On this planet of FPV flying, dependable sign efficiency and minimal latency are essential for a seamless expertise. At the moment, I’m reviewing the BDI Patch G2 Antenna, designed particularly for the DJI Goggles 2. With guarantees of enhanced vary, higher penetration, and an revolutionary foldable design, it goals to be a premium improve over the inventory antennas. However does it stay as much as the claims? Let’s discover out.
If you happen to’re new to FPV or wish to perceive antenna fundamentals, try this purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/best-fpv-antenna/
The place to Purchase
You should purchase the BDI Patch G2 Antenna from:
What’s within the Field?
- 2x LHCP Patch G2 Antennas
- 1x 1.5mm hex wrench (for friction adjustment)
Specs
Specs
- Achieve: 8.25-9.0 dBic
- Polarization: LHCP
- Axial Ratio: < 1.5
- Impedance: 50 Ω
- Horizontal Beamwidth: 134° (72° at -3dB)
- Vertical Beamwidth: 108° (60° at -3dB)
- Bandwidth: 5.2 GHz – 6.8 GHz
- Peak Effectivity: > 99%
- Weight: 42g (antenna pair)
Key Benefits of the BDI Patch Antenna
Improved Vary and Penetration
The BDI Patch G2 options 8.25-9.0 dBi high-gain circularly polarized antennas. In comparison with DJI’s low acquire inventory antennas, these present:
- Higher vary and penetration.
- Extra secure bitrate at better distances or behind obstacles.
Plug & Play Design
Putting in the BDI Patch Antenna is easy:
- Take away the inventory antennas.
- Insert the BDI Patch. No instruments or screws are wanted for set up, making it fast and straightforward to arrange.
Foldable and Adjustable
A standout characteristic is the foldable PTFE ball-and-socket mechanism that permits for:
- Simple storage with out frequent removing, decreasing put on on the MCX connectors.
- Adjustable antenna angles for optimum sign reception.
- Friction adjustment utilizing the included hex wrench, making certain the antennas keep in place throughout use.
Luxe Goggle Bag
This bag is featured within the antenna product web page, nevertheless I’m not positive if that is included or it’s a must to purchase it individually. That is the Luxe Goggle Bag Mini for DJI Goggles 2, contains a extremely gentle inside to guard your goggles from scratches, including an additional layer of comfort for transportation.
Drawbacks
Narrower Reception Angle
Excessive-gain antennas just like the BDI Patch usually have a narrower beamwidth, which implies diminished sign energy when your drone is off to the facet. To maximise efficiency, make sure the antennas are aimed instantly on the drone. This implies the pilot must be conscious the place the drone is and switch the pinnacle dealing with the drone every time essential.
Round Polarization
The BDI Patch G2 antennas are LHCP (Left Hand Round Polarization). If paired with the inventory linear polarized DJI O3 antenna on the drone, you could possibly expertise as much as 3dB sign loss. For one of the best efficiency, use an LHCP antenna on the drone as properly.
Value
At $80, the BDI Patch G2 is without doubt one of the costliest DJI Goggles 2 antenna upgrades available on the market.
Testing the BDI Patch G2 Antenna
For this check, I examined sign penetration utilizing the DJI Goggles 2 paired with the O3 Air Unit by flying behind 170 meters of dense foliage. I in contrast the video bitrate of the BDI Patch antennas towards the DJI inventory antennas to find out which supplied higher vary and penetration. Moreover, I assessed their efficient reception angle by flying to the facet.
Outcome
As anticipated, the BDI Patch Antenna demonstrated higher efficiency in each bitrate and consistency in my testing. Video bitrate was general larger and extra secure, with much less stuttering. In distinction, the inventory antennas skilled random spikes in latency, I used to be getting the yellow warnings for low bitrate on the similar check location. This clearly signifies that the BDI Patch Antenna presents larger acquire, higher penetration, and better vary than the inventory antennas. When flying instantly in entrance of myself, bitrate hovered round 30-40 Mbps with the BDI patch a lot of the instances, and 20-30 Mbps with the inventory antennas.
Nonetheless, as talked about, the trade-off with larger acquire antennas is their narrower beamwidth, which ends up in weaker sign reception when flying to the perimeters and behind. This was evident in my testing too. Flying to the facet (barely greater than 90 levels), the bitrate dropped to 30 Mbps with the BDI Patch, whereas with the inventory antennas it was round 40 Mbps.
Though I didn’t re-test the FlyFish Flip G2 on this event, my earlier assessments confirmed it additionally gives larger acquire than the inventory antennas. Based mostly on its specs, its acquire and beamwidth fall between these of the inventory antennas and the BDI Patch Antenna. In case your main focus is penetration, the BDI Patch can be the higher alternative, although the FlyFish is cheaper.
The TrueRC X-Air has specs corresponding to the BDI Patch, in actual fact even barely larger in acquire. Nonetheless, the X-Air lacks a foldable design, making it much less handy for transportation and an excellent narrower beamwidth which implies it’s a must to be extra correct at which path you might be pointing when flying. When you can unplug the X-Air for storage, antenna connectors have a restricted mating cycle, so frequent unplugging is greatest averted.
Ultimate Ideas: Is the BDI Patch Antenna Value It?
For many pilots flying over open fields, DJI’s inventory antennas are ample. Nonetheless, for those who’re trying to considerably enhance vary and penetration for the DJI Goggles 2, the BDI Patch G2 Antenna is an efficient improve. Its foldable design and adjustable positioning make it each useful and handy. Nonetheless, its worth level is likely to be a consideration for budget-conscious pilots. Keep in mind, to unlock the complete potential of the BDI Patch, pair it with an LHCP antenna on the drone, because the inventory O3 antenna is linear polarized.