Recommendations for drone mission planning and deployment app?

[Dagon]

I use Metashape for archaeological mapping from drone-acquired images.  I have used Pix4D's free app for mission planning and deployment, but it is no longer supported except as part of a $300/month package. I love Softimage and don't want to subscribe to someone else's processing software.

Can anyone recommend a mission planning and flight automation app (preferably Android) that I can use to replace Pix4D for acquiring drone imagery for processing in Metashape?

I use a DJI Phantom 4 Pro but will be upgrading to a Mavic in the near future.

[SFL_Beda]

You mention updating to a mavic: make sure you buy the mavic 3 enterprise as that is the only current mavic drone that is suited for photogrammetry.
It Includes the DJI pilot missionplanner which honestly is all you ever need. Especially the new "smart oblique" missions it supports are really awesome!

For the Phantom 4 pro I have had good luck with drone harmony which also should be free for that drone.

[Dagon]

Thank you SFL _Beda. I also wrote to Agisoft Support and they recommended Litchi, which surprised me. I didn't know it had those capabilities. Have you heard of anyone using Litchi for automated grid mission mapping?

[SFL_Beda]

No I have never heard about using litchi but as far as i know it is a powerful tool that can do many different things. In my mind it was more about doing photo/video montages but maybe that's wrong.

Alternatively you can also try dronedeploy, you can use their missionplanner without the photogrammetry and as far as I remember it's free as well.

[Dagon]

Alternatively you can also try dronedeploy, you can use their missionplanner without the photogrammetry and as far as I remember it's free as well.

I will look into it again. The last time I tried to use it (several years ago) it required an internet login to fly a mission, which was useless to me because I'm usually working out in the desert without a data connection. Hopefully it supports offline flying now.

[Dieter]

Take a look at MapPilotPro, i fly with this tool since 5 years.
For me as a surveyor its the best. If cost 5 Euro per project in the cheapest tarif.

LG
Dieter

[Dagon]

Take a look at MapPilotPro, i fly with this tool since 5 years.
For me as a surveyor its the best. If cost 5 Euro per project in the cheapest tarif.

LG
Dieter

Thank you Dieter, I will definitely give it a try.