Phone: +1 888 850 6533
Mon - Fri: 9 am - 5 pm (MT)
Phone: +1 888 850 6533
Mon - Fri: 9 am - 5 pm (MT)
In the rapidly advancing field of drone technology, DJI has continued to innovate, particularly in the realm of LiDAR imaging. The DJI Zenmuse L1 and L2 are two leading payloads designed for professional-grade drones, each offering unique features tailored to various surveying and mapping applications. This blog post provides a detailed comparison of these two models, highlighting their strengths and helping you decide which one best meets your surveying needs.
One of the most critical aspects for surveying professionals is the efficiency of the equipment. The Zenmuse L2 significantly outperforms the L1 in terms of operational efficiency. The L2 can cover an area of 2.5 km² in a single mission at a relative altitude of 150 meters and a flight speed of 15 m/s, compared to the L1's coverage of 2 km² at 100 meters altitude and 13 m/s speed.
| Feature | DJI Zenmuse L1 | DJI Zenmuse L2 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Area (per mission) | 2 km² (100m altitude, 13 m/s) | 2.5 km² (150m altitude, 15 m/s) |
| Returns Supported | 3 returns | 5 returns |
| Point Cloud Data Rate (Multiple Return) | 480,000 points/sec | 1,200,000 points/sec |
Precision is paramount in surveying, and the Zenmuse L2 offers substantial improvements over the L1. The L2 provides a vertical accuracy of 4 cm and a horizontal accuracy of 5 cm at a relative altitude of 150 meters and flight speed of 15 m/s. In comparison, the L1 offers a vertical accuracy of 5 cm and a horizontal accuracy of 10 cm at 50 meters altitude and 10 m/s speed.
| Feature | DJI Zenmuse L1 | DJI Zenmuse L2 |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Accuracy | 5 cm | 4 cm |
| Horizontal Accuracy | 10 cm | 5 cm |
The Zenmuse L2 features enhanced point cloud penetration, especially under the canopy. The L2's ground point density is more than three times that of the L1, providing clearer imaging of forest structures and ground topography. This improved penetration allows for better detection of features beneath vegetation, which is crucial for detailed environmental surveys.
| Feature | DJI Zenmuse L1 | DJI Zenmuse L2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Point Density | Baseline | 3x Baseline |
| Point Cloud Thickness | 3x Baseline | 1/3 Baseline |
The L2’s LiDAR module has a longer measurement range and more concentrated energy, leading to a smaller spot area that improves penetration and point cloud quality. The measuring range has increased by 30%, with up to 250 meters reflectivity at 10%. This enhancement allows for safer and more efficient flight operations due to a longer detection range, with operating altitudes reaching 150 meters.
| Feature | DJI Zenmuse L1 | DJI Zenmuse L2 |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement Range | 190 meters (10% reflectivity) | 250 meters (10% reflectivity) |
The Zenmuse L2 is equipped with a high-precision Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that can perform data fusion and post-processing with the aircraft RTK positioning system, providing more accurate absolute position, speed, and attitude information. Unlike the L1, the L2's inertial navigation does not require preheating, reducing waiting time in the field.
| Feature | DJI Zenmuse L1 | DJI Zenmuse L2 |
|---|---|---|
| IMU Warm-up Time | 5-10 minutes | No warm-up required |
| Yaw Accuracy | Real-time 0.3°, Post-processing 0.15° | Real-time 0.2°, Post-processing 0.05° |
| Pitch and Roll Accuracy | Real-time 0.05°, Post-processing 0.025° | Real-time 0.05°, Post-processing 0.025° |
The Zenmuse L2 offers advanced colorization for point cloud data, providing smoother and clearer images with well-defined details. It features a 4/3-inch CMOS sensor with 20 million pixels and a mechanical shutter life of 200,000 cycles, supporting continuous shooting with a minimum photo interval of 0.7 seconds. This is a significant upgrade from the L1's 1-inch sensor and 50,000 shutter lifespan with a 2-second photo interval.
| Feature | DJI Zenmuse L1 | DJI Zenmuse L2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Size | 1 inch | 4/3 inch |
| Effective Pixels | 20M | 20M |
| Mechanical Shutter Life | 50,000 cycles | 200,000 cycles |
| Minimum Photo Interval | 2 seconds | 0.7 seconds |
When selecting between the DJI Zenmuse L1 and L2, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of your surveying operations.
Zenmuse L1: The L1 is suitable for general surveying tasks and environments where advanced penetration and high-density point clouds are not critical. It provides reliable performance for basic surveying needs at a lower cost.
Zenmuse L2: The L2 is the clear frontrunner, combining higher precision, improved penetration, longer measurement range, enhanced IMU performance, and richer coloring. This makes it the ideal choice for demanding surveying applications that require detailed environmental mapping, infrastructure inspection, and high-accuracy data collection.
In summary, the DJI Zenmuse L2 represents a significant advancement in LiDAR payload technology, offering unparalleled capabilities that meet the needs of modern professional surveying operations. Whether you are involved in environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, or topographic surveys, the L2 provides the tools you need to perform with greater precision, efficiency, and reliability.
For more detailed information and to purchase these advanced LiDAR payloads, visit My Surveying Direct.