How to choose a goggle for your FPV drone

FPV goggles are an important part of the first-person viewing experience. With the increasing popularity of drone competitions and FPV flying, the market for FPV equipment is growing rapidly, so more and more FPV goggles have been released. This guide aims to provide some beginners with the information needed to choose FPV goggle.

FPV goggles are so popular because they provide an immersive flying experience that enables pilots to see and feel as if they are on an airplane. This is why it is called FPV – the first person perspective.

It is important to fly with the correct drone goggles that suits your eyes. If you choose the incorrect FPV headset, you will not get the experience you deserve. Most drone goggles on the market today have many adjustable settings and are very comfortable

* Price selection

Flying FPV doesn’t have to be too expensive, you can use a small display for $ 30 or a “toy grade” frame goggles for $ 50. Just like professional quality radio transmitters, to get all the best features, FPV goggles may cost as much as $ 300 or more. But don’t worry, there are many good options and cheaper options.

Unlike multi-rotor aircraft, FPV goggles will not fall and explode into a million parts (assuming you put them on your head, not on the drone). They will be one of the longest used devices in your RC career, and you will use them on all four-wheel drive devices.

Therefore, it is possible to spend as much money as possible on FPV goggles.

* Type selection

Entry-level FPV goggles

Large FPV headsets are heavier, but they usually feel more comfortable to wear. They are cheaper and may allow you to pair them with any video receiver because they are really just monitors. If you just want to taste FPV and test the waters, they are a good choice.

Compact – $ 200 or less

These are small and lightweight FPV goggles that are very portable. However, they may not fit everyone’s face, so try again before buying.

Some compact FPV goggles have a built-in video receiver (VRX), and all support 5.8GHz frequency.

*Parameters selection

Resolution

Just like any ordinary display, in theory, the higher the resolution, the better the picture quality. Given the limitations of current FPV camera resolutions and the limitations that the 5.8Ghz analog video transmission system can handle, you may not benefit from high resolution.

But with the advancement of FPV system and technology, high-definition FPV goggles will continue to maintain its practicality. Some HD goggles even support HDMI input, so you can connect them to your computer as an external monitor.

Further reading: Check out this guide to learn how to choose a good quality FPV camera.

Aspect ratio

There are two common aspect ratios for displaying video images: 16: 9 and 4: 3. Your FPV camera will provide 16: 9 or 4: 3 video, and you should match the aspect ratio between the FPV camera and goggles.

When you use a mismatched aspect ratio on the FPV camera and goggles, image distortion will occur: when using a 4: 3 camera with 16: 9 goggles, the image will appear elongated; while using 16: 9 When the camera and 4: 3 goggles, the image will be compressed.

Most FPV cameras are 4: 3, but more and more 16: 9 cameras are on the market, and some can even switch between the two ratios, such as Runcam Eagle and Caddx SDR1.

Some 16: 9 goggles can support 4: 3 by “cutting out” the sides of the screen. This is a very flexible solution, but you will get a smaller FOV when using 4: 3.

Field of view (FOV)

The FOV of FPV goggles can measure how big an image your eyes can see. Not to be confused with the camera’s field of view, these completely unrelated figures.

This is a FOV comparison tool for FPV goggles.

For example, when the FOV of the FPV goggles is 35 degrees, the edge of the screen is at a 35-degree angle to the center point of the eyes.

The larger the FOV, the more immersive the picture. However, when the FOV is too large, it will backfire. When the FOV is too large, you must move your eyes a bit to see the edge of the screen, especially when the OSD / text is at the bottom or side of the screen.

IPD

Everyone has a different IPD (interpupillary distance), which is the distance between the centers of two pupils.

IPD is only relevant for goggles with two separate screens. It plays an important role in your FPV experience. In order to get the best FPV flight vision, it is very important that the FPV drone goggles must have the pupils of both eyes within the exit pupil of the goggles. Because the IPD error will cause the image to look blurry and difficult to focus.

If you buy fixed IPD goggles, they may not fit your eyes correctly, and the FPV flying experience may be unpleasant. Adjustable IPD is the best choice.

Most “Slimline” FPV goggles offer adjustable IPDs to help keep the FPV screen in the ideal position specific to your eyes. The difference in IPD is one of the main reasons why we recommend trying a pair of goggles before buying.

Moreover, if you wear glasses, goggles with adjustable focal length or lenses that accept diopters will be very helpful.

FPV optics-glass or plastic optics

For viewing clarity and image quality, glass optics are by far the best choice.

Pixel resolution of FPV goggles

You will see many options regarding the resolution of FPV goggles, such as QVGA, VGA and SVGA.

QVGA: 320 x 240 pixels.

VGA: 640 x 480 pixels.

SVGA: 800 x 600 pixels.

FWVGA: 854 x 480 pixels.

When it comes to FPV goggles resolution, SVGA and FWVGA are the best choices.

*Other functions

3D support

– allows you to use 3D FPV camera / transmitter system

Audio output-Some people like to fly with audio. Audio can make you more connected with the drone, and many goggles can provide audio through the headphone jack on the side. Please refer to this article to learn how to set audio for FPV

Anti-fog fan-Goggles may fog up at high temperatures and humidity. Some goggles are equipped with a fan to remove mist, which is very convenient

DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder.

With DVR, you can record flight video on Micro SD card. Most goggles with DVR allow you to replay the lens, which can indeed help you find the model if an accident occurs! In addition, you can also obtain an external DVR like this.

Head tracking enables the goggles to recognize the pilot’s head movement and synchronize it with the gimbal camera mounted on the drone. Therefore, when the pilot moves his head, the camera moves accordingly. This will bring a more immersive FPV experience, but will add a lot of weight, so for fixed-wing platforms, it may be more useful than multi-rotor aircraft.

HDMI input allows you to connect your goggles as a monitor to your computer to watch movies or practice using FPV simulator

Video receiver module

Some FPV goggles may integrate a video receiver (VRX), which may be great because you do n’t have to pay extra for the receiver. However, you are limited to the available functions.

Headphone color

Colors are mainly personal preferences. Goggles in black or other darker colors tend to get hotter in the sun, but lighter colors may be more susceptible to light leakage from plastic on some goggles.