Several great points, suggestions and info regarding your questions...
I'd also suggest you visit the InspireForum for both Inspire & Matrice. Several discussions on the IR Thermal and there is a separate channel for Agriculture & Thermal. Lot of Ag and IR experts working the field that might provide additional insight. I realize you've ruled out the Matrice 210, but in long range usage you may want to consider.
Several M210's basically new condition being sold used at a large discount.... for Ag it remains a great option. The Inspire 1v2 is very popular in the resale market currently, easy to find practically new condition with major discount from new. Personally, I wouldn't consider purchasing a "new" Inspire 1v2 in 2019, to many available used in great shape.
I personally own an H520 and several other platforms including Inpire 1 & 2, Matrice 210 & 600Pro. I find the H520 a great platform with good potential currently limited by Yuneec, 3rd party development, 3rd party products, and uncertainty of market growth or support. I lean toward the optimistic that the H520 will improve or gain ground in usefulness; I purchased mine optimistically for where it may evolve than it's current capabilities.
The H520 is a stable craft and in comparison to the older Inspire 1v2 as previously indicated superior in high wind. Although for most field measuring, analyzing, inspecting you'll probably be flying in wind suitable to both platforms. The noise of the H520 does have a low pitch and low audible level compared to the Inspire 1v2, although the I1v2 with after market carbon props isn't a loud platform.
This next statement may just be preference or what one is accustomed. I prefer using tablets for my screen, I like tilting them differently than the radio for my hand comfort vs view. I prefer having the ability to install several apps on the tablet for different types of flight missions or tools to collect flight data. The start-up time of RC & Tablet... in my opinion is much quicker compared to the ST16 boot up & flight ready.
-I would like more info on the Nano Water Treatment that is being sold with the H520. Is this done through Yuneec or a third party vendor? Is it permanent or will it need to be reapplied? Does it carry a IPX rating?
The Nano Water treatment is a 3rd party... actually several make a nano water treatment in various name brands, spray and dip. A few, require the hardware to be sent to them for treatment. Any drone or electronics can be treated with Nano Water treatment, or other forms of water proofing.
This little clip may help answer a few or give a few directions to explore.
Water Proof Drone How to Electronics - Outstanding Drone
B&H list a H520 E90 with Nano Water treatment.
YUNEECH520 Bundle with Nano Water Treatment and E90
I am in the market for a thermal drone to use for property security and irrigation management in our vineyard, this will be my first UAV so pardon my ignorance. I have a $10,000 budget give or take and have been mainly looking at DJI Inspire 1 v2 Zenmuse XT 640 30hz setup but the H520 has caught my interest for a few reasons. I have read that it is quiet and compact which is why I have been drawn to this unit. Some questions I have are:
-Does anyone have hands on experience with the E10Tv 640 30hz yet and if so how does it compare to the Zenmuse XT? Would it be an unwise decision to get a brand new model like the E10T over the tried and true Zenmuse?
-What is the difference with Yuneec's encrypted data vs DJI's? Also do UAV's transmit? RF, WiFi, ect.? Why is DJI's range so much further than Yuneec's?
Thank you for your help!
IF you're planning to use for Ag & scanning the vineyard, you're eventually going to want to add a multispectral and NDVI camera to analyze plant health, fertilize, pesticides, insecticide, moisture, etc. This is another camera system that you can simply ad-hoc mount on a platform or incorporate it with the flight control... incorporating has it's benefits but is limited to brands that venders focus market.
To maintain consistency in images, GPS data for Ag equipment, chemical applications and ground coverage you'll want to utilize software tools for accurate autonomous flights.... this doesn't require the high cost of RTK to obtain extremely useful data. There are many Autonomous software options, several specialize for Ag. Most of these 3rd party products are designed for Matrice, Inspire, Mavic or specialized platforms.
As mentioned the Yuneec E10Tv hasn't been released yet... it's predicted to be in near future, but that's not always an accurate statement. There are a few threads that touched on the IR & E10T within the H520 channel that might be worth a glance. The comparison of the Zenmuse XT to the E10T or E10Tv isn't direct... The E10T & Tv have an RGB camera similar to the Zenmuse XT2. Although the XT2 is Advanced Radiometric, which comes at a large premium to the standard Flir. The XT comes in standard and advanced radiometric. There is "rumor", that Yuneec plans to release a Full Radiometric E10Tv-R 320 & 640... but that may be some time for market.
The cost of the full radiometric version will be much higher than the E10Tv which is listed on Vertigo Drones for $7500. The Zenmuse XT2 640 is often found (B&H Photo) for $12-13K. The E10Tv-R will probably be a little below the Zenmuse price line.
(pre-order link)
Yuneec E10Tv50 (640-Pixel 8.7mm F/1.0 50°FOV)
I'm in a similar position, I've been waiting for the E10Tv-R 640 for verification of availability, price, supporting software, and performance & video. I know the zenmuse XT-R 640 & XT2 640 capabilities and software, which in my opinion Yuneec will need to match at a minimum. The advantage of the zenmuse cameras is multiple platforms and wide 3rd party support in both Ag & SAR, and if you change direction large resale market. You could purchase a XT 640 on a Inspire 1 then later use on a M210 with a dual gimbal mount along with a nice RGB or Z30, or on any custom build utilizing A3 & LB2 flight controller. The XT & XT2 fits on M210v1 or v2 or M600Pro and likey new platform while XT2 is current product.
The one benefit sight unseen of the E10Tv is the FLIR sensor. It's the newer sensor generation compared to the FlIR sensor in the XT & XT2. They have the exact same IR specs, but the new generation is faster, cooler and lower power consumption. But... this also tells me... my prediction since DJI has a stock interest in FLIR that a new Zenmuse is on the horizon which will drop the price of the current XT & XT2 whenever released.
End point on IR Thermal; the higher the resolution the better, if you can afford 640, get the 640. If you want to do any accurate isothermal readings, zero in on a small temp range or simply check temps at points of need, the Full Radiometric is required.
Radio reception, range & video clarity; You touched on an on-going discussion / debate. Is the longer range needed, is a popular point. I personally get nervous when a craft becomes hard to see and that isn't near DJI's useable range; although my perspective is more stability of signal is a positive. Along with extended range, in my opinion is improved signal stability throughout the distance. The DJI signal methodology for operating on the same 2.4 or 5.8 mHz does provide longer range and video stability. In Ag operations, you may fly low to crops and that can effect signal; and if you begin to run autonomous flight missions low to plant the need of accurate communication within autonomous software can be critical to a successful flight mission and aircraft control.
Few other points to chew on, Good Luck on your decision.