I lately reviewed the Aquila20 FPV Drone package from BetaFPV. Whereas I wasn’t significantly impressed by how the drone flew, I used to be genuinely impressed by the VR04 analog goggles! In actual fact, I’ve been utilizing them rather a lot with my different analog quads. BetaFPV didn’t launch them as a standalone product till this week, so I can lastly share my ideas about these goggles in additional element — and clarify why I like to recommend them.
Find out about FPV goggles on this purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-goggles/
The place to Purchase
Get the VR04 Goggles from:
Specs
- Measurement: 168.8 × 182.1 × 98.5mm
- Weight: 425g ±10g
- Video Format: NTSC / PAL
- Supported Channels: 48CH
- Display screen Measurement: 4.3 inch
- Display screen Facet Ratio: 16:9
- Display screen Decision: 800 × 480
- Battery: 3.7V, 2000mAh
- Runtime: About 2 hours in regular mode, about 1 hour in recording mode
- Antenna Port: RP-SMA
- Charging Port: USB-C
- SD Card Slot: MicroSD (not included), helps FAT32, as much as 64GB
- DVR Recording Decision: 480P @ 30fps
- DVR Video Format: AVI
Design and Construct
The earlier technology, VR03 goggles, was an incredible price range goggles, however the brand new VR04 goggles are even higher.
They’re not premium goggles, however they embody many options you need for flying FPV:
- Constructed-in DVR recording to a microSD card, so you’ll be able to replay your flights or add them to social media. You’ll be able to playback the footage contained in the goggles too, helpful for locating your drone when crashed however you aren’t positive the place
- Foldable antenna, which makes transportation simpler
- Detachable antenna, so you’ll be able to improve it
- Easy consumer interface and simple controls
- Comfy match
- Primary settings akin to brightness, distinction, saturation, and tint
They’re fairly cumbersome and never precisely trendy, however the upside of the bigger design is you could comfortably put on glasses whereas utilizing them.
The built-in battery is one other huge plus — no have to spend further on further batteries. It additionally means no dangling energy cables. Charging is straightforward through USB-C. Battery voltage is displayed contained in the goggles, and there’s a low-voltage warning.
If the inner battery runs low, you’ll be able to even energy the goggles utilizing an exterior 2S battery through the barrel connector, which makes them surprisingly versatile for a price range choice.
Downsides
No 4:3 Facet Ratio Possibility
The native show side ratio of the VR04 is 16:9, and sadly, there’s no choice to change to 4:3.
Actually, that is the most important disadvantage for me personally. All my analog quads use 4:3 cameras, and because the VR04 solely shows 16:9, the picture seems stretched.
As somebody used to 4:3 goggles, it felt unusual at first because of the distortion. Nonetheless, I acquired used to it after flying with them for a few days. So it’s one thing you may be capable of adapt to over time — however ideally, you’d need to use these goggles with a digital camera that helps 16:9 for the very best expertise.
No Range Receiver
One other limitation is that the VR04 solely has a single antenna receiver — it’s not a range receiver, and doesn’t assist exterior receiver modules both.
This implies most vary and video sign high quality aren’t the very best. Nonetheless, for indoor flying (akin to tiny whoops) or flying a micro quad within the yard, they’re completely ample.
The Inventory Antenna Sucks – Improve the Antenna ASAP
Earlier than utilizing these goggles, I extremely advocate upgrading the antenna.
Actually any first rate antenna can be higher than the inventory one. I get noticeably extra vary and fewer display flickering with a distinct antenna.
The antenna is detachable and makes use of an RP-SMA connector. I’d advocate getting a round polarized antenna with an RP-SMA connector. I don’t advocate utilizing a directional antenna with these goggles except what you’re doing — an omni-directional antenna is far more appropriate for common flying with a non-diversity receiver.
Between RHCP and LHCP, it depends upon what you’re utilizing in your quad — it’s best to match the polarization. In case your quad has a linear polarized antenna (just like the one on the Air65), then it doesn’t matter — each RHCP and LHCP will carry out equally.
Listed below are my antenna suggestions: https://oscarliang.com/best-fpv-antenna/#Antennas-Suggestions
Undecided what antenna polarization is? Try this information: https://oscarliang.com/best-fpv-antenna/#Antenna-Polarization
I do want the antenna connector was SMA as an alternative of RP-SMA, since SMA antennas are extra widespread. For those who’re like me and solely have SMA antennas, you should use an adapter like I did right here. You’ll be able to even get a right-angle adapter in case your antenna is straight.
Keep away from Auto Channel Search
By holding down the joystick, the goggles enter “auto search” mode and routinely discover a VTX channel for you. It’s helpful in case you don’t know your channel, but it surely’s not very correct. It typically locks onto a channel that’s “shut sufficient” somewhat than the precise one.
It’d work fantastic at quick vary, however you gained’t get the very best video efficiency except you’re on the proper channel (extra flickering and interference).
I like to recommend setting your VTX channel within the Betaflight OSD (or a minimum of noting it down), then manually deciding on that channel within the goggles.
Remaining Ideas: It’s Not The Good Goggles
I fairly like these goggles and wished to unfold the phrase— however I ended up spending extra time stating the issues than speaking concerning the positives. I suppose it’s simply my behavior as a reviewer. No less than now they’re not excellent. However hey — they’re solely $75 in any case!
When you have the price range, I’d undoubtedly advocate getting one thing higher. For mid-range, I’d counsel the Skyzone Cobra SD. For top-end analog goggles, the Skyzone SKY04X Professional can be my decide.
However for simply $75, the VR04 goggles supply actually good worth. The 16:9-only side ratio is the most important draw back in my view. For those who can’t stand a stretched picture, then these aren’t for you.
I used to advocate the EV800D rather a lot, however high quality has been hit-or-miss lately, and there are lots of combined critiques. My guess is that high quality management isn’t as constant anymore — or there are just too many counterfeits available on the market. It’s typically higher to purchase from a good model, so if one thing goes unsuitable, you may get correct assist.
Ultimately, you’ll most likely need to improve to one thing higher to get the total FPV expertise. However for somebody simply beginning out, who doesn’t need to spend an excessive amount of, or who desires a spare set of low-cost analog goggles, these are undoubtedly value contemplating.
Get the VR04 Goggles from: