First Set of goggles...But which ones?

[N-Duck]

Hello to everyone,

I am looking to buy my first headset, and the choices are daunting. Mostly as the costs are not insignificant.
I want to get a set that will cover me for all my uses and be enjoyable. I don't want to have regrets, as in "damn I didn't know about that. I should have gotten the other ones!" My uses will be for a 250 race quad, a larger tri-copter, and fixed wing FPV with a gimbal mount.

I am considering several fat shark products. But all I have to go off is the manufacturer hype.

They are:

Dominator v3 (but I have to buy RX module)
Attitude v3 (comes with 2axis head tracker and Rx module, Transmitter and antenna)
Attitude sd v2 (comes with 3axis head tracker and Rx module, Transmitter and antenna)

My question to all of you are what are your likes/dislikes with these units. Price is not my first priority. I just want satisfaction and no regrets. Basically I want to learn from your mistakes and successes, with out re-inventing the wheel.

Thanks to all for your time...

Kris

 

[PHugger]

Fat Shark specific (there are other good choices) -

The Dominator v2 seem very sweet. Here is a review of a few different FS models (including the Dom HD).
They almost universally picked the Dominator v2 when you considered price.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVPUIdJl3A0


Best regards,
PCH

 

[Spastickitten]

The dominators are a great option because of the module. The tech for fpv is only getting better, so a pair of dominators are future proof. The skyzones are the best of the current tech, but if there is an advancement, they don't have the module. I'm going with the quanums to get hte "module" like system at a lower cost.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

I just bought the Attitude V3's...

I have the Predator V2's

I am very pleased with the V3's right now.


***Edit... adding more because I did that terrible thing of replying without fully reading the first post.


I was on the fence between the Skyzones and the Attitude V3's. The Skyzones have diversity, but... will I really use it? Probably not.

The FatSharks are a brand I've been using for the last couple years. I still have the first set of Predators I bought, and they'll be my backup pair/passenger glasses for a while to come I hope.

I went with the Attitudes because of the interchangeable module, and the head tracking. I was ready to go with the Skyzones because they had the full range of channels, (all 32) and the FatShark did not, but they fixed that with the new line of 5.8 modules.

I'm very pleased with the image quality. I am not sure if it's mindblowingly better than my Predators, I haven't flown them enough to really have a good idea. From bench testing and the couple evening/low light flights I've done, the colors seem more vibrant, and the image does seem sharper.

 

[PHugger]

I'm not sure what models they fit, but I really like the new padded face plate that replaces the eye cups on my Dom HDs.
They have a built in fan that keeps them from fogging and they are quite comfortable. I also use the additional lens set. They help bring the edges into focus. The IPD adjustment is also worthwhile.



Best regards,
PCH

 

[AdamV]

the attitude's will also accept the fat shark face plate with fan. It's a snug, but not rigid fit the the V2's, but per some reports on RC Groups, the attitude V3's actually snap in the faceplate with the need for shoe goe, etc. You'd need a difference case for it though - about 13 bucks on readymaderc.

I had the same decision recently and also ordered the attitude v3s. I ordered through Horizon though with a couple coupons. Cost got down to 270.... but i have to wait for them to acutally be stock (mid october i think)

Dominator V3's are basically for HD video / DVR users... basically DJI phantom guys. I think if this was me, i'd go for a headplay though. The HDV2 at atttitudeV3 are 4:3. For me, i just couldnt' justify the total expense of the new HDv2

 

[Tritium]

All FPV Goggles are "FUZZY" to me. Too bad I have a new set of Headplay HD's I can't use!
Too bad I did not know "Farsightedness" KILLS any wearable FPV solutions for me!

Thurmond

 

[FlyingMonkey]

I wonder if that's why Chris Hatcher has such a long tube on his FPV monitor.

 

[Julez]

I personally would go for attitude V3's. Good all around goggles and the best form factor of any googles, period. (IMO) They're sleek, simple, and with the V3 you get the benefit of having the modular receiver bay.

My note on the skyzones- they're nice, but since I like to use headtracking diversity really wouldn't serve any use for me, and even if I didn't use headtracking I would want to setup diversity on a groundstation.

 

[Craftydan]

Personally I'm pleased with my FS Base goggles, with an FR632 VRX . . . but that's only because it works so well in this:



That being said . . .

DO NOT BUY without trying a pair on. There's WAY too much invested in these things to hate them, and regardless of the glowing opinions you read, it's way too sensitive to personal taste.

 

[paulshort]

I had the Fatshark teleporter v3s and upgraded to the headplays. there is no comparison. I would definitly go with the headplayHDs

 

[ZoomNBoom]

Im not sure why anyone would (only) consider fatsharks at this point. If you want a compact goggle, get a Skyzone. There are many reasons, but built in diversity has to be the most compelling reason. Put on one clover leaf, and one patch antenna and you get awesome range without losing omni directionality when you're closer by. Lots of small features sweeten the deal, like builtin camera, headtracker, support for 3D (on the V2) etc not to mention, very competitive price.

That you cant swap the modules, to me isnt a big deal. If one day you want to move away from 5.8, its probably because you want long range, like 1.2 GHz. In that case, just put the 1.2 receiver on a tripod, and relay the video to your goggles via 5.8. You dont want those huge antenna's on your head anyway.

If you dont mind a bulkier design, and dont mind what some people think is a too large field of view, headplay would by the other one I would consider.

 

[razor02097]

Hello to everyone,

I am looking to buy my first headset, and the choices are daunting. Mostly as the costs are not insignificant.
I want to get a set that will cover me for all my uses and be enjoyable. I don't want to have regrets, as in "damn I didn't know about that. I should have gotten the other ones!" My uses will be for a 250 race quad, a larger tri-copter, and fixed wing FPV with a gimbal mount.

I am considering several fat shark products. But all I have to go off is the manufacturer hype.

They are:

Dominator v3 (but I have to buy RX module)
Attitude v3 (comes with 2axis head tracker and Rx module, Transmitter and antenna)
Attitude sd v2 (comes with 3axis head tracker and Rx module, Transmitter and antenna)

My question to all of you are what are your likes/dislikes with these units. Price is not my first priority. I just want satisfaction and no regrets. Basically I want to learn from your mistakes and successes, with out re-inventing the wheel.

Thanks to all for your time...

Kris

The dominators are fatshark's À la carte of goggles. The way they come can be hooked up to a base station. If you want the built in receiver you have to buy a module separate. If you want head tracking you have to buy a module separate.

If you don't need the DVR and are going to run 5.8 all of the time get the Attitude V3. It has the same resolution as the dom V2 but are pretty much ready to go out of the box. IMO the attitude SD V2 isn't worth considering unless you are looking only at price.

I wouldn't say fatshark dominator V2 and HD are future proof...more like they are versatile. You can get a few different modules for them even a 1.3Ghz receiver and there are a few different head tracker board options. The big selling point is that they have a built in DVR so they are a more of a true base station replacement.

 

[razor02097]

I had the Fatshark teleporter v3s and upgraded to the headplays. there is no comparison. I would definitly go with the headplayHDs

Yeah no kidding... the Teleporter is Fatshark's budget goggle. The lowest of the low. I wouldn't recommend the teleporter to anyone.

 

[N-Duck]

Im not sure why anyone would (only) consider fatsharks at this point. If you want a compact goggle, get a Skyzone. There are many reasons, but built in diversity has to be the most compelling reason. Put on one clover leaf, and one patch antenna and you get awesome range without losing omni directionality when you're closer by. Lots of small features sweeten the deal, like builtin camera, headtracker, support for 3D (on the V2) etc not to mention, very competitive price.

That you cant swap the modules, to me isnt a big deal. If one day you want to move away from 5.8, its probably because you want long range, like 1.2 GHz. In that case, just put the 1.2 receiver on a tripod, and relay the video to your goggles via 5.8. You dont want those huge antenna's on your head anyway.

If you dont mind a bulkier design, and dont mind what some people think is a too large field of view, headplay would by the other one I would consider.

It's not that I am only considering FS, But I come from the machining world where name brands are king because of quality and reliability. So I tend to gravitate that way. I do have to admit that the Skyzone v2 looks good. Seems quite similar to the Attitude v3 for options, while having diversity. I just assumed that when I get to longer range stuff I would put a dual diversity on a tripod and send it to what ever goggles I have.

 

[N-Duck]

Is it true the Attitude v3 is only a 2 axis tracker? Those that have flown with a gimbal, how important is the roll axis?

And thanks to all of you for your input...

 

[N-Duck]

It seems to me that the only benefits of the Dominators are field of view and the DVR. I think the Attitudes and SZ v2's have modular receiver bays and tracker options. So I guess that narrows it down to 2(SZ v2's and Attitude V3's)

The Attitudes are cheaper. What is the FOV of the SZ's? Has anyone flown with both? Comfort, preference Etc?

 

[ZoomNBoom]

But I come from the machining world where name brands are king because of quality and reliability.

Its the other way around; in that world companies become brand names because of proven quality and reliability. In the consumer space brand names more often become that because they where the first and/or because of marketing budgets. You cant fool professionals buying business critical million dollar machines with flashy advertising, but it certainly works for consumer product brands like fatshark or DJI.

Donr get me wrong; its not like their stuff is aweful, but they where the first big names in their markets, and they exploit that brand recognition to jack up prices, which allows them to pay for more marketing. You could add gopro to that list, although unlike Fatshark, gopro arguably still has the best products in their niche, even if xiaomi and sj are really close and offer far better bang for the buck. But who ever heard of xiaomi? I cant even pronounce the name. At least skyzone is easy to say

 

[Spastickitten]

Xiaomi is a smartphone company in China, they make some high end phones over there. I've heard they might branch out, but I still think quality is an issue.

 

[razor02097]

Skyzone and Boscam seem to continually have good reviews on their FPV gear. Fatshark and ImmersionRC are by far one of the most expensive for just about all their equipment.

That said...

I can say that of all the FPV equipment I have tried in the past...Skyzone, Boscam, Aomway, Hobbyking special, Quanum, no name ebay... ImmersionRC and FatShark are the only brand I am using on models I actually care about... it just works...

Is it true the Attitude v3 is only a 2 axis tracker? Those that have flown with a gimbal, how important is the roll axis?

And thanks to all of you for your input...

Roll is not important for a head tracking.

It seems to me that the only benefits of the Dominators are field of view and the DVR. I think the Attitudes and SZ v2's have modular receiver bays and tracker options. So I guess that narrows it down to 2(SZ v2's and Attitude V3's)

The Attitudes are cheaper. What is the FOV of the SZ's? Has anyone flown with both? Comfort, preference Etc?

The Attitude V3 has a modular receiver bay the V2 does not. The DVR is actually why a lot of people go with the dominator V2. Yes it is slightly more expensive but a decent DVR will set you back $80-$100 and unless you have skyzones with a video out you need a separate receiver. On top of that most DVRs you don't want to fly through due to lag issues so you may even need a video splitter... added complication and price. I love my dominator V2. It is quick and convenient. The built in DVR records in the goggles so if I go down I can review footage right from the goggle to help me pinpoint a location. It also allows me to record flights on models I do not have an action camera on.


An opinion on the skyzone goggle diversity. That is great on paper but honestly if I'm going to fly longer range that would require a directional antenna I would want to mount the antenna on something I can point in the direction of my flight path and not have it move with my head. For dipole antennas yes the skyzone goggles are great. You can orient one vertical and one horizontal. But with CP antennas IMO that is not necessary. The camera on the front is funny but useless. If I'm going to have a hand free to push a button I have that hand free to pull up my goggles.

Don't get me wrong the skyzones are flooded with tech and got a thumbs up from several youtube reviewers. I was considering them before I found the dominator V2.