Sniffer4D Nano 2 Plus Methane, TDLAS laser methane detection by drone

A dedicated methane laser, in the same housing as the Nano 2 Plus

The Sniffer4D Nano 2 Plus comes in two versions that share the same housing, the same active air intake and the same 4G link: the Multi-Gas unit, which takes up to 5 modules, and this Methane unit, which carries a single MP-TDLAS laser measuring cell. Multi-pass tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy responds to methane only: no interference from other gases, no cross-calibration to manage. The Methane unit is used on its own, with no other module. For air quality and other gases, see the Sniffer4D Nano 2 Plus Multi-Gas.

Measuring in the plume or measuring remotely: two complementary approaches

The Nano 2 Plus Methane measures the gas that actually passes through its cell: the drone has to fly through the plume. It gives a concentration in ppm at the point of passage, ideal for mapping pollution around a landfill, a wastewater treatment plant or a gas site, and for monitoring how a site changes over time. The MetScan detectors, by contrast, aim a laser at the ground and measure the methane column crossed, in ppm·m, from several tens of metres away: they are the tool for locating leaks on an installation or along a pipeline, without flying over the source. The MetScan Nano 1D and the MetScan Nano 1F fit the same Matrice 4D / 4TD; the MetScan V1P equips the Matrice 400 and 350.

Direct fit on DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD and Dock 3, via kit on other Matrice models

On the DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD and the DJI Dock 3, the unit connects directly to the E-Port, with mounting screws included, and flies automated missions from the dock. Integration kits, sold separately, fit it to the DJI Matrice 400 (50 cm sampling tube), Matrice 350 RTK / 300 RTK, Matrice 4E / 4T (25 cm tube) and Matrice 30 / 30T. PSDK integration is complete: data and controls in DJI Pilot 2, and integration with DJI FlightHub 2, including DJI FlightHub 2 On-Premises. Details for each drone are given in our AIRINS and DJI compatibility table.

Real-time data, even without a network

The built-in LTE module sends encrypted readings to AIRINS.ai once per second; a SIM card is required. If the link drops, the sensor stores up to 12 hours of data and uploads it once the network is back. Each mission is also recorded as a CSV file on the 32 GB MicroSD card supplied. Missions from the DJI Dock 3 or DJI FlightHub 2 require a 4G connection.

AIRINS.ai, included with purchase

The AIRINS.ai software is included with purchase, for perpetual use with one unit and one main account, together with one year of remote technical support and updates. A subscription is available as an alternative to purchase. You follow the mission live (flight path, point cloud, heat map), replay the history as interpolated 2D and 3D maps, produce PDF or DOCX reports and export to CSV, Shapefile or GeoJSON, or to your own systems via encrypted MQTT.

Getting started and good practice

Allow the sensor to stabilise for at least 3 minutes before the mission. Measurement noise of around plus or minus 0.1 ppm is normal; above 0.5 ppm, the unit should be checked. To locate an emission source, AIRINS recommends flying at no more than 8 m/s, ideally around 5 m/s. The unit is rated IP55 and can withstand a brief shower, but rain and high humidity reduce accuracy, so they are best avoided.

Warranty, calibration and service life

Warranty. Standard one-year warranty. The extension can only be purchased with the initial order, at 20% of the total product value per additional year, up to two years of extension. After the warranty period, the hardware and software remain fully usable.

Calibration. Units are factory-calibrated before shipment. Recalibration is recommended every 12 months in a stable operating environment. If working conditions change (temperature, measurement environment), some modules require their zero point to be readjusted. Two methods are available:

• By the customer. Injection of a calibration gas or comparison with the reference equipment of a measuring station. The new correction factor is calculated using the manufacturer’s formula, then saved in the calibration interface of the AIRINS.ai platform.
• By return to the factory, for annual inspection and calibration. Free of charge during the warranty period, with shipping costs borne by the customer. Outside the warranty, it is invoiced according to the inspection results, with costs communicated for prior approval.

Service life. 3 years on average, depending on how often the unit is used and the concentration levels encountered. This lifetime is shorter with frequent use in heavily polluted areas.

Technical specifications

See the Sniffer4D Nano 2 Plus in action

Order from Drone Parts Center

Drone Parts Center, official AIRINS reseller for the Benelux, helps you choose between in-plume measurement and remote detection, and provides training in Nivelles or at your site. Request a quote: purchase orders accepted from public authorities, intra-EU VAT-exempt invoicing for VAT-registered businesses. Explore the full AIRINS range and our environmental monitoring solutions.