On this planet of FPV flying, dependable sign efficiency and minimal latency are essential for a seamless expertise. Immediately, I’m reviewing the BDI Patch G2 Antenna, designed particularly for the DJI Goggles 2. With guarantees of enhanced vary, higher penetration, and an modern foldable design, it goals to be a premium improve over the inventory antennas. However does it stay as much as the claims? Let’s discover out.
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The place to Purchase
You should buy the BDI Patch G2 Antenna from:
What’s within the Field?
- 2x LHCP Patch G2 Antennas
- 1x 1.5mm hex wrench (for friction adjustment)
Specs
Specs
- Achieve: 8.25-9.0 dBic
- Polarization: LHCP
- Axial Ratio: < 1.5
- Impedance: 50 Ω
- Horizontal Beamwidth: 134° (72° at -3dB)
- Vertical Beamwidth: 108° (60° at -3dB)
- Bandwidth: 5.2 GHz – 6.8 GHz
- Peak Effectivity: > 99%
- Weight: 42g (antenna pair)
Key Benefits of the BDI Patch Antenna
Improved Vary and Penetration
The BDI Patch G2 options 8.25-9.0 dBi high-gain circularly polarized antennas. In comparison with DJI’s low achieve inventory antennas, these present:
- Higher vary and penetration.
- Extra secure bitrate at higher distances or behind obstacles.
Plug & Play Design
Putting in the BDI Patch Antenna is simple:
- Take away the inventory antennas.
- Insert the BDI Patch. No instruments or screws are wanted for set up, making it fast and straightforward to arrange.
Foldable and Adjustable
A standout function is the foldable PTFE ball-and-socket mechanism that enables for:
- Simple storage with out frequent removing, decreasing put on on the MCX connectors.
- Adjustable antenna angles for optimum sign reception.
- Friction adjustment utilizing the included hex wrench, guaranteeing the antennas keep in place throughout use.
Luxe Goggle Bag
The product web page is featured within the antenna product web page, nevertheless I’m not positive if that is included or it’s a must to purchase it individually. That is the Luxe Goggle Bag Mini for DJI Goggles 2, includes a extremely delicate inside to guard your goggles from scratches, including an additional layer of comfort for transportation.
Drawbacks
Narrower Reception Angle
Excessive-gain antennas just like the BDI Patch sometimes have a narrower beamwidth, which implies lowered sign energy when your drone is off to the aspect. To maximise efficiency, make sure the antennas are aimed straight on the drone. This implies the pilot needs to be conscious the place the drone is and switch the top going through the drone at any time when obligatory.
Round Polarization
The BDI Patch G2 antennas are LHCP (Left Hand Round Polarization). If paired with the inventory linear polarized DJI O3 antenna on the drone, you might expertise as much as 3dB sign loss. For one of the best efficiency, use an LHCP antenna on the drone as effectively.
Worth
At $80, the BDI Patch G2 is likely one of the most costly DJI Goggles 2 antenna upgrades available on the market.
Testing the BDI Patch G2 Antenna
For this take a look at, I examined sign penetration utilizing the DJI Goggles 2 paired with the O3 Air Unit by flying behind 170 meters of dense foliage. I in contrast the video bitrate of the BDI Patch antennas in opposition to the DJI inventory antennas to find out which supplied higher vary and penetration. Moreover, I assessed their efficient reception angle by flying to the aspect.
Outcome
As anticipated, the BDI Patch Antenna demonstrated higher efficiency in each bitrate and consistency in my testing. Video bitrate was total increased and extra secure, with much less stuttering. In distinction, the inventory antennas skilled random spikes in latency, I used to be getting the yellow warnings for low bitrate on the similar take a look at location. This clearly signifies that the BDI Patch Antenna provides increased achieve, higher penetration, and higher vary than the inventory antennas. When flying straight in entrance of myself, bitrate hovered round 30-40 Mbps with the BDI patch many of the occasions, and 20-30 Mbps with the inventory antennas.
Nonetheless, as talked about, the trade-off with increased achieve antennas is their narrower beamwidth, which ends up in weaker sign reception when flying to the perimeters and behind. This was evident in my testing too. Flying to the aspect (barely greater than 90 levels), the bitrate dropped to 30 Mbps with the BDI Patch, whereas with the inventory antennas it was round 40 Mbps.
Though I didn’t re-test the FlyFish Flip G2 on this event, my earlier assessments confirmed it additionally supplies increased achieve than the inventory antennas. Primarily based on its specs, its achieve and beamwidth fall between these of the inventory antennas and the BDI Patch Antenna. In case your main focus is penetration, the BDI Patch can be the higher alternative, although the FlyFish is cheaper.
The TrueRC X-Air has specs corresponding to the BDI Patch, in truth even barely increased in achieve. Nonetheless, the X-Air lacks a foldable design, making it much less handy for transportation and a fair narrower beamwidth which implies it’s a must to be extra correct at which path you might be pointing when flying. Whilst you can unplug the X-Air for storage, antenna connectors have a restricted mating cycle, so frequent unplugging is finest averted.
Remaining Ideas: Is the BDI Patch Antenna Price It?
For many pilots flying over open fields, DJI’s inventory antennas are adequate. Nonetheless, for those who’re trying to considerably enhance vary and penetration for the DJI Goggles 2, the BDI Patch G2 Antenna is an effective improve. Its foldable design and adjustable positioning make it each useful and handy. Nonetheless, its worth level is perhaps a consideration for budget-conscious pilots. Bear in mind, to unlock the complete potential of the BDI Patch, pair it with an LHCP antenna on the drone, because the inventory O3 antenna is linear polarized.
