senseFly is a Swiss drone company that is most widely known for its fix eBee, which has been a pioneer in the industry since 2009. Wingtra, also a Swiss company, focuses solely on vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone technology for surveying and mapping applications. Here is your summary followed by the ultimate long-read comparison of the drones.
The summary: VTOL vs. fixed-wing
Reading time: 5 minutes
Both quality Swiss drones, the eBee X and WingtraOne lead the survey and mapping fields for distinct reasons: eBee X is a well-industrialized and reliable fixed-wing survey and mapping drone, and WingtraOne offers VTOL combination with unsurpassed image quality for coverage.
While they both cover 7 to 14x more than multicopters can achieve, the WingtraOne can cover almost 2x more area than eBee X at the same GSD in one flight. What differentiates these two drones the most, however, is their take-off and landing technology.
WingtraOne relies on vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) to lift off and touch down like a multicopter, while it transitions to a fixed-wing to cover wide areas. The eBee X is a traditional fixed-wing drone that requires hand launching and lands on its belly.
Belly landing introduces a lot of limitation on your drone ROI when you consider that each time you land, your drone impacts the ground. These landings transfer shock and can wear down and damage the craft and payload with repeated use. Moreover, you have to make sure that each launch and land happens with wide clearance and on terrain that is dry and soft enough to support it.
Higher end aerial mapping cameras are heavy, and a fixed-wing like eBee X cannot carry them due to their weight. Currently only VTOL drones can offer image resolution of 42MP, which translates to better accuracy, and ultimately more reliable map reconstruction.
For strong examples of how VTOL impacts image quality, we flew both drones to test this based on different parameters. The following test is based on lowest GSD at 65 m (213 ft) altitude, since it was the lowest allowed at our location.
Important to note: the lowest GSD that eBee X can achieve is 1 cm (0.4 in)/px, which we didn’t test. As for the WingtraOne, it is 0.7 cm (0.3 in)/px at 62 m (203 ft) altitude.
Best possible GSD at 65 m (213 ft) altitude
WingtraOne + Sony RX1R II
GSD: 0.8 cm (0.3 in)/px
Real resolution: 0.9 cm (0.4 in)/px
eBee X + S.O.D.A.
GSD: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
Real resolution: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px
eBee X + Aeria X
GSD: 1.4 cm (0.6 in)/px
Real resolution: 1.7 cm (0.7 in)/px
Test images at the lowest possible GSD of each drone. The 42MP full-frame sensor of the WingtraOne pays off with more than three times lower GSD and striking resolution lines* for the RX1R II. You can easily compare these lines by looking at the center of the Siemens Stars, which show the degree of clarity or blur. More test images at the same altitude and same GSD are below in the test image section. Note: all coverage figures in this report are theoretical and calculated based on listed coverage unless we list them as tested.
*Real resolution for all images is based on measurements of the fine-lined Siemens Star, which reduces measurement errors.
Download original images
WingtraOne pros
- VTOL, no hand launch, no belly landings, fully automated with option to control landing manually, safe on gravel and in confined areas
- Down to 0.7 cm (0.3 in)/px GSD
- Best-in-class absolute horizontal accuracy — down to 1 cm (0.4 in) with WingtraOne PPK + 42 MP RX1R II payload
- Saves time: high coverage for resolution—190 ha (469 ac) at 1.4 cm (0.55 in)/px GSD
- Robust composite glass fiber airframe
- Weight and actuators offer stability and position adaptation in high wind
- Rugged tablet for flight planning included in the package
WingtraOne cons
- Fixed in-flight camera settings
- No thermal payload
eBee X pros
- Endurance Extension feature allows 90 min single flight time, comes at extra costs though
- PPK option in case RTK fails
eBee X cons
- Belly landings—possible damage on gravel, high plant and forest stands—and unpredictable landing area, means you must plan 100 m2 (109 yd2) to be safe
- Smaller sensor of the cameras and lower pixel density limits real resolution and GSD to 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px
- Absolute horizontal accuracy down to 3 cm (1.4 in)
- Hand launch can be dangerous for you and the equipment if you don’t have the experience
- Ground station (tablet, computer) not included
The verdict
The eBee X is well established and well industrialized. It also features a thermal mapping solution. It’s a good drone that clearly surpasses multicopter performance. But landing is a real problem and makes everyday use a challenge while potentially reducing the drone’s lifetime. VTOL solves the landing issues on gravel and confined areas, and if you need good data quality, WingtraOne will put you substantially ahead.
Contact Wingtra or a local distributor. Our experts can:
- Answer any questions about the WingtraOne
- Talk about your business and operational needs
- Advise you about drone use
- Provide you with a quote
The long read: Review of WingtraOne vs. eBee X
Reading time: 20 minutes Although both drones are professional survey and mapping UAVs, they present striking differences in their take-off and landing. This impacts what payloads they can carry as well as resultant image quality and accuracy. Here is our in-depth analysis of features, detailed test pictures and the most important specs.
Transport and handling
The hard-shell case for the eBee X is the size of a standard checked suitcase and can fit in the trunk of a car. With a handle and wheels, it’s easy to roll on pavement, smooth terrain and light grass. You can also carry it by its side handle. Everything you need is inside except the ground station. For this, you will need to carry your laptop and the telemetry unit separately.
WingtraOne’s hard case fits into a small car. The soft-shell backpack option lets one person carry it easily and safely on their back practically anywhere while carrying a WingtraPilot ground station box—containing your entire ground setup, including tablet—in one hand.
Product and quality
The WingtraOne has a high-quality glass fiber airframe featuring replaceable side stands and a middle stand. Securing the middle stand is a quick and intuitive process. As a ground station, you get a Samsung Tab Active 2, which passed military spec testing for 21 environmental conditions, including temperature, dust, shock/vibration and extreme pressures. It features a setting to auto adjust brightness for maximum visibility in any environment. The ground station also includes a charging station and two sets of batteries, as well as a telemetry module, and an anemometer to gauge wind.
The eBee X is a well-industrialized foam drone with snap-on/off wings that take a bit of work but eventually snap on securely. Removing the wings is a challenge, but you know they are secure once they are on. To set up your ground station, you plug a telemetry module into a laptop and run the flight software on it. While having everything on a laptop is great in the office, it’s a challenge when you get into the field. Visibility and handling of the laptop screen and unit are an issue in some conditions, like bright sun and rough construction areas, respectively. On a sunny day like the one we flew, you can barely see the screen without some kind of overhead shade.
Flight planning and settings
The eBee X pre-flight check is fully automatic. However, if any stage of this process fails, you will experience a delay without knowing if there’s progress. We faced this, and, after waiting some time, restarted it. After restart, it worked well.
You can download offline maps before the flight on your laptop. The software is powerful and will auto-generate your flight plan based on blocks of an area and the map quality settings that you select. Terrain mapping, custom elevation data and corridor mapping options, as well as 3D mapping and in-flight views, mean a rich choice of features.
WingtraOne’s WingtraPilot flight planning software comes pre-loaded on the tablet, which is easy to handle and see in both bright sun and overcast weather. The pre-flight checklist is drone-responsive, i.e., the drone informs the WingtraPilot software which items you’ve completed and those you still need to do. You run through all the points in a clear process, one-by-one. Once every point is checked, you are ready to fly.
You can use map or custom elevation data when activating WingtraPilot’s Terrain Following feature in areas of the flight where mapping along a slope is required. Corridor mapping as well as robust pause and resume features mean added safety and control. Front and side image overlap as well as altitude and GSD are easy to set in the app. The interface is designed so you are not overwhelmed by all choices at once. I.e., you see and choose the information that applies to your stage of flight prep.
Take-off and landing
The eBee X is a classical fixed wing. You hand launch it, and it belly lands. To launch, you give it a few shakes and the propellor starts. Keeping it at a distance to avoid the blades, you take a forceful step or hop forward, and let go.
The eBee X lists some control over its flight during belly landing via two landing options: steep and linear. However, according to our tests based on the steep landing option, you actually don’t have a lot of control over where the drone will land. It can slide onto the ground as much as 20 meters from where you planned, and it can come in quite fast.
As a fixed-wing drone, the eBee X performs controlled landings while “falling” on its belly. This poses a threat to the drone, its camera and the environment. Such landings could lead to frequent damages, and a lot of reliability issues could be caused by continuous shocks. Belly landings are also impossible in many environments. Rough and gravel terrain, limited spaces or bushy fields pose a risk of damage to payload and craft. In the end, belly landings reduce the lifetime of the drone and require more of your time and attention. All in all, this reduces the ROI of your investment in the drone.
Belly landings could lead to frequent damage and lots of reliability issues due to continuous shocks.
Compared to the fixed-wing, the VTOL drone WingtraOne takes off automatically at a safe distance from the drone operator and lands smoothly without the threat of damaging high-end sensors and the expensive drone itself.
Vertical take-off also allows for much better obstacle avoidance. During a hand launch, there is always a risk of misjudging the distance to trees, buildings or mountains. With VTOL such risks disappear. WingtraOne lifts straight into the sky and transitions at the altitude you choose.
During landing, when the drone’s sensors detect the ground, the motors automatically shut off as the drone touches down. WingtraOne can land easily given a range of terrain—on gravel, between bushes, or in forest aisles.
Flying the drones
eBee X flies according to plan and can be tracked on your laptop with a 3D view, which is a really nice feature. At any time during the flight you can stop and resume the mission, which is also a convenience. However, it’s obvious that the eBee X is unsteady, even in light wind. Although senseFly advertises wind tolerance similar to WingtraOne’s, we have doubts regarding the quality of the images captured in these conditions given the amount of movement we could observe.
WingtraOne takes off and lands smoothly, and you can track its flight on the tablet through WingtraPilot software. If the altitude or transition angles need to be adjusted, you can choose the manual mode on the remote control and choose how it moves and lands. The manual controls are intuitive. This drone is heavier and therefore has a better aspect ratio than the eBee X, which means it takes a lot more wind to make it tilt. Four powerful actuators of WingtraOne allow very robust control of roll and pitch angle of the drone. As only the yaw angle is affected, WingtraOne acquires nadir images even in high winds. This allows reliable image overlaps even in windy conditions.
Batteries and coverage
The WingtraOne’s UN-certified Li-ion smart batteries can transmit their state of health and charge to the WingtraPilot. Wingtra advertises a flight time of 55 minutes, and this has been tested repeatedly.
The eBee X uses Venom 3S 11.1V LiPo drone batteries. According to our test flights, they performed well. To compare the coverage of both drones, we flew them with a GSD of 1.2 cm (0.5 in)/px at 57 m (187 ft) altitude.
WingtraOne + Sony RX1R II
Coverage: 110 ha (272 ac)
Altitude: 93 m (305 ft)
eBee X + Aeria
Coverage: 70 ha (173 ac)
Altitude: 57 m (187 ft)
DJI Phantom 4 RTK
Coverage: 8 ha (20 ac)
Altitude: 44 m (144 ft)
We flew the eBee with its Aeria X payload and achieved a coverage of 70 ha (173 ac). WingtraOne covers 110 ha (272 ac) in this case. The S.O.D.A. covers 64 ha (158 ac) based on our calculations. That means that with the same GSD — 1.2 cm (0.5 in)/px—WingtraOne’s RX1R II payload covers roughly 40 percent more than eBee X’s Aeria X or S.O.D.A. However, it is important to note that eBee X with either cameras still achieves significantly larger coverage than any multicopter drone, e.g. Phantom 4 RTK.
Note that for either drone, you will observe reduced flight times in heavy winds and when flying at higher altitudes.
Cameras
Wingtra features interchangeable aerial mapping camera options for a range of project needs. From 3D mapping along mixed elevations and ultra-precise survey-grade maps for resource and cadastral studies, to multispectral mapping, the choice depends on your application. Wingtra does not yet offer a thermal payload integration.
However, the most outstanding WingtraOne payload option is the Sony RX1R II 42MP full-frame. This sensor size improves the light sensitivity* and reduces noise in images. The 42MP resolution of the Wingtra payload means that both your GSD and your absolute accuracy are best-in-class—down to 0.7 cm (0.3 in)/px GSD and 1 cm (0.4 in) absolute horizontal accuracy.
The eBee X also features multiple payload options, for 3D, corridor, RGB and multispectral mapping. The senseFly S.O.D.A. is a drone photogrammetry camera, capturing clear imagery in a range of light conditions with a wide field of view for orthomosaic and 3D surface models. With a one-inch sensor and a resolution of 20MP, this camera achieves a GSD down to 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px at the lowest altitude we could fly it—65 m (213 ft).
The Aeria X payload is a drone photogrammetry camera with Smart Exposure Technology that is listed to reduce noise, blur and over-exposure. Its 24 MP resolution and a cropped APS-C sensor offers a GSD of 1.4 cm (0.6 in)/px at the lowest altitude we could fly—65 m (213 ft). f
Sensor size affects the amount of light let into the image. Larger sensors mean better light sensitivity. Full-frame also captures a wider field of view with every shot. In cases where you need a lot of images, this difference adds up.
*The basic ISO sensitivity range for the RX1R II is from ISO 100 to 25,600—it can be extended down to 50 and up to 102,400. The S.O.D.A.’s listed ISO range is 125-6400, and the Aeria’s X is 100 to 6400.
PPK vs. RTK/PPK and accuracy
The eBee X features real-time kinematic (RTK) with a backup post-process kinematic (PPK) option. This means that if all of the telemetry and satellite signals work consistently throughout the flight, your data will be ready when the flight is done thanks to real-time location correction. If these connections do not keep up as planned, you can post process flight data with the PPK option.
WingtraOne features a PPK option. PPK has been proven as the most consistent way to get high absolute location accuracy without ground control points. Besides that, with PPK you do not require extra time to set up the connection every time you are on the field, as it is with the RTK.
With WingtraOne PPK + Sony RX1R II payload we’ve achieved and proven absolute accuracy down to 1 cm (0.4 in), which no other drone has achieved till this day.
According to our tests, the eBee X flying with a S.O.D.A. payload can reach a GSD down to 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px flying at an altitude of 65 m (213 ft). While we found coverage figures, we found no listed accuracy or GSD information about the S.O.D.A. For their accuracy specs, senseFly lists for the Aeria payload an absolute accuracy of 2.5 cm (1 in) with RTK/PPK activated or with GCPs, flying at an altitude of 122 m (400 ft); however, we didn’t test it.
Post-processing
Both WingtraOne and eBee data is “post-processing agnostic,” which means you can use any software like Pix4D, 3DR’s Site Scan, Agisoft, or Propeller, to run your results. While you do need to invest in your own system, you can choose what suits you best. And if you already have a system, you are ready to go.
Test images and image quality
Test Setup
We flew both drones to get three comparison test images based on: best possible GSD, same altitude and same GSD. As a test image we used a custom reference poster you can download here. The Siemens Stars allowed us to calculate real resolution, which we then compared to the GSD according to specs.
We flew both drones to take three comparison test images based on:
- Best possible GSD
- Same altitude
- Same GSD
Best possible GSD
We can clearly see the difference in camera quality with this comparison flight. The RX1R II achieves two times better GSD at the same altitude as the S.O.D.A. and nearly as much better than the Aeria. Since absolute accuracy can range from one to three times the GSD value, 0.7 cm (0.3 in)/px more can mean a big difference in your results.
WingtraOne + Sony RX1R II
GSD: 0.8 cm (0.3 in)/px
Altitude: 65 m (213 ft)
Real resolution: 0.9 cm (0.4 in)/px
eBee X + S.O.D.A.
GSD: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
Altitude: 65 m (213 ft)
Real resolution: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px
eBee + Aeria X
GSD: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
Altitude: 65 m (213 ft)
Real resolution: 1.7 cm (0.7 in)/px
Same Altitude—110 m (361 ft)
The WingtraOne with RX1R II achieved nearly 2x better GSD at the same altitude as the eBee S.O.D.A.
When flying the drones at the same 110 m (361 ft) altitude, we see an obvious difference in GSDs. eBee X with S.O.D.A. achieved a 2.6 cm (1 in)/px GSD, while Aeria achieved a 2.3 cm (0.9 in)/px GSD. WingtraOne’s RX1R II offers a 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px GSD, which is almost double than the previous cameras.
Regarding accuracy, if you start off with a 2.6 cm (1 in) GSD, as it is in the eBee X S.O.D.A. case, your absolute accuracy is limited to this value and could be up to three times higher. Therefore, lower GSD of Sony RX1R II could really pay off here.
WingtraOne + Sony RX1R II
GSD: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
Real resolution: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
Coverage: 190 ha (470 ac)
eBee X + S.O.D.A.
GSD: 2.6 cm (1 in)/px
Real resolution: 2.8 cm (1.1 in)/px
Coverage: 200 ha (494 ac)
eBee X + Aeria X
GSD: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)/px
Real resolution: 2.7 cm (1 in)/px
Coverage: 220 ha (544 ac)
Same GSD—1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
To compare the data outcome with the same image GSD of 1.5 cm/px (0.6 in), we flew the eBee X with both S.O.D.A. and Aeria at 65 m (213 ft), and the WingtraOne with RX1R II at 110 m (361 ft) altitude.
As you can see, even with same GSD, the images vary based on the amount of noise as is shown in the real resolution calculations (where the range between real resolution and the GSD value is more for eBee X). However, the biggest difference here is that the coverage is almost twice as much. This means if you fly the WingtraOne and RX1R II with the same GSD settings as eBee X and S.O.D.A., you are able to complete projects about 40 percent faster!
The 45 m (148 ft) difference in altitudes at which these GSDs are achieved affirms the quality of the payload and the coverage possible in each case—higher flight means a larger area covered per image and significantly more coverage overall. Real resolution value compared to GSD for each drone’s results reveals better quality with the RX1R II.
WingtraOne + Sony RX1R II
Altitude: 110 m (361 ft)
Real resolution: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)/px
Coverage: 190 ha (470 ac)
eBee X + S.O.D.A.
Altitude: 65 m (213 ft)
Real resolution: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px
Coverage: 115 ha (284 ac)
eBee X + Aeria X
Altitude: 65 m (213 ft)
Real resolution: 1.7 cm (0.7 in)/px
Coverage: 135 ha (334 ac)
Specs
| eBee X | Wingtra |
| Hardware | Hardware |
| Wingspan: 116 cm (3.8 ft) | Wingspan: 125 cm (4.1 ft) |
| Weight: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) | Weight: 3.7 kg (8.1 lb) empty + max payload weight of 800 g (1.8 lb) |
| Cameras: senseFly S.O.D.A 20 MP 1” sensor supplied with option to purchase the following: Parrot Sequoia+ multispectral and RGB; MicaSense RedEdge MX / 5.5 mm multispectral; senseFly Aeria X 24 MP APS-C sensor; senseFly Duet T thermal and visible spectrum; senseFly S.O.D.A. 3D 20MP combined nadir and oblique shooting mechanism; senseFly Corridor | Cameras: RGB: Sony RX1RII 42 MP full-frame; Sony a6100; Sony Oblique a6100 Multispectral: MicaSense RedEdge-MX / 5.5 mm multispectral; MicaSense Altum /8 mm multispectral plus radiometric thermal; MicaSense RedEdge Panchromatic / 5.5 mm multispectral plus 10.3 mm panchromatic lens for pansharpened RGB |
| Software | Software |
| Flight planning and navigation: eMotion software, free with purchase | Flight planning and navigation: WingtraPilot, intuitive interface with flexible flight plan options, telemetry module, and software with free updates |
| Image processing: Your preference | Image processing: Agnostic—choose your preference |
| In-flight | In-flight |
| Take-off and landing: Hand-launch and belly land | Take-off and landing: VTOL |
| Cruise speed: 40-110 km/h (25-68 mph) | Cruise speed: 58 km/h (35.8 mph) |
| Wind resistance: Up to 46 kph (12.8 m/s or 28.6 mph) | Wind resistance: Up to 45 kph (12 m/s, 28 mph) in cruise, up to 30 kph (8 m/s, 18 mph) for landing |
| Max flight time: 59 mins and up to 90 mins with Endurance Extension option (comes at extra costs) | Max flight time: 55 mins |
| Automation: Full after hand launch, with options to pause mission and change camera settings in flight | Automation: Fully with option for manual takeover, and pause and resume functionality |
| Results | Results |
| PPK/RTK option: RTK with PPK backup | PPK/RTK option: PPK |
| Absolute horizontal accuracy with GCPs: down to 3 cm (1.2 in) | Absolute horizontal accuracy: down to 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Minimum GSD: Down to 1 cm (0.4 in)/px | Minimum GSD: 0.7 cm (0.3 in) |
| Listed coverage at 120 m (400 ft) altitude: 220 ha (550 ac) with senseFly S.O.D.A. and without Endurance Extension; 500 ha (1,235 ac), with senseFly S.O.D.A. 3D and with Endurance Extension | Max coverage at 110 m (361 ft) altitude: 240 ha (593 ac) with Sony RX1R II payload; 290 ha (717 ac) with Sony QX 1 15 mm payload |
Why WingtraOne?
Compared to eBee, WingtraOne is a more reliable and robust drone since it doesn’t belly land. VTOL also enables mapping project sites featuring gravel terrain or confined spaces, which is not possible with the eBee X. On top of all of this, WingtraOne offers the best data quality and coverage ratio. It can cover 40 percent more area with the same GSD. For demanding projects it can also reach 3x better accuracy, down to 1 cm (0.4 in) absolute horizontal.
Why eBee X?
eBee X is a well-industrialized option for smaller, less-ambitious projects with enough uncomplicated terrain and space to belly land and take off. It will serve well if the required data doesn’t exceed 1.8 cm (0.7 in)/px GSD and 3 cm (1 in) absolute accuracy. Still, it does not match the level of resolution, coverage and accuracy the WingtraOne can offer.
