Drone Magnetometers in India
A drone magnetometer maps small changes in the Earth's magnetic field from the air, revealing buried ferrous objects, pipelines, wells and geological structure. HobiTech supplies SENSYS, MagNIMBUS and Geometrics systems in India, complete with SkyHub, UgCS, processing software and training.
What drone magnetometers are used for
In India, the buyers are mineral exploration and mining companies, geological survey teams, UXO and security specialists, pipeline and utility operators, and archaeology researchers.
Mineral exploration and geology
Map magnetic anomalies over large or rough areas far faster than a ground crew, before drilling decisions are made.
Mining operations
Find stray steel before it reaches the crusher. Drone magnetometer finds tramp metal at an open-pit mine.
UXO and security
Search for ferrous ordnance without putting people on the ground first. SENSYS MAGNETO calculates object position and size from the survey.
Pipelines and buried infrastructure
Trace steel pipes and cables across open country. MagNIMBUS vs MagArrow over buried pipelines.
Environmental surveys
Locate abandoned wells and buried tanks. Drone magnetometry finds 22 of 25 abandoned gas wells.
Archaeology
Detect weak anomalies from buried features without excavation. Drone GPR and magnetometry at the Mimbres heritage site.
The magnetometer systems
Two families: fluxgate kits measure the field along three axes and are light and simple to fly; atomic and cesium total-field sensors measure the field's strength with very high sensitivity.
One 3-axis fluxgate on a self-folding carbon fibre arm.
- 595 g, fits any drone with a 1+ kg payload
- Logs through SkyHub over USB, with live data to the ground
- UXO detection, mine exploration, magnetic mapping
Two 3-axis fluxgates in a carbon fibre tube, with its own logger and battery.
- 820 g with battery, fits any drone with a 1+ kg payload
- 1-button data logger and integrated GPS
- Can take its GPS feed from SkyHub
Five triaxial fluxgates on a 2 m dismountable sensor tube.
- 1,400 g, made for the DJI M300 and attachable to other UAVs
- More sensors per pass for UXO and area surveys
- Processed with SENSYS MAGNETO
SPH Engineering's airborne system with QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 atomic sensors.
- Single sensor, or a vertical gradiometer with the second-sensor add-on
- SkyHub is the data logger and runs terrain following on DJI drones
- Vector add-on for field direction as well as strength
Laser-pumped cesium total-field sensors with built-in GPS, recorder and batteries.
- 2 MFAM sensors, for redundancy and no dead zone
- 1,000 Hz sampling
- Geology, environmental, archaeology and UXO surveys
Side by side
| System | Sensor type | Sensors | Weight | Data logging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SENSYS MagDrone R1 | 3-axis fluxgate | 1 | 595 g | SkyHub (USB) |
| SENSYS MagDrone R3 | 3-axis fluxgate | 2 | 820 g with battery | Built-in logger |
| SENSYS MagDrone R4 | Triaxial fluxgate | 5 | 1,400 g | Built-in, GPS from SkyHub |
| MagNIMBUS | Atomic total field (QuSpin) | 1 or 2 | — | SkyHub |
| Geometrics MagArrow Mk2 | Cesium total field | 2 | — | Built-in, with GPS |
What a complete system includes
A survey-ready drone magnetometer is more than the sensor. We quote the pieces together as one configuration.
1. The magnetometer
One of the systems above, chosen for sensitivity, swath and the drone you fly.
2. Mounts and cables
Plastic landing legs are listed for the DJI M400 and M350/M300 RTK. See mounts and cables.
3. SkyHub software
The SkyHub package for MagDrone or the package for MagNIMBUS logs and powers the sensor in flight.
4. UgCS flight planning
UgCS EXPERT adds trajectory smoothing for magnetometer lines and terrain following.
5. A ground reference station
The SENSYS MagBase records the field on the ground so daily variation can be removed from the survey.
6. Processing software
SENSYS MAGNETO for object detection, Oasis montaj for exploration and modelling, GeoHammer for quick field checks.
Which one do you need
A SENSYS MagDrone (R1, R3 or R4) with MAGNETO, which calculates the position and size of each target. The R4 covers more ground per pass.
MagNIMBUS or the Geometrics MagArrow Mk2 for very high sensitivity, processed in Oasis montaj.
Either family works; MagNIMBUS as a gradiometer helps separate shallow targets from deeper geology.
The MagDrone R1 or R3, which fit any drone with a 1+ kg payload.
Tell us the target, the area and the drone you fly. We will suggest a configuration and say when a simpler one will do.
Buying a drone magnetometer in India
HobiTech is an Official Partner of SPH Engineering in India.
One quote for the whole system
Sensor, mounts, SkyHub, UgCS, base station and software quoted together in rupees.
Training
SPH Engineering's magnetic data processing course with a practical exam. See magnetometer training.
Support from Bengaluru
First-line questions come to us, and go to SPH Engineering only when they need to.
GPR and other sensors
The same SkyHub carries GPR, echo sounders, methane and gamma sensors. Drone GPR in India · all SPH systems.
Drone magnetometer FAQs
Where can I buy a drone magnetometer in India?
HobiTech supplies SENSYS MagDrone, MagNIMBUS and Geometrics MagArrow systems in India, with SkyHub, UgCS, processing software and training. Send us your survey details and we will quote the full configuration.
Magnetometer or metal detector?
A magnetometer maps the magnetic field, which suits geology, ferrous UXO and pipelines. For non-ferrous objects in the top 2 m, see our drone metal detector.
Which drones can carry these payloads?
The MagDrone R1 and R3 fit any drone with a 1+ kg payload, the R4 is made for the DJI M300, and SkyHub supports the DJI M400, M350 RTK and M300 RTK and Pixhawk drones.
Do I need a base station?
For accurate surveys, yes. A ground reference station such as the SENSYS MagBase records daily changes in the field, which are then removed from the drone data.
What do I need to fly it legally in India?
The rules apply to the drone, not the sensor: it needs a UIN on Digital Sky, and commercial flights need a remote pilot certificate. Check the site's airspace zone on the Digital Sky map before each job.
What does a drone magnetometer cost?
Each system is quoted per configuration. Ask for the current lead time with your quote.
Tell us what you need to find
Share the target, the area and the drone you fly. We will recommend a magnetometer and quote the full system in rupees.
Product and software details on this page use data from SPH Engineering, the manufacturer.