Why Pair Emlid with a DJI RTK Drone
An Emlid Reach receiver serves two separate functions on a DJI mapping job. As a base station, it broadcasts RTCM3 corrections over NTRIP to the aircraft's RTK module, giving it a local correction source independent of network coverage. As a rover, the same receiver establishes or checks ground control points that anchor the processed dataset to real-world coordinates.
Running both roles from one receiver means a single piece of equipment covers base station duty in the morning and GCP verification in the afternoon, rather than carrying separate kit for each.
Compatible DJI Aircraft
Emlid's own documentation and DJI Pilot 2's NTRIP setup guide confirm this pairing for the following aircraft, connecting through Pilot 2's "Custom Network RTK" setting rather than the native D-RTK pairing option:
Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK
Matrice 300 RTK
Matrice 350 RTK
Matrice 4 Series (M4E, M4D, M4T)
The Matrice 400 is not confirmed for this setup in either manufacturer's current documentation. If your fleet includes the Matrice 400, confirm NTRIP compatibility before relying on an Emlid base for that specific aircraft.
Setting Up an Emlid Base for a DJI Rover
Two connection methods are available, and the choice depends on whether the site has internet access.
Local NTRIP runs over a direct WiFi connection between the Emlid receiver and the DJI controller, with no internet required. Emlid Caster is the internet-connected alternative, routing corrections through Emlid's cloud service instead.
On the base side, Emlid Flow's "Base output" menu selects between the two and, for Caster, takes the NTRIP address, port, username, password and mount point. On the aircraft side, DJI Pilot 2's RTK settings menu selects "Custom Network RTK" and takes the matching credentials. The aircraft needs a valid GNSS position before the caster can generate corrections, so connection happens after the drone has a fix, not before.
Emlid Reach Compared With DJI's Own D-RTK 3
DJI's D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station covers the same base station role for its own aircraft, and the two approaches differ in what else they can do.
Reach RS3 as base | D-RTK 3 as base | |
|---|---|---|
Price | £2,699.00 | £1,369.00 |
Correction protocol | NTRIP, Local WiFi or Emlid Caster | Direct O4 radio link |
Aircraft compatibility | Any RTK receiver accepting RTCM3/NTRIP, including the confirmed DJI models above | Matrice 4 Series and Matrice 4D Series |
Secondary role | Rover for GCPs, boundary survey and general RTK work outside DJI aircraft | Rover mode for handheld ground point capture |
Setup | Manual NTRIP entry in Emlid Flow and Pilot 2 | Native pairing with the aircraft |
The D-RTK 3 costs less and pairs natively, with no NTRIP credentials to enter. The Reach RS3 costs more but works as a base for any RTCM3-compatible receiver, DJI or otherwise, and continues doing survey work when it is not sat on a tripod as a base.
Matching the Setup to the Job
A network RTK subscription suits sites with reliable mobile coverage where no physical base is needed at all; ours is £1,080.00 for a year or £180.00 for 30 days.
An Emlid Reach base suits sites without reliable network coverage, mixed fleets running non-DJI RTK equipment alongside DJI aircraft, or jobs that also need a GCP rover on the same day.
DJI's D-RTK 3 suits sites running Matrice 4 Series or Matrice 4D aircraft exclusively, where native pairing without NTRIP configuration is the priority and the base station role is the only job required of it.
RTK Network Subscription - 1Y Unlimited
More than 2000 Base Stations · Accuracy of 1.5cm with EU Certification
Free Gifts Included
Free Gifts Included
Free Gifts Included
Common Questions
Confirmed for the Phantom 4 RTK, Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK, Matrice 300 RTK, Matrice 350 RTK and Matrice 4 Series via Pilot 2's Custom Network RTK setting. Matrice 400 compatibility isn't documented by either manufacturer at the time of writing.
No. Local NTRIP runs over WiFi directly between the receiver and the DJI controller. Emlid Caster is the internet-connected alternative where WiFi range between base and controller is a limitation.
Not on price alone; the RS3 costs more than the D-RTK 3. The difference is scope: Emlid works across brands and doubles as a survey rover, where the D-RTK 3 is built specifically around DJI's Matrice 4 Series.
Yes. Establishing independent ground control with a Reach receiver is a standard way to verify the accuracy an aircraft's own RTK Fix is claiming.
No. Emlid Flow configures the base, and Pilot 2's Custom Network RTK setting takes the matching credentials on the aircraft side.
