Walksnail System Overview
I have been testing the Walksnail System with the Goggles X and a GoFilm 20 cinewhoop equipped with a Walksnail Moonlight VTX. Walksnail offers different camera and VTX combos, including options for micro drones and long-range drones. The camera on the Walksnail Moonlight system has an f2.1 equivalent aperture and a field of view of 160 degrees.
DJI System Overview
For comparison, I am using the DJI System with DJI Integra goggles and a Beta FPV Pavo 20 Pro running the DJI 03 Air Unit. The DJI system provides high-quality video transmission and a seamless user experience.
Advantages of Walksnail System
The Walksnail System offers flexibility with various camera and VTX options for different drone types. It is also a cost-effective option for those looking to enter the FPV hobby without breaking the bank.
Advantages of DJI System
The DJI System provides high-definition video quality and a reliable transmission signal. The DJI goggles offer a premium viewing experience for FPV enthusiasts.
Disadvantages of Walksnail System
One drawback of the Walksnail System is the limited compatibility with other drones and systems in the market. You may be restricted to using Walksnail components only.
Disadvantages of DJI System
The main downside of the DJI System is the higher cost compared to other FPV systems. Additionally, some users may prefer the customization options available with other systems.
Image Quality
The Walksnail Moonlight system has a native 16×9 sensor and records in 4k 60, providing a perfect balance between smooth FPV feed and high quality DVR recordings. With a bit rate of 150 megabits per second, the 4K 60fps video looks great.
Comparison of Image Quality
When comparing the image quality of the Walksnail Moonlight system to the DJI O3 in most lighting conditions, many users actually prefer the footage from the Walksnail. The footage from the Walksnail consistently shows colors that look more natural, with better exposure and less muddy black shadows.
Exposure Challenges
With the DJI O3 cameras, users often struggle to get the exposure right unless they are flying in perfect lighting conditions or bright sunlight. Having the shutter speed set to automatic can be a challenge when flying in cloudy or shadowy conditions, as the footage may not turn out as desired.
ND Filters
For those looking to lock the shutter speed at twice the frame rate to achieve natural motion blur, stronger ND filters may be needed for sunny days. The Walksnail system’s auto exposure feature works well in adjusting exposure as lighting conditions change.
Color Profile and Dynamic Range
The DJI O3 offers a flat color profile called dcin and records in 10 bit, allowing users to recover some dynamic range in post-production. This can be beneficial for those looking to fine-tune their footage and make adjustments to achieve the desired look.
Color Profile and Filming Options
Walksnail lacks a flat color profile and the option to film in 10 bit. Both systems tend to oversharpen images on default settings, requiring users to adjust the sharpening to avoid a super digital look. However, both have excellent built-in electronic image stabilization and compatibility with gyro flow.
Display and Field of View
The Caddx FPV Goggles X feature a 1080p screen capable of up to 100 frames per second, matching the performance of DJI Goggles. The field of view on the Goggles X is 50 degrees, providing a balanced view that is immersive yet allows for clear focus on details in the surroundings. In comparison, the field of view on other models varies, with wider angles potentially making it harder to focus on the corners of the image.
Latency and Personal Preference
When it comes to latency, both DJI and Walksnail goggles offer acceptable performance for FPV pilots. The ideal field of view falls between 40 to 50 degrees, with a 50-degree angle providing a more immersive experience while still allowing for clear image focus. Personal preferences may vary, but a wider field of view can enhance the overall FPV experience while ensuring that important on-screen display elements are easily visible.
Variable Latency
Both systems use variable latency, which means the system will adjust the amount of latency according to the conditions at any given moment, basically increasing latency to maintain decent picture quality longer, as the signal gets weaker. If latency is your main concern, for example, if you’re a racer or if you just value your FPV experience over everything else, Walksnail does have a race mode available, so be sure to check out Walksnail’s other VTXs.
Distance Display Feature
One very cool feature of the Goggles X is the ability to display the approximate distance that your quad is from you, based on how long it takes the VTX signal to get back to your goggles. This is not nearly as accurate as a GPS-based distance from home, but it’s still a very useful feature to have built-in on these little tiny micros, where it might not be feasible to install a GPS, and I found that it was a useful reference.
Design and Build Quality
For me all right, you guys now let’s take a close look at the design of the Goggles X. The build quality feels great they’re solid and well-made. The Goggles X do feel much heavier in my hands than my DJI Integras. They weigh about 320 G. They don’t look as sleek and streamlined as my Goggles Integra, but they do feel great in the hands and have some very cool built-in LEDs that make you look like an alien if you’re into that sort of thing. If you don’t like the LEDs, you can change the colors or turn them off entirely in the settings.
Caddx FPV Goggles X: The Best Choice for Range and Penetration
Caddx offers an inexpensive patch antenna upgrade for their FPV Goggles X, which is a sleek option to improve range without adding bulk. The convenience of not having to remove the antennas when throwing the goggles in your bag is a major plus for drone enthusiasts on the go.
Range and Antenna Performance
The stock antennas that come with the Goggles X work perfectly well for flying the Gilm 20. The range provided by these antennas is more than enough for close-in cinematic shots, where flying low and slow is the norm. However, for optimal signal penetration behind obstacles like trees, having a reliable antenna system is crucial.
Walksnail System for Great Range and Penetration
Many users have found that the Walksnail system provides excellent range and penetration, especially when using the stock antennas on the goggles and whip antennas on the drone. The Walksnail GT VTX, with its massive two watts of output power, is a great option for those looking to fly in larger spaces like the Mo 7.
Easy Antenna Upgrades for Long Range
For individuals interested in medium or long-range flying, upgrading to long-range antennas is simple thanks to the standard RP-SMA connectors used in the Walksnail goggles X. This flexibility in antenna design sets the Walksnail goggles X apart from modern DJI goggles, which lack removable antennas.
DJI Goggles X vs. Old School DJI Goggles
The latest Caddx FPV Goggles X have some key differences compared to the older generation DJI goggles. The old school DJI goggles like the V1 and V2s have MCX connectors, which are less common than the rpsma connectors found in the newer models. While the DJI Goggles 2 also have MCX connectors, the absence of replaceable antennas in the Goggles X may pose a limitation for some users. Despite the inconvenience, DJI has maintained its standard practice of not providing the option for replaceable antennas.
Built-In Battery vs. External Power Source
One significant variation between the Goggles X and other modern DJI goggles is the absence of a built-in battery. The Goggles X come with a power cable featuring an xt60 connector on one end and a barrel Jack on the other. This design allows the goggles to be powered by external sources up to 26 volts, such as flight packs or lithium ion packs. While the flexibility of using different power sources may be advantageous for some users, the lack of a built-in battery means dealing with a cable and potentially carrying an external battery pack.
Pros and Cons of Built-In Battery
On the contrary, DJI’s modern goggles come with a built-in battery, providing a more streamlined and hassle-free user experience. With the built-in battery, users do not have to worry about dangling cables or carrying additional battery packs. However, the downside of a built-in battery is that when it runs out, especially with aging goggles, replacing the battery becomes a more complicated process. Swapping batteries with a built-in battery system is not as simple as with external battery packs.
Design and Features
On the top of the goggles X, we’ve got air vents, a 5D joystick, a back button, a record button and a recessed link button that’s also used for firmware upgrades. Inside the goggles, we’ve got some air vents and a proximity sensor on the right side. There is a Barrel Jack for power, an air intake on the left side, and mini HDMI in and out on the bottom. The diopter adjustment knobs allow you to adjust inter pupilary distance and focus the image on the screen, making it convenient for users with corrective lenses. The focus adjustment knobs provide a sharp image, although they may need readjusting from time to time.
Comfort and Fit
No modern digital FPV goggles are particularly comfortable out of the box. They all come with rubber foam material that can be uncomfortable and have issues with fitment and light leak. Many users opt to find aftermarket foam replacements to make them more comfortable and usable. It’s worth noting that the knobs on the Caddx FPV Goggles X do not lock like some DJI goggles, so they may need readjusting frequently, especially when transporting the goggles.
DJI or Walksnail?
When it comes to choosing between DJI and Walksnail FPV goggles, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and budget. DJI goggles are known for their high-quality build, advanced features, and compatibility with other DJI products. However, they tend to be more expensive compared to other brands. Walksnail goggles, on the other hand, may offer a more affordable option with decent features for entry-level users or those on a budget. Consider your flying needs, budget, and compatibility with your existing equipment before making a decision.
Comfort and Fit
They solved some of the fitment problems by including two different face plates and the foam that they use. The soft plush foam is super comfortable and these are some of the most comfortable fpv goggles ever put on the face. However, digital goggles just aren’t that comfortable out of the box. It seems like with every step forward in image quality, there is a step back in comfort. Fortunately, there are loads of cheap aftermarket foams available for the Goggles X and any other goggles on the market. My preference are the Newbie drone Max Comfort Foams, which solve light leak problems and make the goggles super comfortable.
Image Quality
After flying both of these systems side by side, it is important to consider image quality as a factor when choosing between Walksnail and DJI as an fpv pilot. Walksnail Moonlight holds its own against the DJI Air unit and when it comes to the quality of the 4K 60 frames per second footage, some pilots may actually prefer the image from the Walksnail.
Image Quality and Dynamic Range
It tends to be warmer and the colors look more pleasing and more natural to my eye when it comes to dynamic range. If you ever fly in low light situations and I’m not just talking about night scenes, but situations where there’s a lot of shadows, the Walksnail Moonlight produces a much more usable image, especially for pilots who don’t want to color grade and just want to pull something great off of the memory card. Although Walksnail doesn’t have 10bit recording and it doesn’t have a flat color profile, but they can probably do that with a firmware update.
Firmware Updates and Community Support
Another reason you might want to give Walksnail a chance is there’s no doubt that Walksnail is more in tune with the FPV community. That’s why Walksnail tends to have more frequent firmware updates, adding features and refining their products, while DJI software updates are much less frequent and even logical or necessary updates might be delayed or might never happen. It’s really a David versus Goliath approach. David will pay attention to your needs and concerns a lot more because he has to, he’s not as big.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between Walksnail and DJI systems depends on your personal preferences and budget. Consider your needs and goals in the FPV hobby to make the best decision for your flying experience.
For long-range flyers, the features and design of the Goggles X may be more appealing. However, for racers or those who prioritize low latency, the Walksnail system with race mode may be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between DJI and Walksnail will depend on your specific needs and preferences in an FPV system.
The Caddx FPV Goggles X offer a range of features and adjustments that make them a suitable option for FPV enthusiasts. While they may not be the most comfortable out of the box, with some aftermarket foam adjustments, they can provide a better fit and improved user experience. When considering which brand to choose, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each, taking into account your personal preferences and flying requirements. Whether you opt for DJI or Walksnail goggles, the most important thing is to enjoy the immersive FPV experience they provide.
For pilots who are focused on getting cinematic shots and value image quality above all else, Walksnail may be the preferred choice over DJI. The comfort and fit of the goggles also play a significant role in the overall flying experience, and the availability of aftermarket foams can enhance the comfort of the goggles. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and priorities when deciding between the two options.
