simply make any drone an FPV drone

On the lookout for a method to flip just about any drone you already personal into an FPV drone? One of many best and most inexpensive methods to do this may be with the DroneMask 2. Made by a Norwegian firm referred to 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 may have a DJI drone and are excited by one thing just like the DJI Goggles 3 however can’t abdomen the $500 price. Perhaps you may have a DJI various drone just like the HOVERAir X1 PROMAX which at the moment has no official FPV possibility. Perhaps you may have a low cost Amazon toy drone. Regardless of which of these you’re, the DroneMask 2 may be the product for you.

I had the prospect 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 had 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 advanced 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 gives customers with 4x higher decision than typical VR headsets that use a stereoscopic lens. It additionally provides higher consolation for the eyes and works with any cell content material with out the necessity for third-party apps.

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

Buy the DroneMask 2 for $179:

What it’s good to use the DroneMask 2 

The DroneMask 2 is suitable with any kind 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 mentioned, you probably have a controller that has the display screen already in-built, like DJI RC, then sadly the DroneMask 2 is not going to work.  

And right here lies what’s seemingly 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 usually 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. Every thing 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 brink of fly with the DroneMask 2

I dwell my life with 15% battery life on my iPhone and have a number of instances 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 is just not 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 sort 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 matches 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 positive. 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 can help you 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 

Just like your first few instances 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, deliver a good friend or co-pilot to function your visible observer.

For me, flying with the DroneMask took a little bit 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 excellent the viewing expertise. 

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

The DroneMask 2 makes use of a unique optical answer, which implies that the display screen doesn’t should be break up, supplied you may have a powerful display screen decision and can work with any cell app. This implies which you can 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 just about 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 grew to become extra comfy flying with the DroneMask 2 and was amazed by the immersive expertise it supplied.

Who’s the DroneMask 2 for?

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

Beginning at $179, it’s a less expensive various to its rivals. For instance, the DJI Goggles 3 begin at $499, making the DroneMask lower than half the value. 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 options on the 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 well worth the value?

The DroneMask 2 is probably the most fairly priced possibility for FPV drone flying available on the market, making it ultimate for somebody who likes to fly their drone for enjoyable and is on the lookout for a brand new journey when flying with out having to purchase a completely new drone or costly piece of kit. 

For those who solely fly drones on the go, the DroneMask 2 may not be the best choice for you as it’s fairly cumbersome (however nonetheless pretty lightweight). Or in case you are extra critical about FPV drones or racing you might 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 rivals. 

Buy the DroneMask 2 for $179:

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