What FPV Goggles Are Right for You?

Bonus Video

Many of us might take our current set of FPV goggles for granted. As expensive as they can be, we usually choose our goggles based on price and experiences shared through word of mouth. I think the question we tend to overlook is this: With the many different styles of FPV goggles out there, which style is right for me? Your choice of goggles is probably the most important decision that you can make in the FPV side of our hobby. They will outlast any aircraft you build by (hopefully) years and can be the difference between scoring the top spot in the next race or sitting in the pits. To be honest, it’s not all about premium optics and a high-end brand name. Although that is a factor in the decision-making process, I don’t see it as the end-all, be-all in your decision. Things such as comfort, interpupillary distance (IPD) range, and module compatibility are big factors for me as well. Don’t worry if you don’t know what those mean. I’ll be touching on them throughout this article. My overall point is that just as not all goggles are the same, neither are all pilots.

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Compact Goggles

So, what styles do you choose from? In my experience, FPV goggles usually fit into one of two categories: box-style goggles or compact goggles. Compact goggles are the catchall term I use to describe a typical Fat Shark/Aomway/Skyzone form factor. They are the most common style that you’ll find at a weekend drone race and what you likely envision when someone refers to FPV goggles in the first place. Imagine Geordi La Forge from Star Trek: The Next Generation and you’re pretty close to how these look on a pilot. They are usually slightly more expensive, feature rich, and easier to transport, which is why they’ve become so popular. They utilize two small screens to display the image at varying sizes, depending on the goggles. To line up those screens with your eyes, some sort of IPD adjustment is offered. This adjusts the placement of each screen laterally so that it can be aligned with a pilot’s eyes for optimal viewing. It should be noted that although this is an important feature, it can also be a way to find out if a specific set of goggles is not right for you. For example, many Fat Shark goggles can accommodate an IPD between 59 mm and 69 mm. What this means is that if the distance between your pupils measures narrower than 59 mm or wider than 69 mm, you will likely have a blurry image while using the headset, which will result in a less-than-enjoyable flying experience. However, if you fall into that 10 mm zone, your eyes will line up just fine. You might also need to supply your own video receiver with compact-style goggles. Many manufacturers, such as ImmersionRC, Furious FPV, and U Buy A Drone (UBAD), make modular video receivers that fit Fat Shark headsets, so this will need to be added to your budget. These can range anywhere from $30 to $250, but that’s a subject for another article. Some other goggles, such as Aomway Commander or Skyzone SKY02, have integrated receivers built in, so no additional module is necessary. Most will also have connectivity for external receivers if that is necessary for your setup.

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If you wear glasses, this style of goggles will be a tough addition for you. I’m nearsighted and can use this style without my glasses and without any trouble. If you are farsighted, you might have more difficulties. Although you won’t be able to wear your standard glasses under the compact style, it is possible to purchase prescription diopter inserts that slide in and correct your eyesight.

Box Goggles

On the other side of the spectrum, you have box goggles. They’re called box goggles because they actually do look like a small box has been strapped to your face, but there are some real positives that come along with this form factor. First, the reason they’re so large is because of the large LCD display that is housed at the end of them. This results in a much larger field of view and a more immersive experience. In some cases, such as with Fat Shark Transformers, you can even remove the panel completely to use as an external monitor when you’re spectating. This can be a big selling point for some. They also eliminate the need for IPD adjustments and are a great choice for those whose IPD falls outside of the range I mentioned earlier. If you happen to wear glasses, box goggles can even sometimes accommodate you without the need to remove them. Of course, this is not the case with all models of goggles or all types of glasses, so your experience might vary. For some, this larger form factor can be more comfortable because it allows for the distribution of weight to be shared across a larger area of your head and will typically have larger straps that provide extra padding. Box goggles generally have a built-in video receiver and will eliminate the need to buy an aftermarket one. You’ll save some money this way, but you will lose the ability to upgrade to better receivers down the road. Although this shouldn’t be a deal breaker, it’s certainly something to consider.

WATCH A VIDEO Available in the Digital Edition or at www.ModelAviation.com/bonuscontent.

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Conclusion

At the end of the day, we all have our preferences when it comes to comfort, functionality, style, and price. Because so many of these goggles are different, the best piece of advice I can offer is to try on as many as you can before you buy. If that’s not possible, try to find online retailers that offer good return policies, in case they don’t fit you the way that you’d like. It’s not all about sporting the latest from the hottest brand when shopping for FPV goggles—it’s all about finding what’s right for you.

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SOURCES: Fat Shark www.fatshark.com Aomway www.aomway.com/en/home Skyzone (941) 444-0021 www.getfpv.com ImmersionRC [email protected] www.immersionrc.com Furious FPV [email protected] https://furiousfpv.com UBAD www.ubuyadrone.com