Yes. We're a family-owned business based in Central Florida that has been selling DJI enterprise drones since 2017. Lucas and Sabrina Merriman run the operation, real people answer the phone when you call. Call us at 863-224-6923 if you want to talk to a human before you buy.

These are unused, unflown units that have been activated prior to resale. Zero flight hours. Never operated in the field. Activation is an administrative step in DJI's system, not a sign the drone has been used. The practical difference from a factory-sealed unit is that these aren't eligible for DJI's extended care plans, which we cover with CPS protection available at checkout.

Yes. Every unit we sell is an authentic DJI product. The firmware is genuine, updates work normally, and the drone functions exactly as DJI designed it. We're not affiliated with DJI and we're not an authorized dealer, but the hardware itself is real DJI.

No. We're an independent reseller. We're upfront about this because it affects extended care plan eligibility and may matter for some procurement requirements. For agencies that specifically require purchases through an authorized dealer, call us and we'll talk through your options. For most commercial operators, public safety teams, and wildlife recovery operators, this distinction doesn't change how the drone performs.

Our sourcing model gives us access to inventory and pricing that authorized dealers operating through DJI's standard distribution channels don't always have. We're often priced lower than other retailers on the same platforms. If you've seen a lower price somewhere, call us and we'll give you a straight comparison.

Our sourcing model operates outside the standard DJI authorized distribution channel, which gives us access to supply when authorized dealers are waiting on allocation. Global drone freight has been significantly disrupted, so we're not promising unlimited supply, but when we say something is in stock, it is.

Yes. The unit will have been through DJI's activation process before it reaches you. When it arrives you'll bind it to your own DJI account, same as any other DJI unit. Activation status doesn't prevent normal use, firmware updates, or DJI account registration. The only thing it affects is eligibility for DJI's extended care plans.

We're not aware of any mechanism for DJI to remotely disable individual drones based on purchase source. Your drone operates independently once set up. DJI's airspace advisory system applies to all DJI drones equally regardless of where the drone was purchased.

The units we sell are genuine DJI products sold outside DJI's authorized dealer network, which the industry sometimes calls gray market. They're not international versions with different frequency configurations or missing features. Firmware updates and DJI account binding work normally. The term describes the distribution channel, not the product itself.

Matrice 4T: thermal-first. Best for public safety, SAR, deer recovery, wildfire, and inspection. The right call for most operators who need thermal, zoom, and RGB together in a compact foldable airframe.

Matrice 4TD: same thermal sensor as the 4T, adds IP55 all-weather protection, fixed-arm rugged airframe, longer flight time, and Dock 3 compatibility for autonomous operations. Better when you operate in rain, fog, or need extended endurance.

Matrice 4E: mapping and surveying. Built for photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and precision mapping with RTK. Right platform when accuracy and data deliverables matter more than thermal.

Not sure? Call 863-224-6923 and we'll ask a few questions and tell you straight.

The 30T is the previous-generation platform, still solid but now discontinued by DJI. The 4T is the successor with meaningfully better thermal resolution, improved AI detection, longer flight time, and the newer RC Plus 2 controller. If you're choosing between them, the 4T is the right call unless you have a specific reason to stay on the 30T. If you already own a 30T and are considering upgrading, call us.

The 4T has a 640x512 uncooled VOx thermal sensor with Super Resolution mode that upscales to 1280x1024. It captures radiometric thermal data, meaning actual temperature values per pixel, not just a visual heat map. That matters for solar inspection, accurate hotspot documentation, and any application where you need to quantify temperature differences rather than just see them.

The Matrice 4T gets up to 49 minutes per battery with standard propellers. The Matrice 4TD gets up to 54 minutes. Real-world times will be shorter depending on wind, altitude, payload weight, and how aggressively you're flying. Our bundles include Fly More kits with multiple batteries so you can cover more ground without waiting on a charge.

The Matrice 4T has a maximum transmission range of 25 km (FCC) in ideal conditions with the RC Plus 2 controller using O4 Enterprise Transmission. Practical range in real-world environments with terrain, trees, and RF interference will be less. For most operational use cases (deer recovery, SAR, solar inspection) you're working well within range. You're more likely to be limited by battery life than signal distance.

Yes. Thermal imaging works in complete darkness because heat doesn't require light. The 4T has a NIR (Near-Infrared) auxiliary light that illuminates up to 100m for low-light operations. The 4TD adds full-color and black-and-white night modes for high-quality low-light video. Both are designed for after-dark operations. For Part 107 night flying, see the FAA section below for current lighting requirements.

The Matrice 4TD has an IP55 rating, which means it's protected against dust and water spray from any direction. That makes it the right call if you operate in rain, fog, snow, or harsh conditions.

The standard Matrice 4T does not have an official IP rating from DJI. Operators have flown it in light to moderate rain without issues, but DJI does not recommend flying in rain and we don't either. If weather resilience matters to your operation, go with the 4TD.

Our Matrice 4T and 4TD kits include the RC Plus 2 Enterprise controller, with a 7-inch high-brightness screen built directly into the controller. No tablet or phone needed. It's sunlight-readable and works in direct field conditions. Meaningfully better than using a phone or tablet, which wash out in bright sunlight and require a separate mount.

Depends on your use case. Spotlight: useful for deer recovery (illuminate once you've located the animal), law enforcement (light up a scene without getting close), and SAR work at night. Speaker: useful for law enforcement (commands from altitude), SAR (guide a lost person to your location), and any scenario where you need to communicate with someone on the ground. We include a spotlight in the Wildlife Recovery Bundle. Call us and we'll tell you what makes sense for your operation.

Close. You'll need to charge the batteries, log into a DJI account, bind the drone to the controller, and check for firmware updates. First-time setup typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. After that it's quick. Our bundles include everything you need to fly. Call us if you run into anything during setup.

All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), PayPal, Shop Pay, and Apple Pay. For qualified agencies and businesses, we accept purchase orders with Net 30 terms. Call 863-224-6923 to set up PO terms before ordering.

Shop Pay Installments is available at checkout for qualifying orders. For qualified agencies and businesses, Net 30 is available with an approved PO. Call us to discuss what works for your situation.

Yes. Our store runs on Shopify Plus, which is PCI DSS compliant. Card transactions are processed securely and we never store card data. If a unit arrives damaged or defective, we handle it directly. See our return policy for full details.

Yes. Same-day quotes with line-item breakdowns for purchase orders and procurement packages. Call 863-224-6923 or email sales@covertdrones.com.

Contact us immediately at 863-224-6923. Orders that haven't shipped can typically be modified or cancelled. Once shipped, our return policy applies.

Delivery is typically 5 to 7 business days for domestic orders. If you need to confirm timing before ordering, call us and we'll tell you where things stand with current inventory.

If a product shows in stock, we're working with current supply. Inventory does move, especially with current freight conditions. If timing is critical, call us before ordering and we'll confirm exactly what's available.

We operate a hybrid fulfillment model. Some units ship from U.S. inventory and some ship directly from supply partners depending on availability. Either way, the delivery window is the same: 5 to 7 business days. If you have a specific timing requirement, call us before placing your order.

Sometimes. Lithium battery shipping regulations can require separate shipments. If part of your order ships separately, you'll get individual tracking numbers for each package. Everything arrives within the same general delivery window.

You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships. There can be a short delay between fulfillment and tracking activation. If you haven't received tracking after a few business days, contact us at sales@covertdrones.com or call 863-224-6923 and we'll give you a status update.

We do not offer expedited shipping. All orders deliver within the standard 5 to 7 business day window. If timing is critical, call us before ordering and we'll confirm the most realistic delivery date for your situation.

International shipping is available on select orders. Contact us directly at sales@covertdrones.com for international inquiries. Pricing, timelines, and availability vary by destination and some products may have export restrictions.

These units have been activated prior to resale but have zero flight hours and have never been used in the field. Activation is an administrative process that registers the unit in DJI's system. It's not a sign the drone has been operated. The unit will bind to your DJI account normally when you set it up. The only practical difference is eligibility for DJI's extended care plans.

Two things to know here. First, because these units are activated prior to resale, they are not eligible for DJI Care Enterprise Plus. Second, DJI Care Enterprise Plus is not currently available for purchase in the United States, so U.S. buyers don't have access to that plan even on a non-activated unit purchased through other channels. DJI can still service these units as paid repairs at standard rates. If a unit arrives DOA, we handle it directly. We offer CPS Drone Protection as the coverage path for our customers, available at checkout.

No. The activation status on these units makes them ineligible for DJI's extended care plans, and DJI Care Enterprise Plus isn't currently available for purchase in the U.S. anyway. That's why we offer CPS Drone Protection as the alternative.

CPS Drone Protection is a third-party plan available at checkout that covers your drone against crashes, water damage, hardware failure, controller damage, and camera damage during commercial Part 107 operations. It's the practical alternative to DJI's extended care plans for these units. Learn more at cpscentral.com.

Eligible items may be returned within 30 days of delivery in unused, unopened condition with original packaging. Items that have been opened, activated beyond setup, flown, or used are not eligible for return. See our full Returns page for details.

Contact us immediately at sales@covertdrones.com with photos and your order number. DOA units are handled directly by us. We'll resolve it as quickly as possible. Don't send a DOA unit back to DJI without contacting us first.

If you have CPS protection, file a claim through them. Crashes are covered. Without coverage, DJI can repair these units as a paid service at their standard repair rates. For minor repairs like props and accessories, we carry replacement parts. Call us after any incident and we'll point you in the right direction.

Yes. Net 30 is available for qualified law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and municipal entities. Call 863-224-6923 or email sales@covertdrones.com to set up terms. We also provide W-9 documentation and vendor registration information.

Short answer: no, not as of December 22, 2025. The American Security Drone Act's two-year transition period ended on that date, and FAR 52.240-1 now prohibits federal funds (including grant pass-through dollars like SHSP, UASI, AFG, EMPG, Byrne-JAG, and AEL-listed equipment purchases) from being used to procure or operate DJI drones. This applies to most agency funding streams that originate from a federal source.

What still works for buying DJI: agency operating budgets, state-only funds, county or municipal general fund dollars, asset forfeiture funds, private grants, and other non-federal sources. Plenty of agency customers buy with clean funding every week. Call us and we'll help you figure out what funding source works for your purchase.

Yes, same day. We provide formal line-item quotes formatted for purchase orders, including W-9 and vendor registration documentation. Call 863-224-6923 or email sales@covertdrones.com.

Call us directly for agency pricing discussions. For volume orders and established agency relationships, we work to put together the best package we can. We're not a big-box operation with a fixed price sheet, there's room to work with qualified buyers.

We provide pre-sale consultation and post-sale support on the equipment. For formal flight training and Part 107 certification programs, we can refer you to qualified instructors. A real person answers when you call. We're happy to walk through configuration, mission planning, and operational questions.

Yes. SAR is one of our core use cases. The Matrice 4T and 4TD are deployed by SAR teams across the country. The thermal sensor covers dozens of acres in minutes at 300 to 400 feet altitude, detecting heat signatures through darkness, light vegetation, and difficult terrain. We've worked with departments on SAR-specific kit configurations. Call us and describe your operation. We'll tell you what makes sense.

Yes. Any paid commercial drone operation requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. That includes deer recovery services, solar inspection, aerial photography, and any compensated work. The test is straightforward, most people study a few weeks with a prep course and pass first try. Recreational flying has separate requirements under FAA recreational rules.

Yes. Any drone over 0.55 lbs must be registered. All Matrice 4-series drones exceed this threshold. Register through FAA DroneZone. Commercial operators register under Part 107. Recreational operators register separately.

Part 107 allows night flying without a waiver as long as your drone has anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles. The Matrice 4T has built-in strobes. Many operators run them as-is, others add an aftermarket strobe (Firehouse Arc, Lume Cube, etc.) to be confident they meet the visibility standard. If you're flying at night routinely, verify your specific lighting setup against current FAA guidance before relying on it.

Government agencies operating as public aircraft operators under 49 U.S.C. 40125 can operate under a different framework than Part 107. Many law enforcement and fire departments qualify, allowing operations not permitted under standard Part 107. Your agency's aviation officer or legal counsel should confirm your specific status.

State drone deer recovery laws vary significantly and change often. Some states fully allow it, some require special permits, some restrict it to post-shot recovery only, and a few prohibit it. Always check directly with your state fish and wildlife agency before operating commercially. Don't rely on a forum post or a sales page for this. Verify with the actual regulator.

Depends where you're flying. Class G airspace (most rural areas) typically doesn't require authorization. Controlled airspace near airports requires authorization through FAA LAANC or a manual waiver. DJI Pilot 2 displays airspace advisory information, but U.S. operators are responsible for their own airspace compliance. Use B4UFLY or LAANC for authoritative airspace status before every flight.

Yes. The Matrice 4T is FCC-certified and legal to purchase, import, and operate in the United States. Recent FCC action affects new equipment authorizations for future DJI models. It does not affect existing certified platforms, and there has been no FAA flight restriction or remote disablement of DJI drones in service.

The American Security Drone Act (ASDA) restricts the use of federal funds to procure or operate Chinese-manufactured UAS, including DJI. The two-year transition period ended December 22, 2025, and FAR 52.240-1 now enforces this across federal contracts and grant pass-through funding.

What that means in practice: if your agency is buying with federal grant money (SHSP, UASI, AFG, EMPG, Byrne-JAG, AEL-listed equipment, etc.), DJI is not currently a compliant path. If you're buying with state-only funds, local operating budgets, asset forfeiture, or non-federal sources, DJI remains available. Your procurement office should confirm which funding source applies before you order.

DJI Care Enterprise Plus is not currently available for purchase in the United States. Even setting aside the activation status of the units we sell, U.S. buyers don't have access to that plan today regardless of where they purchase. CPS Drone Protection is the coverage path we recommend, available at checkout. It's built for commercial Part 107 operations and gives you a clear claim path for crash, water, hardware, controller, and camera damage.

Yes, when conditions are right and it's used correctly. Thermal imaging detects heat signatures that no other method can find. At 300 to 400 feet you're covering dozens of acres in minutes. What matters is learning your equipment, flying the right patterns, and understanding how ambient temperature and brush density affect the signature. That's why practice before season matters.

Depends heavily on ambient temperature, ground cover, and how the animal cooled. In cold weather you have a longer window, sometimes overnight or longer. In warmer conditions thermal contrast can fade within a few hours. Quick response after the shot gives you the best chance of a clear signature.

Not through solid tree trunks, but dense closed canopy is workable with the right technique. The 4T's 112x hybrid zoom and high flight altitude let you work multiple angles. Post-leaf drop, recovery rates go up significantly because there's less canopy blocking the signature. Early season with full leaves on is the hardest scenario. Experienced operators adjust grid altitude and overlap to compensate.

Rates vary by region. Many operators charge in the $250 to $450 range per call. Some use flat fees, others use a success bonus structure. Your earnings will depend on local demand, season length, your marketing, and how many calls you can realistically run. We can't promise specific income figures because they depend entirely on your market and effort.

Most operators start with the 4T Wildlife Recovery Bundle: thermal, zoom, spotlight, NIR night lighting, multiple batteries. The 4TD is the step up for operators who need all-weather capability (IP55 for rain and fog), more flight time per battery, and full-color and black-and-white night modes. Both are serious platforms. The 4T is the right starting point for most people.

Equipment delivers in 5 to 7 business days. Part 107 takes a few weeks to study for and schedule. Plan for 4 to 6 weeks from purchase to legally ready. Buy now and you have spring and summer to practice before season opens. Operators who wait until October are scrambling. The ones who prepare in the off-season are the ones running calls opening weekend.

Yes. We're a family-owned business based in Central Florida that has been selling DJI enterprise drones since 2017. Lucas and Sabrina Merriman run the operation, real people answer the phone when you call. Call us at 863-224-6923 if you want to talk to a human before you buy.

These are unused, unflown units that have been activated prior to resale. Zero flight hours. Never operated in the field. Activation is an administrative step in DJI's system, not a sign the drone has been used. The practical difference from a factory-sealed unit is that these aren't eligible for DJI's extended care plans, which we cover with CPS protection available at checkout.

Yes. Every unit we sell is an authentic DJI product. The firmware is genuine, updates work normally, and the drone functions exactly as DJI designed it. We're not affiliated with DJI and we're not an authorized dealer, but the hardware itself is real DJI.

No. We're an independent reseller. We're upfront about this because it affects extended care plan eligibility and may matter for some procurement requirements. For agencies that specifically require purchases through an authorized dealer, call us and we'll talk through your options. For most commercial operators, public safety teams, and wildlife recovery operators, this distinction doesn't change how the drone performs.

Our sourcing model gives us access to inventory and pricing that authorized dealers operating through DJI's standard distribution channels don't always have. We're often priced lower than other retailers on the same platforms. If you've seen a lower price somewhere, call us and we'll give you a straight comparison.

Our sourcing model operates outside the standard DJI authorized distribution channel, which gives us access to supply when authorized dealers are waiting on allocation. Global drone freight has been significantly disrupted, so we're not promising unlimited supply, but when we say something is in stock, it is.

Yes. The unit will have been through DJI's activation process before it reaches you. When it arrives you'll bind it to your own DJI account, same as any other DJI unit. Activation status doesn't prevent normal use, firmware updates, or DJI account registration. The only thing it affects is eligibility for DJI's extended care plans.

We're not aware of any mechanism for DJI to remotely disable individual drones based on purchase source. Your drone operates independently once set up. DJI's airspace advisory system applies to all DJI drones equally regardless of where the drone was purchased.

The units we sell are genuine DJI products sold outside DJI's authorized dealer network, which the industry sometimes calls gray market. They're not international versions with different frequency configurations or missing features. Firmware updates and DJI account binding work normally. The term describes the distribution channel, not the product itself.

Matrice 4T: thermal-first. Best for public safety, SAR, deer recovery, wildfire, and inspection. The right call for most operators who need thermal, zoom, and RGB together in a compact foldable airframe.

Matrice 4TD: same thermal sensor as the 4T, adds IP55 all-weather protection, fixed-arm rugged airframe, longer flight time, and Dock 3 compatibility for autonomous operations. Better when you operate in rain, fog, or need extended endurance.

Matrice 4E: mapping and surveying. Built for photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and precision mapping with RTK. Right platform when accuracy and data deliverables matter more than thermal.

Not sure? Call 863-224-6923 and we'll ask a few questions and tell you straight.

The 30T is the previous-generation platform, still solid but now discontinued by DJI. The 4T is the successor with meaningfully better thermal resolution, improved AI detection, longer flight time, and the newer RC Plus 2 controller. If you're choosing between them, the 4T is the right call unless you have a specific reason to stay on the 30T. If you already own a 30T and are considering upgrading, call us.

The 4T has a 640x512 uncooled VOx thermal sensor with Super Resolution mode that upscales to 1280x1024. It captures radiometric thermal data, meaning actual temperature values per pixel, not just a visual heat map. That matters for solar inspection, accurate hotspot documentation, and any application where you need to quantify temperature differences rather than just see them.

The Matrice 4T gets up to 49 minutes per battery with standard propellers. The Matrice 4TD gets up to 54 minutes. Real-world times will be shorter depending on wind, altitude, payload weight, and how aggressively you're flying. Our bundles include Fly More kits with multiple batteries so you can cover more ground without waiting on a charge.

The Matrice 4T has a maximum transmission range of 25 km (FCC) in ideal conditions with the RC Plus 2 controller using O4 Enterprise Transmission. Practical range in real-world environments with terrain, trees, and RF interference will be less. For most operational use cases (deer recovery, SAR, solar inspection) you're working well within range. You're more likely to be limited by battery life than signal distance.

Yes. Thermal imaging works in complete darkness because heat doesn't require light. The 4T has a NIR (Near-Infrared) auxiliary light that illuminates up to 100m for low-light operations. The 4TD adds full-color and black-and-white night modes for high-quality low-light video. Both are designed for after-dark operations. For Part 107 night flying, see the FAA section below for current lighting requirements.

The Matrice 4TD has an IP55 rating, which means it's protected against dust and water spray from any direction. That makes it the right call if you operate in rain, fog, snow, or harsh conditions.

The standard Matrice 4T does not have an official IP rating from DJI. Operators have flown it in light to moderate rain without issues, but DJI does not recommend flying in rain and we don't either. If weather resilience matters to your operation, go with the 4TD.

Our Matrice 4T and 4TD kits include the RC Plus 2 Enterprise controller, with a 7-inch high-brightness screen built directly into the controller. No tablet or phone needed. It's sunlight-readable and works in direct field conditions. Meaningfully better than using a phone or tablet, which wash out in bright sunlight and require a separate mount.

Depends on your use case. Spotlight: useful for deer recovery (illuminate once you've located the animal), law enforcement (light up a scene without getting close), and SAR work at night. Speaker: useful for law enforcement (commands from altitude), SAR (guide a lost person to your location), and any scenario where you need to communicate with someone on the ground. We include a spotlight in the Wildlife Recovery Bundle. Call us and we'll tell you what makes sense for your operation.

Close. You'll need to charge the batteries, log into a DJI account, bind the drone to the controller, and check for firmware updates. First-time setup typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. After that it's quick. Our bundles include everything you need to fly. Call us if you run into anything during setup.

All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), PayPal, Shop Pay, and Apple Pay. For qualified agencies and businesses, we accept purchase orders with Net 30 terms. Call 863-224-6923 to set up PO terms before ordering.

Shop Pay Installments is available at checkout for qualifying orders. For qualified agencies and businesses, Net 30 is available with an approved PO. Call us to discuss what works for your situation.

Yes. Our store runs on Shopify Plus, which is PCI DSS compliant. Card transactions are processed securely and we never store card data. If a unit arrives damaged or defective, we handle it directly. See our return policy for full details.

Yes. Same-day quotes with line-item breakdowns for purchase orders and procurement packages. Call 863-224-6923 or email sales@covertdrones.com.

Contact us immediately at 863-224-6923. Orders that haven't shipped can typically be modified or cancelled. Once shipped, our return policy applies.

Delivery is typically 5 to 7 business days for domestic orders. If you need to confirm timing before ordering, call us and we'll tell you where things stand with current inventory.

If a product shows in stock, we're working with current supply. Inventory does move, especially with current freight conditions. If timing is critical, call us before ordering and we'll confirm exactly what's available.

We operate a hybrid fulfillment model. Some units ship from U.S. inventory and some ship directly from supply partners depending on availability. Either way, the delivery window is the same: 5 to 7 business days. If you have a specific timing requirement, call us before placing your order.

Sometimes. Lithium battery shipping regulations can require separate shipments. If part of your order ships separately, you'll get individual tracking numbers for each package. Everything arrives within the same general delivery window.

You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order ships. There can be a short delay between fulfillment and tracking activation. If you haven't received tracking after a few business days, contact us at sales@covertdrones.com or call 863-224-6923 and we'll give you a status update.

We do not offer expedited shipping. All orders deliver within the standard 5 to 7 business day window. If timing is critical, call us before ordering and we'll confirm the most realistic delivery date for your situation.

International shipping is available on select orders. Contact us directly at sales@covertdrones.com for international inquiries. Pricing, timelines, and availability vary by destination and some products may have export restrictions.

These units have been activated prior to resale but have zero flight hours and have never been used in the field. Activation is an administrative process that registers the unit in DJI's system. It's not a sign the drone has been operated. The unit will bind to your DJI account normally when you set it up. The only practical difference is eligibility for DJI's extended care plans.

Two things to know here. First, because these units are activated prior to resale, they are not eligible for DJI Care Enterprise Plus. Second, DJI Care Enterprise Plus is not currently available for purchase in the United States, so U.S. buyers don't have access to that plan even on a non-activated unit purchased through other channels. DJI can still service these units as paid repairs at standard rates. If a unit arrives DOA, we handle it directly. We offer CPS Drone Protection as the coverage path for our customers, available at checkout.

No. The activation status on these units makes them ineligible for DJI's extended care plans, and DJI Care Enterprise Plus isn't currently available for purchase in the U.S. anyway. That's why we offer CPS Drone Protection as the alternative.

CPS Drone Protection is a third-party plan available at checkout that covers your drone against crashes, water damage, hardware failure, controller damage, and camera damage during commercial Part 107 operations. It's the practical alternative to DJI's extended care plans for these units. Learn more at cpscentral.com.

Eligible items may be returned within 30 days of delivery in unused, unopened condition with original packaging. Items that have been opened, activated beyond setup, flown, or used are not eligible for return. See our full Returns page for details.

Contact us immediately at sales@covertdrones.com with photos and your order number. DOA units are handled directly by us. We'll resolve it as quickly as possible. Don't send a DOA unit back to DJI without contacting us first.

If you have CPS protection, file a claim through them. Crashes are covered. Without coverage, DJI can repair these units as a paid service at their standard repair rates. For minor repairs like props and accessories, we carry replacement parts. Call us after any incident and we'll point you in the right direction.

Yes. Net 30 is available for qualified law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and municipal entities. Call 863-224-6923 or email sales@covertdrones.com to set up terms. We also provide W-9 documentation and vendor registration information.

Short answer: no, not as of December 22, 2025. The American Security Drone Act's two-year transition period ended on that date, and FAR 52.240-1 now prohibits federal funds (including grant pass-through dollars like SHSP, UASI, AFG, EMPG, Byrne-JAG, and AEL-listed equipment purchases) from being used to procure or operate DJI drones. This applies to most agency funding streams that originate from a federal source.

What still works for buying DJI: agency operating budgets, state-only funds, county or municipal general fund dollars, asset forfeiture funds, private grants, and other non-federal sources. Plenty of agency customers buy with clean funding every week. Call us and we'll help you figure out what funding source works for your purchase.

Yes, same day. We provide formal line-item quotes formatted for purchase orders, including W-9 and vendor registration documentation. Call 863-224-6923 or email sales@covertdrones.com.

Call us directly for agency pricing discussions. For volume orders and established agency relationships, we work to put together the best package we can. We're not a big-box operation with a fixed price sheet, there's room to work with qualified buyers.

We provide pre-sale consultation and post-sale support on the equipment. For formal flight training and Part 107 certification programs, we can refer you to qualified instructors. A real person answers when you call. We're happy to walk through configuration, mission planning, and operational questions.

Yes. SAR is one of our core use cases. The Matrice 4T and 4TD are deployed by SAR teams across the country. The thermal sensor covers dozens of acres in minutes at 300 to 400 feet altitude, detecting heat signatures through darkness, light vegetation, and difficult terrain. We've worked with departments on SAR-specific kit configurations. Call us and describe your operation. We'll tell you what makes sense.

Yes. Any paid commercial drone operation requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. That includes deer recovery services, solar inspection, aerial photography, and any compensated work. The test is straightforward, most people study a few weeks with a prep course and pass first try. Recreational flying has separate requirements under FAA recreational rules.

Yes. Any drone over 0.55 lbs must be registered. All Matrice 4-series drones exceed this threshold. Register through FAA DroneZone. Commercial operators register under Part 107. Recreational operators register separately.

Part 107 allows night flying without a waiver as long as your drone has anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles. The Matrice 4T has built-in strobes. Many operators run them as-is, others add an aftermarket strobe (Firehouse Arc, Lume Cube, etc.) to be confident they meet the visibility standard. If you're flying at night routinely, verify your specific lighting setup against current FAA guidance before relying on it.

Government agencies operating as public aircraft operators under 49 U.S.C. 40125 can operate under a different framework than Part 107. Many law enforcement and fire departments qualify, allowing operations not permitted under standard Part 107. Your agency's aviation officer or legal counsel should confirm your specific status.

State drone deer recovery laws vary significantly and change often. Some states fully allow it, some require special permits, some restrict it to post-shot recovery only, and a few prohibit it. Always check directly with your state fish and wildlife agency before operating commercially. Don't rely on a forum post or a sales page for this. Verify with the actual regulator.

Depends where you're flying. Class G airspace (most rural areas) typically doesn't require authorization. Controlled airspace near airports requires authorization through FAA LAANC or a manual waiver. DJI Pilot 2 displays airspace advisory information, but U.S. operators are responsible for their own airspace compliance. Use B4UFLY or LAANC for authoritative airspace status before every flight.

Yes. The Matrice 4T is FCC-certified and legal to purchase, import, and operate in the United States. Recent FCC action affects new equipment authorizations for future DJI models. It does not affect existing certified platforms, and there has been no FAA flight restriction or remote disablement of DJI drones in service.

The American Security Drone Act (ASDA) restricts the use of federal funds to procure or operate Chinese-manufactured UAS, including DJI. The two-year transition period ended December 22, 2025, and FAR 52.240-1 now enforces this across federal contracts and grant pass-through funding.

What that means in practice: if your agency is buying with federal grant money (SHSP, UASI, AFG, EMPG, Byrne-JAG, AEL-listed equipment, etc.), DJI is not currently a compliant path. If you're buying with state-only funds, local operating budgets, asset forfeiture, or non-federal sources, DJI remains available. Your procurement office should confirm which funding source applies before you order.

DJI Care Enterprise Plus is not currently available for purchase in the United States. Even setting aside the activation status of the units we sell, U.S. buyers don't have access to that plan today regardless of where they purchase. CPS Drone Protection is the coverage path we recommend, available at checkout. It's built for commercial Part 107 operations and gives you a clear claim path for crash, water, hardware, controller, and camera damage.

Yes, when conditions are right and it's used correctly. Thermal imaging detects heat signatures that no other method can find. At 300 to 400 feet you're covering dozens of acres in minutes. What matters is learning your equipment, flying the right patterns, and understanding how ambient temperature and brush density affect the signature. That's why practice before season matters.

Depends heavily on ambient temperature, ground cover, and how the animal cooled. In cold weather you have a longer window, sometimes overnight or longer. In warmer conditions thermal contrast can fade within a few hours. Quick response after the shot gives you the best chance of a clear signature.

Not through solid tree trunks, but dense closed canopy is workable with the right technique. The 4T's 112x hybrid zoom and high flight altitude let you work multiple angles. Post-leaf drop, recovery rates go up significantly because there's less canopy blocking the signature. Early season with full leaves on is the hardest scenario. Experienced operators adjust grid altitude and overlap to compensate.

Rates vary by region. Many operators charge in the $250 to $450 range per call. Some use flat fees, others use a success bonus structure. Your earnings will depend on local demand, season length, your marketing, and how many calls you can realistically run. We can't promise specific income figures because they depend entirely on your market and effort.

Most operators start with the 4T Wildlife Recovery Bundle: thermal, zoom, spotlight, NIR night lighting, multiple batteries. The 4TD is the step up for operators who need all-weather capability (IP55 for rain and fog), more flight time per battery, and full-color and black-and-white night modes. Both are serious platforms. The 4T is the right starting point for most people.

Equipment delivers in 5 to 7 business days. Part 107 takes a few weeks to study for and schedule. Plan for 4 to 6 weeks from purchase to legally ready. Buy now and you have spring and summer to practice before season opens. Operators who wait until October are scrambling. The ones who prepare in the off-season are the ones running calls opening weekend.