simply make any drone an FPV drone

In search of a method to flip just about any drone you already personal into an FPV drone? One of many best and most reasonably priced methods to do this is perhaps with the DroneMask 2. Made by a Norwegian firm known as Immerse Optics, the second version of its flagship product, the DroneMask 2, permits you to take your digicam drone and switch it into an immersive flying expertise. 

Better of all, the DroneMask 2 prices lower than $200.

Perhaps you may have a DJI drone and are thinking about one thing just like the DJI Goggles 3 however can’t abdomen the $500 price. Perhaps you may have a DJI different drone just like the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX which at present has no official FPV possibility. Perhaps you may have a low-cost Amazon toy drone. Regardless of which of these you’re, the DroneMask 2 is perhaps the product for you.

I had the possibility to make use of the DroneMask 2 when flying with my DJI Mini 3. Right here’s a overview of what occurred:

A historical past of Immerse Optics

However first, some background on the corporate

Immerse Optics began having nothing to do with drones in any respect, however as an alternative by making masks to create an immersive movie-watching expertise out of your telephone. After receiving buyer suggestions and inspiration — together with getting wind that drone pilots had been ‘hacking’ their product into an FPV software — the corporate pivoted to the drone sector.

In 2021, they launched the DroneMask and have lately advanced by including the DroneMask 2 into their lineup of merchandise. With that comes a patented singular-lens expertise, that’s carried out right into a headset to gives customers with 4x higher decision than typical VR headsets that use a stereoscopic lens. It additionally gives larger consolation for the eyes and works with any cell content material with out the necessity for third-party apps.

And for people like me who’ve all the time been curious concerning the world of FPV (first-person view) drones however weren’t able to decide to the worth tag that comes with buying an FPV drone, then the DroneMask 2 is a good different and a less expensive possibility. The product begins at $179. 

Buy the DroneMask 2 for $179:

What it is advisable use the DroneMask 2 

The DroneMask 2 is appropriate with any kind of drone from any drone firm — so long as that drone features a controller that interfaces with a telephone that shows the drone footage.

In my case, I used the RC-N1 with a DJI Mini 3 drone. That mentioned, when you have a controller that has the display already in-built, like DJI RC, then sadly the DroneMask 2 won’t work.  

And right here lies what’s probably the most important downfall of the DroneMask 2. I might not suggest buying a controller that connects to your telephone merely utilizing the DroneMask 2, because it typically makes extra monetary sense to contemplate different choices. For DJI customers, that features researching the right way to flip your DJI drone into an FPV drone utilizing DJI’s merchandise by buying DJI FPV goggles.

Lastly, you’ll want a smartphone — and that’s it. All the things else you’ll want is included in your DroneMask 2 equipment. The DroneMask 2 comes with:

• 1 masks
• 1 linen bag
• 1 material (to wash the lens or your telephone with)
• 1 USB-C to USB-C cable
• 1 USB-C to lighting cable
• 1 micro USB to USB-C adapter

On the brink of fly with the DroneMask 2

I reside my life with 15% battery life on my iPhone and have a couple of occasions deliberate to move out with my drone for the day then remembered I had forgotten to cost the batteries. So, I used to be completely happy to study that DroneMask 2 is just not digital, so no charging is required. 

I headed out with my DJI Mini 3, my RC-N1 controller, and my DroneMask 2. The DroneMask 2 itself is kind of cumbersome, so I needed to change out my regular ‘drone backpack’ for a bigger one. 

Organising the masks was fairly easy. You join your telephone to the controller as regular, nevertheless, as an alternative of mounting the telephone on the highest of the controller, you place it contained in the DroneMask 2 (utilizing the longer wire supplied). Then simply zip it proper up. 

The DroneMask 2 matches most telephones, together with, however not restricted to, all fashions of iPhone, Samsung S6-8 edge, and the Samsung Galaxy S21. 

The goggles are fairly comfy and spacious. I don’t put on glasses, however I attempted the goggles on whereas sporting sun shades and so they match simply superb. No must get prescription lenses or put on contacts.

The DroneMask 2 additionally has an adjustable facet strap and one which goes over your head. These straps are fairly thick and once more, very comfy. 

One other considerate function was the 2 holes on the backside of the masks. These can help you have entry to your telephone with out bringing in any mild. The holes are lined with a light-proof neoprene cowl. That is an improve from the DroneMask to DroneMask 2.

Flying your drone with the DroneMask 2 

Much like your first few occasions flying a drone, I might extremely suggest flying with the DroneMask 2 in an space with restricted to no obstacles and other people, particularly when you have by no means flown an FPV drone. And because you’ll have the goggles in your face, deliver a pal or co-pilot to function your visible observer.

For me, flying with the DroneMask took a little bit getting used to. 

When flying, you should use gimbal mode or FPV mode (in case your drone has these modes). I felt I used to be extra comfy in FPV mode. An adjustable focus size permits you to additional excellent the viewing expertise. 

Visuals from the telephone by means of the masks had been extremely top quality. A particular lens on DroneMask 2 permits you to see the entire display. That’s a pointy distinction from stereotypical VR goggles the place the display on the smartphone has to separate down the center when displaying the drone footage – one display on every eye. 

The DroneMask 2 makes use of a special optical resolution, which signifies that the display doesn’t must be break up, supplied you may have a powerful display decision and can work with any cell app. This implies that you may additionally use the DroneMask 2 for an immersive movie-watching expertise by means of apps like YouTube and Netflix. 

I flew my drone with the DroneMask 2 on a really sunny day in New Orleans and nearly no mild got here by means of the masks as I flew the drone. This was an enormous enchancment from the glare on the telephone when utilizing an RC-N1 controller. Though, the lens did fog up within the warmth. Fortunately, I did have the linen material with me. 

Ultimately, I turned extra comfy flying with the DroneMask 2 and was amazed by the immersive expertise it provided.

Who’s the DroneMask 2 for?

DroneMask’s FPV resolution transforms any digicam drone into an immersive first-person expertise utilizing a smartphone. If you’re curious in any respect concerning the world of FPV flying, however an FPV drone or goggles are usually not in your funds, then contemplate the DroneMask 2. 

Beginning at $179, it’s a less expensive different to its opponents. For instance, the DJI Goggles 3 begin at $499, making the DroneMask lower than half the worth. A real FPV drone is probably going much more costly (for instance, the DJI Avata 2 with Goggles 2 and RC Movement 2 prices $1,299).

There are less expensive options on the earth of VR headsets. For instance, the Google Daydream View is $27. However the lenses on the DroneMask 2 provide a far superior viewing expertise. Plus most VR headsets, together with the Google ones, are usually not appropriate with flying drones.

DroneMask 2: is it definitely worth the value?

The DroneMask 2 is probably the most moderately priced possibility for FPV drone flying in the marketplace, making it supreme for somebody who likes to fly their drone for enjoyable and is searching for a brand new journey when flying with out having to purchase a wholly new drone or costly piece of apparatus. 

In case you solely fly drones on the go, the DroneMask 2 won’t be the most suitable choice for you as it’s fairly cumbersome (however nonetheless pretty lightweight). Or if you’re extra critical about FPV drones or racing you might wish to look into buying an FPV drone.

The DroneMask 2 permits you to have an immersive flying expertise, with out the hefty price ticket of different opponents. 

Buy the DroneMask 2 for $179:

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