FPV goggles
Also known as: FPV headset, video goggles, first-person view goggles
Head-mounted displays that show the live camera feed from an FPV drone, putting the pilot virtually in the cockpit for immersive, precise flying.
Updated
What it means
FPV goggles are small screens in a headset, connected wirelessly to the drone video transmitter. The pilot sees exactly what the drone camera sees, in real time, which makes it possible to fly through gaps, follow terrain closely and perform the dives and rolls that define freestyle FPV.
Goggles come in analog and digital versions. Analog systems have very low latency but a grainy image, while digital systems offer a much clearer picture and onboard recording, with slightly more delay. Some consumer FPV drones come bundled with goggles designed for them.
Wearing goggles blocks the pilot view of the real world, which has safety and legal consequences.
How it works in practice
Adjust the interpupillary distance and focus so the image is sharp and comfortable, and use diopter inserts if you wear glasses. A good fit reduces eye strain on long sessions and keeps light from leaking in around the edges.
Fly with a spotter who keeps the drone in sight, as many line of sight rules require. The spotter can warn of people, animals or aircraft that the camera cannot see.
Many digital goggles record the feed, which is handy for reviewing flights. For the final edit, use the high-quality recording from the drone camera or an onboard action camera instead.
What to watch out for
Motion sickness affects some people, especially at first. Start with short sessions, avoid extreme rates, and take breaks. Flying in angle mode at first can help, since the horizon stays level.
Goggles isolate you from your surroundings. Sit down while flying, keep the area clear, and never fly near crowds or roads.
Goggle recordings are compressed and may contain glitches from signal loss. Do not rely on them as your only footage of a great flight. Record onboard in full quality whenever possible, and keep the goggle files only as a backup or for reviewing your lines.
How RawClip handles it
For the best highlight, upload the full-quality clips from the drone camera or an onboard action camera rather than the goggle recordings. RawClip then picks the most exciting flying for your highlight.