Virtual reality (VR) and first-person view (FPV) drone flying are two of the hottest tech trends right now. Both provide an immersive flying experience but in very different ways.
In this post, we’ll compare flying with the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset versus the DJI FPV drone and goggles.
Let’s dive in.
Table Of Contents
An Introduction to VR and FPV drone flying
The Oculus Quest 2
It is a wireless, standalone VR headset that doesn’t require a computer or wires to use. It has onboard sensors that allow you to look around 360 degrees and interact with the virtual environment using hand controllers. There are tons of games and apps available, including flight simulators that let you pilot airplanes and feel like you’re really in the cockpit.
DJI FPV Goggles
DJI FPV goggles, on the other hand, give you a first-person view from a real drone equipped with an HD camera. The goggles have a screen inside that shows you the drone’s perspective as it flies through the air. FPV drones are fast and agile, capable of stunts and speeds that traditional drones can’t match.
Flying experience: Oculus Quest 2 VR vs. DJI FPV Drone
The DJI FPV flying experience is like sitting in the cockpit and looking straight out the windshield with a limited field of view. With the VR headset, it’s more like sitting ON the plane and being able to look freely in all directions.
One thing VR can’t simulate is the real sensations – the wind in your face, g-forces, and seat-of-your-pants feel that makes real flying so exciting. On the other hand, FPV drones let you perform aerobatics and fly through environments that would be deadly in a real plane!
For cinematic flying, drones win hands-down. Their stable camera platforms and obstacle avoidance features let you capture stunning video footage. VR games focus more on performance, simulations, and just having fun flying.
While VR and FPV drones offer very different experiences, they both provide that sense of freedom and fulfill our dreams of flight!
Is the Oculus Quest 2 worth it for aspiring pilots?
For under $300, you can start flying in VR right away with no other gear needed. That’s an incredible value compared to the time and money required for a real pilot’s license.
Even with no actual piloting skills, the Oculus Quest 2 lets you strap into a fighter jet, stunt plane, hang glider, or magical Pegasus (not kidding) and become an ace aviator. Sure, it’s not exactly the same as real life. But the Quest 2 provides a highly immersive experience on a budget almost anyone can afford. If you’ve always dreamed of taking flight, I couldn’t recommend it more!
For RC pilots already comfortable with orientation and flight controls, VR is the next logical step. The skills transfer over nicely whether you’re flying scale models or racing drones.
Personally, I found the Quest 2 to be extremely enjoyable both for casual flying and aerobatic challenges. It’s ideal if you love aviation but don’t have the time, budget, or access to fly full-scale aircraft.
Top flight simulator & aviation apps for Oculus Quest 2
The Oculus Quest store already has a great selection of flight games and experiences. Here are some of my top recommendations for pilots:
Ultra Wings 2
This flight sim offers incredibly realistic physics and handling across a huge range of aircraft – from single-prop planes to 747 jets. Tons of challenges and missions are included to test your skills.
Warplanes: WW1 Fighters
Dogfight against rival pilots in this multiplayer combat game. Unlock new aircraft and compete to become an ace in historical WWI planes.
VTOL VR
Pilot ultra-realistic VTOL jet fighters and use your motion controllers to interact with each switch and control in the cockpit. Highly detailed flight model.
Aerofly FS 2 Flight Simulator
It is one of the most realistic civilian flight sims, with over 100 aircraft and global scenery. Practice IFR flights or just go sightseeing.
End Space
It is a space combat game where you battle aliens across the galaxy in a fully customizable spaceship. Engaging story campaign and online co-op.
Flight School Simulator
Learn to fly everything from light planes to commercial jets. Great practice for real-world flight training with highly accurate flight dynamics.
Can you use Oculus with a dji FPV drone?
It’s possible, but it’s really not practical for most users. This is not recommended for a few reasons:
- There will be significant latency issues
The analog video signal from the drone camera has to be converted to digital HDMI, then transmitted to a computer, and finally displayed in the Quest 2. All those steps will introduce lag between the drone’s flight and the video display.
- It requires extra equipment.
You’d need a video converter box, a computer to process and transmit the signal, and some way to connect it all to the Quest 2. This adds expense, bulk, and complexity.
- Video quality will suffer.
Analog drone footage converted to digital HDMI converted again to the Quest 2’s resolution will degrade the image quality significantly.
- It’s extremely cumbersome.
The multiple devices and cables required to make this setup work go against the simple and wireless nature of the Quest 2.
- No cost savings
Buying all the extra gear needed makes this an expensive and clunky alternative to dedicated FPV goggles.
Final words
While not quite the same as real-life piloting, the Quest 2 provides an incredible portal into aviation adventures at a reasonable price. DJI FPV drones let you chase the actual thrill of flight. Together, they make a perfect pairing for RC enthusiasts.
Have you tried flying with the Oculus Quest 2 or other VR headsets? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments! Feel free to ask any questions you have about VR or FPV drones, too.
And if you’re interested in either one, be sure to check out the rest of the blog for product reviews, flying tips, guides, and more.
