Walksnail Goggles X For Avatar HD - All In One FPV With Some Compromises!

[@MadRC]

Important Update. - Analog Fixed. Hi the Avatar VTX transmission issues I discussed while in hdmi and analog modes has now been fixed in the firmware and I can happily confirm this no longer an issue. When you receive your goggles please make sure you update to the latest FW.

[@Shauny_D]

Analog fixed but it still can't dvr analog right? I'm debating getting these or hdzero to have hdzero, walksnail, and analog 90% for whoops. But dvr is essential.

[@cowboybebop521]

I choose to vote with my money, love the inter-compatibility between X goggles and other systems. Wish the whole industry would do this.

[@FlyTribeMagazine]

Thank you man for the amazing support 🤙

[@CheeseFriesAndCoffee]

You clearly put a lot of work into this video. Thank you.

[@aviphysics]

Testing HDZero VRX latencty on Goggles X and comparing Avatar VRX latency on HDZero goggles to Goggles X would be interesting

[@MythicLionMan]

I agree. I currently fly DJI V1 goggles, and have been wanting to switch to Avatar. I considered getting HDZero goggles and an Avatar VRX, but the additional latency with that combination (on top of the already mediocre Avatar latency) put me off. If I did experiment with HDZero it would be so that I could experience low latency, so there would be no point using these goggles with an HDZero VRX if the latency wasn't low. Knowing which combinations worked well together would be informative, but an exhaustive set of tests would be a huge amount of work. At least my DJI V1 still works well, it's just not the most ergonomic goggles.

[@DriftaholiC]

So they just did this to stop paying FatShark royalties on the last goggle

[@ugpfpv361]

Yeah fatshark should just go into the long dark night

[@danc8458]

Fats shark is ghey boy quality and , thank God they're out...

[@RLeeVisuals]

Good fuck Gerg

[@Freebird_67]

@@danc8458I can’t agree more. Never did like Fatshark. Over priced garbage. I mean come on! $700 for HDO goggles that doesn’t even have a receiver!!!! So you dropped $700 for some oled screens is about it and some cheap plastic. Good riddance Fatshark.

[@sharpeye32]

But they might be making their own system...

[@EniokiFPV]

Take a drink every time MadsTech says "Hey-ch DMI" and you wont be alive anymore. This is an excellent review! I watched all 56 minutes of it.

[@eatyourvegfpv]

This will most likely be the only video for these goggles I'll watch as a quick look at the timestamps (thanks for including them, Ian) and I'm sure you've covered pretty much all anyone will want/need to know. I do love a longer format video too so thanks for the effort. Right, I'll settle in... 👍

[@MSR.]

Watched this yesterday morning and it’s still the best video on the release so far. Great work Ian 👏👏

[@mxracingunlimitedltd7784]

I am so happy that they made these with some upgrades and plus the HDMI & A/V Input's which is huge to me, it made the V1's almost basically a deal breaker for that reason. This is going to take away some business from HDZero goggles i feel like. The walksnail digital system seems more like the dji air unit and you could always get an HDZero VRX if you wanted to use HDZero system For everyone worried about a Power Switch on your Goggles, which i dont see a point if theyre just going to cut power abruptly anyway, you could get a DJI Goggles 2/V2 Battery pack. Its 2s voltage output and its somewhere near 2000mah and has decent battery life on both the V2's and the G2's. Its a small & light battery pack that uses the USB-C out to a DC Barrel-Jack cable and there's a button on the battery to turn it on & off. So essentially a work around to an easy power button without removing any cables.. Plus then when your done they can be quick charged thru the same USB-C port and keep it simple. Personally id use a Fatshark Li-ion Battery Cell Holder Pack. It cant be charged as easily but its super easy and cheap to have a few pairs of 18650 batteries to keep charged with you and be able to just swap them out & they still have the Battery Level Indicator like the Lipo version. USB-C powered 18650 chargers are easy to find, but then its just one more thing to carry..

[@ldemiranda]

As of writing, double the views of the other reviewers.....That's how the Mads Tech team rolls :) Keep up the great work. Love your content.

[@originafreerangechicken]

Congrats, Ian! This is a great overview of the new goggles. Nobody does it better!!

[@rilijn]

This was so thorough and detailed. I really appreciate the time and effort put into this. I’ve been on the fence between walksnail and HDZero and this really helped clarify that for my interests, the HDZero goggles are still the best choice for me. Thank you!

[@TakeItToTheGround]

I’ve also been on the fence between walksnail and HDZero. This doesn't clarify the decision to me. More questions than answers on their intent in regard to analog.

[@baughaninastorm]

Thank you for a balanced review Ian. Shocking to hear Albert Kim infer that any negative comments are probably disingenuous. I'm not thrilled with Avatar V1 and I certainly haven't seen anything from your review that will have me busting out the credit card. Once again, thank you for your integrity.

[@JohnCuppi]

Buying these now from caddx with shipping is $480 with a 15 day minimum lead time to ship. So you’d get them by December if you’re lucky. Then 9 months later the VRX internals are outdated. While I really love the forward sight thinking by Caddx here, because buying new goggles all the time makes no sense, the idea of a completely new system on the horizon in August makes this a harder pill to swallow. So many questions like - will the new system be backward compatible with the current vtx hardware? How much will it cost? Really on the fence investing in these, and I wish Caddx was more communicative about things like hardware compatibility. The V1 owners also now seem destined to be left behind if Caddx doesn’t step up and give them an inexpensive upgrade path.

[@doccock100]

So that's fatshark being surgically removed from the equation, as they step up on the body of their partner... there can be only ONE

[@danc8458]

Fatahark is sad looking

[@peterthepumpkineater6363]

FS should of stayed the course with HDZ

[@dr0n3droid]

​@@peterthepumpkineater6363Maybe Gerg could approach Carl hat in hand.

[@doccock100]

@@peterthepumpkineater6363 at this stage I think you are right. I bet they wish they had made a different decision!

[@davidtskhakaya280]

Thank you very much for your the detailed review. It is only me who got impression that the old walksnail goggle looks more solid?

[@M-H433]

I get the same impression

[@aberod0072]

Manufacturers should pay attention here. He really knows the subject and represent what people want. Companies should put him on their pay role without a doubt. Great video. Enforce hdmi imput! Thank you.

[@madladdan]

The fact that the HDZero goggles can record analog DVR and the X cant instantly separates them.

[@madladdan]

@@mlentsch Well it's a good thing you aren't designing goggles

[@erikvf7]

@@mlentsch Really? I have both HD and analog and I fly analog 90% of the time!!

[@Super_Mario_Fpv]

​@mlentsch other surveys have shown, analog still has a large presence in fpv.

[@erikvf7]

@@mlentsch Nothing wrong with my visual. Analog is much cheaper, I can enjoy, crash, buy and fix everything myself, and it will never hurt my pocket.

[@madladdan]

@@erikvf7 AYE

[@cedricgrandseigne]

I don't understand why these goggles don't have 120hz screens: how future proof are they really? An interesting question regarding latency would be to know if they implemented a "G-Sync" function like on HDZERO goggles.

[@TheKiter]

Love your reviews, your the man 😊😊❤ when covering technical details. Very much information and glad, that you covered nearly everything I would have asked. Stay tuned

[@DrMacca]

And THIS is why I joined Ian's Patreon! A f'ing phenomenal review!

[@emilpers1078]

Lets make a drinking game about how many times he says "goggle"

[@MCsCreations]

I'm going to the hospital in that case. 😖

[@3nertia]

That's suicide!

[@GarethDix]

I was thinking the leds were pointless… and then the cylon convinced me it’s needed 😮

[@ricardoferreira2811]

Who remembers the Cylons in the Battlestar Galactica?

[@ugpfpv361]

Oh yeah need to have the goggles make that sound too!

[@danc8458]

Nobody bro, stop living in the past

[@robert_g_fbg]

Knight rider kitt car comes to mind too.

[@maximillionthermidorfirefl4103]

😂😂

[@ugpfpv361]

@@danc8458 yo, that's the future man...

[@maloriezastrow971]

With the blurring and discomfort with the DJI Goggles 2, both issues can be solved. I built a custom face pad that puts my eyes closer to the lenses and the custom padding is made to fit my face perfectly. Once I did this, the optics are very nearly perfect (still just the slightest blurring of the very corners of the screen) and the fit is super comfortable. I would imagine that it would be the same with these goggles as well. I will never understand why these manufacturers think it is okay to release these products with sub par optics when the whole point of the product is optics. I definitely love my 04X's over all others. Optics are perfect and the included face plate options solve any fitment issues without affecting the optics.

[@fokusfpv]

Thanks for such an in depth review. Could you drill in a bit more on the comfort? they look like the goggles 2 especially on the nose, head shape, and foam, and the goggles 2 are the worst fit I've used. Even today on the 7th try, the goggles 2 are are usable but not enjoyable. HDZero fit is currently the best in my opinion.

[@kevinlancaster3200]

Thanks for such an in-depth review Ian, I know you made it some time ago but I'm just considering buying them. A couple of questions if I may... Do they work with the Caddx gimbal or is it only the L version? Has fogging proven an issue now you've had them through warmer weather? Ohh, and is overheating an issue that should put me off buying them? Best Regards, Kevin

[@ImperialArmour]

I'm switching over to WS if DJI O4 is not compatible with the Goggles V2.

[@slappomatthew]

Great, surprisingly unbiased review. These have almost anything I could have asked for, although the sub-optimal analog solution and lack of serious hardware upgrades makes me seriously considering keeping my HDO1/vrx setup for analog/backup and buying a cheap set of avatar v1 goggles for dedicated digital use since rf and optical performance is basically the same or better

[@MadRC]

Why surprisingly unbiased ?

[@GTARC_au]

Cant wait for mine to arrive!! Cheers MT

[@VladTepes44]

Than you for that great video! I would love to have a bit more info about the latency of the HDMI input, especially when using them with an HDZero VRX. I already bought HDZero googles and a Avatar VRX because I am working on putting that VRX on an antenna tracker when flying long range. I find it a lot harder to fly high gain antenna and adjusting your position to track the drone with avatar than with analog or even hdzero.

[@RiDLEY09]

Still Loving the portability and design and also the Features of my DJI Goggles 2

[@M-H433]

Good well keep them

[@JPspinFPV]

So far im finding these to be rather compelling. Not ground breaking, but that's fine. I like to have a spectator goggle or display to share the experience, considering I'm currently using the VRX this will work. The price point i would call very good. For me the biggest question is regarding the glass to glass latency of this goggle with the HDZero module vs. the HDZero goggle with the WS module. With the better anti fog airflow of the HDZero goggles that still may be my preferred option.

[@MisterDonkey]

the single tx is the main reason i'll stick to the original goggles. Only way I can justify an upgrade is if there was an actual upgrade in the form of a dual tx vrx. All the other features are really cool, but I fly for me so none of them are relevant to my use. Also I guess I'm the rarity in that I like having separate goggles for analog and digital so the "one goggle for everything" idea doesn't appeal to me. But thanks for the incredible deep dive as usual Ian. You always make the most informative RC related content, and it helps immensely when making decisions on what to buy.

[@volaertus]

Farewell my friend the power button. Gonna miss you :(

[@EmDee316]

Best reviewer ever! Appreciate the work you do!

[@NerdyFpv]

Excellent overview! Do you get audio out of that a/v port when using hdmi in.. say if you´re watching a movie, or in a future vtx I am hoping for live audio transmission..

[@creatorTWin]

They look pretty good - big thing is the competitive price, might be time to sell my HDO’s with rapid fire if possible….

[@lasersbee]

Well Done.... Thanks for the review Ian.... The Goggles do look good...

[@Pyrolassist]

Very comprehensive review! Great work Ian!

[@SensorDelay]

This is pretty dope. I'm little excited for what's coming in December. Have you gotten the review copy?

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, Ian! Awesome and complete review! Thanks!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

What I will add however after my initial negative opinion is..... I do like the ability to swap out the vrx if in the future caddx releases an updated version without the need to buy new goggles..... Nice, I like that

[@TomHerriman]

Ian, thank you for the thorough review. From you DJI Googles 2 review, I know that I have the same issue with fit and vision that you experience. It sounds to me like the Walksnail GX fit a lot like the DJI G2, so my hopes for being able to see the entire display are dashed. Maybe one day, one of these companies will try to fit their goggles to something other than their own head shape.

[@udayhassansaidi6493]

Hi Mads Tech, thank you for your educational videos. I followed your steps and successfully updated the Goggles X to the latest firmware. However I have an issue which is shared by many owners of Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X; Blank screen or discoloration after boot up. I need to reboot multiple times before the screen display properly. My Goggles X is manufactured in Dec 2023. Do you have a solution or suggestions for this? Thank you in advance.

[@tkofpv131]

I don't think the stand alone VRX from HD Zero can do the 90 fps mode, and if so then they are not equal. While longer latency on the walksnail and dji are known and accepted lowest possible latency can only be achieved by the HD Zero goggles, that I know of.

[@Crunklefloop]

Thanks for the review Ian. Some interesting points and very detailed.

[@ahcompy]

So… repurposing use… will the Wi-Fi functionality offer head tracking and will you be able to use it on pc as a stand-in for vr when you aren’t flying? That would be pretty dope…

[@mcarignan]

Great review Ian, really appreciate the ton of work you've put into this (and other) videos. Your goggle videos specifically have cost me a fortune over the years ;-) Just curious about one thing: you mention that these new goggles will be the ones you'll be bringing out on the field with you (vs the v1 goggles), what is the reason specifically? You seem to say the fit, optics and airflow are all worse for you vs. v1, that seems to me to be a good reason to stick with the v1's... is it the 1080p100 mode? HDMI in/out? Looking like a badass Cylon? Thanks!

[@stefanozanna1988]

Just Perfect Review! you answered every single question in my mind. thank you for the amazing job you are doing! Lookin' forward for the nex V2Dual antenna VTX review

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Ian...... I gotta say..... You've done a damned good job reviewing these! Very impressed with the work you have put into it. Well done!

[@HEYVIET]

FPV Newbie here….Do these goggles come with the ability to connect a drone out of the box, or would I have to buy a video transmitter on top of these? I am looking for a goggle that can grow with me from micro to freestyle

[@FPV420.]

Hello, I am a big fan of your videos. I recently got the goggles X and I love it. Still, I can't get one thing fixed and it bugs me big time, hoping you can help. While flying the built-in OSD is at the very far corner of the screen and I can't see it. Is there a way to change the OSD position? Thank you

[@77wolfking]

Literally bought the skyzones now I can breath a sigh of relief 😮‍💨

[@CCC0122]

Another Great video! I just got the scout recon walksnail goggles and I can't seem to get them latest firmware on them. Is the avatar ground se, update version something I should try? I've been very careful not to let the download be interrupted. I just get fast beeps as it starts to do the update. Thanks in advance

[@dertiefkuhlkoch1295]

Hey Ian, I would love to design a new shell for these goggles. In case you make a complete teardown, can you share some more pictures of the inside? There are a lot design features in the CAD file, where i just don't know from an outside point of view, what they are made for. Some of them don't really make sense without more backround knowledge. Great review! thanks!

[@christopherconkright1317]

I bought these since many reviewers mentions the lens are further in. V1 touched my eyelashes it made me crazy. I heard they keep putting out firmware to fix issues

[@TAWFinn]

You think it is worth upgrading from the Recon HD goggles?

[@marc_frank]

is it better to put the hdzero vrx on the goggles x or to put the walksnail vrx on the hdzero goggles?

[@robjackson2731]

Can you do a full teardown into the optics? Wanting to buy some but i need to know if i can modify the ipd adjustment like ive done with my dji goggles. 78ipd problems 😢

[@friederek]

Are you sure about the powerswitch? It looks like there is an emblem next to the port. Hidden button?

[@MadRC]

Yes and it’s just that. An embelum .

[@NickBurnsFPV]

Great video!!🔥 I am very interested in the latency testing, hopefully that comparison includes the WS vrx to hdzero goggles vs goggle x latency. I have been asked this question on my video. I think your better to find those results.

[@MadRC]

Thanks Nick. We can now relax. It’s been a very busy week with this in the background lol. I may take a month off 😂. On the latency testing yes I will start to look at it next week or so. 100% interesting subject.

[@NickBurnsFPV]

@@MadRC yes it has been a busy time. I was hopeful the inputs and dvr would be an option, but caddx confirm its not possible with current hardware. I continue to hope something was lost in the communication.

[@JaWizard]

Is it possible to shrink the screen in settings so there's no blurred corner?

[@Alex-yu3ik]

Is this a discounted price??

[@ridewithandrei]

by the time they are going to fix the digital transmitting when using analog they are going to launch the 4k goggle:)

[@lambo_drives]

0:06 Did they put a Bird on it? That would have made it Art too, right?

[@ChrisGripeos]

Hopefully this means even lower discounted Dominators :) .. I know that FS has left a big black mark on their reputation with the whole Scout HDZero fiasco, but they've been ok with everything else. My HD02's have been pretty good to me (I'm on HD02's with FS Sharkbyte Vrx)

[@mark6302]

the upgradeability is key.

[@sircrashalotfpv144]

It's a great time for us pilots, love this and now I use them all. 🤪

[@anthonyraven8804]

Question will this goggles work with meteor65 pro elrs2.4 drone ??

[@The_GreenMachine]

im looking to get in to fpv, are these compatible with the DJI O3? im ready to pull the trigger, have a remote and some SIM time, i just need ti figure out if i go with the DJI goggles 2 or this (if its compatible).

[@ixography]

Do you have an idea if lens protectors from dji goggles 2 fit these lenses? Want to order some but I need to know if the lenses are the same or a bit bigger. I don't want scratches on my lenses. Thanks!

[@JThemelis]

Hmm so basically, a funkier version of the dji v2, and no dvr options for analog input? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@erikvf7]

Agree, poor decision of them.

[@JonE5FPV]

I wish they offered more to actually give something for DJI to respond to. DOA.

[@plschrf2363]

Is it compatible with all walksnail vtx'?

[@BrainDeadEngineering]

Outstanding work ! I wonder if they have audible, sound Q if signal strength is going critical , rather then always a visual check. Analog is becoming a side show anymore anyways so a capture devise is fine for me, most transmitters today can show GPS location . They do look like the 1970 Ford LTD Brougham. The kids will be sold on the Spacy look 😜 I'm convinced this is my HD conversion now.

[@DanoFPV]

Amazing breakdown of pros, cons, and features. Thanks Ian.

[@edclevel402]

Can't wait for Goggles X²!

[@madladdan]

They look a bit cheap, maybe a good matt paint job will improve them.

[@tbrowniscool]

I agree that shiny black plastic on the front looks awful

[@danc8458]

They look cheap? You fatahark fools are blind

[@madladdan]

@@tbrowniscool Yea and the slightly silver plastic on the bottom

[@fpv_austronaut]

They just look like a cheap chinese toy - what a shame ...

[@Mangorille]

Thanks for the in depth review. A bit disappointing (not to mention they’re a bit ugly), was hoping for something to give DJI a run for their money and really just the hdmi is where they’re ahead.

[@slappomatthew]

Keep in mind Ian has always been a DJI shill and avatar hater

[@GrauFPV]

@@slappomatthewit’s not hard because walksnail sucks haha

[@ugpfpv361]

​@@slappomatthewlol, too funny

[@ugpfpv361]

Yeah I'm waiting to see if they come out with the "new" receiver... If not by Xmas then I'll probably go with DJI

[@Mangorille]

@@ugpfpv361 DJI recently dropped the prices on the Goggles Integra and Goggles 2. I thought maybe we were expecting a new set of goggles but now I'm thinking it was because of the price point of these.

[@Dorff_Meister]

Well, lots more to think about. Thanks, Mads! Great review.

[@RobertHynes-n7g]

Very good presentation, thank you. I wear glasses for astigmatism and hearing aids; neither is conducive to flying fpv. I'd love to see a video on options (and how to implement).

[@dr0n3droid]

RHO-LENS will have what you need

[@GinTonicFPV]

Is it still 1 transmitting antenna 3 receiving antenna or is it now 2 and 2?

[@francescot.7320]

Hi...Which adapter did you use to use analog on the Googles X? and which jack cable did you use? did you modify one yourself? I use a URUAV clone module taken from AliExpress originally created for DJI, unfortunately I can't see the analog image with it. the module works well because it can be seen very well on FatShark googles, I fear that the problem is the different jack that the Googles X use compared to the DJI Googles, therefore only an incompatibility of the 3.5 jack Thanks

[@MadRC]

I used the BDI v2 adapter for DJI. It was janky but it worked.

[@francescot.7320]

@@MadRC oh thanks so much for the reply, is the digiadapter connected directly to the Googles can you kindly send me a photo of the jack that goes into the Google X? I would be very grateful... Thanks again

[@niekvlogs4977]

Could you test the latency with the HDZERO vrx?

[@busyswizzler]

For someone who is just starting out and only wants to fly 1s whoops, how can we power these googles without the need for large lipos and chargers, can these goggles be powered by lithium ion batteries and what about flying at home, can they be powered from the wall ?

[@MadRC]

Basically yes. So any LION pack with in the supported input range or you could even use say a 12V power adapter.

[@nonicknamenoname3450]

Great review! In-depth, clear, honest, objective! When are we going to see proper solutions adapted from VR industry like third top strap (which is a must and costs nothing), proper optics (pancake lenses anyone?) and so on? I'm feeling like FPV google industry is like 5 years behind VR. About the goggles: 1) Possible to have hdmi input/analog input with other VRX but then you have no DVR, what a shame 2) Looking at the thermal camera footage I see really poor cooling design. 3) Overall these are looking like it's some beta state prototype and not a final product imho release in a huge hurry. It seems I will just buy the HDZero goggles...

[@SeeFPv-qm6ie]

Where do you get the power firmware update

[@cozzy206]

were do i get the firmware for this...............thanks

[@bojangles5226]

what are the temp readings off the vents? Or what was your temp range set too and could we get the map so we know how hot it actually was.

[@MadRC]

Vents were at 43c

[@martr]

Ian, congratulations on the way this is structured. You can not get away with a video this long without planning and flow and good structure. You succeeded, Good job 👍 One point to make about GogglesX v HDZero wearing each other's vrx. The HDZero vrxs can be fitted to the Goggles X, but dont forget that they cant do 1080p and probably will not be able to do so going forward. Unlike the other way around.

[@TheFruitcake1983]

I should get a similarly square case for the first version of the goggles, the constant installation/uninstallation of patches is kind of sadistic.

[@unger_cnc]

Great video Ian! Thanks for working hard to get this out to us.

[@TomicaCZ]

Thanks for great review! Btw I'm bit confused... so do these new goggles have DVR only for avatar digital but not for analog? Or there is no DVR at all (not even for digital)?

[@MadRC]

DVR for Avatar only. It does not work on Analog or the HDMI input.

[@TomicaCZ]

@@MadRC Thanks for response. Well, that's a bit bummer... I still fly analog and slowly considering to switch to digital. These new goggles finally looks like they have everything good enough for me to transfer and VTx(s) getting smaller and lighter and therefore usable for smaller quads. I do fly some 2-3'' quads which I don'T plan to switch from analog, so that DVR would be nice. Oh well, maybe I'll wait another year or 2 to see if the products in digital realm get better :D

[@Parvindk]

This is the best review on these goggles., thanks alot !

[@stst8301]

Dji fpv goggles v2 all the way!!!

[@MadDragon75]

6:11 don't they have a sensor in the middle where the SD card goes in Fatshark goggles, that turns them on and off? I'll watch the rest..

[@MadDragon75]

🤔 didn't hear anything about it. Is it possible that you disconnected it pre review and didn't know about it? I see it. 😂 7:15

[@henrystanjr]

The vrx board date is 2023-04-21 the same board of avatar googles v1.. dated 2023-04-21... its already made april 2023......

[@MountaineerFPV]

Finally! The Mad Scientist unavails the goods 👊👍👍