DJI Launches Racing Edition FPV Goggles

DJI has today launched a new pair of FPV goggles, DJI Goggles Racing Edition (RE). The RE goggles offer a slight upgrade on the original set, with significant tweaks designed to appeal to FPV racers.

DJI Racing Edition Goggles

As we’ve seen from a number of DJI product announcements recently, the differences between DJI’s RE Goggles and the original are small. But there are a few technical additions which could be a big selling point for FPV flyers.

First of all, let’s get the cosmetics out of the way. DJI Goggles Racing Edition (RE) feature a redesigned metallic matte black visor and headband, along with padding covered by high-quality red leather.

The other upgrades are more interesting. The RE Goggles have been, according to DJI, “precisely engineered for racing”. They are compatible with an OcuSync video transmission module and a high-performance camera module, which work together to transmit digital video signal from up to 7 km away with latency as low as 50 ms, in addition to analog signal.

In practice, this means that DJI’s new RE Goggles are compatible way beyond DJI drones. The original Goggles worked with the Phantom 4 series, the Inspire series and the Mavic Pro. DJI’s RE Goggles extend that coverage to the Spark, and include analog transmitters to work with traditional FPV quads, DIY drones and fixed-wing model aircraft.

“Innovation is at the heart of everything DJI develops, with each new product building on the previous model to offer users an unparalleled experience. The DJI Goggles RE are no exception and deliver video footage with ultimate speed, stability and clarity,” said Paul Pan, Senior Product manager.

“And it’s not just racers and enthusiasts who benefit from the new DJI Goggles RE. Whether you fly a DIY drone, a fixed-wing aircraft, or a remote-controlled vehicle, the external camera and transmission module can be mounted and synced with the new DJI Goggles RE to provide you with an immersive experience and put you in the pilot’s seat.”

 

An Immersive FPV Experience

The RE package includes an OcuSync-enabled camera to be mounted on other fixed-wing and multi-rotor aircrafts. Utilizing a 1/3” image sensor, the OcuSync Camera provides much higher-resolution video transmission than most analog FPV goggles on the market.

It also uses a global shutter, significantly reducing rolling shutter effect caused by high-frequency vibration allowing for an overall improved video experience. The camera’s low-distortion lens delivers a wide, yet natural-looking image with an 148° field of view (FOV) that enables users to control flight more accurately and record the flight for post-analysis or sharing.

Ultimate Flight Control and Enhanced Compatibility

The DJI Goggles RE provide access to flight setting adjustments, gimbal control, and precise flight data – information that’s handy for racers looking to perfect and analyze performance after a flight. A separate signal reception module is not needed and by connecting a third-party controller to the Goggles RE, racing drones with an F3, F4, KISS, Naze or any other supported flight controller can be flown directly.

Essential flight information including transmission resolution, battery level, and signal quality, is easily visible on screen. If the device is in Head Tracking Gimbal mode, the camera can be controlled with a simple turning of the head. Furthermore, for those who don’t have the DJI OcuSync Air System which is made up of the DJI OcuSync Air Unit, DJI OcuSync Camera and three pairs of DJI OcuSync Antennas; the DJI Goggles RE have an SMA port for analog transmission.

Multiple Antenna Options for Different Flight Scenarios

In addition to the antennas inside the DJI Goggles RE for 360° signal receiving, the DJI OcuSync Air Unit comes with a set of three compatible interchangeable antennas for different scenarios:

• Pagoda: This circularly polarized analog antenna performs best at 5.8 GHz.
• Cylindrical: Also circularly polarized, this antenna operates at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz for fully integrated performance. The dual frequency reduces chances of interference and operates smoothly at longer flight ranges.
• Dipole: Linearly polarized, this dual frequency antenna operates at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz and is lightweight, allowing for a clear video feed at close distances.

Applications Beyond Drone Racing

In addition to compatibility with DJI drones, DIY drones and fixed-wing model aircrafts, the DJI OcuSync Air Unit and camera module can be mounted on other remote-controlled vehicles and robots to provide operators with an FPV experience. The DJI Goggles RE can also be used for enterprise applications to provide operators with a close up perspective during search and rescue operations, structural inspections or agricultural use.

The DJI Goggles RE inherit all the features of the original Goggles and play videos in a variety of different formats, including MP4, MOV, and MKV. On a full charge, DJI Goggles RE are fully operational for a maximum of six hours.

As much as the Racing Edition Goggles can be used for purposes other than racing, we hope this is the first step towards DJI launching an FPV racing drone. It’s arguably the only sector of the market left for the taking.

DJI Racing Edition Goggles: The Price

The new goggles are available from the DJI website for $549. That’s $100 more than the original pair, but you get a lot more potential applications for your money.