simply make any drone an FPV drone

In search of a approach to flip just about any drone you already personal into an FPV drone? One of many best and most inexpensive methods to do this could be with the DroneMask 2. Made by a Norwegian firm known as Immerse Optics, the second version of its flagship product, the DroneMask 2, means that you can take your digicam drone and switch it into an immersive flying expertise. 

Better of all, the DroneMask 2 prices lower than $200.

Perhaps you have got a DJI drone and are serious about one thing just like the DJI Goggles 3 however can’t abdomen the $500 price. Perhaps you have got a DJI various drone just like the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX which at present has no official FPV choice. Perhaps you have got a low cost Amazon toy drone. Irrespective of which of these you might be, the DroneMask 2 could be the product for you.

I had the possibility to make use of the DroneMask 2 when flying with my DJI Mini 3. Right here’s a evaluation of what occurred:

A historical past of Immerse Optics

However first, some background on the corporate

Immerse Optics began having nothing to do with drones in any respect, however as a substitute by making masks to create an immersive movie-watching expertise out of your cellphone. After receiving buyer suggestions and inspiration — together with getting wind that drone pilots have been ‘hacking’ their product into an FPV software — the corporate pivoted to the drone sector.

In 2021, they launched the DroneMask and have just lately developed by including the DroneMask 2 into their lineup of merchandise. With that comes a patented singular-lens expertise, that’s carried out right into a headset to offers customers with 4x higher decision than standard VR headsets that use a stereoscopic lens. It additionally presents better consolation for the eyes and works with any cell content material with out the necessity for third-party apps.

And for people like me who’ve all the time been curious in regards to the world of FPV (first-person view) drones however weren’t able to decide to the worth tag that comes with buying an FPV drone, then the DroneMask 2 is a good various and a less expensive choice. The product begins at $179. 

Buy the DroneMask 2 for $179:

What that you must use the DroneMask 2 

The DroneMask 2 is suitable with any sort of drone from any drone firm — so long as that drone features a controller that interfaces with a cellphone that shows the drone footage.

In my case, I used the RC-N1 with a DJI Mini 3 drone. That stated, you probably have a controller that has the display already in-built, like DJI RC, then sadly the DroneMask 2 is not going to work.  

And right here lies what’s doubtless the most important downfall of the DroneMask 2. I might not advocate buying a controller that connects to your cellphone merely utilizing the DroneMask 2, because it typically makes extra monetary sense to contemplate different choices. For DJI customers, that features researching how you can flip your DJI drone into an FPV drone utilizing DJI’s merchandise by buying DJI FPV goggles.

Lastly, you’ll want a smartphone — and that’s it. All the things else you’ll want is included in your DroneMask 2 equipment. The DroneMask 2 comes with:

• 1 masks
• 1 linen bag
• 1 material (to wash the lens or your cellphone with)
• 1 USB-C to USB-C cable
• 1 USB-C to lighting cable
• 1 micro USB to USB-C adapter

On the point of fly with the DroneMask 2

I stay my life with 15% battery life on my iPhone and have a couple of occasions deliberate to move out with my drone for the day then remembered I had forgotten to cost the batteries. So, I used to be joyful to be taught that DroneMask 2 shouldn’t be digital, so no charging is required. 

I headed out with my DJI Mini 3, my RC-N1 controller, and my DroneMask 2. The DroneMask 2 itself is kind of cumbersome, so I needed to change out my regular ‘drone backpack’ for a bigger one. 

Establishing the masks was fairly easy. You join your cellphone to the controller as regular, nevertheless, as a substitute of mounting the cellphone on the highest of the controller, you place it contained in the DroneMask 2 (utilizing the longer twine supplied). Then simply zip it proper up. 

The DroneMask 2 suits most telephones, together with, however not restricted to, all fashions of iPhone, Samsung S6-8 edge, and the Samsung Galaxy S21. 

The goggles are fairly comfy and spacious. I don’t put on glasses, however I attempted the goggles on whereas sporting sun shades they usually match simply wonderful. No have to get prescription lenses or put on contacts.

The DroneMask 2 additionally has an adjustable aspect strap and one which goes over your head. These straps are fairly thick and once more, very comfy. 

One other considerate characteristic was the 2 holes on the backside of the masks. These permit you to have entry to your cellphone with out bringing in any gentle. The holes are lined with a light-proof neoprene cowl. That is an improve from the DroneMask to DroneMask 2.

 

Flying your drone with the DroneMask 2 

Much like your first few occasions flying a drone, I might extremely advocate flying with the DroneMask 2 in an space with restricted to no obstacles and folks, particularly you probably have by no means flown an FPV drone. And because you’ll have the goggles in your face, convey a buddy or co-pilot to function your visible observer.

For me, flying with the DroneMask took slightly getting used to. 

When flying, you need to use gimbal mode or FPV mode (in case your drone has these modes). I felt I used to be extra comfy in FPV mode. An adjustable focus size means that you can additional good the viewing expertise. 

Visuals from the cellphone by way of the masks have been extremely top quality. A particular lens on DroneMask 2 means that you can see the entire display. That’s a pointy distinction from stereotypical VR goggles the place the display on the smartphone has to separate down the center when displaying the drone footage – one display on every eye. 

The DroneMask 2 makes use of a special optical answer, which implies that the display doesn’t should be cut up, supplied you have got a powerful display decision and can work with any cell app. This implies that you may additionally use the DroneMask 2 for an immersive movie-watching expertise by way of apps like YouTube and Netflix. 

I flew my drone with the DroneMask 2 on a really sunny day in New Orleans and nearly no gentle got here by way of the masks as I flew the drone. This was an enormous enchancment from the glare on the cellphone when utilizing an RC-N1 controller. Though, the lens did fog up within the warmth. Fortunately, I did have the linen material with me. 

Finally, I turned extra comfy flying with the DroneMask 2 and was amazed by the immersive expertise it provided.

Who’s the DroneMask 2 for?

DroneMask’s FPV answer transforms any digicam drone into an immersive first-person expertise utilizing a smartphone. In case you are curious in any respect in regards to the world of FPV flying, however an FPV drone or goggles should not in your price range, then contemplate the DroneMask 2. 

Beginning at $179, it’s a less expensive various to its opponents. For instance, the DJI Goggles 3 begin at $499, making the DroneMask lower than half the worth. A real FPV drone is probably going much more costly (for instance, the DJI Avata 2 with Goggles 2 and RC Movement 2 prices $1,299).

There are less expensive alternate options on this planet of VR headsets. For instance, the Google Daydream View is $27. However the lenses on the DroneMask 2 provide a far superior viewing expertise. Plus most VR headsets, together with the Google ones, should not suitable with flying drones.

DroneMask 2: is it definitely worth the worth?

The DroneMask 2 is essentially the most fairly priced choice for FPV drone flying available on the market, making it best for somebody who likes to fly their drone for enjoyable and is searching for a brand new journey when flying with out having to purchase a wholly new drone or costly piece of apparatus. 

For those who solely fly drones on the go, the DroneMask 2 won’t be the most suitable choice for you as it’s fairly cumbersome (however nonetheless pretty lightweight). Or in case you are extra critical about FPV drones or racing it’s possible you’ll need to look into buying an FPV drone.

The DroneMask 2 means that you can have an immersive flying expertise, with out the hefty price ticket of different opponents. 

Buy the DroneMask 2 for $179:

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