Thanks for all of that, you hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I'm worried about with the DJIs. I wish that Autel would open up their SDK because it would make my decision a lot easier.
Why I might go with an Autel:
1. Ability to change out cameras (I'm thinking of getting an infrared camera too)
2. Very few complaints about them, can't find hardly anything when it comes to complaints about firmware updates, huge plus in my book
3. Really good customer service, I've emailed them questions and have gotten responses back in a few minutes
4. Price (not my top priority but hey it's pretty reasonably priced)
5. It captures good quality geotagged images
Downsides:
1. No object avoidance sensors (ughh, this might be a deal breaker, maybe just fly really carefully?)
2. Lack of outside software because SDK hasn't been opened up
Only two downsides that I can think of. Number one makes it a little bit scarier to fly in places that have power lines, etc. and number two makes it a bit more complicated to make ortho maps (not impossible though, as you well know I'm sure). I will probably only be mapping small(ish) areas so this might not be a big deal for me.
The P4 and the P4P have obstacle avoidance sensors, that's the main attraction for me
AO: the obstacle avoidance (OA) will not pick up small thin lines like phone wires or powerlines. Its more for buildings and hard surfaces. OA will not even pick up tree branches if they are too thin. We fly landfills and open fields mostly, but we do have powerlines and cell towers on site...I have flown over them. If your flying in powerline areas, I would say the both the Autel and DJI get the same amount of "Magnetic Interference" warnings near those.
Here are some other pros and cons not mentioned yet:
Autel: The orange color is GREAT to spot 1700 ft out - DJI white disappears against the sky after 1000 ft
Autel: The hardshell Case is GREAT, things fit nice- DJI the styrofoam case SUCKS, and the camera rubs against the controller.
Autel batteries are $80-$100, up to 6 extra fit in case - DJI batteries are $150, only 2 extra fit in case, under a styrofoam arm.
Autel seems to work great with Android - DJI works great with IOS
Autel Controller has a screen with vitals (heading, battery life, signal strength,etc) - DJI info is all on your phone or tablet.
and when you get video interference and your iphone or tablet GO COMPLETELY BLANK....the last thing you have on DJI is your RTH button. Which has failed us, twice. On Autel, weve lost signal and screen and were
able to bring the drone back. If you fly very far (2000+ft), think of what you would do without your screen.
The Autel Controller has buttons for start up, take off, RTH, and pause....these are VERY nice to use. There is comfort in the startup procedure. On DJI, everything is on your screen. Even on a tablet, the buttons are close and I dislike taking my hand off the controller to try to touch a button on the screen...and the GLARE...ugh. you have to get a sunshade for either one if your flying in nice weather. Clients always want to look over your shoulder and see their site.
Autel has promised new cameras but delivered nothing. I dont think they even have a booth at Interdrone this week. So, what is the use of an interchangeable Gimble without anything to change to? Ive talked to the FLIR Reps about the Flir Duo, and they say Autel is close to releasing it. the downside is the Flir duo has 160x120 resolution...its no Vue Pro...so, is a sucky Flir better than no Flir?
For a first commercial drone, either the DJI or the Autel will suffice. A fair comparison on features and price point would be the P3Pro and the XSP. I went with Autel initially cause I liked the Starlink app better than the Go4App, and then I was able to get the P4P through work. For starters, you wont go wrong with either one, but I think you would LIKE the Autel better to fly and take pictures/video montages, but you would LOVE the DJI P3Pro or P4(P) better for actual mapping such as orthoimagery (shp, kml) and Pointcloud (ply las stl) and 3d Modeling (Obj). If you get the DJI, there is a free program called RAPID DJI that will do your DEM and GEOTiffs for free, up to 150 pictures.
Note: Our shop is actually looking at the Hubsan 501A as a field recon drone for district staff. Its $300, range up to 750ft, and 1080p camera...its a step down from the autel or dji phantoms, but its SPARK size small and for recon, it may suffice. The Autel and DJI are fairly large cases, they take up a whole seat in a car.
The Hubsan 507A $99, may become our trainer. Now, all our pilots start out on plastic JJRC models H31 and X6 and get at least a dozen crashes out of their system.
Good Luck.