit mapping. You don't even need an RTK GPS drone to get good results in X and Y, (Long and Lat). Used in conjunction with Pix4d this is a really cool way of getting detailed surfaces/DTM etc.
The great thing about Pix4d is that you can use it for free if you just want to see what a project will look like in 3D. They also have a tonne of how to guides. You only pay when you want to export stuff.
Without RTK based drone, or ground control point the X and Y coordinates are accurate to around 0.5m. Z values require GCP though, which is fine if you are on a mine site with a surveyor. A tonne of cheap RTK kits out there though if you want to go survey a farm or something.
Really cool tech.
I borrowed it a couple of times, and when I was on break flew some remote areas we camped etc. Really cool for stuff like that. I forgot to mention the software works with any image, not just drone based.
Made a 3-D model of my house, just stuff like that. Adds a new dimension to having a drone.
Ohhh nice and very interesting! For sure is like to add a new dimension to having a drone as you well say. Will take a look to more videos about this ... once upon a time I was a topographer :)
Thanks a lot for share ur experience with us Steve!
No probs bud. Its amazing what you can do with a little low entry tech here and there now. Got a friend trying to do topographic surveys commercially in the UK with about £2,000 worth of hardware. Whereas before the entry price was much higher.
I should clarify this is not my house, or content, just an example of what you can do messing around with it.
Having seen this post and owning a go pro I'm looking into the Karma.