DJI Goggles: A new view of the world
12.10.2017
Translation: machine translated
Video: Stephanie Tresch
Drone flying from a first-person perspective. The DJI Goggles make this possible and create unique perspectives. Just as if you were a drone pilot sitting in the Cockpit of the drone.
It's been six months since DJI launched its FPV goggles, the DJI Goggles. They are finally available to everyone. I'll show you whether a purchase could be worthwhile for you.
Important: If you fly with VR goggles, someone must accompany you. The person stands next to or behind you and can intervene in the controls at any time. In our video, Dominik has taken on this task.
A brief overview
The DJI Goggles are quite heavy and bulky. The thing weighs a kilogramme, but fortunately sits quite comfortably on the head despite its weight. The batteries are included in the headband and should last for six hours of drone flight. So your drone definitely needs to be plugged in first. Once the goggles are on your head, you have a clear view of two small screens with FullHD resolution - a 2k flying experience, so to speak. The goggles work with most DJI drones. Unfortunately, only the small Spark is not supported.
What you can do with it
With the Goggle, you take a seat in the Cockpit of the drone yourself. A "Woaa! Totally awesome" experience is pre-programmed. Thanks to sensors, the goggles know exactly what you are doing with your head and transmit the movements to the drone accordingly.
Using the touchpad, you can select the "Flight by head control" flight mode, among other things. The drone follows the movements of your head. So if I turn to the left or right, the drone moves accordingly. If I tilt my head up or down, I control the gimbal up and down. Unfortunately, this mode has the greatest potential for nausea. If I turn my head a little too quickly, my vestibular system can become overwhelmed.
A second, very interesting mode is called "Gimbal control via head control". In this mode, you have full control over your aircraft with the remote control. However, the gimbal swivels in exactly the direction in which you move your head. This is pretty cool and gives you the feeling of sitting in a real Cockpit.
Nothing for photographers and filmers
These modes are all well and good for enjoying a unique, unusual bird's eye view in which you are right in the middle of the action rather than just there. However, if you want to take beautiful landscape shots, I recommend you do without them. I see it more as a cool gimmick, because it's incredibly difficult to produce a really steady, even image. I prefer to use the full-screen mode, where I can control the drone as usual via the remote control and see everything right in front of my eyes. Sun reflections on your smartphone screen are now a thing of the past.
What others say
Of course, Senior Editor Dominik Bärlocher and Video Producer Stephanie Tresch also wanted to try out the goggles. Neither of them had ever flown a drone before, let alone worn FPV goggles. Stephanie has since done so.
An extremely strange feeling. At first, something reminiscent of seasickness. My body is stable, but everything I see is moving. After a few seconds, however, it stabilises and I see myself standing there with gigantic glasses on my head. - Dominik Bärlocher
Absolutely fantastic! I was actually expecting to feel sick because Manuel was getting a bit queasy, because winding roads and I don't mix... But no! I loved it! I was an eagle and got to see Zurich West from above. - Stephanie Tresch
And now what?
If you've always toyed with the idea of flying your DJI drone with FPV goggles, you can strike here. I can guarantee you a unique flying experience (possibly even including seasickness symptoms like Dominik's). And if you use the goggles in combination with the sports mode - all the more awesome! I'll stick with my smartphone as a visual aid. The goggles are too expensive for me and the benefit is too small.
Manuel Wenk
Communications Manager
Manuel.Wenk@digitecgalaxus.chAs a Multimedia Producer, preparing multimedia content and knowing about cutting-edge technology is my business. My main focus at digitec is producing videos. I can’t wait to try out new products such as cameras, drones or smartphones as soon as they’re launched. This is where being at the source comes in rather handy. When I’m not working, I’m probably skiing, biking or hiking – the mountains are my place to be.
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