Best FPV goggles: Featured

Best FPV goggles [2019] : The ultimate buying guide

Beaming FPV video onto a screen is definitely awesome but what if you want the most immersive flying experience you can get? You might then want to get some FPV goggles. This post is our ultimate guide to buying the best FPV goggles for your needs and is split up into two sections:

  1. Buying considerations like display, DVR and head tracking capabilities, FPV antenna, range and the design of the goggle
  2. A list of what we think are the best FPV goggles out there in the market today with a brief review of each one. The section is further divided into subsections of cheap, mid and high priced goggles.

Best FPV Goggles: Quick Overview

Eachine EV 800

Our rating:

FXT Viper

Our rating:

FlySight FG02

Our rating:

FatShark FSV1076 Dominator

Our rating:

Aomway Commander V1

Our rating:

Fat Shark HDO Dominator

Our rating:

Selection considerations

Display

For the display, the following considerations are to be kept in mind:

  • Resolution: Higher the resolution, the better. Keep in mind that the camera should also be high resolution for this effect to be noticed.
  • Field of view (FOV): Larger the field of view, the more immersive experience you get. If you look inside an FPV goggle that has a large field of view, you’ll find the screen closer to the eye. Higher end models like the Fatshark Dominator HDV2 has an FOV spec of 50 degrees, giving a really immersive experience.
  • Screen aspect ratio: Some FPV goggles like the Fatshark Dominator V3 comes with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (which is great if you are an aerial photographer piloting something like the DJI Phantom) while other googles come with a 4:3 aspect ratio. It is important that it matches with the camera or else everything in the video will look shrunken down. Most board cameras support 4:3 aspect ratio, so if you are planning to get a Dominator V3, best match it with a camera that supports a 16:9.
  • IPD (Inter pupillary distance): This factor is really important so do not overlook this, especially if you are getting a cheaper FPV goggle that doesn’t have an adjustable IPD. We all have eyes that are spaced differently so there is no one size fits all. With an adjustable IPD, you can adjust the FPV goggle to fit the spacing of your eyes.

Especially if you are considering a goggle that doesn’t come with this feature, it is important to try it out before purchasing it.

DVR

DVR capability is the ability to record the flight in the goggles in a Micro SD card that is placed inside the goggle. This allows for a “backup footage” of your flight. It is especially useful if you have crashed your craft crashed somewhere. The backup footage is then for example, immensely valuable in finding out where it crashed, making it easier to recover your craft.

Head tracking

Head tracking is a feature that’ll increase your immersion experience. It ‘tracks’ the motion of your head and make the camera on-board to move accordingly. Talk about “being one” with your craft!

FPV antenna, modularity and range

Yet another consideration to keep in mind is the type of the FPV receiver antenna and whether or not the goggle has a modular receiver bay. Some goggles like the Fatshark Dominator V3 and HDV2 do not come with a receiver but it has a modular receiver bay, meaning you can attach a variety of different (supported) antennas to the goggles while others may not come with this feature.

The type of the antenna should also be kept in mind. Linear antennas sends out signals that are only good for long distances and are extremely prone to multi-path interference (especially in places with lots of objects) while ‘Clover’ (circular) antennas are much more interference friendly at close ranges, which is why most higher end goggles are either modular or come with clover antennas.

Design

  • Vent fan – whether or not the goggle comes with a vent fan, which is important to counter- act ‘fogging’ during summer and winter.
  • HDMI Port
  • Overall quality of the build

Cheap FPV goggles review: Lower end

Best Cheap FPV goggles: Eachine EV800

Don’t be fooled by the cheapness and lack of aesthetics with the Eachine EV800 goggle set. If you want to get into FPV experience flying for cheap, this is a great goggle to get. Please note that this goggle does not come with a camera so you’ll have to get those on your own.

It doesn’t come with any of the features that more handy features that more pricey goggles offer either, so don’t expect to win drone racing competitions with these!

Overall, a very nice entry level FPV goggles if you are a beginner. These goggles are also perfect to be used as an auxiliary goggle for co-pilots, especially if it is too bright outside for a standard screen.

Specifications:

  • Monitor screen: HD LCD
  • Screen size: 5in 
  • Supply voltage: Built-in 3.7V/2000mAh battery, 5-12V wide recharging voltage range, typical recharging voltage is 5V
  • Resolution: 800*480px
  • 92% transparent lens adopted, no distort, no blur on the adage of screen
  • Screen brightness: 600cd/m2 with special high brightness backlight LED for outdoor FPV
  • View Angle: 140/120 degree(Horizontal/Vertical)
  • Built-in 3.7V/2000mAh battery
  • Built in 5.8G 40CH Raceband receiver

Pros

  • Cheapest of the best FPV goggles list
  • Excellent design and ergonomic
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Visually unappealing design and build (big and boxy)
  • Poor resolution and display
  • No head tracking, defogging, DVR or customizable IPD
  • Poor soldering in the insides

FXT VIPER VERSION 2.0

This has to be our favorite relatively cheaper, entry level goggle in the best FPV goggles list. If you are beginner willing to spend a couple more, we recommend going for these. It also comes with two antennas and DVR support!

It is also far more aesthetically pleasing to look at and more comfortable to wear in comparison to the EV-800

Just like any other goggle at this price range, don’t expect to be able to do competitive drone racing with these, but it comes with some handy features such as one-key recording/playback.

Specifications:

  • Screen :5inch TFT LCD 
  • Resolution: 800 * 480 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9 4:3 switchable
  • Build-In DVR: Yes
  • Recording format: AVI
  • Support TF card: Max 32GB (without SD Card)
  • Antenna connector: SMA
  • Frequency range: 5.658GHz-5.917GHz
  • Auto scan Channel: 37 channels
  • Audio: 6.5mHz

Pros

  • Good bang for the buck
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Easy menu navigation
  • Changeable aspect ratio
  • Comes with two antennas
  • DVR capabilities
  • Unique design even for people who wear glasses
  • Design of optical refraction, which no eye strain even for long time

Cons

  • Poor resolution and display in comparison to more expensive goggles.
  • No head tracking
  • Large, compared to more expensive goggles
  • Doesn't come with a battery, you will have to get one yourself!

Mid-range FPV goggles review

These come under the $300 price range. As of now, we don’t like most goggles at this price range because it is “neither here nor there”. If you are a beginner, we suggest you stick to the low end range goggles.

And if you are an intermediate or pro level flyer, you could pay a bit more to get far better quality goggles. Nevertheless, we have listed an FPV goggle that is slightly better than the Fatshark V3:

FlySight FG02

For best FPV goggles under the $300, FlySight FG02 are pretty decent goggles for a beginner to intermediate level flyer. They are lighter and better built and comes with is built in a modular design, which enables you to attach any type of antenna you want to . They are excellent for drone racing, if that is your thing. The built in fan keeps good cooling for the goggles and is easily operated by power on/off button. No more fogging up, even if for the Fatshark size multiple diopter lens such as -2,-4,-6 and also comes with IPD adjustment!

Note that it doesn’t come with a receiver module, so you may want to buy whatever receivers you require by yourself!

Specifications:

  • FOV: 33 degrees
  • Precise IPD adjustment by gear
  • Display: 854 * 480px
  • Detachable eye cup, real comfortable and light on the face, you wear these for while and almost forget there on
  • Switch among 1X 2X 4X 8X.DVR
  • 2.5 hours battery life
  • One button Operation on contrast, brightness and switch between 4:3 and 16:9 WVGA display

Pros

  • Relatively cheaper than higher end goggles
  • Comfortable to wear, especially compared to cheaper, boxy goggles
  • Modular design!
  • Detachable faceplate
  • IPD adjustment
  • DVR capabilities 
  • Defogging vent fans
  • Good FOV
  • Shortcut keys to adjust aspect ratio

Cons

  • Does not come with a receiver
  • Cheap feeling face plate
  • Does not come with a battery
  • Reported poor build quality of the IPD adjuster

Best FPV goggles review: Higher end

Top Pick of the best FPV goggles : Aomway Commander V1

An excellent goggle at the higher end of the price range. Though not as powerful as the Dominator HD3 or HDO, the Commander V1 is excellent if you want to get into more competitive style FPV flying and/or if you want to get an amazing immersive experience. This is the reason why we have included this in our best FPV goggles list.

It has excellent build quality, decent resolution, IPD adjustable and a modular receiver bay. The field of view (32 degrees) is also great for flying. It comes with DVR capabilities and two receivers are also included in the box, which justifies the price

Specifications:

  • FOV : 32 degrees
  • Interpupillary Distance:Adjustable 59-69mm
  • Display: 854×480(WVGA)LCD display, LED backlight
  • Format: NTSC/PAL Auto Selecting
  • Head Tracker: 2-axis head tracker (only for advanced version)
  • Receiver Bay: Modular
  • TF card support up to 32GB
  • Dual 40CH high-sensitivity diversity RF module, auto switch to strong signal antenna

Pros

  • More affordable than the latest FatShark models
  • Decent resolution and field of view
  • Head tracking
  • IPD to adjust for your pupil and vent fan for defogging
  • Full face mask, comfortable to wear
  • Modular receiver bay
  • Easy menu navigation and lots of customization options
  • 3D support
  • Comes with two antenna

Cons

  • No battery included
  • Poor resolution compared to the latest FatShark models
  • Lesser battery capacity
  • Blurry corners

Fat Shark Dominator V3

Best FPV goggle: Dominator V3

The Dominator V3 is quite similar to the Aomway Commander, although a bit toned down. We decided to include it in this guide because of the popularity of this model. An excellent goggle and certainly one of the best FPV goggles out there if you are willing to pay for it. It has a very nice resolution and every feature that a high end goggle is supposed to have. FPV racing wins and immersive experience? You’ll get it all with this google. This ought to be the top goggle in our best FPV goggles list.

The only downside to the goggle is that it comes at a 16:9 aspect ratio while most board cameras come at a 4:3 aspect ratio, so you MIGHT feel like the images are a bit squished out. Nevertheless, it is something you can get used to and it is very flyable. Also if you are using an aerial photography specific drone, the cinematography effect is a bonus!

Specifications:

  • FOV: 30 degrees
  • IPD Range: 57-72mm (adjustable)
  • Display: WVGA 30 Degree FOV
  • 3D: Supports Side/Side
  • Format: NTSC/PAL Auto Selecting
  • Port: HDMI 720p Support
  • Recording: Integrated Analog DVR (no HDMI recording)
  • Tracker Bay: Modular Head
  • Receiver Bay: Modular
  • Power: DC in: 7-13V (2S/3S)
  • Power Consumption: 3.6W

Pros

  • Very good resolution and field of view
  • Head tracking
  • IPD adjustable and vent fans
  • DVR capabilities
  • HDMI input
  • 3D support
  • Modular receiver bay
  • Easy menu navigation and lots of customization options
  • Comes with a battery

Cons

  • Images may feel squished down with the 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio goggle/camera combo
  • Does not include a receiver or antenna
  • Pricey

Fat Shark HDO FPV Goggles

Sitting at the top of the peak, the Fat Shark HDO is supposed to be the one of the best FPV goggles you can get. That is, if you can afford it. It comes with 720p XGA display and a much wider field of view (37 degree angle wide) which increases your immersive experience.

They have the best image and quality flying experience hands down, even better than the Fatshark Dominator HD3 . The price increase according to us, is definitely justified.

Specifications:

  • FOV: 37 degree diagonal
  • Display: 720p XGA 
  • 59-69mm IPD range (adjustable)
  • Updated, integrated analog DVR
  • Head Tracker: 9DOF 2-axis
  • With modular design and integrated DVR

Pros

  • Very good resolution and excellent field of view
  • Head tracking
  • IPD adjustable and vent fans
  • DVR capabilities
  • HDMI input
  • 3D support
  • Modular receiver bay
  • Easy menu navigation and lots of customization options
  • Comes with a battery

Cons

  • Very, price
  • May not be a useful upgrade if you already own a high end Fatshark Goggle
  • Does not include a receiver or antenna

Conclusion

To summarize, make sure to keep the following in mind before you decide what is the best FPV goggles you want to purchase:

  • Resolution, field of view and aspect ratio
  • IPD adjustability
  • DVR capabilities
  • Design and build, including whether or not the goggle includes a defogging vent fan
  • Receiver and antenna type (linear vs clover leaf), frequency (whether or not the frequencies are legal to use without a licence in your locality)
  • HDMI input
  • Head tracking capabilities
  • Price – whether or not you’d have to sell your kidney to buy it

That’s all folks! We hope the guide helps you out in buying the best FPV goggles for you! If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop them below and we’ll be sure to answer and love you for it!