Evolution Of The Heliguy Mavic 2 Drone Cage

• The second heliguy™ DJI Mavic 2 Drone Cage is stronger, better absorbs impacts, and is higher quality than the original;

• Improvements based on industry feedback, further testing, and change in manufacturing process and design;

• Interest has been high in V2 cage, with more than 60 going out to a range of commercial drone users;

• **The cage is a cost-effective, collision-proof solution, which can be paired with the versatile DJI Mavic 2 drone range.

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Key upgrades have made the heliguy™ DJI Mavic 2 Drone Cage an even stronger and more robust solution.

Our in-house-designed frame is a collision-proof tool to help improve the safety and reliability of missions in confined areas, hard-to-reach spaces or flights within close proximity to objects.

Initially unveiled in November 2019, we have continued to innovate and upgrade the cage, based on early client feedback and further testing.

This has enabled us to build, and subsequently bring, a new and improved second version to market.

So, what’s changed? In a nutshell, we’ve altered our manufacturing process and aspects of the design to provide a stronger, higher-quality and more professional-looking cage.

And the second iteration of our lightweight and robust protective frame has proved popular, selling more than 60 to clients across a range of industries, such as inspection, oil and gas, filmography, public safety, construction, infrastructure management, and science and research, as well as general consumers who want more protection for their Mavic 2 drone.

In fact, our distribution partners Globe Flight, has said that its clients are impressed with the cage, saying: ‘Our customers and partners love the cage very much’.

Drone Cage For DJI Mavic 2 Series

While the cage has undergone improvements, the fundamental reasons for bringing it to market have not changed.

The structure - made from carbon fibre, aluminum, and nylon - addresses significant demand for a cost-effective, well-designed, commercial-quality cage for the popular and powerful DJI Mavic 2 drone series.

Not only this, but priced at £499 (inc VAT), it provides an opportunity to compete with caged drones like the Elios 2 for a fraction of the cost.

RELATED ARTICLE: heliguy™ Drone Cage vs Elios Caged Drone

The versatility of the Mavic 2 range caters for a variety of uses, from the thermal on the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual to the zoom on the Mavic 2 Zoom and high-quality visual capabilities of the Mavic 2 Pro.

However, the release of the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced offers the most comprehensive and rounded solution, thanks to its upgraded specs, which include:

• 48MP visual camera

• 32x digital zoom

• 640 x 512 px thermal camera at 30Hz frame rate

• Thermal files as R-JPEG

• Dedicated 16x thermal zoom

Pairing the cage with the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced provides a rugged commercial solution, combining the strength of the cage with the versatility and performance of the drone.  

The cage is also big enough to accommodate the Mavic 2 Enterprise Series drones when they are fitted with their modular accessories, namely the bright spotlight (pictured below), loud speaker, and beacon.

Cage V1 vs V2 - What Are The Differences?

Small, lightweight, and with impressive specs, the Mavic 2 drones are ideal for the cage, especially when it comes to internal and confined-space inspection.

Not only this, but the diversity of the Mavic 2 range means that the cage is a suitable option for commercial and recreational drone pilots.

And our upgraded cage provides a more effective, reliable and robust solution to maximise data collection and flight safety with Mavic 2 aircraft.

Here are the key differences between the new cage and the original:

Increased Quality

The V2 cage is higher quality, thanks to the use of upgraded components.

This was achieved by changing the production process - shifting from in-house manufacturing to outsourcing construction of the parts.

Partnering with external manufacturers - including those in the UK - has enabled specialist companies to produce dedicated parts for the cage, giving the V2 frame greater strength and a sleeker, more professional finish to improve its aesthetics.

It is also slightly lighter, now weighing 230 grams compared to 245 grams.

Ross Embleton, heliguy™'s cage designer, said: “One of the main changes we wanted to make from the original version to the new version was the general increase in the quality of the plastic parts.

"We did feel that the quality of these, originally, was lacking, so we changed how these components are produced. This means that, with the new cage, you are getting higher-quality components, which have a nicer finish to them, and are significantly stronger.”

And with popularity in the cage soaring, outsourcing the manufacturing process has helped with volume, enabling us to better handle the demand and quicken turnaround times.

The assembly of the cage is still conducted at Heliguy HQ, and as such, we have onsite repair capabilities, as part of our in-house DJI repair centre.

After all, should anything go wrong during a mission, repairing a cage is significantly cheaper than fixing a drone; up to 10 times more cost-effective in some cases.

Improved Collision Tolerance

One of the biggest differences between the first and second versions of the cage is rigidity. Or to put it another way, how it reacts when coming into contact with obstacles.

Our early version was bendy and flexible in nature; based on initial testing which indicated that a springy frame would provide enhanced protection when bouncing off walls.

However, after further analysis and industry input, we found that a stiffer, more solid cage was better-suited for the task at hand, providing a more effective solution to absorbing bumps and bashes. And so, the V2 cage is more rigid in its form, increasing its shock resistance and yielding enhanced protection to the cage and the drone.

The move to a more rigid structure was achieved through a manufacturing change; namely replacing silicone glue with a two-part epoxy for high-strength bonding.

This change in the manufacturing step has also resulted in a more attractive-looking cage, as the two-part epoxy is far easier to paint, resulting in a much-improved finish to the parts.

Connectors

One of the more subtle changes to the cage has been tweaking the design of the connectors. This alteration has had a significant impact.

Previously, the connectors were made from small plastic flanges which clipped to the drone’s motors.

However, this had some major drawbacks.

While this method created a good connection, the original clips covered the aircraft’s motors, which led to overheating. And, with the flanges being small pieces of plastic, they were prone to snapping or being worn down over time.

With this in mind, we shelved this design completely, went back to the drawing board, and created connectors which instead clip to the arms of the drone.

So how does this benefit the V2 cage? Firstly, there is no issue of overheating. Secondly, these new connectors are larger than the previous iteration, meaning a stronger and more robust clip; more resistant to wear and tear, and a more reliable mechanism of holding the drone in place, especially during collisions.

This design tweak has also enabled cable ties to fit around the drone arms, adding an extra layer of strength. These cable ties are included with the cage; they are optional during flights, but are recommended.

Drone Cage - Specs

With these improvements in mind, what are the key specifications of the new flight cage? 

Reflecting on the V2 cage, Ross Embleton, heliguy™ cage designer, said: “We have experienced significant demand for our drone cage and interest in the V2 unit has been very high.

“The new version of the cage is more robust and reliable and has undergone a major aesthetic overhaul, increasing its quality and professionalism, which should instill confidence in the end-user and their clients.

“The second iteration of the cage represents an evolution.

“We’ve gone from the initial concept, testing and design phase, through to building the first version of the cage, and then making improvements to get to a stage where we are truly happy with it.

“Now, we are at the manufacturing stage, building and assembling in bulk to meet the industry demand.”

Click for more information and to buy the Mavic 2 Drone Cage.