goggles? lcd? viewing options

[scanman]

I see most of the guys use special FPV goggles like fatsharks costing round R3000 (goggles only) e.g.
http://www.netram.co.za/Quadcopter-Comp ... rd=goggles
There are also other types of no name brand goggles for FPV costing around R2500 (goggles only)at netram and here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-TELEPORTER-5 ... 19c3af40c8

There are also normal home-use AV goggles for tv/gaming costing around R1000 which would work with a separate TX/RX from the quad, plus you can also watch tv on them at home!:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-Virtual-Vide ... 120wt_1074


What about a simple LCD screen costing $30 :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160772682456?ss ... 1436.l2649

I have read somewhere that you can use any screen because at the slightest interference on the signal it just gives a "blue screen" instead of showing you the partial video.

What i am asking is has anyone tried some of these options or do we just go out and buy the dedicated system?
Are there any other options?
should we go for AV goggles with a base station and separate TX/RX, or go for the all-in-one like fatsharks?
I presume for normal use 5.8GHz is ok if you only want a 1km or less range?

[DanZ]

Here is a rather cool website that pimps out the cheaper goggles out there

http://fpv-plastics.com/FPV-Plastics/Welcome.html

Have you tried the AIO goggles Jasper? They aren't too bad I think?

[scanman]

i havent tried any goggles, except danz let me look through his fatsharks while he flew LOS. i nearly LOSt my lunch!

thanks for that link these AIO ones look like jareds cheaper otpion at netram: http://fpv-plastics.com/FPV-Plastics/ai ... mage_6.png

regarding radio, the guys at http://www.rfdesign.co.za/ are bringing in some 5.8GHz AV radio TX/RX modules (just the RF modules - you will need to self solder everything on!), a pair should cost less than $40 without antennas/connectors.

[scanman]

are you sure those prices on http://fpv-plastics.com are for the viewer and goggles? it looks like he just supplies the ski mask housing thing and not the electronics. $70 for a full pair of goggles seems cheap!

anyway i said if he gives me a full pair i will design him a proper online shop!

[DanZ]

Ye, It'll be just for the housing. But I think its a pretty cool way to improve on some cheaper goggles

[JohanMoelich]

I started off with a portable DVD player as a screen. It worked well enough at the time. Make sure of the following: it needs to have AV in, and if it loses input signal it should show static instead of a blue screen. The reason for the blue screen issue, is if you lose video feed for even a brief moment or get too much static, the screen will not show your video again once the signal clears up, but will stay on the blue screen until you power it off and on again.

Here's some examples of FPV-safe screens:
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... cts_id=574
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... cts_id=808

If you do go for a screen, you will have to build a box for it to block the sun's glare. Easiest way is to use cardboard or Corex board, and mount the whole thing on a tripod.





Ultimately, goggles are a good investment if you're serious about FPV. Fatshark Dominator goggles are not cheap, but they're made with FPV in mind and works well. I also have Headplay goggles which are okay but a bit of a schlep to set up and it's a bit finicky. I'm very happy with my Dominator and only use the Headplay goggles for passengers now.
Cheaper goggles can work, but before you buy, do your research and see what others say. There are very few cheapish goggles which you will want to use longterm for FPV, and not chuck it in the loony bin after a few uses (I have an FPV loony bin. It contains all the stuff I was mad enough to buy... ).

See what the experts use and follow their advice. They've already made all the mistakes for you, and learned from it. I include the following people at FPVLab as experts: Sentry, IBCrazy, Trappy, Sassenn, Roberto, Coyote, h0tr0d, juz. There's more but these names pop up often.

[JohanMoelich]

By the way, the Fatshark Dominator goggles can be used with an internal video rx or you can use the supplied cable to connect to a separate video rx.

[scanman]

that lcd and carboard box looks quite cumbersome, so much easier to slip on a pair of goggles!
i think ill take your advice, or maybe ill buy your looney bin from you and make something out of it!

up till now juz has been my hero but since you just saved me starting a looney bin of my own, maybe you will take his place?

[JohanMoelich]

Trust me, when you do FPV you will have a loony bin sometime. There's always something you end up buying despite other people's recommendations because it was cheap / looked cool / was in stock.
Rather keep juz as your hero. I still have a lot to learn and still add the odd item to the loony bin every now and then!

[scanman]

i have 2 international heros, and 2 local heros, one for each discipline:
warthox and Danz for acro
juz and johan for FPV