Light the scene—or speak to it?
DJI AL1 and DJI AS1 solve different operational problems. This guide compares what each accessory actually does, where the published figures stop, and what changes when a Matrice 4 team mounts both.
Choose the required output first: illumination, voice or both.
Choose DJI AL1 when the mission needs camera-aligned scene illumination. Choose DJI AS1 when it needs live voice, a recorded message, media playback or text-to-speech broadcast. Use both only when both outputs are genuinely required: DJI supports the combined mount, but 4E/4T and 4D/4TD follow different bracket instructions. On every covered aircraft, turning AL1 on automatically deactivates obstacle avoidance; on 4D/4TD, installing AL1 also disables upward obstacle avoidance. Manufacturer distance figures are laboratory references—not guaranteed field reach.
Three purchase paths, each tied to a different job.
An accessory is useful only when it changes the deliverable. Start with what the crew must see or communicate, then check the operating constraints before adding hardware.
Illuminate a defined target
Best when visible-light detail, a gimbal-following beam, broader wide-field illumination, or an attention-getting strobe is part of the mission plan.
Deliver an audible message
Best when the required output is live speech, a prepared announcement, imported media or current English/Mandarin text-to-speech.
Coordinate light and voice
Justified when a documented operation needs both capabilities and the crew follows the aircraft-family-specific bracket method, firmware, compass-calibration and changed-sensing procedure.
AL1 and AS1 are complementary—not substitutes.
The published maximums describe different outputs, so a single “winner” would be misleading. Compare mission role, mode, conditional performance, installation and limitation on the same footing.
Do not add the two “with bracket” weights to claim a universal combined installed mass. The joint stack removes the AS1 bracket on 4E/4T and removes the bottom brackets from both accessories on 4D/4TD.
A camera-linked light—with a flight-planning consequence.
AL1 is the right tool when the crew has a specific visible-light objective and can manage the change to sensing behaviour.
Choose a lighting behaviour
Use always-on illumination for continuous observation, strobe for an attention signal, or the supported wide-FOV mode when broader illumination is appropriate. Gimbal following can be disabled when a fixed light angle is required.
Read the numbers as test data
DJI's lux and illumination-area figures were measured under stated laboratory conditions with the spotlight installed separately. Fog, precipitation, ambient light, surface reflectivity, distance, exposure and firmware change the usable result.
Separate installed and powered-on sensing states
On every covered aircraft, turning AL1 on automatically deactivates obstacle avoidance. For 4D/4TD, DJI additionally states that installing AL1 disables upward obstacle avoidance, even before the light is switched on. Route, separation, speed, manual oversight and abort logic must reflect the applicable state.
View the live DJI AL1 Spotlight listing at SpeedyDrone Canada.
A message system whose usefulness depends on intelligibility.
AS1 is a stronger purchase when the team can define the audience, message, timing and fallback if the broadcast is not understood.
Select the right message mode
Real-time speech supports live direction; recorded messages improve consistency; imported media can carry prepared audio; and text-to-speech currently supports English and Mandarin Chinese.
Validate speech—not just sound
DJI's 114 dB-at-1 m and 300 m figures are conditional test results. Wind, rotor noise, direction, terrain, buildings, message cadence, voice source and the listener's environment affect intelligibility.
Write an audio operating rule
DJI warns against using the speaker near people or in urban areas concentrated with noise-sensitive structures, and advises against single-frequency sounds that could damage the speaker.
View the live DJI AS1 Speaker listing at SpeedyDrone Canada.
DJI supports the combination, but 4E/4T and 4D/4TD do not use one universal bracket procedure.
Power down the aircraft and use the current DJI manual and FAQ for the exact aircraft and firmware. The Blog summary below does not replace those controlling installation instructions.
Remove the AS1 bottom adapter bracket
- Remove the adapter bracket at the bottom of AS1.
- Install AS1 on AL1's top interface.
- Tighten the specified screws and follow the Matrice 4 Series manual and FAQ.
Remove both bottom adapter brackets
- Remove the bottom adapter brackets from both AS1 and AL1.
- Install the accessories before powering on the aircraft.
- Tighten the screws and ensure the aircraft interface is properly sealed.
- When used with DJI Dock, use the included hex key to tighten the screws again.
- Activate the installed accessories through the supported app prompts.
- Bring the aircraft, controller and accessories to compatible current firmware.
- Complete the aircraft compass calibration prompted after AS1 installation.
- Run a controlled function check for light, audio, gimbal alignment, interface security and the applicable sensing changes before the operational mission.
DJI does not publish one universal flight-time deduction for this configuration. Do not invent one: use the actual installed aircraft, mission profile, weather, reserve policy and observed battery trend.
These are unchanged live-listing product images placed side by side for selection. This visual is not an installation diagram; follow DJI's current manual and FAQ for the physical stack.
Make the purchase decision from the deliverable backward.
These examples illustrate selection logic, not operating authorization. Each organization still needs a site-specific procedure and the correct Canadian operating category.
Low-light asset detail
Likely AL1. Confirm whether added light improves the camera result enough to justify obstacle avoidance deactivating while AL1 is on—and, on 4D/4TD, upward obstacle avoidance remaining disabled whenever AL1 is installed.
Prepared safety direction
Likely AS1. The output is a clear repeated message. Test pronunciation, cadence, audio level and intelligibility in the real sound environment.
Search-area communication
Possibly both. Light can support observation while voice carries direction, but the crew must separate lighting, flying and communication responsibilities.
Routine daytime mapping
Usually neither. If the required output is an orthomosaic or survey image set, extra light and broadcast hardware may add complexity without improving the deliverable.
Night operation without a defined target
Do not buy on “night” alone. Specify the target, working distance, ambient conditions, route and required evidence before deciding AL1 is useful.
General public-safety branding
Do not buy on the label alone. Select an accessory only when the operating concept defines who receives light or audio, why, and how the crew validates the result.
Accessory compatibility is not operating authority.
Transport Canada determines the applicable RPAS category from what is flown, where and how it is flown, its safety features, proximity to people and airspace conditions. Attached or carried items count toward operating weight. Buying AL1, AS1 or both does not by itself authorize an Advanced, Level 1 Complex, EVLOS, BVLOS, controlled-airspace or special operation.
- Verify the aircraft and installed configuration against the safety-assurance requirements for the intended operation.
- Confirm registration, pilot certification, airspace permission and organizational procedures appropriate to the mission.
- Include the accessory in preflight inspection, firmware control, maintenance records and emergency procedures.
- Assess site-specific effects on people, eyes, noise-sensitive locations, privacy, lighting, traffic and responder coordination.
Use Transport Canada's current operation-category overview and Advanced operations guidance for the regulatory starting point. This article is product-selection information, not an authorization or legal opinion.
Buy the accessory alone—or select a package because its contents match the mission.
Prices, stock and package contents can change. The links below point to live SpeedyDrone pages so Canadian buyers can confirm the current listing instead of relying on a copied snapshot.
Still selecting the aircraft? Compare the current DJI Matrice 4 Series or review SpeedyDrone's Canadian Enterprise solutions before choosing accessories.
DJI AL1 and AS1 questions, answered.
Is DJI AL1 or DJI AS1 the better first accessory for Matrice 4?
Neither is universally better. Choose AL1 when the required output is camera-aligned illumination. Choose AS1 when the required output is audible live or prepared messaging. If the mission does not require either output, neither accessory is the better first purchase.
Which Matrice 4 aircraft support AL1 and AS1?
DJI's current specifications list AL1 and AS1 support for Matrice 4E, Matrice 4T, Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD. Confirm current firmware, mounting instructions and the exact aircraft configuration before installation.
Can DJI AL1 and DJI AS1 be installed together?
Yes, but the instructions differ. For 4E/4T, DJI says to remove the bottom AS1 adapter bracket, mount AS1 on AL1's top interface and tighten the screws. For 4D/4TD, DJI says to remove the bottom brackets from both accessories, install them before aircraft power-on, ensure the interface is properly sealed, and use the included hex key to tighten the screws again when operating with DJI Dock. Follow the current DJI manual for the exact aircraft and firmware.
How does AL1 affect obstacle avoidance on 4E/4T versus 4D/4TD?
On every covered aircraft, turning AL1 on automatically deactivates obstacle avoidance. For 4D/4TD, DJI additionally states that installing AL1 disables upward obstacle avoidance and affects power performance and flight time. The route, speed, separation, crew oversight and abort plan must account for the applicable installed and powered-on states.
Do AL1 and AS1 affect aircraft performance or flight time?
DJI states that installed accessories affect aircraft power performance and flight time. On 4D/4TD, installing AL1 also disables upward obstacle avoidance; on every covered aircraft, turning AL1 on deactivates obstacle avoidance automatically. DJI does not publish one universal flight-time loss, so use the actual installed aircraft, weather, mission profile, reserve policy and observed battery trend.
What broadcast modes and text-to-speech languages does DJI AS1 support?
AS1 supports real-time broadcast, recorded broadcast, media import and text-to-speech. DJI currently lists English and Mandarin Chinese for text-to-speech. Echo suppression and other functions depend on current compatible firmware.
Are AL1's 100 m illumination and AS1's 300 m broadcast figures guaranteed?
No. They are DJI reference results measured under stated laboratory conditions. Ambient light, weather, reflectivity, wind, rotor noise, buildings, message content, firmware and the listener or camera setup change real field performance.
What must be activated, calibrated or updated after installation?
Follow the app prompts to activate the installed accessory and update the aircraft, controller and accessory to compatible current firmware. After AS1 installation, DJI also instructs users to calibrate the aircraft compass according to the app prompt.
Does SpeedyDrone offer a Matrice 4T package that lists both accessories?
Yes. SpeedyDrone's live Matrice 4T Response Edition listing identifies both AL1 and AS1 as included. Package contents, pricing and availability can change, so confirm the complete current listing directly before ordering.
Official and live sources checked August 2, 2026
- DJI Enterprise — Matrice 4 Series specifications: accessory weights, modes, conditional test figures and aircraft compatibility.
- DJI Enterprise — Matrice 4 Series FAQ: combined mounting, firmware, compass calibration, obstacle-avoidance shutdown and use precautions.
- DJI Enterprise — Matrice 4 Series downloads: current manuals, safety documents and release notes.
- DJI Enterprise — Dock 3 / Matrice 4D Series specifications: 4D/4TD compatibility, bracketless weights, bracket requirement and mounting/sealing notes.
- DJI Enterprise — Dock 3 FAQ: 4D/4TD installation-before-power, two-bracket combined mounting, Dock hex-key step and upward-obstacle-avoidance limitation.
- DJI Enterprise — Dock 3 downloads: current Matrice 4D Series manuals, safety documents, software and release materials.
- SpeedyDrone Canada — DJI AL1 Spotlight and DJI AS1 Speaker: live Canadian product listings and authentic product-image assets.
- SpeedyDrone Canada — Matrice 4T Response Edition: live evidence only that AL1 and AS1 are listed; no battery count, price, inventory or availability claim is carried into this guide.
- Transport Canada — operation categories and pilot certificates: current Canadian category and operating-weight context.
Specifications, firmware, product-page content, compatibility, package contents, pricing, availability and regulations can change. Recheck live sources for the installed configuration and intended operation. This article does not replace DJI manuals, organizational procedures or regulatory review.
