

Instead of turning the drone, you simply look in the direction you want the camera to go!īattery: All FPV goggles require a battery, but one is not always included. It allows you to control the camera angle simply by moving your head. Head tracking: This is an advanced feature offered by some FPV goggles (though it also depends on the camera you have). Omnidirectional aerials are a further enhancement. Other frequencies are available (2.4 GHz is not uncommon) so check compatibility before ordering.Īerial: Twin aerial models are designed to provide a more consistent signal and reduce the chances of interference. Many automatically detect your drone/RC aircraft or can be switched manually. Standard recording times can be short, so it's worth checking whether you can extend them with an SD card.įrequency: Most consumer FPV goggles run at the 5.8 GHz frequency and offer 32 or 40 channels. When FPV goggles first appeared, the latency was often criticized, but anything under 100 milliseconds (ms) is unlikely to cause problems in normal flight, and under 40ms is fast enough for racing.ĭigital video recording: DVR lets you record your flights for later playback.

Latency: This is the time delay between what's actually happening and the view you see. Some goggles can switch between the two.įield of view (FoV): This is the width of the image captured and it can be anything from 30° to 45°. One or two premium models now offer high-quality OLED screens for additional brightness and clarity.Īspect ratio: You also have a choice of aspect ratio, with 4:3 as standard on many and 16:9 as the widescreen alternative.
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Screen resolution: FPV goggles vary considerably, from basic 320 x 240 pixels, through standard 720p HD to 1080p. IPD isn’t an issue with box-type FPV goggles because your eyes aren't each looking at a separate view. If you wear glasses, you'll probably prefer box goggles, most of which allow plenty of space. High-end models are adjustable, and this is by far the better solution.īox goggles: In box goggles, there's a single screen of between three and five inches. Some are fixed at 64mm, which is considered a good average. If the IPD of slimline FPV goggles is too different from your own, the image can appear blurred or distorted, and you can get eyestrain. While we're on the subject of optics, let's mention interpupillary distance (IPD), how far apart your pupils are (in millimeters). If you wear glasses, it's possible to buy diopter lenses for some compact goggles, so you might be able to match your prescription, but they aren't available for all models (and, of course, there's an additional cost). This is a large part of why they’re smaller, though they aren't necessarily lighter, and they usually command a premium price. The obvious difference is size, and this is mostly because of the screen.Ĭompact goggles: These goggles have two separate screens, one for each eye. You'll soon notice that there are two distinct styles of FPV headsets: compact (or slimline) goggles and box goggles. For not much more money, you can buy a dedicated device, which is what we’d recommend. Though at first this seems like a low-cost option, it does tie up your phone for the duration of the flight, and you can't use any of the screen controls. Often, the phone tray is a separate purchase from the headset. With these devices, it's very important to check compatibility.

You attach it to a tray that slots into the front of the device, thus positioning it in the required heads-up position. The cheapest versions of what are often called VR headsets use your smartphone as the screen. For that kind of flying, good FPV goggles are a must. Drone racing is an increasingly popular sport for both amateurs and pros. With most of the ambient light excluded, you get a clearer, more detailed image. Not only are you getting that bird's-eye view direct from your drone, but the screen also seems much bigger. Using your phone this way also tends to drain battery power very quickly.įPV goggles: With FPV goggles, the screen isn't at arm's length – it's just inches from your face. Glancing from one to the other can get frustrating, and both smartphones and built-in screens are difficult to see in bright sunlight. It's practically impossible to see the screen and drone at the same time. Smartphone: Streaming video to your smartphone is probably the most common way of seeing what your drone sees, but it's not very convenient. The sensation that you're actually flying your drone is an obvious benefit provided by this heads-up display, but there are also some practical considerations. The last thing you want when you're flying your drone is to be distracted by slipping goggles.
