VR vs FPV Headset for Drones: What’s the difference?

1. Arris VR-009 Mini FPV Drone Goggles | Best Budget

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

The best budget pick goes to the Arris VR-009 Mini FPV quadcopter goggles. They’re small, ultra-lightweight, and comfortable to wear over extended periods.

• Best feature 1: Ultra-lightweight
• Best feature 2: Low power consumption
• Plus points: Built-in battery, USB charging, fast auto search, double antenna, bright LCD
• Minus points: Too small for some wearers

Excellent Choice for First-Time FPV Pilots

The Arris VR-009 Mini cost less than 50 dollars at the time of writing. They’re an excellent choice for those jumping into the world of First Person View (FPV). The 3” 480×320 dot LCD screen is bright and comfortable on the eyes. It’s a low power consumption product with a working current of 360~400mA. The goggles have enough features to provide a rewarding first-time experience.

The battery is a built-in 3.7V/1200mAh LiPo and charges via universal USB charging. The supersensitive built-in 5.8GHZ Race Band receiver has 40 channels and fast auto-search. A double antenna setup helps to make the signal more stable than a single arrangement.

The Not So Good

The Arris VR-009 Mini FPV goggles are small, hence “Mini” in the title. They’re okay for most users, but folks with larger facial features may find them uncomfortable after a while.

2. Skyzone SKY02S 48CH V+ 3D FPV Goggles | Best Value

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

Best Value First Person View (FPV) Goggles go to Skyzone SKY02S V+ 3D 5.8G 48CH. They come in two available colors, black or white. The goggles are also 3D capable.

• Best feature 1: Front mounted camera
• Best feature 2: 3D capable
• Plus points: Different faceplates, bright screens, head tracking, DVR function, playback
• Minus points: No fan, battery not included

A Serious Fatshark Contender?

Skyzone is a lesser known brand than Fatshark. Despite that, these 3D goggles with parallel lenses look like worthy challengers. The front-facing camera is convenient and practical. There are six essential control buttons located on the top with three either side. Pan and tilt head tracking is possible although some see that as a gimmick rather than a useful function.

The bottom has the image adjustments and access to the various physical connections. There are image adjustments, an HDMI in, USB, earphones, video in and out ports, and a 32GB SD card slot. The Skyzone SKY02S has a handy built-in 40-channel receiver. The frequency displays on the screen which seems much brighter than Fatshark and a tad shaper too.

The Not So Good

There’s a smart carry case included and a few faceplates to accommodate different wearers. Despite this, the Skyzone goggles are not quite as comfortable as Fatshark products. There’s no fan either—a standard feature on Fatshark and some other brands. The other downside is that the product doesn’t include a battery. Make sure you have one charged and ready to go if you choose these goggles.

3. Fat Shark HDO FPV Goggles | Top Pick

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Fatshark continues to dominate FPV goggles and for good reasons. The Top Pick goes to the Fat Shark HDO FPV Goggles. The review looks at why these cost so much more than many other products.

• Best feature 1: Adjustable IPD (Interpupillary Distance)
• Best feature 2: Ventilation fan
• Plus points: Zipper carry case, leather face padding, USB charging battery pack
• Minus points: FPV module (receiver) not included, no 3D mode, smaller FOV

The Value of Fatshark’s HDO Goggles

This is Fat Shark’s flagship HDO. They also happen to be the first ever FPV goggles to use an OLED display. The resolution is 960 x 720 (1024 x 800 screen), and that’s significant. The product comes with comfortable leather foam face padding and a smart carry case. Fatshark’s ventilation fan helps to prevent misting when there’s a temperature clash.

The Interpupillary Distance or IPD is adjustable (see introduction for more on IPD). The goggles have an SD card slot so that you can record all the FPV footage to a memory card. That’s especially useful if you crash your drone and need to locate it. Playback is also handy for FPV racers who like to go back and analyze their flight performance.

The newer HDO goggles cost around 100 dollars more than the HD3 model, but they have better displays. The resolution is also an improvement at 1080p support with HDMI.

The Not So Good

The Fat Shark HDO FPV goggles don’t come with an FPV module (receiver), so that’s an extra cost. It’s not all bad as detachable modules allow choices. FPV headsets with inbuilt receivers are not upgradable. The HDO goggles don’t have a 3D mode, and that will matter to some. The 37° field of view (FOV)—though not a con as such—is not going to be big enough for a few FPV pilots.

4. Eachine EV100 72CH FPV Beginner Goggles

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

These are the Eachine EV100 First Person View FPV goggles. They’re a popular, affordable brand for first-time FPV pilots and folks on tighter budgets. Try not to confuse affordable with cheap here.

• Best feature 1: Lightweight and comfortable
• Best feature 2: Built-in fan
• Plus points: USB charging port, earphone jack, full lens adjustments, on-screen channel display
• Minus points: Small resolution screen, no DVR, poor stock dipole antennas

Fatshark Killers?

Some call the Eachine EV100 Fatshark killers, but I think that’s going too far. However, they are great value at less than 100 dollars (at the time of writing). They’re comfortable and light, weighing in at around 165 grams. There’s a thick foam face pad for a light-tight fit and a built-in cooling fan to prevent misting. The goggles have a USB charging port and an earphone jack on the side.

On the bottom are two pupil adjustments to allow wearers to fine tune the focus for their eyes. Another surprising feature for such inexpensive FPV goggles is the in/out lens focus. These combined lens corrections give left to right and forward to back adjustments.

The EV100 also shows what channel you’re using on its FPV screen. That’s a feature usually reserved for higher end goggles. They’re better than box options in the same price category and a perfect first choice. But Fatshark killer? No, not even close.

The Not So Good

The screen has a smaller resolution than costlier models, and it’s noticeable. The downside to smaller screens is a less immersive FPV experience. The goggles don’t have DVR either. That means there’s no option for recording FPV flight missions. The stock dipole antennas are ok but only just. It’s possible to upgrade using better third-party antennas (recommended).

5. V2.0 FXT VIPER HD FPV Goggles for RC Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

These FPV goggles are from FXT and an upgrade from V1.0. They’re priced around the mid-range mark. Most FPV pilots find the lightweight, ergonomic design comfortable to wear.

• Best feature 1: Optimal safety watching distance
• Best feature 2: Built-in diversity receiver
• Plus points: Carry case, ergonomic design, detachable LCD screen, built-in refractor, DVR
• Minus points: Some light leakage, cumbersome after a while, low average DVR

Why Consider the FXT VIPER HD FPV Goggles

These goggles arrive in a smart, protective, semi-hard shell case. There’s an adjustable overhead strap that’s more comfortable than wraparound support. Folks who wear glasses can use the VIPER HD FPV Goggles with comfort. The detachable 5” LCD screen has an 85% non-reflective finish. The product has an HDMI input as well as an AI input. There’s also a built-in DVR and a 32GB SD memory card slot.

Another nice touch is the tiny integrated speaker at the back of the unit. The built-in mirrors deliver the FPV image to the eyes in a similar way to how a periscope works. They do a pretty good job too. The battery sits at the back of the unit and distributes the weight evenly. The First Person View image is clear and on a par with other FPV goggles in its class.

There’s a lot to like with this product considering its price. Everything works as it should do and the controls are straightforward. The use of mirrors and lenses works well for increasing the focal distance. The cost is about right, but they’re not going to please everyone as the next section explains.

The Not So Good

Light leakage is a common complaint and mainly evident around the nose and upper cheek areas. Still, the light is minor and easy to ignore once you focus on the ride. Most folks find the goggles comfortable, but others think they’re awkward. Some even say they’re ugly and embarrassing to wear, but that’s subjective of course. The final con is the DVR which is on the low side of average.

6. Dedicated DJI First Person View FPV Goggles

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

Owners of DJI quads can use cheaper third-party goggles. Even so, most choose the DJI headset given a choice. But is the superior build, comfortable design, and high-tech features worth the price tag?

• Best feature 1: Quality build, comfortable design
• Best feature 2: Low lag transmission
• Plus points: High resolution, dual speakers, no latticing, head tracking, touchpad
• Minus points: Heavy, app connectivity issues

Why DJI Pilots Love DJI FPV Goggles

DJI googles are big, but they look super cool, unlike some box-style FPV headsets. The product arrives in two pieces, i.e., headband and goggles. There’s even a MicroSD cable in the box. The headset has dual built-in speakers that deliver clear sound to both ears. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack if you prefer to use earbuds. Next to the audio jack is a MicroSD card slot and a micro HDMI port.

Wearers get a seamless FPV experience via the goggle’s large, high-quality screens. The image is always clean, detailed, and sharp (no latticing). That’s thanks to the tightly-packed pixels. The reliable connection provides 360° coverage and low lag transmission. These dedicated goggles exist to work with certain drones. Pilots can access DJI’s Intelligent Flight Features via the touchpad.

Flexible viewing preferences, cross-drone compatibility, and the DJI GO 4 app deliver FPV harmony. There’s also head tracking (HT) that works with supported drones. HT gives control of the camera gimbal movements and lets pilots steer the drone. You can also use the goggles to take off and land. However, you still need the controller for full control of the drone.

The Not So Good

The combined weight of headband and goggles is around two pounds. The design is such that the weight distributes evenly. The glasses sit in front of the face rather than strapped to it like other designs. That’s good, but it’s still 2lbs, and you certainly know it’s there. The other con is that some users report sporadic connectivity issues with the DJI GO 4 APP.

7. Epson Moverio BT-300 FPV Smart Glasses for DJI

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

Last on the list is the unique Epson Moverio BT-300 FPV Smart Glasses for DJI. They’re said to be the perfect complement to DJI drones. So, can they live up to the high price tag and hype?

• Best feature 1: Super Lightweight
• Best feature 2: Prescription glasses-friendly
• Plus points: Portable, Android-based system, easy to record, preloaded DJI 4 app
• Minus points: Learning curve, No IPD control, cost

Redefining First Person View (FPV)

These futuristic-looking glasses are impressive at first glance. Epson thinks they redefine first person view, but I say not so fast. There’s a lot of remarkable technology going on here, but it’s not perfect—yet. More on that later. These smart glasses are so light and portable compared to typical FPV goggles. They’re also eyeglasses-friendly in that they fit comfortably over most prescription spectacles.

Epson’s Moverio BT-300FPV Smart Glasses come packed with technology. They have a built-in ambient light sensor and a front-facing 5MP camera to the wearer’s right side. The camera captures 1080p real-time footage at 30fps (frames per second).

On the left lens is a binocular for see-through viewing. The beauty of a transparent display is twofold. Pilots can view all the vital flight data and maintain a visual line of sight (LOS) of their drone. Left of that lens is a 9-axis motion sensor.

DJI Quadcopter Compatibility

The smart glasses work on the Google Android system which gives them extra versatility and appeal. For example, you can use them to browse the Web, stream content, and even play some games. As FPV glasses, though, the included controller has the DJI GO App preloaded. Mounting clips provide a secure connection between the dedicated BT-300FPV GPS controller and the DJI remote.

The BT-300FPV controller works seamlessly with the DJI Inspire 1 & 2, and Phantom 3 & 4 remotes. It can also work with Mavic Pro quadcopters but needs different clips (sold separately). So, is this augmented reality of the sky what FPV pilots have longed for? That depends who you ask (see below).

The Not So Good

The Epson Moverio BT-300 FPV Smart Glasses sound like the ideal FPV solution for DJI drones. For some they are. Others think they have a way to go before they make the grade. Yes, it’s easy to wear and record with these glasses. Alas, it’s not so easy to adjust the eyes to the new way of viewing. Some find the learning curve—and the need to retrain the eyes—frustrating and awkward.

Those who persevere find the glasses comfortable to wear and the Si-OLED display awe-inspiring. For me, the biggest letdown is no IPD (Interpupillary Distance) adjustment. Epsom says the glasses handle a wide range of IPD. That may be so, but user-adjustable IPD is undoubtedly better (see intro). There’s no Lens-to-eye adjustment either, but there is a nose piece that pushes them out further.

My last gripe is the price. They cost over 700 dollars at the time of writing this review, and that’s a fair chunk of change. They are technologically advanced, and the experience is incredible. Despite that, some critics think they need a few tweaks and enhancements before they’re perfect.

The good news is that Epson Moverio are “future-ready.” That means downloadable updates should continue to refine these Smart Glasses for DJI drones. Watch this space for any news.