The Best Upgrades For The DJI Digital FPV System
The DJI Digital FPV System is great but has some room for improvement in a few different categories including the antennas, goggle strap, cable holder, camera lens, and camera lens protector. These upgrade options are designed to improve the performance and function of your system.
This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Aidan Henriques. You can follow Aidan on Instagram or YouTube.
Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV.
Antennas
Goggles
There are a couple of different types of common antenna upgrades for the DJI Digital FPV goggles known as omnidirectional antennas, and directional antennas (patch antennas). These antennas differ in their coverage, range, and size. Omni-directional antennas typically have very good coverage (almost 360 degrees), but limited range and penetration in comparison to patch antennas. This measure of range and penetration is often known as gain and can be found in the key specs of every antenna. Omni-directional antennas have low gain, but good coverage. This makes them great for most racing and freestyle applications. The DJI Digital FPV goggles come with Omni-directional antennas which function well, but there are some better upgrades that can further improve performance. Some good upgrades include the TrueRC Singularity Stubby 5.8GHz Antenna and the Lumenier AXII HD Stubby 5.8GHz Antenna which both aim to reduce the size of the antenna and increase performance in range and coverage. Patch antennas (directional antennas) differ from omnidirectional antennas in that they provide more gain in a smaller beam width and are also typically larger. Beam width measures the amount of coverage provided by the antenna. Patch antennas are great for long-range applications or situations that need greater penetration than cannot be provided by omnidirectional antennas. The DJI Digital FPV Goggles do not come with patch antennas so these are an essential upgrade for anyone doing long-range flying or trying to fly behind buildings and other objects. Some great patch antenna options for the DJI Digital FPV Goggles include the Lumenier AXII HD Patch 5.8GHz Antennas which give great performance in a very small and convenient form factor, and the TrueRC X-AIR MK II 5.8GHz Antenna (LHCP) which provide excellent range in a relatively small form factor.
Pros and cons of Omni and Patch antennas
- Omni
- Pros
- 360-degree coverage
- Smaller size
- Cons
- Less range
- Pros
- Patch
- Pros
- More range
- Cons
- Larger size
- Less coverage
- Pros
Air unit
The air unit comes with some decent antennas, but they are not of the highest quality or performance. The Lumenier AXII 2 MMCX 5.8GHz Antenna has better coverage, bandwidth, and overall better performance. The same antenna is also made in a longer version specially designed for better coverage in long-range flights Lumenier AXII 2 Long Range 5.8GHz Antenna. Keep in mind that this longer antenna has an SMA connector so you will have to buy a sma to mmcx adapter (https://www.getfpv.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=sma%20female%20to%20mmcx%20male) to make them compatible with the air unit. Another upgrade includes the blaze series of antennas from TrueRC. This is a fun upgrade that adds a very bright LED to your antennas and also increases performance. You can check out the TrueRC Blaze antennas here. If you are purchasing these for the air unit make sure to purchase the mmcx variant. If you are purchasing these for the caddx vista make sure to purchase the U.FL variant.
Goggle Strap
Some users of the DJI Digital FPV Goggles find that the goggle strap is either uncomfortable or has an unnecessary third strap on the top. These problems can easily be solved with a strap replacement like this one FatStraps DJI Digital HD FPV Goggle Strap which has only two connections and is thought to be more comfortable by many pilots. However, this upgrade is mostly based on personal preference, so it is all up to you whether you think this is a worthy upgrade.
Cable holder
Many pilots, including myself, have had the issue of the power cable coming out of the DJI Digital FPV Goggles mid-flight causing a crash due to loss of video. To prevent this from happening again there is a 3D printed solution that holds the cable in place. Installation is very easy as you just detach the hook and then screw it back on with the cable holder. You can download the file here to print yourself, or send it over to the guys at GetFPV QuickPrints here if you do not have a 3D printer.
Camera Lens
The DJI FPV camera lens for the air unit has a focal length of 2.1mm which works fine, but the RC18G lens has a focal length of 1.8mm which gives you an even wider field of view to be able to see more in the frame. This can be a nice upgrade for those who want the maximum field of view but is also something good to consider if you break your original lens and need a replacement. This video gives you a good idea of the difference between the two lenses if you need help deciding. You can check out the RC18G lens here.
Camera lens protector
On the topic of breaking the DJI FPV camera lens, a lens protector can help prevent breaks. This one specifically fits the air unit and its original lens, but there are other 3D printed options out there that can fit other lens replacements you may add. These protectors help to minimize the damage to your lens in a crash so that you can save some money on replacement lenses.
HI I fly Racing FPV but need something long range that can freestyle and for long flying times. Also want DJI FPV Goggles V2. I am thinking a 7 inch drone. Also Radiomaster TX16MAX with TBS crossfire. What do you recomend? I will be using the drone to dive waterfalls, rivers, go far! I would like to put the gopro 10 on top.
Thank you
I wondering how a single eye patch antenna would work and use the other side for an analog digidapter with rapid fire.