While digital FPV has been generating significant buzz in the drone community, the prohibitively high cost has been a major obstacle for many enthusiasts. Walksnail’s latest offering, the Goggles L, aims to bridge the gap by providing a budget-friendly entry point into their FPV system without breaking the bank. Willing to evaluate the Walksnail Goggles L, this assessment delves into specifications, efficiency, and overall value, providing a comprehensive analysis of whether these goggles justify their investment.
New to FPV? What differences exist among first-person view (FPV) techniques?
, priced at a steep $460. While the Walksnail system’s highest level of performance is theoretically achievable, more affordable alternatives like the Walksnail VRX offer comparable results. Despite its sleek design, this setup’s exposed cables and latency concerns could prove major drawbacks for some users?
Introducing the Walksnail Goggles L, an affordable and specially designed field goggle for seamless integration with the Walksnail system, bringing high-quality digital FPV to users of all levels at an unbeatable price point. Priced at just $199, these goggles offer an exceptionally affordable alternative to other high-end digital FPV goggles available in the market.
Although they share similarities with the Fatshark Recon HD, which was released several years ago regarding specs and features, the latter has since been discontinued and was actually pricier. It’s great that we have more affordable walking trail options.
You will obtain the Walksnail Goggles Ltd. products from the following authorized partners:
The package deal comprises the following equipment:
- Micro fibre material
- Energy cable (XT60 to barrel)
- Guide leaflet
- : 1920*1080/60Hz
- : 4.5 Inch
- : LCD
- WalkSnail Avatar HD FPV System?
- : 5.725–5.850GHz
- : 8
- :
- FCC: <30dBm
- CE: <14dBm
- SRRC: <20dBm
- MIC: <25dBm
- : >4km
- :
- 1080p60fps
- 720p100fps
- 720p60fps
- : Max 50 Mbps
- : Common 32ms
- : LHCP
- : 4.9dBi
- :
- 4Pin 3.5mm Plug
- DC 5.5*2.1mm
- What’s your favourite SD card? With a storage capacity of up to 256G, you can store countless photos, videos, and files on this tiny powerhouse.
- : 9-axis gyroscope
- : 6V–25.2V (2S–6S)
- : TBC
- : 351g
Powering the PowerGoggles L is remarkably versatile. The new generation of goggle settles for a versatile input range of 2S to 6S, mirroring the performance capabilities of its high-end counterpart, the Goggles X. You can simply opt for a standard drone battery with an XT60 connector to power the goggles.
When powered on, the entrance cowl features a prominent LED panel that illuminates with ease. This feature serves as a vital reminder to disconnect the power source, thereby safeguarding your equipment from potential damage. Despite the lack of a color-changing option, users can still toggle the feature on or off through the menu settings.
The Walksnail Goggles feature a durable white plastic housing with a textured finish and a logical layout of intuitive buttons and connectors, designed for effortless operation.
The most notable feature of these goggles is the cluster of crucial controls readily available.
- On the left-hand side, situated adjacent to the user is the 5D Joystick Button, facilitating effortless navigation through menus by scrolling and offering alternative options with a simple toggle of the button, while also allowing for rapid access via its urgent mode.
- Once you’ve navigated through the options, you’ll have access to the Again Button, allowing you to seamlessly return to a previous menu or exit the current mode altogether. Regardless of whether I’m testing a new feature or reverting a change, the Again button remains unresponsive in my unit? I can navigate to the menu using the File button, but the Again button simply does nothing at all. It’s likely just a quirky anomaly that will be ironed out in subsequent software updates.
- The subsequent Document button provides a convenient means to initiate or terminate video recordings.
- The final feature is the Hyperlink button situated on the far right-hand side of the goggles, enabling seamless pairing with a Video Transmitter (VTX).
Below the goggles, a 3.5mm port provides an audio output for direct head monitoring. Located adjacent to the Energy Port, which features a DC 5.5*2.1mm barrel connector, is designed to accommodate a wide range of voltages from 6V to 25.2V, supporting configurations from 2S to 6S.
Atop the goggles, a strategically positioned Warmth Dissipation Outlet ensures optimal operating temperatures are consistently maintained.
Positioned discreetly beneath the removable faceplate, the microSD card slot ensures effortless storage and retrieval of recorded data. The device features a built-in microSD card slot, allowing users to easily store and manage their flight files.
Without an LED indicator, you’re forced to rely solely on the beeper to infer the goggles’ status, leaving you without a visual cue.
The power supply is limited to a single option: plugging into an external power source via the XT60 connector, with no alternative means available. The absence of a USB-C port also necessitates using the SD card slot for any necessary data transfer or charging. No external display has a video signal.
The 1080p screens display a sharp and vivid image, providing an abundance of detail. The Walksnail system enhances video quality to a comparable extent as 1080p resolution, with many users preferring 720p for its benefits in terms of increased stability and reduced latency. The interface and menu closely resemble those found in the Goggles X.
The sleek appearance of goggles is largely attributed to the incorporation of discreetly integrated antennas. These patch antennas exhibit a well-balanced trade-off between electromagnetic protection and versatility. While specific beamwidth data may not be available, the antenna’s gain is approximately 4.9 dBi, with left-handed circular polarization (LHCP).
These directional antennas offer increased gain when flying in front of yourself, but potentially compromised efficiency when flying behind. While you may not be able to swap out the antennae, these goggles aren’t intended for extended aerial excursions or situations necessitating maximum signal transmission capabilities. These are ideal for indoor whoop flying or flying in smaller, local parks?
For those passionate about head monitoring, the Goggles L is an ideal choice. The top-mounted sensor, featuring a 9-axis gyro module, is integrated into the goggles to accurately track the pilot’s head movements. When paired with a gimbal, the technology seamlessly integrates with the picture transmission system, transmitting real-time alerts that enable precise management of the digital camera’s pan and tilt, thereby providing pilots with an immersive, cockpit-like experience. Recently, Caddx introduced a range of innovative gimbals designed specifically to cater to this particular requirement.
This feature enables PPM signal transmission from goggles to radio controllers via the 3.5mm headphone transmitter connector, ultimately broadcasting to the drone.
Walksnail’s Goggles L stand out for their exceptional matching capabilities. By incorporating plush, premium-quality polyurethane foam into the face mask design, Walksnail delivers unparalleled softness and opulence while minimizing even the slightest leakage to guarantee an elevated sporting experience. The removable foam top secures with easy-to-use Velcro straps.
The goggles’ weight is a mere 351 grams, providing impressive comfort despite occasional gentle leakage around the nasal area common to many field-style goggles. The provided foam padding is sufficient, but we look forward to additional aftermarket options emerging to better tailor the fit.
After continued use for around 10 minutes, the topmost goggle portion can become quite hot, regardless of whether or not it’s connected to the VTX. Blazing heat waves blow relentlessly onto your forehead and eyes, threatening to turn into unbearable discomfort on sizzling summer afternoons.
The Walksnail Goggles feature high-definition 1080p displays running at a smooth 60 frames per second. You won’t be able to utilize the 100fps low-latency mode available on the Goggles X, resulting in approximately 35-40 ms latency, which is significantly higher than the 25-30 ms latency achievable with the 100fps mode.
By employing a magnifying lens system, The Goggles L creates an optical illusion that projects the display at a distance further than its actual proximity, thereby alleviating eye strain and reducing pressure on the eyes. While this setup proves beneficial to many clients, those requiring precise imaginative and visual correction may struggle without the option of adjustable diopters. The lack of adjustability is frustrating, as the goggles’ small size renders them incompatible with glasses when worn simultaneously.
Walksnail will tailor-make lenses for clients, but a prescription is essential. The customizable lens is removable, allowing users to swap in prescriptive lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or blue light blocking options that cater to individual preferences. It’s uncertain what these options will ultimately cost, as their prices haven’t been disclosed yet. As of 16 July 2024, we have been notified that the price for customised lenses comes out to be a total of $29.99, inclusive of the frame itself. You can purchase just the frame itself for $3.99, allowing you to insert your own prescription lenses.
The team may consider offering off-the-shelf lenses with powers of -2, -4, or -6 diopters similar to Fatshark’s approach; however, following discussions with Walksnail, they are hesitant to adopt this strategy and prefer to require a valid prescription for customizing their products.
For individuals who wear glasses, the Goggles X presents an attractive alternative, allowing for adjustable focus within the lenses.
The Goggles L seamlessly integrates with various Walksnail VTX fashion models, including VTX V1/V2, 1S Lite, and Moonlight, among others. Despite being specifically crafted for the Walksnail FPV System, the Goggles L remain. Unfortunately, without available AV or HDMI inputs, you will not be able to utilize the Goggles L in conjunction with Analog and HDZero.
While there may be noticeable differences in design, the weight and dimension disparities between the Goggles X and Goggles L are surprisingly more akin than I had expected? Without batteries, the Goggles X tips the scales at 317 grams, while its larger counterpart, the Goggles L, clocks in at a slightly heavier 351 grams.
To assess the efficiency of the Goggles L, I compared them to my Walksnail Goggles X, which featured genuine antennas installed. Despite the goggles’ reduced body density, the efficiency remained impressive. The energy and latency signatures remained comparable during flights within a 300-meter radius. While some situations saw the Goggles L exhibit even superior bitrate (Mbps) and latency performance compared to the Goggles X arrangement, this may be attributed to the more advanced antenna arrays employed in the former setup.
The Goggles lack a visual indicator; instead, they rely solely on the beep function to signal when it’s time to stand up.
| DI…. DI…. DI…. DI…. | |
| DI…… DI…… DI…… DI—— | |
| No SD card or firmware detected in this device. | DI.. DI.. DI.. DI.. |
| (Reboot or re-upgrade) | DI.. DI…… DI.. DI…… |
Included handbook leaflet.
The process is exactly the same for different Walksnail goggles.
In order to operate your Goggles L effectively, it is essential to update the VTX firmware to its latest version, as failure to do so will result in persistent binding mode issues.
Updating the firmware on your Goggles L is a straightforward process that mirrors the procedure for other goggles from the same manufacturer. See my tutorial right here:
The firmware file for the Goggles L is: Avatar_Lite_Grounding_vxx.xxxx-x-x-x.
For $199, the Walksnail Goggles offer an exceptional balance of high-quality performance, efficiency, and affordability, making digital first-person view (FPV) racing more accessible to a broader audience. While mid-range models may not offer all the premium features or drastically reduced latency of top-tier options, they still demonstrate impressive performance, rendering them a reliable and affordable entry point for those new to digital FPV racing without breaking the bank?
The Walksnail Goggles Ltd. can be obtained from these reliable suppliers:
The goggles are suitable for RC cars, FPV drones, and fixed-wing planes? Whether seeking a budget-friendly option as a seasoned or new pilot, the Goggles L warrants consideration. For enthusiasts seeking flexibility in their flight experience, the Goggles X remains a superior option due to its ability to accommodate lengthy vary flights, effortless antenna swapping, seamless video output switching, compatibility with diverse FPV methods, and integrated focus adjustment capabilities.
