The rumored DJI Avata drone has been edging closer to taking off in recent weeks – and the launch of the FPV model just got a little closer thanks to a leak of the exciting new Goggles headset.
FPV (first person view) drones are flown through a headset that gives you a panoramic view from the aircraft. And it looks like DJI Avata’s headset will be much smaller than previous versions, leaked by the trusty @Dealsdrone (opens in new tab) Twitter account (below) showing the new Goggles 2 being worn by a pilot.
Although there is already a ‘DJI Goggles V2’ headset, a recent FCC filing revealed that DJI would simply call the new Avata-compatible version ‘DJI Goggles 2’. According to this filing, this headset will be technically identical to the current Goggles V2, with the main difference being its design.
DJI Goggles V2, work with DJI Avata pic.twitter.com/V9OxKppC8pAugust 3, 2022
What’s interesting about the new headset is how small it looks compared to previous versions of DJI’s Goggles. Previous versions were interlocking (see below), but the ones in the leaked photo appear to be less bulky and have fewer antennas.
ONE separate leak (opens in new tab) on Chinese social media also compares the handset to the size of a water bottle. This compact form factor could be good news for flying in warmer environments, such as indoors, which is expected to be the DJI Avata’s natural habitat. It is said to be a ‘cinewhoop’ drone, which is designed to fly in confined spaces near people.
What is not clear from the leak is whether or not the DJI Goggles 2 will be compatible with other drones like the DJI FPV or is an exclusive model for the DJI Avata.
We’ll probably have to wait for the official release to find out, but that’s seemingly around the corner. Another regular DJI leak, @OsitaLV (opens in new tab)has also now claimed that the DJI Avata has “been sent to KOLs for evaluation”, KOL being a marketing term for “Key Opinion Leader”.
With the exciting new drone and its headset now leaked and listed by the FCC, it looks like a launch is imminent for what would be a new style of flying camera for the world’s largest drone manufacturer.
Analysis: FPV drones ready to hit the mainstream?
FPV drones are still relatively niche, but it seems that both DJI and GoPro are keen to bring them closer to the mainstream.
We used the DJI Goggles V2 (above) while testing the new GoPro Hero 10 Black Bones camera, which is a bare-bones action camera designed to mount on FPV drones. As you can see, this headset is quite bulky, so it makes sense that DJI would make a more compact version for the rumored indoor-friendly DJI Avata ‘cinewhoop’ drone.
This hopefully means that the DJI Goggles 2, as the new headset is expected to be called, will also be a bit more affordable than the current version. The Goggles V2 cost $568 / £609 / AU$999, although you can also buy them bundled with the DJI FPV drone. This kind of cost is a pretty big barrier to the widespread adoption of FPV.
The leaked photos of the DJI Avata suggest that it will be cheaper than the DJI FPV drone, given its build and weight (which is expected to be under 500g, compared to the DJI FPV’s 795g). So a similar stripped down headset makes sense, especially if it’s compatible with other FPV drones.
While FPV drones will likely continue to be more specialized than mainstream models like the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the DJI Avata is shaping up to be a promising option for beginners and those who can’t afford DJI FPV. And that could make it a strong contender for a spot in our guide to the best drones for beginners.