How to Choose the Right Drone Gimbal and Camera for Industrial Applications
Drones are essential tools in industrial tasks like infrastructure inspection, thermal monitoring, and mapping. A critical part of any drone system is the gimbal-stabilized camera. This guide highlights four top models from Airmobi—A40TR Pro, AT19, U30T, and U30TIR—to help you choose the best fit for your mission.
Key Evaluation Factors
- Stabilization: Look for 3-axis gimbals with precise control (e.g., ±0.02°).
- Sensor Type: Choose between EO (visible), IR (thermal), or dual sensors.
- Zoom & Resolution: Optical zoom (e.g., 30x–40x) is key for inspections.
- Tracking & AI: For object auto-follow and reduced pilot workload.
- Weight & Integration: Ensure compatibility with your drone’s payload.
- Durability: IP-rated and temperature-tolerant models are ideal.
A40TR Pro – EO/IR/Rangefinder All-in-One Gimbal
- 40× optical zoom visible camera
- Thermal camera (640×512)
- Laser rangefinder for distance measurement
- AI object tracking with multi-target detection
- Rugged 3-axis gimbal with ±0.01° accuracy
Best for: Surveillance, security, and high-precision inspection tasks.
AT19 – Lightweight Thermal Gimbal
- 640×512 thermal resolution with 19mm lens
- AI-based object tracking in IR view
- IP67 waterproof and compact (≈400g)
- Supports HDMI, Wi-Fi, USB-C outputs
Best for: Thermal inspections, emergency response, firefighting.
U30T – 30× Zoom Day/Night EO Camera
- 30x optical zoom with Sony CMOS sensor
- Starlight sensor for low-light performance
- Object tracking with OSD overlays
- 2-axis stabilized with precise control
Best for: Daylight inspections, low-light monitoring, police use.
U30TIR – Dual EO/IR Gimbal Camera
- 30x EO camera + 640×480 thermal sensor
- Simultaneous dual-stream output
- 360° pan with high stability
- Multi-mode target tracking (EO/IR)
Best for: All-day inspection, SAR, firefighting, and high-end surveillance.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Zoom | Thermal | Rangefinder | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A40TR Pro | 40x | Yes | Yes | Security & Survey |
| AT19 | No | Yes | No | Thermal Inspection |
| U30T | 30x | No | No | Visual Inspections |
| U30TIR | 30x | Yes | No | Dual Imaging |
Conclusion
Choosing the right gimbal-camera combo depends on your industrial task. Need long-range EO+thermal+LRF? Go with the A40TR Pro. Focused on compact thermal work? Try the AT19. Want powerful zoom in daylight and dusk? The U30T is your pick. Need the best of both EO & IR in one? The U30TIR leads the pack.
Explore all options on our Drone Camera Collection.
