Comparison between DJI dock, Skydio dock lite, and HEISHA D50 drone dock
March 20, 2023
DJI and Skydio launched their drone dock in 2022, and Heisha released the D50 drone dock in the same year. Later, many clients asked about their differences, their significant specifications are listed in the following table.
| DJI Dock | Skydio dock Lite | Heisha D50 drone dock | |
| Weight | 105kg | 21.4kg | 55kg |
| Size (cover closed) | 800×885×1065 mm (L×W×H) | Cradle: 12.5 x 30 x 4.8 cm Tripod: 12.5 x 30 x 22.6 cm | 916mm×700mm×685mm (L×W×H) |
| Charging time | 25 minutes (charged from 10% to 90%) | 30 minutes (charged from 20% to 90%) | 30-45 minutes |
| Input Voltage | 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz | 120V/240V AC, 50-60Hz | 100~240 VAC, 47~63 Hz |
| Max Input Power | 1,500 W | Unknown | 1500W Max. |
| Ingress Protection Rating | IP55 | IP56 | IP55 |
| Air Conditioning Type | TEC Air Conditioning | No | Inverter compressor air conditioner |
| Backup battery | Yes | No | No |
| Protection | Lightning protection | Unknown | Anti-reverse, over-current, and overvoltage protection. |
| Compatible drones | DJI M30 | Skydio 2/2+, Skydio X2 | 2s-4s LiPo battery-based drone |
| Supported software | -DJI FlightHub 2 – third Party Platforms through DJI Cloud API | Oracle | Any third-party platform with an open protocol |
| Expansion capacity | Open protocol: DJI Cloud API | Unknown | Protocol: SDK Modbus D50 drone dock provides charging and data connectors |
Major differences between DJI dock, Skydio dock lite, and Heisha D50 drone-in-a-box solution.
1. Appearance
DJI dock is the heaviest one with the largest height, while the Skydio dock is the lightest and smallest.
The opening types of the drone dock cover are completely different, too.
The rainproof cover is made of two pieces and opens from the two sides, while the Skydio dock’s cover is fixed with the charging board pushed outside for the drone’s flight. The canopy of Heisha D50 opens from one side to the other, which is a dome structure.
2. Air conditioning type
An air conditioning system inside a drone dock not only assures the normal battery charging process in cold temperatures but also protects the drone battery in a hot environment. Considering the wide deployment of drones globally, an AC is necessary for a drone charging dock solution.
The DJI dock adopts the TEC air conditioning system, while Heisha D50 uses the inverter compressor air conditioner, there is no AC inside the Skydio dock.
3. Protection
DJI dock has a small set of weather sensors outside the dock with a lightning rod on the top, Heisha D50 has the weather sensor set, too. It also added multiple charging protections including anti-reverse, over-current, and overvoltage protection.
The IP rating of these three drone docks are similar, the DJI dock and Heisha D50 are IP55, and the Skydio’s is IP56.
4. Compatible drones
DJI dock is compatible with DJI M30, Skydio dock is compatible with Skydio 2/2+ and Skydio X2, and Heisha D50 works with all the 2s-4s LiPo battery-based drones.
5. Supported software
Both the DJI dock and Skydio dock have equipped with software individually developed or by a third party, the Heisha D50 drone dock only provides the hardware part, which can work with any third-party software that opens protocol.
6. Expansion capacity
The open protocol of the DJI dock is DJI Cloud API, and Heisha D50’s is SDK Modbus.