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A DJI Dock 3 needs about 27 minutes to recharge its drone between flights. The new DJI Dock 4, launching in South Africa on 20 November, swaps the battery instead and has the drone ready to fly again in under 45 seconds.
That does not make the Dock 3 obsolete. Afri Air will sell the two side by side, because each suits a different kind of farm operation. If you already know you need near-continuous cover, you can request a DJI Dock 4 quote while you read.
By the end of this article, you will know:
- How battery swapping changes your flying day
- Why the DJI Dock 4 works with a separate O4 ground station
- Which drone each dock flies
- Which system suits your farm
As a licensed DJI distributor, Afri Air compared both systems on turnaround, installation, aircraft and best fit, using DJI’s published specifications.
Battery Swapping vs In-Dock Charging
The Dock 3 charges the drone’s battery inside the dock after every flight. That takes approximately 27 minutes from 15% to 95%, so there is a natural pause between missions.
The DJI Dock 4 keeps a magazine of spare batteries and charges up to three at the same time. When the drone lands, the dock swaps its battery in less than 25 seconds. Landing, swapping, offloading data and taking off again takes under 45 seconds in total.
In practice, the Dock 3 suits scheduled flights with breaks in between. The Dock 4 suits back-to-back flying, for example a second patrol straight after an alarm, or longer cover through the night.
How the DJI Dock 4 Connects: The O4 Ground Station
The Dock 3 has its RTK base station and network access built into the dock. The Dock 4 works differently. Its video link, RTK base station and network connection run through the DJI O4 Ground Station, which is required for every Dock 4 installation.
Think of the Dock 4 as a highly capable charging and battery-swapping base, with the ground station handling positioning and connectivity. That brings two planning points:
- Placement: the ground station should sit in an elevated, open and unobstructed spot, away from metal obstructions and other communications equipment.
- Cabling: the cable run between the dock and the ground station should be between 1.5 and 80 metres.
If you already run a Dock 3, the Dock 4 uses the same 400 by 400 mm mounting pattern, which makes it simpler to add one at an existing site.
DJI Dock 3
- Versatile Environmental Adaptability
- Smart Features for Streamlined Operations
- Flexible Deployment with Extended Range
- Enhanced Software Experience
- Superior Drone Performance
- Secure, Compliant, Open Platform
When purchasing a DJI Enterprise drone you will receive a complimentary 3 months subscription to DJI Terra software.
Comparing the Two Systems Side by Side
Each dock pairs with its own drones. These figures come from DJI’s published specifications.
| Feature | Dock 4 system | Dock 3 system |
|---|---|---|
| Drone | Matrice 5TD | Matrice 4TD (thermal) or Matrice 4D (mapping) |
| Battery handling | Swap in under 25 s | In-dock charging, about 27 min |
| Max flight time | 59 min | 54 min |
| Thermal camera | 1280 x 1024 | 640 x 512 (Matrice 4TD) |
| Mechanical shutter | No | Yes (Matrice 4D wide camera) |
| Onboard AI detection | 17 types, incl. people, vehicles and animals | People, vehicles, vessels |
| Dock weather rating | IP56, -40ยฐC to 50ยฐC | IP56, -30ยฐC to 50ยฐC |
| Max operating radius | 10 km | 10 km |
| RTK and connectivity | Via O4 Ground Station | Built into the dock |
The Matrice 5TD also carries LiDAR and millimetre-wave radar for obstacle sensing, and supports DJI’s AP1 parachute.
Which System Suits Your Farm?
Choose the DJI Dock 4 if you need:
- Near-continuous security patrols across a large property
- Fast follow-up flights after an alarm, fire report or break-in
- High-resolution thermal footage at night
Choose the Dock 3 if you need:
- Scheduled monitoring flights with time to recharge in between
- Mapping and surveying, where the Matrice 4D’s mechanical shutter gives sharper survey images
- A single-unit installation with RTK built in
Large operations can also run both: a Dock 3 with a Matrice 4D for mapping, and a Dock 4 for security patrols.
DJI Dock 4
The DJI Dock 4 is a powerful and intelligent autonomous drone docking station built to handle security, inspection, and emergency response tasks with high efficiency and reliability. Designed for critical infrastructure, urban environments, and remote or complex sites, it combines fully automatic 25-second battery swapping with a multi-sensor Matrice 5TD aircraft, wire-level obstacle sensing, and AI-powered workflows for continuous, precise operations, around the clock and without a pilot on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DJI Dock 4 replace the Dock 3?
No. Afri Air sells both, because each suits a different workflow.
Can I fly the Matrice 5TD from my Dock 3?
Current DJI information pairs the Matrice 5TD with the Dock 4, and the Dock 3 with the Matrice 4D and 4TD. Speak to our team about your existing setup.
Do I need the O4 Ground Station?
Yes. The DJI Dock 4 relies on it for RTK positioning, video transmission and network access.
How much does the DJI Dock 4 cost?
Pricing is available on request. Contact us for a quote based on your site.
Do I need SACAA approval?
Docked drones are flown remotely, so SACAA approvals apply. Our team can point you in the right direction.
Plan Your Dock Setup with Afri Air
Whether you need near-nonstop cover or scheduled flights, the right dock depends on how your farm works. Our team can help you compare both systems for your site.
Contact Afri Air today to request DJI Dock 4 or Dock 3 pricing.
