How To Choose A Telescoping Mast For Your Mission
A telescoping mast is an incredibly useful surveillance tool that law enforcement agencies can take advantage of. They’re able to provide the high-quality perspective of a drone without the hassle of operating one, allowing you to observe the action while staying out of it.
Many people forego this opportunity, though, because they don’t know what qualities to look for. Luckily, we’ve got all the info you need to make the best decision.
Let’s explore everything you need to know.
1. Ease of Deployment
The ideal telescoping mast is one that is notably easy to deploy. Not only does this mean it requires minimal time and effort, but it also ensures that you capture all of the footage you need.
It’s not uncommon for an agency to need to deploy a telescoping mast as quickly as possible in response to a particular incident. A bomb threat, for example, requires immediate mobilization of law enforcement agents.
As such, it’s best to look for a mast that can be fully deployed in less than five minutes. Otherwise, you may find that you aren’t able to get full utility out of your telescoping mast. In most scenarios that require surveillance, this simply isn’t an option.
2. Efficiency in Poor Conditions
Unfortunately, the conditions you’re in won’t always allow you to get the best surveillance possible. Environmental factors like darkness in rural areas, inclement weather, etc. can all cause issues.
In some cases, conventional surveillance methods may be completely impractical.
High-quality masts, however, are built to thrive in these conditions, especially for those that involve storms.
Attempting to surveil areas while flying a drone will likely lead to disaster during strong winds. Similarly, rain or snow can also make using drones or low-quality surveillance devices impossible.
A premier telescopic mast is specifically designed to remain functional in even the worst conditions. This allows you to establish a reliable point of surveillance that will continue to operate where other devices may fail.
Additionally, any telescopic mast that is able to function in poor conditions will provide outstanding performance under normal conditions.
3. Overall Mobility
Points of surveillance aren’t always stagnant and may require you to relocate your device multiple times within a short period; therefore, it wouldn’t make sense to use a mast that takes 20 or 30 minutes to set up each time you need to use it.
This doesn’t account for the amount of time that it takes to break down when you need to relocate, which can quickly add up when frequently moving to other areas.
Part of optimizing your mobility with this device includes using one that is easily portable. Many telescoping masts require trailers to transport, something that can prove to be exceedingly difficult in crowded areas .
Masts that are designed with a focus on portability should be able to be moved relatively easily with any type of jeep or truck with a 2″x2″ hitch.
In scenarios that involve frequent relocation, this can prove to be the deciding factor on whether or not your surveillance is sufficient. Keep this in mind when searching for the portable tower that’s right for you.
4. Licensed Operators Aren’t Required
When using other types of surveillance equipment, it’s often required that the operator have a significant amount of experience. For example, using a drone effectively is something that an untrained individual simply isn’t capable of.
The telescoping mast you choose should be easy to deploy and operate by someone with little to no experience. This allows you to save a lot of time during your critical incidents and achieve higher quality results since you do not need to wait for a qualified agent to arrive on the scene.
The ease of deploying a telescopic mast also allows you to forego the costs associated with training your team on how to use this type of surveillance equipment. In turn, your department can save a significant amount of money that it would otherwise need to spend on training.
5. Life Expectancy
Your portable tower won’t do you much good if it only lasts for a few months before needing repairs or replacement. Unfortunately, this is a genuine risk that law enforcement agencies encounter when they choose substandard products.
The overall life expectancy of a telescoping mast is often dictated by the type of materials that it’s made from. When searching for a telescoping mast that suits your needs, it’s best to look for one that is made out of high-strength aluminum.
This will guarantee that it is able to withstand impact damage while also having the structural integrity to function properly.
With substandard materials, it’s possible for your device to get damaged during use, leading to expensive repairs. The quality of materials used can also determine how effective your surveillance operation is as a whole.
Although more durable models cost more initially, you’ll end up paying more over time with maintenance and replacements if you purchase a low-quality portable tower.
Choosing The Right Telescoping Mast Can Seem Complicated
While the process of choosing the right telescoping mast system may seem complicated, the information in this post will make the process much easier. From here, you’ll be able to ensure that the telescoping mast you deploy is the one that’s best suited to your mission requirements.
Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to reach out to us today and see how we can help.