DJI have released the newest iteration of the Matrice range, the
M600 Pro. Combining the power of the first generation
Matrice 600 with increased portability and the fully upgraded
A3 Pro Flight Controller, there's a lot to like about this new professional heavy rig. Let's take a look at the main differences between the two models and whether the Pro can unseat the hugely successful original model.
Spec Comparison
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Matrice 600
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Matrice 600 Pro
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Aircraft Dimensions
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1668 mm x 1518 mm x 759 mm (Propellers, frame arms and GPS mount unfolded)
640 mm x 582 mm x 623 mm (Frame arms and GPS mount folded) |
1668 mm × 1518 mm × 727 mm with propellers, frame arms and GPS mount unfolded (including landing gear)
437 mm × 402 mm × 553 mm with propellers, frame arms and GPS mount folded (excluding landing gear) |
Package Dimensions
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620 mm x 320 mm x 505 mm |
525 mm × 480 mm × 625 mm |
Weight
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9.1 kg
(with six TB47S batteries)9.6 kg
(with six TB48S batteries) |
9.5 kg
(with six TB47S batteries)10 kg
(with six TB48S batteries) |
Max Takeoff Weight
|
15.1 kg |
15.5 kg |
Performance
Max Speed
|
18 m/s
(no wind) |
40 mph / 65 kph
(no wind) |
Hovering Time
* based on flying at 10 m above sea level in a no-wind environment and landing with 10% battery level
|
with six TB47S batteries:
No payload: 35 min, 6 kg payload: 16 minwith six TB48S batteries:
No payload: 40 min, 5.5 kg payload: 18 min |
with six TB47S batteries:
No payload: 32 min, 6 kg payload: 16 minwith six TB48S batteries:
No payload: 38 min, 5.5 kg payload: 18 min |
Flight Control System
Gimbals
Supported DJI Gimbals
|
Zenmuse X3; Zenmuse X5 series; Zenmuse XT; Ronin-MX; Zenmuse Z15 series HD gimbals: Z15-A7, Z15-BMPCC, Z15-5D III, Z15-GH4 |
Ronin-MX; ZENMUSE Z30, Zenmuse X5/X5R, Zenmuse X3, Zenmuse XT; Zenmuse Z15 Series HD Gimbal: Z15-A7, Z15-BMPCC, Z15-5D III, Z15-GH4 |
Charger
Model
|
A14-100P1A |
MC6S600 |
Voltage Output
|
26.3 V |
26.1 V |
What's in the Box?
Here's what you can expect to be included with both versions of the Matrice 600.
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|
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Matrice 600
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- Center Frame (With A3 and Lightbridge 2 Air System) x 1
- Frame Arm (With Propeller Holder) x 6
- Landing Gear Leg x 2
- Landing Skid x 2
- Retractable Module (Left) x 1
- Retractable Module (Right) x 1
- Retractable Module Mounting Rod x 2
- Retractable Module Bracket x 2
- Remote Controller x 1
- Intelligent Flight Battery (TB47S) x 6
- Charging Hub x 2
- Spring x 2
- Battery Charger x 2
- Power Cable x 2
- Micro USB Cable x 1
- GPS-Compass Pro x 1
- GPS Mount x 1
- Stoppers
- Arm Stopper x 6
- Landing Gear Stopper x 2
- Knob (With Gasket) x 6
- Screws
- M2x4, M3x5.5
- M3x5.5 (Square Head)
- M3x6.5, M3x8, M3x12
- Double Sided Tape Set
- Tape
- Battery Stickers
- Manuals
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- Aircraft Body (With Arm Sleeves) x 1
- Landing Gear Leg x 2
- Landing Skid x 2
- Spring x 2
- Remote Controller x 1
- Intelligent Flight Batter (TB47S) x 6
- Hex Charger x 1
- Inner Foam Case x 1
- Power Cable x 1
- RC Charging Cable x 2
- Micro USB Cable x 1
- Knob (With Gasket) x 6
- Tape
- Battery Stickers
- Screws
- M3x5.5, M3x8
- M3x8 (Thumb)
- M3x12
- Manuals
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Matrice 600 Pro
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Performance
Both Matrice 600 models handle remarkably well for such large aircraft and certainly offer up a great example of DJI’s movement into the commercial market. Both the
M600 and the
M600 Pro are aimed at serious professionals involved with filmmaking and aerial photography, inspection work and other industrial applications.
Both models take six batteries, allowing for triple redundancy and increased safety in flight. These batteries guarantee a flight time of more than 30 minutes without a payload (the original promising 35 mins and the Pro 32 mins) and around 20 minutes with a payload (both 18 mins) allowing you to remain airborne long enough to capture an impressive amount of footage or photos. The Pro has made managing these six batteries even more simple with the addition of a new charging hub allowing you to simultaneously charge your
Intelligent Flight Batteries and get back in the air even quicker.
DJI’s new M600 model comes with the
A3 Pro as standard making it the equivalent of the fully kitted out original. Their first Matrice 600 came with the A3 flight controller with the option to upgrade to the Pro as an add-on, this gives the M600 Pro an edge over its predecessor as this system is automatically built into each aircraft.
There are also a few structural changes, with the body now an irregular hexagonal shape which differentiates it from the original
Matrice 600. The antenna mounting position has also been shifted to one of the
M600 Pro's arms and it offers three more CAN 1 Ports than the first generation.
Then there’s the gimbal and camera compatibility. Not much separates the two models as they are both able to carry a huge range of camera suppliers including REDs,
HASSELBLADs and the
Zenmuse range. In the optional additions for the M600 Pro, we’ve noticed that there’s a specific
Z30 Zoom camera gimbal, more proof of DJI’s enterprise ambitions.
Portability
Once of the key selling points of the new
M600 Pro is that it’s a ‘ready to fly’ (with some minimal setup) system for people on the go. This will appeal to the key demographics DJI is angling for with the Matrice 600 range, namely professional filmmakers and companies in the business of industrial inspections.
DJI’s premium heavy rig is never going to fold into your pocket like the recently released Mavic Pro quadcopter, there are certainly benefits to a new model which makes transport less of a chore.
The Matrice 600 Pro certainly has the edge on the original
M600 in terms of portability. The ability to fold it down to a smaller size (with a larger folding angle) and quick-release its legs offer more options for transportation which is hugely important for many involved in commercial drone operations.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t solutions for transporting the first generation M600; high-quality, robust cases are available which protect the craft in transit. However, judging by the foam case included with the
M600 Pro, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be able to get from A to B easier without lugging around a cumbersome carry case.
Summary: Key Differences
Here are what we believe to be the key differences between the two models and what this means in terms of comparison:
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The Matrice 600 Pro is ready-built and easier to transport
This is a huge plus for those looking for a ready-to-fly, portable commercial solution.
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While they both have similar flight durations, the original M600 gets slightly more air time (per DJI’s official specs)
Although this isn’t a huge deal breaker, when you’re out on a shoot; a few more minutes can mean the difference between getting that perfect shot or having to start over.
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The Matrice 600 Pro comes with the A3 Pro Flight Controller as standard
The difference in price can be explained by this feature alone, the M600 Pro is instantly specced up to the highest level which beats the standard Matrice 600 pack.
M600 Pro Everything You Need to Know
Now that we’ve pitted the Matrice 600s against each other, let’s take a closer look at DJI’s new Pro edition and what to expect.
The key features of this powerful new aerial platform include pre-installed arms and antennas, modular design to make upgrades / modifications easy, improved flight time over the standard
M600, the
A3 pro flight controller, the Lightbridge 2 HD transmission system, support for six
Intelligent Flight Batteries and an improved battery management system.
The M600 Pro is compatible with the entire range of Zenmuse cameras and gimbals. It's ideal for professional cinematographers, aerial photography and industrial applications.
DJI’s new Matrice comes with an
A3 Pro Flight Controller. This gives the industrial hexacopter triple redundancy along with algorithms that will help the pilot get accurate diagnostic information in real time.
The dampening system means you'll get precise control of your M600 pro while it's in the air. The A3 Pro is also compatible with
D-RTK GNSS to help reduce the impact of magnetic interference and give the pilot centimetre-level accuracy.
The M600 Pro comes in a fully built state, meaning the heavy lift UAV can be in the air in a matter of minutes. A carry case is also included with the M600 pro, making transport a breeze.
The airframe is easy to move from A to B and extremely light, with quick release landing gear and foldable arms. The Pro also has new GNSS module positions under the upper cover to increase reliability.
The Matrice 600 Pro is designed for industrial use, for inspections, cinematography and more. The maximum payload is 6kg - meaning a
Ronin-MX gimbal and a range of professional cameras will be suitable for this setup.
Support for all the current Zenmuse cameras, including the new
Zenmuse Z30, means that the M600 Pro is incredibly versatile when it comes to camera configuration.
Not only that - but the motors have an active cooling system along with a new dustproof design - meaning that you can always rely on your Matrice to battle through adverse conditions.
The DJI Lightbridge 2 transmission system is included with the M600 Pro. The Lightbridge 2 is designed to meet the demands of a professional broadcasting crew. The live HD feed offers a high frame rate to ensure you can always capture the perfect image. There is also support for HDMI output at 1080p/60fps.
Other Key Features
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D-RTK GNSS - The dual antennas on the D-RTK GNSS allow greater levels of precision.
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Open SDK Development - The M600 Pro is compatible with the DJI 'On-board SDK' and 'Mobile SDK'. This means that third party software can be created to tailor this UAV to specific applications.
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Full DJI Go and Assistant 2 Support - DJI's GO app can be used to control the M600 Pro as you would any other DJI drone.
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Keep checking back to Heliguy’s Insider blog for more product comparisons and, of course, the latest news from the drone industry.
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