Walksnail Goggles X overview: Get pleasure from a Crispy Colourful Skyline!

FPV (First-Individual View) goggles, corresponding to this Avatar HD Goggles X, are specialised eyewear used primarily in drone racing and different remote-controlled actions to supply an immersive visible expertise. They permit the pilots to see exactly what the drone’s digital camera is capturing in actual time, giving the feeling of flying from the drone’s perspective. The FPV headset receives the video feed from the drone’s digital camera by the VTX (video transmitter). Presently, there are two main digital FPV methods: DJI and Walksnail. HDZero is a 3rd system with solely a small market share.

The second-generation Walksnail Goggles are designed for upgradability and multi-system compatibility. They characteristic a replaceable VRX module, HDMI IN & Out, and AV-in for legacy 5.8GHz analog methods. It must also be famous that the 1080P display screen of the Goggles X has a discipline of view of fifty°, barely greater than that of the Goggles V1 (46°).

Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X: What did CaddxFPV change?

Disclosure: I obtained this FPV headset in a product overview collaboration with CaddxFPV. Product specs and high quality might fluctuate in keeping with the producer’s reliability, so I can’t assure that you’re going to get a unit that performs the identical as seen in my overview.

CaddxFPV is a well-established firm that makes a speciality of producing high-quality FPV cameras, primarily utilized in drone racing and freestyle flying. Two years in the past, they stopped growing merchandise for DJI methods and joined the Walksnail system.

Final month, together with the GoFilm 20 CineWhoop drone, CaddxFPV additionally despatched me the Goggles X for overview. Having beforehand used the Avatar VRX module with Walksnail drones, which provided a budget-friendly answer however not the only technique to get pleasure from FPV, I used to be keen to check this new FPV headset.

At a look

The overview unit I obtained got here in a zipper carry case with the next equipment: XT60 energy cable, AV-in cable, Fast-start information, and lens cleansing material. The case has an inner mesh pocket for small equipment, permitting the FPV headset to be safely saved and transported.

The Goggles X has an analogous type issue to the Avatar Goggles V1 (FatShark Dominator HD) and the DJI Goggles 3/2/Integra. It weighs an inexpensive 315g—about 155 grams lower than DJI’s newest FPV headset. The burden distinction comes from the dearth of a battery—the Goggles X requires an exterior battery pack. As a substitute of the fundamental faux leather-based strap, I might have most popular a T-strap, which supplies a greater and extra comfy match. The headset has plastic housing and a pleasant mixture of charcoal and piano black end.

All of the controls are discovered on the top-right nook. Along with the 5D mini joystick, it has solely the Again and Report buttons. On the highest are two scorching air exhaust holes; keep away from overlaying them throughout use.

Flipping right down to the underside aspect of the goggles, we’ve an AV-IN port, HDMI Enter, HDMI Output, Micro SD slot, and the 2 IPD adjusters (pupil distance and diopter). The facility port is on the correct aspect and may settle for 7-26V, making it appropriate with 2S to 6S batteries. I ought to point out that there is no such thing as a ON/OFF swap on the goggles; when plugged in, the goggles begin and cease when the battery cable is eliminated.

To make sure wonderful sign power, it’s geared up with 4 stubby antennas (one in every nook, in a barely angled place). In case you want a patch-type antenna, this may be simply put in, however keep in mind that it’ll change the 2 LED panels in entrance, which is the mojo of the design. When making the antenna improve, contemplate that three are receive-only, and one can obtain and transmit concurrently.

CaddxFPV is engaged on a brand new digital VRX module for the Goggles X that guarantees a 5 occasions higher vary (as much as 20 km/12.43 miles). This is sensible, contemplating the headset’s modular design.

Pricing and availability

The Goggles X may be bought for $459.00 from CaddxFPV’s on-line retailer. After being out of inventory for an extended time period, it’s now obtainable for orders once more. Combo packs, together with Avatar HD PRO or V2 Twin-antenna equipment, are additionally obtainable. Spare face plate foams may be ordered for $9.99. The Walksnail Patch Antenna V2 for Avatar Goggles X is priced at $25.90, respectively, the Walksnail Redbird Antenna V2 (2pcs) for $15.90).

Person expertise

The sponge foam padding is comfy and follows the contour of the face effectively with out letting in gentle. The face plate foam attaches to the headset utilizing Velcro, so it may be simply changed when worn out.

The goggles really feel gentle with no battery, however if you happen to connect the 4S battery with a velcro strap, it turns into a bit uncomfortable. I’ll take care of a 3D print devoted holder case for 2 LI-ION cells, which could give a greater expertise. After all, the facility cable is lengthy sufficient to maintain the battery in your pocket.

Once I’ve received my head within the Goggles X and am mainly blinded, it’s straightforward to achieve up all of the controls and make the specified settings.

To regulate the lens width distance on your eyes, use the slider knobs beneath the goggles till all the things seems to be sharp. Transferring left or proper can enhance/lower interpupillary distance (IPD), or you possibly can regulate the diopter from -6 to +2 by rotating. If in case you have astigmatism and not one of the changes enhance sharpness, you could use prescription contact lenses (can’t match utilizing glasses!).

The Goggles X’s display screen is vivid and vibrant sufficient to see all the things clearly. The 1080p picture is crispy and wealthy in particulars. Regardless of the built-in fan, I encountered a minor fogging impact. Additionally, the lens will get stained simply as a result of it’s near the attention. The proximity sensor between the 2 lenses activates/off the LCDs to scale back energy consumption and lengthen the OLED shows’ lifespan. The configurable multi-color (pink, inexperienced, or blue) LED bars in entrance make the design distinctive and remind you if you happen to forgot to unplug the battery after use. Utilizing a CNHL 4S 3000mah LI-ION battery, I received round 4 hours of working time.

The setup between the Goggles X and my GoFilm 20 drone was seamless. I merely pressed the bind button on each units, they usually paired in a second. If the firmware model on the VTX and VRX is totally different, a warning message seems at startup.

Regardless of its promise of a greater than 4km (2.5 miles) vary, I received a steady sign in a radius of solely 800-1000 meters with the CaddxFPV GoFilm 20, which has a dual-antenna Walksnail Moonlight equipment onboard.

Canva mode and OSD recording

The Avatar HD digital system absolutely helps BetaFlight OSD, and you may show all OSD components. Along with the inventory fonts, you should utilize customized shade fonts (obtain Sneaky FPV fonts from right here), making your view extra fancy. Nonetheless, the Goggles X can’t file the OSD—simply attracts it on the stay view.

When recording, the Goggles X saves three information, one with the precise video and two with OSD knowledge (*.srt and *.osd). To overlay the footage with the OSD, you will want to mix the three information utilizing the Walksnail OSD device.

Is there any cell APP for the Walksnail Goggles X?

The Goggles X is marketed with a cell app that options wi-fi firmware upgrading, a map mode for finding the drone, stay viewing of the goggles display screen, and even direct sharing to social media. After looking for the app with no luck, I contacted CaddxFPV to see if they might ship me a Goggles X app beta launch. Sadly, it’s nonetheless within the early improvement stage, they usually couldn’t present an actual date for when it is going to be obtainable to the customers.

HDMI INOUT and AV-IN ports

By lengthy urgent (for five seconds) the “Again” button, you possibly can toggle between the built-in VRX, HDMI, and CVBS analog sign inputs.

Regardless that digital FPV supplies a way more spectacular person expertise, I nonetheless personal a few analog FPV drones. The Goggles X’s AV-in port permits exterior 5.8GHz VRXs, such because the Hawkeye Little Pilot Grasp or the BDI Digital Adapter, making it flawlessly appropriate with these previous analog drones. The display screen format is restricted to a 4:3 side ratio in AV mode.

Because of the HDMI enter, it may be used as an exterior show in your laptop computer, PlayStation NVR, or different units with HDMI out. This lets you use it with pc drone simulators.

The HDMI output is useful for connecting your Avatar HD Goggles X to a giant TV display screen or streaming stay utilizing an exterior gadget such because the YoloBox.

What’s new on the Avatar Goggles X in comparison with the older Avatar Goggles v1?

Apart from a extra trendy design, the brand new Goggles X considerably upgrades the unique Avatar headset. I marked the areas the place every mannequin shines within the desk beneath in pink.

Walknsail Avatar HD Vary Hack: Unlocking FCC Mode and Enabling Excessive Energy TX modes

The Walknsail Avatar HD system’s vary is prolonged by unlocking FCC mode, which may be carried out by the Goggles X. To be according to the RF regulation in all areas, the headset is available in CE mode out of the field with solely 4 obtainable channels and 25mW transmission energy. Switching to FCC mode unlocks all eight channels (8 channels) and allows excessive RF energy ranges.

Enabling FCC mode is simple and may be carried out utilizing this official information. After downloading the 2 configuration textual content information, avatar_std.txt (unlocks all eight channels) and avatar_pwr.txt (unlocks 1000mw and 1200mw TX energy), you could copy them on the Goggles X’s micro SD card. If all the things is finished effectively, after rebooting the headset, you will notice 8 channels and as much as 1200 mW energy settings.

Compatibility

The Avatar HD is appropriate with all Walksnail VTXs obtainable proper now, no matter energy and variety of antennas -check the complete checklist beneath:

• Walksnail Moonlight
• Walksnail Avatar HD Professional (single and twin antenna)
• Walksnail Avatar HD Package V2 (single and twin antenna)
• Walksnail Avatar HD Micro/Nano
• Walksnail Avatar HD Nano Package V3
• Walksnail Avatar HD Mini 1s
• Walksnail Avatar HD Mini 1s Lite