The Dark Matter hX Gen2 - a Great M600 Alternative!
Specifications Comparison
Are you still looking for a replacement for your DJI M600 drones?
Many companies have successfully integrated the M600 drone in their UAV operations since it was released in April 2016. You see it being used for LiDAR surveys, inspections, or even drone deliveries!
But DJI decided to discontinue it in 2021… Not the first time they stopped production and support of a popular product, and probably not the last time either!
As of 2023, you can still find companies trying to source and stock up on DJI M600 spares…
But this is not a long-term strategy!
In this article, we will cover the reasons why our Dark Matter hX Gen 2 is a great alternative to the DJI Matrice 600 / 600 Pro and why it actually trumps its performance in several ways.
About the Matrice 600
To continue on the redundancy scheme, the Matrice 600 drone operates on multiple batteries (6 actually!) and once the A3 flight controller was released, you could get IMU redundancy and GPS-compass module redundancy.
For its intended use, the M600 has some great features like a retract system (with springs) giving a 360° field of view. It is compatible with multiple payloads, such as the DJI Zenmuse gimbal range (X5 and XT no longer in production) and the Ronin-MX (also no longer in production). The drone can still carry a wide range of cameras when these are still available.
Some people say the M600 was too customisable for DJI’s liking!
Drone performance is obviously key to any organisation and the specifications were pretty good, as follows:
M600 Specifications:
Country of Origin: China
Dimensions (unfolded, RTF): 1668mm x 1518mm x 759mm
Diagonal Wheelbase: 1133mm
Dimensions (folded): 437mm x 402mm x 553mm (excl. landing gear)
Propellers: Folding 21” carbon fibre (CW, CCW)
Weight: 9.6kg (with TB47S batteries)
6.0kg without batteries
Flight Time: 32mins without payload (TB47S batteries)
16mins with 6kg payload (TB47S batteries)
Maximum payload: 6kg
MTOM: 15.5kg
Max pitch angle: 25°
Range: up to 5km
Maximum speed: 20m/s
Maximum ascent speed: 5m/s
Maximum wind resistance: 8m/s
Operation conditions: -10°C to 40°C
Can not fly in rain
For transportation and storage, the M600 benefits from being foldable and the TB47S batteries can be taken with you on most commercial flights, as they are below the 100Wh mark at 99.9Wh. If you have the bigger batteries TB48S (129.96Wh), you will get slightly improved flight times and can still transport them on some commercial flights.
The drone can be assembled and ready-to-fly in a few minutes.
So how does the Clogworks Dark Matter hX Gen 2 compare?
DMhX Gen2 Specifications:
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Dimensions (RTF): 1565mm x 1432mm x up to 650mm
Diagonal Wheelbase (MtoM): 1067mm
Dimensions (packed): 830mm x 550mm x 430mm
Propellers: Non-folding 20” carbon fibre (CW, CCW)
Empty Weight: 6.0kg without batteries
Flight Time: 55mins without payload (with dual batteries)
32mins with 6kg payload (with dual batteries)
Maximum payload: 6kg
Max pitch angle: 45°
Range: up to 5-10km
Maximum speed: 20m/s
Maximum ascent speed: 6m/s
Maximum wind resistance: 12m/s
Operation conditions: -20°C to +45°C
Can fly in light precipitation
The Dark Matter hX Gen 2 has a slightly smaller footprint than the M600 but a massively extended endurance and operational window.
The drone can be assembled and ready-to-fly in a few minutes and easily transported in its flightcase in a boot of a car.
The Dark Matter hX Gen 2 is a hexacopter in the <25kg category with heavy lift capacity of 6kg. The six rotors are there to give redundancy and extra stability compared to a quadcopter. You can perform a controlled landing if you lose a motor in flight.
The Dark Matter hX Gen 2 drone can operate on one of two batteries as standard and we can tailor the configuration to fly on up to 5 smaller and easily transportable batteries (<100Wh).
You benefit from triple redundant temperature controlled IMUs and two GPS masts (RTK ready) as standard.
There is a FPV camera as standard, as well as a retract system giving a 360° field of view. It is compatible with a wide range of (non-DJI) payloads, such as DSLR cameras or dual sensor cameras in a range of gimbals, different LiDAR systems, and plenty of custom-developed payloads.
With a longer flight time with heavy payload, you can complete a typical 20 mins survey in one flight, with reserve for peace of mind.
With a wider operating window, you can minimise downtime and increase your return on investment by using your drone most days.
We love customisation and believe this is the only way for customers to get the best solution for their operations!
We offer a wide range of UAV controllers, including fully NDAA compliant ones.
As the legislation is evolving, we can cater for specific request, such as remote-ID or FTS (Flight Termination System) and parachute integration to name just a few options!
Finally, at Clogworks, we pride ourselves in customer service and support, with continuity over many years.
We have all the moulds and capacity in-house to continue providing spares for years to come. We can also upgrade your drone to newer electronics if required and we use agnostic batteries so that they are easy to source and ship.
We have customers operating the Dark Matter hX in different scenarios and many countries, from LiDAR surveys, inspections, surveillance on- or off-tether, communication relays, or even drone deliveries!
The ones who have replaced their M600(s) with our systems are over the moon with their new drone(s)!
If you want to know more, please contact us!
