Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers, straight up.

Everything you actually want to know before spending serious money on an enterprise drone. If it is not covered here, call us. A real person will pick up.

Ordering & Company

Who we are and how buying from us works.

Who is Covert Drones?

We are a husband and wife team based in Central Florida, and we have been selling drones since 2017. Luke handles the flying, the product knowledge, and most of the conversations. Sabrina runs the business side. When you call or email, you are talking to us, not a call center.

We are not the biggest drone seller out there, and that is kind of the point. You get straight answers from people who actually fly this equipment, and if something is not the right fit for you, we will tell you.

How do I place an order?

For most orders, just add what you need to your cart and check out like any other store. If you are not sure which drone or bundle fits your operation, reach out first. We will talk through what you are trying to do and point you at the right setup, even if that means a cheaper one than you were looking at.

For agencies and businesses that need a formal quote before purchasing, we can put one together, usually the same day.

What payment options do you offer?

We accept all major credit and debit cards at checkout. Shop Pay Installments is available for qualified buyers who want to split the purchase into payments. For larger equipment purchases, we also work with a third-party financing partner. You can read more and apply on our financing page.

Qualified agencies and businesses can also purchase on Net 30 terms. Contact us to set that up.

Do you offer financing?

Yes. There are two paths. Shop Pay Installments is available right at checkout for qualified buyers. For bigger purchases, like a full drone package with batteries, payloads, and accessories, our third-party financing partner offers equipment financing with a quick online application. Approval decisions and terms come from the financing provider, not from us.

Details and the application are on our financing page.

Can you build a custom bundle or quote?

Absolutely, and honestly this is where we do our best work. Tell us what you are trying to accomplish, your budget range, and any equipment you already have. We will put together a package with the right aircraft, batteries, charging setup, and accessories so you are mission-ready on day one instead of realizing two weeks in that you are short on batteries.

Product Condition & Activation

The honest explanation of what you are buying.

Are your drones new?

Here is the straight answer. Our drones are unused and unflown with zero flight hours, but they have been activated prior to resale. Under DJI's strict definition, an activated unit is not considered "new," so we do not call them that.

In practical terms, you are getting a fully functional drone that has never left the ground. You bind it to your own DJI account during setup just like any other unit, and firmware, software, and performance are identical.

The one real difference is coverage. Activated units are not eligible for DJI Enterprise Care, which is why we offer CPS Drone Protection as an alternative. More on that in the warranty section below.

What does "activated" actually mean?

Every DJI drone gets activated once, the first time it is powered on and connected to a DJI account. Our units have been through that step before resale. That is it. It does not mean flown, used, refurbished, or opened box in the way people usually worry about.

When your drone arrives, you set it up and bind it to your own DJI account like normal. You get full access to firmware updates, DJI software, and every feature the aircraft ships with.

Are you an authorized DJI dealer?

No. We are an independent reseller and we are upfront about that. We are not affiliated with DJI and we do not claim to be.

What that model gets you is availability. DJI tightly controls its dealer network and product flow, which means high-demand enterprise models are often backordered or hard to source through authorized channels. Our sourcing lets us keep inventory moving when others are quoting long lead times.

Are the drones authentic DJI products?

Yes. Every drone we sell is a genuine DJI aircraft with genuine DJI components. These are not clones, gray-market knockoffs, or modified units. They run official DJI firmware, connect to official DJI software, and receive updates directly from DJI like any other unit.

Why would I buy an activated unit instead of waiting for an authorized dealer?

Two reasons, usually. Availability and total package.

If an authorized channel can get you the exact aircraft you need on your timeline, that is a fair option and we will never pretend otherwise. But when the model you need is backordered for weeks or months and you have a season, a contract, or a mission on the calendar, waiting is not free. Our units deliver in 5-7 business days.

We also build complete mission-ready bundles with batteries, charging, cases, and payloads matched to what you are doing, so you are not piecing an order together across three vendors.

Warranty & Protection

What is covered, what is not, and what your options are.

Is DJI Enterprise Care included?

No. Because these units are activated prior to resale, they are not eligible for DJI Enterprise Care and are not covered under DJI's standard U.S. warranty programs. We tell you that upfront because the last thing anyone needs is a surprise after a purchase this size.

Most of our customers either run their aircraft as-is or add CPS Drone Protection at checkout for coverage.

What is CPS Drone Protection?

CPS is a third-party protection plan we offer at checkout on our drones. Depending on the plan, coverage includes crash damage, water damage, hardware issues, the remote controller, and the camera, for commercial operations.

To be clear, CPS is not DJI Care and we do not pretend it is an identical replacement. It is a separate protection product from a third-party provider, and it exists to give you a real path to coverage on a unit that does not qualify for DJI's programs. Plan terms, coverage details, and claims are handled by CPS.

Can DJI still service or repair my drone?

Yes. DJI can service and repair these units as paid repairs. The aircraft is a genuine DJI product, so parts, diagnostics, and repair work are all available. What you do not get is the free or discounted repair pricing that comes with an active DJI Care plan, which is where CPS coverage fills the gap.

What if my order arrives damaged or something is wrong?

Contact us right away, before you fly. Take photos of the box, the packaging, and the equipment, and hold onto everything. We will work through it with you directly. Shipping damage and out-of-box issues are handled case by case, and we move fast on them because we know you bought this equipment to use it.

What is your return policy?

Full details, timeframes, and conditions are on our refund policy page. The short version is that we handle returns fairly and by the book. If something is not right, reach out and we will figure out the correct path, whether that is a return, an exchange, or a repair route.

Shipping & Delivery

When you will get it and how it arrives.

How fast will my order arrive?

Delivers in 5-7 business days. That is our standard window across our drone lineup, and it holds even on models that other sellers have on backorder.

You will receive tracking as soon as your order ships, and if anything unusual comes up with your specific order, we reach out proactively instead of leaving you guessing.

Where do orders ship from?

Some units ship from our U.S. inventory, others come directly from our supplier depending on availability. Either way, you are looking at that same 5-7 business day delivery window, and every order includes tracking.

Do you ship internationally?

Our focus is the United States. If you are outside the U.S. and interested in equipment, contact us before ordering and we will tell you honestly whether we can make it work for your location.

How will I know when my order ships?

You get an order confirmation right after purchase and a shipping confirmation with tracking once your order is on the move. If you have not seen either, check your spam folder first, then reach out and we will track it down.

Choosing the Right Drone

Honest guidance, even when it points at the cheaper option.

Matrice 4T or Matrice 4E, which one do I need?

Simple way to think about it. If your work is thermal-first, meaning public safety, search and rescue, deer recovery, or anything where finding heat signatures matters, the 4T is your aircraft. It is the best all-around option for most teams and it covers thermal, zoom, and fast deployment in one platform.

If your work is mapping-first, meaning surveying, modeling, construction documentation, or inspection workflows where accuracy of the output is the whole job, go 4E. It is built for that.

If you genuinely need both capabilities, call us and walk us through the work. Sometimes the answer is one aircraft, sometimes it is two, and we will tell you which honestly.

What about the Matrice 4TD?

The 4TD is the one to look at if you need all-weather capability, the kind of role the Matrice 30T used to fill, but on a newer platform with upgraded features. It is an exciting aircraft and interest has been strong.

We will also be straight with you. It is a newer product, so real-world field adoption and customer references are still building compared to the 4T. If you need weather resistance, it is the right conversation to have. If you do not, the 4T covers most missions and has the deeper track record.

I was looking at the Mavic 3T or Matrice 30T. Where did they go?

Both are discontinued. The good news is their replacements are genuinely better aircraft, not just newer ones.

If you were looking at the Mavic 3T, the Matrice 4T is the move. Same thermal mission profile with a stronger sensor package and better overall capability. If you were looking at the Matrice 30T for its weather resistance, the Matrice 4TD is the modern equivalent, all-weather capability on an updated platform.

What setup do I need for deer recovery?

The Matrice 4T is the workhorse here. The thermal sensor picks up heat signatures fast, even in thicker brush, and that is really the whole job, getting eyes on a downed deer quickly instead of grid-walking 40 acres in the dark.

Beyond the aircraft, the things that actually matter in the field are batteries and charging. Recoveries happen at night, they run long, and nothing ends a job faster than being out of batteries at 11pm. Our deer recovery bundles are built around that reality.

One thing to check before you fly. Rules on using drones for game recovery vary by state, so confirm what is legal where you hunt before offering or using recovery services.

Do I need a license to fly these drones?

If you are flying for any commercial purpose, meaning you are being paid or the flight supports a business, you need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. That includes paid deer recovery, inspections, mapping work, and agency operations. Recreational flying falls under different FAA rules.

The Part 107 is a written knowledge test, no flight test required, and most people knock it out with a few weeks of studying. If you are building a business around this equipment, get it done early.

Agencies & Government

Procurement support for law enforcement, fire, and public safety.

Do you provide formal quotes for agencies?

Yes. We provide formal written quotes for law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and other public safety agencies, usually same day. Tell us the equipment or the mission requirements and we will build a quote your procurement office can work with, including a W-9 and any documentation you need on our end.

Do you accept purchase orders and offer Net 30 terms?

Yes. Qualified agencies and businesses can purchase on Net 30 terms with a purchase order. Reach out with your agency details and what you are looking to purchase, and we will get the paperwork moving.

Can we use grant funding to purchase from you?

Funding eligibility depends on your specific funding source and its terms, and that determination sits with your procurement or grants office, not with us. What we can do is provide the formal quote, documentation, and equipment details your office needs to make that call.

Why should an agency buy from Covert Drones instead of a big dealer?

Availability and responsiveness. When the model your team needs is backordered through the big channels, we can usually deliver in 5-7 business days. When you call with a question, you get someone who flies this equipment, not a ticket queue.

We are also upfront about what we are. We are an independent reseller, our units are activated and not eligible for DJI Enterprise Care, and we offer CPS coverage as the protection path. Every agency gets that explanation clearly before purchase so there are no surprises on your end or ours.

After the Sale

What happens once you order.

What happens after I place my order?

You get an order confirmation immediately, then tracking when your order ships. Delivery is 5-7 business days. When your equipment arrives, you set it up, bind it to your DJI account, and update firmware like any other unit.

If you hit a snag during setup, call us. Getting you flying is part of the deal, not an upsell.

Can you help me choose before I buy?

That is the best time to talk to us. Tell us what you are trying to do, whether that is running thermal for a sheriff's office, recovering deer in November, or mapping job sites, and we will point you at the right aircraft and package. If the right answer for you is a cheaper setup than you had in mind, or waiting on a different model, we will say so. Long-term trust is worth more to us than one sale.

Will a real person actually answer if I call?

Yes. That is kind of our whole thing. We have been doing this since 2017 and the people answering the phone are the people who own the business and fly the equipment. No scripts, no ticket numbers, no "your call is important to us."

Still have a question?

Reach out and talk to us directly. We would rather answer ten questions before you buy than have you guess on a purchase this size.

Contact Us