DJI Goggles 2 Review: Should You Upgrade?

DJI has just released their newest FPV goggles – the DJI Goggles 2. This highly anticipated update to their goggles lineup features major improvements in comfort, display quality, and connectivity over previous models.

In this in-depth review, comparison, and guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about the DJI Goggles 2 including:

• An overview of key specs and features
• How they compare to other DJI goggles models
• Hands-on review from testing flights
• Setup and usage tips
• Who should buy them

Let’s get started!

DJI Goggles 2 Overview

After 6 years since the original DJI Goggles release, DJI has finally unveiled the next generation – the DJI Goggles 2. Weighing only 290g, these sleek goggles are less than half the size and weight of previous models.

Key features and specs:

• 1920×1080 Full HD resolution micro-OLED displays with deep blacks and high contrast
• 100hz refresh rate
• Integrated touchpad control
• Foldable dual antennas
• -8 to +2 diopter adjustment range
• Head tracking support
• Currently only compatible with DJI Avata drone (may add support for other DJI drones like Mavic 3 in the future)

Despite the “2” naming, the DJI Goggles 2 are actually the successor to the very first DJI Goggles rather than the more recent DJI FPV Goggles V2 which were designed for the DJI FPV drone.

Let’s see how the Goggles 2 compare to previous DJI goggles lineup.

DJI Goggles Comparison Chart

Model	Release Year	Weight	Resolution	Refresh Rate	Diopter Adjustment	Head Tracking	Drones Compatible
DJI Goggles	2016	584g	1280×960	60hz	None	No	Mavic Pro, Phantom 4 Series
DJI FPV Goggles V1	2019	420g	1440×810	120hz	Limited	No	Vista, Air Units
DJI FPV Goggles V2	2021	420g	1440×810	120hz	Limited	No	Vista, Air Units, Avata+FC, DJI FPV drone (w/ firmware update no longer works with Vista/Air Units
DJI Goggles 2	2022	290g	1920×1080	100hz	–8 to +2	Yes	Vista, Air Units, Avata (Future Mavic 3 support TBD)

As you can see, the DJI Goggles 2 stands out with its compact form factor, high resolution OLED displays, expansive diopter adjustment range for glass wearers, and head tracking capabilities.

However, its biggest limitation right now is only officially supporting the Avata drone. DJI has hinted that Mavic 3 support could come in the future, but for now they are positioning the Goggles 2 as an Avata accessory.

I’ll cover the compatibility nuances in more detail shortly, but first let’s jump into an in-depth hands-on review and impressions from testing the goggles.

Hands-On Review and Flight Test

I’ve been flying FPV drones for years but always using analog goggles. The DJI Goggles 2 is my first digital FPV headset, so I was extremely eager to take them for a test flight!

Initial Setup

To start using the Goggles 2 with the Avata drone and DJI motion controller all I had to do was:

1. Power on the goggles
2. Power on the motion controller
3. Turn on the drone

The connection between them required no setup since they utilize DJI’s robust O3 Digital Transmission System. One thing I appreciated is by default the goggle displays show critical telemetry data like drone distance and battery levels the moment you power them on.

Comfort and Fit

As soon as I put the Goggles 2 on, I was amazed by how light and comfortable they were, especially compared to analog goggles I’m used to. The curved design blocks external light extremely well without putting too much pressure around your face.

I found wearing them for over an hour to be no problem at all thanks to the padded headband and foam face padding. Of course, like with any goggles, comfort can vary from user to user based on the shape of your face. In my experience, more oval faces may find a better fit vs longer faces.

Still, DJI has options for further customized face padding inserts if you want an even more contoured fit. And the ability to dial in the individual lens diopters mean you can match the goggles to your eyesight with precision.

Display Quality

Now let’s talk about that stunning 1080p display – it is gorgeous! Combined with the deep blacks of the OLED panels, I was fully immersed in the high contrast image of my surroundings. Stream latency also felt imperceptible thanks to the 100hz refresh rate.

Despite not matching the 120hz refresh rate of the older FPV Goggles V2, keep in mind those only had 810p resolution vs the Goggles 2’s true 1080p.

Cranking the brightness up to 100%, details in shadows and dark areas that would have been lost in analog video were perfectly visible. Having flown with the DJI FPV Drone before using its onboard camera feed, I can confidently say the upgraded Goggles 2 display takes the digital FPV experience to another level.

Responsiveness and Low Latency

In the air, the video feed from the Avata felt perfectly in sync with my movements allowing me to fly smoothly and accurately. Even in the most intense manual and acrobatic flying I never felt disconnected from the drone thanks to O3’s rock solid transmission technology. No breakups or interference even far out of visual range.

According to DJI’s specs, the end-to-end latency is an astonishingly low <28ms using standard mode and <20ms in high-performance competition mode. Either way that’s faster than even the best analog FPV setups.

Performance Flying

To really test performance I took the goggles out to an abandoned construction site with plenty of structures to zip around and through at high speeds. And let me tell you, flying FPV with the Goggles 2 gave me an exhilarating sense of speed and agility like no other drone I’ve piloted before!

Since the Avata is designed for high speed acrobatics, it was no problem keeping up with the FPV footage even during the fastest rolling loops and split S maneuvers. The goggle’s head tracking feature also worked flawlessly allowing me to control the Avata’s movements just by turning and angling my head.

This freed up my hands on the motion controller to focus purely on throttle and orientation adjustments. It’s an awesome way to fly FPV especially for beginners still getting the hang of manual control.

Recording and Sharing

When it came time to share the FPV footage after my flights, I realized another great bonus of the DJI digital system – being able to simply plug the goggles into my phone via USB-C cable to download the video recordings. No need to pull SD cards from tiny receivers like I’m used to with analog gear.

Having your DVR recording right inside the headset is so convenient. And the ability to overlay critical telemetry data like battery percentage, distance, altitude, and more is hugely helpful both for pilots and viewers. It gives much better context about what’s happening during intense flights.

Overall for capturing and sharing FPV video, the seamless workflow from the Goggles 2 and Avata improves drastically over analog options.

DJI Goggles 2 Tips, Settings, and Features

Now that we’ve covered my hands-on impressions in the air, let’s explore some of the settings, options, and handy features built into the DJI Goggles 2.

Touchpad Controls

It may take some adjustment getting used to the touch pad on the side vs physical buttons, but overall it provides fast navigation through menus and settings. Here are some of the touch gestures I find most useful:

• Swipe down – Quick recording menu access
• Swipe up – Camera controls like ISO, exposure, etc
• Swipe left/right – Side menus to change settings
• Double tap – Selection confirmations

Helpful Display Settings

Under Display Settings you can tweak things like brightness, scale/size of the image in goggles and enabling a “Home Point” overlay guide. I definitely recommend enabling the Home Point since it shows your takeoff location in the goggles with a little “H” making it easy to stay oriented in your environment.

You can also toggle video subtitles here which I suggest leaving on. It will embed critical telemetry data into your DVR recordings like GPS coordinates, height, speed, battery level, etc. Very helpful info!

Auto Record and ESC Beeping

In the main camera settings tab, enabling Auto Record on Takeoff is clutch. This way your FPV flight will automatically start recording video the moment the props get spinning after arming. No risk of forgetting to press record and missing cool moments!

Also enabling ESC Beeping here makes finding a down drone after a crash extremely easy. Just activate it from your remote or goggles and listen for the beeping sound of the motors. Can be a real lifesaver if you crash far out sight.

C1 Button Customization

Head to Remote Controller > Button Customization to change what the customizable C1 button activates. I set my C1 double press to Turtle Mode since flipping an upside down crashed drone back over is a common need. Now Turtle Mode is just one button away!

You can also set the C1 single press to ESC Beeping in case you want both options assigned to the remote instead of digging through goggles menus.

Quick Camera Menu

Swiping up on the goggles touchpad is a shortcut to change key camera settings like ISO, Shutter Speed, Exposure Value, Color Profile and more. Very handy so you don’t have to go through the full menus just to make quick adjustments to match lighting conditions.

Manual Mode Binding

In order to unlock full manual/acro mode flight on the Avata drone, you need to head into Control Settings > Remote Controller and:

1. Change the M customizable button assignment to Manual Mode
2. Disable M Mode Attitude Limit

Now when you press the M button on the remote you instantly activate crazy acro mode flying!

Head Tracking Sensitivity

Head tracking support is built right into the Goggles 2 allowing you to steer the drone just by turning and positioning your head. It works shockingly well but if you find it reacting too fast or slow, you can tweak the sensitivity under Remote Controller > Head Tracking Sensitivity to get that perfect feel.

Who Should Buy the DJI Goggles 2?

So after getting extensive stick time with the DJI Goggles 2, who do I think should upgrade to them or consider them for their first FPV goggles purchase?

DJI Avata Drone Owners

This is the most obvious pairing. Since the Goggles 2 are specifically designed to complement the Avata, they improve upon flying it in every way. From manual acro mode performance to capturing silky smooth video and strapping the ultra compact goggles on your head.

I can’t picture flying the Avata drone with anything other than the purpose built Goggles 2. It would just feel wrong!

FPV Newcomers

Because of how seamlessly and reliably the Goggles 2 and Avata work together right out of the box, it makes for the perfect way for newcomers to dive into aerial FPV. No fiddling with analog channels or receivers. Just bind them and go fly in seconds!

The digital video feed will wow anyone used to only flying with a drone’s app or built in screen. It looks incredible and never wavers thanks to O3 transmission.

And users wanting to progress into more serious FPV platforms will build valuable stick skills with the Avata that translate over down the road.

FPV Racers

Now despite not officially supporting the DJI FPV drone, for anyone into racing tiny whoops or self build 5 inch quads, the Goggles 2 open up a lot of options.

Since DJI recently updated firmware that allows the Goggles 2 to connect to older Vista/Air Unit modules and receivers, you can use them to fly analog builds using something like the HDZero adapter.

And TNNS Pilot Tonny even built a custom 3D printed mount to attach a Vista/Air Unit to his racing quad. So with some tinkering, the Goggles 2 give racers awesome digital video possibilities!

DJI Goggles 2 Alternatives

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade from Older DJI Goggles?

Overall though, I think the DJI Goggles 2 are worth upgrading to primarily for their smaller size, lighter weight, enhanced displays, and flexibility to adapt them to future DJI drones coming down the road via firmware updates.

I hope you found this in-depth review and guide to the DJI Goggles 2 helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions!