With the release of the DJI Dock 3, drone operators now have access to a vehicle-mounted, mobile-ready docking system optimised for advanced industrial applications.
But how does it compare to the DJI Dock 2, which has been widely adopted for surveying, inspection, and monitoring?
Overview of the DJI Dock 3
The DJI Dock 3 builds on the success of previous Dock models, introducing mobile deployment capabilities, enhanced endurance, and improved operational flexibility. It is designed for both temporary and permanent setups, making it a versatile solution for public safety, emergency response, and precision surveying. It also comes with two drone options, Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD.
Key features of the Dock 3:
First-ever vehicle-mounted dock – Deploy drones from a moving platform.
Dual-dock compatibility – Use two docks on a single vehicle for rotational drone operations.
IP56-rated weather resistance – Operates in -30°C to 50°C conditions.
Compatible with DJI Matrice 4D & 4TD – Up to 54-minute flight time with thermal and multi-sensor capabilities.
Airborne relay function – One drone can act as a relay to extend the range of another.
Pair with DJI FlightHub 2 – Remote mission control and automation with ISO 27001-certified security.
Technical comparison
Feature
DJI Dock 3
DJI Dock 2
Weight
55 kg
34 kg
Dimensions (Open/Closed)
1760 × 745 × 485 mm (open) / 640 × 745 × 770 mm (closed)
1228 × 583 × 412 mm (open) / 570 × 583 × 465 mm (closed)
Compatible Drones
DJI Matrice 4D & 4TD
DJI Matrice 3D & 3TD
Flight Time
54 min (forward-flight) / 47 min (hovering)
50 min max
Max. Operational Range
Extended via airborne relay
10 km
Weather Resistance
IP56 (Dock), IP55 (M4D & M4TD drones)
IP55
Dual Docking Support
Yes – two docks can be deployed from a single vehicle
No
Onboard Relay Function
Yes – airborne relay via a second drone
No
Night Operations
Full-colour & B/W night vision (M4TD)
Full-colour & B/W night vision (M3TD)
Thermal Camera
Yes (M4TD: 640×512, Infrared Super-Res 1280×1024)
Yes (M3TD: 640×512, Super-Res 1280×1024)
Laser Rangefinder
1800m measurement range
No
Obstacle Sensing
LiDAR & millimeter-wave radar
Vision system
Communication & Control
DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise
DJI RC Pro Enterprise
Accessory Ecosystem
Speaker, spotlight, third-party payloads via E-Port
Speaker, spotlight, third-party payloads via E-Port
Remote Mission Control
DJI FlightHub 2 (ISO 27001-certified security)
DJI FlightHub 2 (ISO 27001-certified security)
So, based on the table above, here are the main differneces and improvements introduced with the DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4 dock series of drones.
DJI Dock 3 is larger and heavier (55kg) but designed for vehicle-mounted deployment, while DJI Dock 2 is a compact (34kg) fixed-deployment solution.
Dock 3 supports dual-dock configurations for alternating drone operations, Dock 2 does not.
Dock 3 enables airborne relay functionality—one drone can extend the operational range of another, Dock 2 can't.
Dock 3 has improved weather resistance (IP56) and a wider operational temperature range, making it more robust for extreme conditions.
Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD can be equipped with an obstacle avoidance payload for improved performance.
Both docks support remote operation via FlightHub 2, obstacle sensing, and third-party payloads via E-Port.
Get your hands on Dock 3 today
Interested in the Dock 3 for your operations? Get in touch with our team of drone experts via a call on 1800 119 111 or send us an email at info@spheredrones.com.au.
