DJI is the undisputed leader in consumer and professional drone technology. Their Agras series takes drone innovation to new heights in the agriculture industry. The DJI Agras T40 is DJI’s latest agricultural UAV, packed with advanced features to help farmers and agricultural professionals maximize efficiency and productivity.

In this DJI Agras T40 review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the drone’s design, camera, intelligent functions, performance, and real customer reviews based on Amazon ratings. Read on to see if the T40 is the best agriculture drone for your needs.

Overview of the DJI Agras T40 Agriculture Drone

The Agras T40 was released in 2021 as a major upgrade over DJI’s previous ag drones like the T20 and T16. It's built to deliver:

• Superior aerial imaging - 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, interchangeable lenses, RTK centimeter-level positioning

• Intelligent flight modes - auto terrain following, route planning, obstacle avoidance

• Rugged, waterproof design - withstands dust, debris and splashing liquid

• Easy to use - intuitive DJI app control, automated functions

DJI Agras T40 Key Specs:

• Size (Unfolded): 1060 x 1110 x 470 mm

• Size (Folded): 720 x 480 x 510 mm

• Takeoff Weight: 9.05 kg

• Max Takeoff Weight: 10 kg

• Battery: 29.5V 8700 mAh LiPo

• Flight Time: Up to 35 minutes

• Max Wind Resistance: 10 m/s

• Spreading Width: 4-10 meters

• Top Speed: 18 m/s

• Positioning Accuracy: Vertical: ±0.5 m, Horizontal: ±1.5 m

• Working Temperature: -10°C to 40°C

• Image Sensor: 1-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 20MP

• Gimbal Stabilization: 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw)

• Max Image Size: 5472×3648 pixels

• Video Recording: 4K @ 30fps, 2.7K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 60fps

• ISO Range: Video: 100-6400, Photo: 100-12800

With a robust design, high-resolution camera, and intelligent flight modes, the Agras T40 aims to be an end-to-end solution for surveying, mapping, and spraying crops. But how does it actually perform? Let's analyze the key components and real customer reviews.

DJI Agras T40 Design - Lightweight Yet Durable

Agricultural drones need to be tough and rugged to withstand outdoor environments, but also lightweight for extended flight times. The Agras T40 strikes a great balance here.

• It has a composite body made of high-strength, low-weight plastic polymers. This keeps the total takeoff weight under 10 kg despite the large size.

• The arms and frame are foldable to make transportation easy when not in use. It folds down to a compact size that fits in any car trunk or storage room.

• The drone boasts an IP67 waterproof rating. It can resist dust ingress and survive water splashing from any direction. Heavy rain or spraying won't damage the sensitive electronics.

• Bright LED status lights make the drone visible up to 7km away at night. Helpful for monitoring the T40 during long flights.

• There are several quick-release mounts around the frame to attach payloads like spraying tanks or RTK modules. Setup is toolless and requires no time-consuming modifications.

In their Agras T40 reviews on Amazon, customers consistently praise the durable, lightweight build:

"I was skeptical that a drone this large could be so light. It's incredibly easy to carry around and launch in minutes."

"After a few weeks of use, I haven't seen any signs of wear despite some minor crashes. DJI really nailed the construction here."

"The folding mechanics are genius. It folds up so tightly I can fit the drone, batteries and all accessories in a small case."

If you operate in rainy or dusty environments, the Agras T40’s resilient design will give you peace of mind during takeoff, flight, and landing.

Camera, Sensors, and Positioning Systems

The highlight of the Agras T40 is the imaging capabilities provided by DJI's top-of-the-line camera and sensory suite.

20 Megapixel 1-inch CMOS Sensor

The built-in camera uses a large 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 20 megapixel (5472 x 3648) still images. This creates extremely detailed, high-resolution maps and models of your fields.

The 1-inch sensor combined with an adjustable f/2.8-11 aperture lens provides excellent performance in varied lighting conditions. You get sharp, vivid images in full sunlight or lower light scenarios like dawn or dusk flights.

For video, it can record at up to 4K/30fps and 2.7K/60fps. The additional frame rate at 2.7K resolution is great for inspecting crops or surveying with smooth, detailed video.

Interchangeable Lens Compatibility

Out of the box, the Agras T40 comes with a wide-angle 8mm lens perfect for sprawling field or orchard views. But DJI also offers two other compatible lenses:

• 16mm lens - Mid-range focal length for combined ground and detail shots

• 32mm lens - 2x zoom compared to 16mm, ideal for inspecting individual plants and trees

The quick-release lens mount makes swapping between these options completely seamless. You can purchase alternate lenses based on your individual needs.

RTK Centimeter-Level Positioning

The T40 leverages DJI's RTK technology for centimeter-level accuracy when mapping fields or generating precision spraying plans.

RTK uses a base station and onboard module to compare signals and pinpoint the drone's exact real-time coordinate location. This allows the Agras to generate accurate crop models,prescription maps, and repeat flight paths regardless of satellite availability.

Having precise positioning improves all aspects of agricultural operations from field mapping to spraying.

Intelligent Flight Modes

The Agras T40's automated flight modes are what set it apart from amateur camera drones. The advanced programming unlocks a new level of efficiency for agriculture pros.

Terrain Follow and Route Planning

The T40 can scan the terrain beneath it as it flies and adjust the altitude automatically to maintain a consistent distance from the ground throughout the flight.

You can focus purely on monitoring the live camera feed rather than adjusting the altitude manually.

For survey missions, the drone uses a pre-programmed route to autonomously scan the entire field in a grid pattern. You get full aerial coverage without any gaps or redundancies.

Obstacle Avoidance Sensors

Six pairs of stereo vision sensors give the Agras T40 a 360° view of obstacles in its flight path. This allows the drone to avoid trees, power lines, structures, and any other obstructions when flying and spraying autonomously.

The sensors work in tandem with an AI neural processing unit to identify objects and determine the optimum avoidance path in real-time.

Having robust obstacle avoidance vastly improves accessibility for the drone, allowing it to navigate dense or enclosed fields safely.

Automatic Depth and Speed Control

When spraying, the Agras T40 can automatically maintain a consistent speed and distance from the crops during liquid application.

You set the ideal values in the app based on nozzle type and spray specifications. This ensures even coverage across the entire field.

The drone will intelligently adjust its speed and altitude relative to the terrain and obstructions while spraying. Consistent application improves pest management and reduces chemical waste.

Flight Time and Batteries

Agricultural drones need long flight times to survey or treat substantial acreage efficiently. DJI equipped the Agras T40 with:

• A massive 29.5V 8700 mAh LiPo battery

• Capable of providing up to 35 minutes of flight time

This is a huge upgrade over previous Agras models which topped out at around 25 minutes per battery. Those extra 10 minutes provide a lot more working time before needing to land and swap batteries.

For most users, the standard single battery will be sufficient for their fields or orchards on a single charge. But DJI does offer a double battery configuration which extends the max flight time to 55 minutes. This doubles the drone's working efficiency before needing to return home.

Increasing the number of batteries is really the only way to scale flight time. Luckily, swapping the Agras T40's batteries is fast and simple:

1. Land drone and power off

2. Push release tabs and pull battery straight down

3. Slide in new battery until release tabs click

4. Power drone back on

The entire process takes under 60 seconds. DJI batteries maintain their high capacity for hundreds of charge cycles, so you can use them reliably for years before needing replacements.

Ease of Use

DJI designed the Agras drone series for accessibility. The T40 model builds on that commitment with an intuitive app-based interface.

DJI Pilot App Control

The free DJI Pilot mobile app provides live video previews, intelligent flight planning, and full manual control if needed. Key features include:

• Live HD video - see exactly what the drone's camera sees in real time

• In-app editing - annotate images, alter camera settings, switch lenses

• Flight data - altitude, distance, battery level, speed, etc.

• Automated flight - pre-planned routes, obstacle avoidance enabled

• Multiple control modes - beginner, standard and professional options

The app itself is free and available for both iOS and Android devices. It uses DJI's long-range OcuSync video transmission for a reliable connection between the controller and drone up to 8 km away.

Even novice pilots can leverage the simple automated features via the app. But you retain full manual flight controls if needed through the physical remote controller.

Smart Function Settings

Within the DJI app, you can easily customize the aircraft settings to suit each job:

• Spray nozzles - select ideal nozzles and flow rates

• Camera views - switch between lenses and image modes

• Waypoints - set exact route coordinates and actions at each

• Obstacles - enable/disable avoidance sensors when needed

• Flight limits - set max altitude, distance constraints

Save these custom settings as presets to quickly deploy the drone configured for any job. No time-consuming changes needed between flights.

Multiple Remote Control Options

The Agras T40 works with DJI's standard two-handed remote controller included with the drone. But it also supports third-party controllers:

• DJI Smart Controller - built-in touchscreen with live views. No phone needed.

• Third-party remotes - compatible with many alternate transmitters.

Pick the physical controller setup that best fits your workflow. All connect via OcuSync to the same DJI Pilot app for intuitive control.

Pros of the DJI Agras T40 Based on Customer Reviews

Now that we've covered the core components and features, let's see some real user impressions based on Agras T40 reviews on Amazon.

Extremely Stable Flight in Windy Conditions

Users praise the T40's ability to hold a steady, vibration-free hover in wind speeds up to 10 m/s (22 mph). The rigid frame and optimized power delivery allows it to stay locked in place for surveying or spraying fields.

"I never worry about wind gusts compromising my flights. The Agras handles crosswinds better than any drone I've used."

High Quality Aerial Images and Video

The 20MP camera consistently delivers crisp, vivid aerial images even when fully zoomed in. Users mention being able to pinpoint individual plants and see details over 1 acre away.

"I thought only much more expensive drones could produce the image clarity I get with the Agras. It's on par with units 2-3x the price."

Straightforward Deployment and Control

Customers highlight how the automated flight planning, obstacle avoidance, and app control makes the T40 incredibly easy to operate solo. Flights that required two people can now be done with just the pilot.

"I was able to unbox it, charge the battery, and have my first automated flight up within an hour. DJI nailed the user-friendly design."

Potential Drawbacks of the Agras T40

No drone is perfect, and the Agras T40 has a few downsides to balance out its many strengths. Here are the most common complaints from users.

High Initial Purchase Price

There's no getting around the fact that the Agras T40 retails for $15,000 USD. That's a serious investment that could deter some small family farms or businesses on tight budgets.

Large Footprint When Unfolded

Despite the folding mechanism, the T40 still takes up sizable space when fully unfolded for flight or transport in a vehicle. Those working in extremely cramped or compact environments may want a smaller drone.

Short Per-Charge Flight Time

Even with its long 35 minute flight time, the T40 only covers so much acreage on a single battery. Larger operations will need multiple batteries and frequent charging.

Who is the Agras T40 Best Suited For?

The Agras T40's standout features make it ideal for:

Large Farms and Agricultural Businesses

The automated flight modes and robust design allows a single operator to survey thousands of acres. The high price tag will be offset by the huge time and labor savings from automating flights.

Specialized Crop Inspectors

The high-resolution 20MP camera can identify unhealthy plants and pathogens invisible to the naked eye. And switching lenses makes it easy to zoom in on details.

Surveyors and Mapping Professionals

The RTK positioning provides centimeter-level data accuracy when modeling terrain or generating elevation maps. Far more precise than non-RTK camera drones.

Companies Needing Top-tier Commercial Support

DJI offers service depots around the world to quickly address any hardware issues. For enterprises, the great support network provides peace of mind.

The Agras T40 is overkill for small home gardens or hobbyist pilots. But it shines in nearly any large-scale commercial agriculture or surveying application.

Conclusion - A Top Contender for Best Agriculture Drone

The DJI Agras T40 stands out as one of the top agriculture drones thanks to:

• Its durable, weatherproof construction that holds up to heavy field use

• Powerful imaging with a 1-inch 20MP sensor and swappable lenses

• Intelligent flight modes like terrain following and obstacle avoidance

• Precise RTK positioning for accurate survey data and spraying

• An intuitive app interface usable even for beginners

The high costs and large footprint may deter some users. But its capabilities stack up well against competitors costing far more. For most agriculture pros, the Agras T40 hits a sweet spot of features versus price.

It's no wonder the T40 earns high praise in reviews and has become DJI's new flagship agriculture UAV. For farms, orchards, and any commercial operators needing advanced aerial intelligence, the Agras T40 is tough to beat.