Why Smaller is Smarter: Rethinking Aerial Target Size in Drone Mapping
Drone tech has come a long way. We’ve moved from clunky manned aircraft to sleek UAVs capturing sub-inch detail—but when it comes to ground control, many are still stuck in the past.
Oversized targets, once necessary for aerial mapping at 5,000 feet AGL, are now out of sync with the realities of modern drone surveying. High-resolution sensors flying under 400 feet simply don’t require giant targets—and in fact, they often slow your team down and waste material.
This is where DronePoints come in.
Designed specifically for RGB photogrammetry with modern drone sensors, DronePoints feature a 12-inch diameter, high-contrast design that ensures reliable visibility up to 400 feet AGL. They’re lightweight, rugged, and engineered to match the precision and resolution of today’s drone cameras.
In this whitepaper, we explore:
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Why the “bigger is better” mindset doesn’t apply to drone mapping
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Common myths about small GCP visibility and accuracy
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How DronePoints perform at different altitudes, with GSD data and flight test results
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Why DronePoints outperform traditional oversized targets in both efficiency and data integrity
We also break down field testing conducted with a 4/3" CMOS sensor and various altitudes, showing that DronePoints remain clearly identifiable even at 400 feet—with visual data to back it up.
If your team is still hauling around giant vinyl targets better suited for Cessnas rather than quadcopters, it’s time to upgrade your workflow.