DJI Dock 2 vs. DJI Dock 3: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the rapidly changing landscape of drone technology, DJI continues to lead with innovative solutions. The introduction of DJI Dock 2 marked a significant leap in autonomous drone operations, and now, with the unveiling of DJI Dock 3, DJI sets new benchmarks in versatility, durability, and intelligence. This article compares DJI Dock 2, DJI Dock 3, Matrice 3D, 3TD, 4D and 4TD drones side-by-side, highlighting their key differences and why the DJI Dock 3 may be right for you.

Five Reasons DJI Dock 3 Stands Out Over the DJI Dock 2

1. Enhanced Durability

DJI Dock 3 has improved structural integrity and weather resistance, making it more suitable for harsh environmental conditions. It features an upgraded IP56 ingress protection rating, ensuring superior resistance to dust and water exposure. This makes Dock 3 ideal for outdoor deployments where unpredictable weather could impact performance. Additionally, it operates within a wider temperature range, enhancing reliability in extreme climates.

Feature	DJI Dock 2	DJI Dock 3
Ingress Protection Rating	IP55 (resistant to dust and water)	IP56 (enhanced resistance to dust and water)
Operating Temperature Range	-25° to 45° C (-13° to 113° F)	-30° to 50° C (-22° to 122° F)
Low-Noise and Anti-Ice Propellers	No	Yes

2. Vehicle-Mounted Deployment

Unlike the DJI Dock 2, which is designed for fixed-location operations, Dock 3 introduces vehicle-mounted deployment capabilities. This allows for mobile missions, enabling the drone to launch and land from a moving vehicle, significantly increasing operational flexibility.

Feature	DJI Dock 2	DJI Dock 3
Cloud-Based Dock Location Calibration	No	Yes
Safe Dual-Dock Deployment	No	Yes
Dual-Drone Rotation	No	Yes
Deployment	Fixed location	Fixed and vehicle-mounted
Mobility	Stationary	Mobile and dynamic

3. Faster Charging

DJI Dock 3 significantly reduces aircraft downtime with its improved charging system. It can charge the drone from 15% to 95% in just 27 minutes, whereas Dock 2 takes 32 minutes to charge from 20% to 90%. This faster turnaround time is crucial for time-sensitive operations such as emergency response and continuous surveillance.

Feature	DJI Dock 2	DJI Dock 3
Charging Time	32 minutes (20% to 90%)	27 minutes (15% to 95%)

4. Intelligent Flight and Control

The latest drone advancements enhance efficiency and precision across various applications, from public safety to environmental monitoring. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

Automated Flight Route

Enables drones to detect and capture images or videos of vehicles, vessels, and infrared anomalies.

Sends real-time notifications to operators for immediate response.

Intelligent Change Detection

Facilitates periodic analysis to monitor environmental changes, disaster impact, and structural cracks.

Supports better decision-making in environmental protection and disaster relief.

Matrice 4D Series Auto-Zoom

Provides powerful zoom capabilities to track subjects like vehicles or vessels.

Enhances efficiency in follow-up reviews and investigations.

Enhanced Virtual Cockpit with Mouselook

Enables automatic drone and gimbal adjustments for precise framing.

Achieves "point and see" functionality for faster and more accurate positioning.

5. Compatibility with the Latest Drone Accessories

DJI Dock 3 supports the latest Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD models which in turn are compatible with an impressive offering of drone accessories including:

Integrated Broadcasting and Lighting

Spotlight and speaker which can function independently or together.

Obstacle Sensing Module

The new Obstacle Sensing Module integrates rotating LiDAR and millimetre-wave radar for precise 12mm obstacle avoidance at speeds up to 15 m/s. It enhances positioning in low-light conditions, ensuring safety in complex power line crossings and substation layouts.

Gimbal-Following Spotlight

The DJI AL1 SpotLight illuminates subjects up to 100m away with Always-On and Strobe modes. It syncs with the gimbal for precise alignment, offers an adjustable focus for single objects or wide-area coverage, and features an IP55 protection rating.

DJI Cellular Dongle 2

The DJI Cellular Dongle 2 enables 4G video transmission, enhances O4+ Enterprise system connectivity, and ensures safe flights while providing mobile network access for the remote controller.

Why the New Drones Are Better

The Matrice 4D and 4TD drones that come with the Dock 3 offer significant advancements over the Matrice 3D and 3TD drones. These enhancements include longer flight times, superior imaging capabilities, and new accessory compatibility.

Feature	Matrice 3D	Matrice 3TD	Matrice 4D	Matrice 4TD
Flight Time	Up to 50 min	Up to 50 min	Up to 54 min	Up to 54 min
Max Takeoff Weight	1610g	1610g	2090 g	2090 g
Max Takeoff Altitude	4000 m	4000 m	6500 m	6500 m
Ingress Protection Rating	IP54	IP54	IP55	IP55
Cellular Dongle 2 Compartment	No	No	Yes	Yes

Cameras

Feature	Matrice 3D	Matrice 3TD	Matrice 4D	Matrice 4TD
Camera System	Standard	Thermal	Laser rangefinder	Thermal & laser rangefinder
AI Processing	No	No	Yes	Yes
Wide Camera Image Sensor	4/3 CMOS, 20MP	1/1.32-inch CMOS, 48MP	4/3 CMOS, 20 MP	1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48 MP
Wide Camera Lens	Format Equivalent 24mm, Aperture: f.2.8-f/11	Format Equivalent 24mm, Aperture: f.1.7	Format Equivalent 24mm, Aperture: f.2.8-f/11	Format Equivalent 24mm, Aperture: f.1.7
Medium Tele Camera Image Sensor	n/a	n/a	1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48 MP	1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48 MP
Medium Tele Camera Lens	n/a	n/a	Format Equivalent 70mm, Aperture: f.2.8	Format Equivalent 70mm, Aperture: f.2.8
Tele Camera Image Sensor	1/2-inch CMOS, 12MP	1/2-inch CMOS, 12MP	1/1.5-inch CMOS, 48 MP	1/1.5-inch CMOS, 48 MP
Tele Camera Lens	Format Equivalent 162mm, Aperture: f.4.4	Format Equivalent 162mm, Aperture: f.4.4	Format Equivalent 168mm, Aperture: f.2.8	Format Equivalent 168mm, Aperture: f.2.8
Infrared Thermal Camera (Temperature Measurement Range)		High Gain Mode: -20° to 150° C (-4° to 302° F) Low Gain Mode: 0° to 500° C (32° to 932° F)		High Gain Mode: -20° to 150° C (-4° to 302° F) Low Gain Mode: 0° to 550° C (32° to 1022° F)

Who Can Benefit from the DJI Dock 3?

The DJI Dock 3 is an excellent choice for a variety of industries, including:

Security & Surveillance – AI-powered monitoring and real-time object detection provide superior situational awareness.
Infrastructure Inspection – Extended flight times and precision imaging allow for comprehensive inspections of large sites.
Emergency Response – Rapid deployment from vehicle-mounted operations improves response time and effectiveness.

Why Choose Candrone as Your Enterprise Dealer?

At Candrone, we specialize in providing cutting-edge enterprise drone solutions tailored to meet your operational needs. Choosing us means:

Expert Consultation – Our knowledgeable team will help you select the right drone and dock setup for your use case.
Comprehensive Support – From setup to troubleshooting, we offer dedicated technical assistance to keep your operations running smoothly.
Competitive Pricing – We provide cost-effective solutions that maximize the value of your investment.

Upgrade to DJI Dock 3 today with Candrone and take your autonomous drone operations to the next level!

The DJI Dock 3 represents a major step forward in autonomous drone technology. With its superior durability, vehicle-mounted deployment capability, faster charging, and advanced monitoring features, it provides a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Combined with the powerful Matrice 4D and 4TD series drones and their new accessories, the Dock 3 is designed to meet the demands of high-performance operations in security, inspection, and emergency response.

For enterprises looking to integrate the latest in drone automation, Candrone offers expert guidance, competitive pricing, and unmatched support. Contact us today to explore how DJI Dock 3 can elevate your aerial operations to the next level.