FPV (First Person View) goggles remain an important part of the FPV equipment. FPV racing has become a very popular phenomenon today. As a result, we can actually see the introduction of new FPV goggles almost every other day. And, why exactly are these googles considered an important part of your FPV flying experience? It’s because you need to view the obstacles very clearly in real time (i.e. while flying) and react to them fast and efficiently. Here is where you need perfect video transmission. A pixelated video isn’t really of any help here. Choosing the right FPV googles will help you fly uninterrupted (as far as dodging the obstacles is concerned).
EACHINE EV800 FPV Goggles Detailed Review
FPV Goggles: How do they Work?
Now, it is important to understand the basics of FPV goggles before finding out which product you should choose as a beginner. Now, these goggles work by displaying live video from the camera on the aircraft. A pair of goggles might as well have one or two screens (that display the video) depending on the type of goggles that you are wearing. The pilot who is controlling the drone from the ground needs to see what exactly the quadcopter is seeing. Are you new to flying drones? If yes, then do make sure that you are acquainting yourself with the ways to select the right goggles for flying drones.
Should you opt for Goggles of Monitors?
There are many who might suggest the use of monitors instead of goggles, because they apparently do the same thing. The monitors are usually cheaper than goggles. However, do remember that they are quite ineffective when it comes to offering you a clear view during the sunlight. There are major chances of getting distracted as such. Goggles are better when it comes to offering an immersive experience.
The feature-packed goggles should ideally offer you unrivaled comfort. Please keep the following factors in view in order to procure the best of what your money can actually buy you!
The Form Factor
The very first consideration in this regard would be the “form” of the goggles. There are two form factors that you should actually know about in this regard.
You can choose from the Compact “Slimline” goggles and the Box Goggles. The compact slimline goggles are lightweight and quite easy to carry around. The box goggles are usually cheaper and have got the image displayed on single 3-6 inches LCD screens. They accommodate larger contact area between your goggles and your face (it implies larger Field Of View as well).
Resolution
Resolution remains another important determinant of the choice of the goggles. You might as well want to settle for something backed by higher resolution because of the better picture quality. However, do remember that the FPV cameras have some limitations that will not really let you benefit much from the high resolution. It is also true that with the advent of the FPV systems, the HD FPV goggles will continue to hold on to its benefits. You can even choose from among the HD goggles that provide support to the HDMI input which can be connected to a computer as an external computer.
Aspect Ratio
You should acquaint yourself with the importance of Aspect Ratio as well. Video images generally offer two aspect ratios- i.e. 16:9 and 4:3. It is important on your end to ensure that there is parity between the aspect ratios of your goggles and that of your FPV camera. The lack of parity results in the squashing of images.
Why is Field of View Important?
You need to consider the Field of View or FOV as well. The FOV of FPV goggles implies the measurement of the image which appears to your eyes. The larger the FOV, the larger the image. The larger the image, the more immersive experience you have. However, please remember that you shouldn’t ideally settle for too large FOV. That’s primarily because of the fact that you will be required to roll your eyes a lot more in order to focus on different parts of the screen.
You can look up online FOV comparison tools to check the size of images that you can procure with different FOV measurements.
What is IPD?
IPD or Inter-Pupillary Distance is the distance between the centre of the pupils of both the eyes. The IPD may vary with individuals since some people have got their eyes set closer while some have got them set farther apart. You should consider IPD only when you are actually choosing a pair of goggles with two separate screens. The inaccurate IPD can ruin your flying experience in a major way by offering blurry images. The trick would be to get your IPD checked first and then buy your FPV goggles. If you are opting for Slimline FPV goggles you will be able to make the most of adjustable IPD.
Other Features that you should Consider
Some of the other features that you should know about are:
- Built-in Video Receiver: Some goggles come with built-in video receiver or VRX so that you are not required to buy it separately.
- Modular Video Receiver: Some cameras are backed by a separate module bay designed for the external video receiver. This feature lets you swap out of VRX with a more feature-packed product if you want to.
- Built-in DVR: A built-in digital video recorder helps you record your flight on a micro SD card.
- Head Tracking
- 3D support
- Anti-fog fan
- Audio Output
