Digital FPV has been making waves in the drone community, but the cost barrier has been a significant hurdle for many enthusiasts. Walksnail’s latest offering, the Goggles L, aims to lower that barrier with a budget-friendly option for those looking to get into the Walksnail FPV system without breaking the bank. In this review, I’ll dive into the specs, performance, and overall value of the Walksnail Goggles L, providing an in-depth look at whether these goggles are worth your investment.
New to FPV? Learn more about the differences in FPV systems: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-system/
Table of Contents
Affordable Entry into Digital FPV
The Walksnail flagship goggles, the Goggles X, are priced at a steep $460. While they are the ultimate option when it comes to overall performance for the Walksnail system, there are cheaper alternatives such as the Walksnail VRX. However, it has a complex setup with dangling cables and potential latency issues can be deal breakers for some.
Enter the Walksnail Goggles L, a budget-friendly box goggle designed specifically for the Walksnail system, making digital FPV more accessible than ever. Priced at just $199, these goggles are a more affordable alternative to other digital FPV goggles on the market.
In fact they are quite similar to the Fatshark Recon HD that was released a couple of years ago in terms of specs and features, but that was discontinued and they were slightly more expensive. It’s good that we have more cheap walksnail options.
Where to Buy
You can get the Walksnail Goggles L from these vendors:
- Caddx: https://oscarliang.com/product-zhqm
- Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-r66s
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DddKEBp
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-gqdg
The package includes the following accessories:
- Micro fibre cloth
- Power cable (XT60 to barrel)
- Manual leaflet
Specifications
- Screen Resolution: 1920*1080/60Hz
- Screen Size: 4.5 Inch
- Screen Material: LCD
- Supported FPV System: Walksnail Avatar HD FPV System
- Communication Frequency: 5.725–5.850GHz
- Available Channels: 8
- Transmitter Power (EIRP):
- FCC: <30dBm
- CE: <14dBm
- SRRC: <20dBm
- MIC: <25dBm
- Transmission Distance: >4km
- Transmission Resolution:
- 1080p60fps
- 720p100fps
- 720p60fps
- Bit Rate: Max 50 Mbps
- Minimum Latency: Average 32ms
- Antenna Polarization: LHCP
- Antenna Average Gain: 4.9dBi
- I/O Interface:
- 4Pin 3.5mm Plug
- DC 5.5*2.1mm
- Micro SD Card Slot: Support SD Card Up to 256G
- Gyro: Nine-axis gyroscope
- Power Input: 6V–25.2V (2S–6S)
- Dimensions: TBC
- Weight: 351g
Power Requirements
Powering the Goggles L is flexible. The goggles accept a power input ranging from 2S to 6S, similar to the more expensive Goggles X. You can pretty much just pick up any common drone batteries with XT60 connector to power the goggle.
The front cover has an LED panel that lights up when powered on. It serves as a good reminder to unplug the battery and adds a technological touch to your gear. However, it seems there’s no way to change the color, but you can turn it on and off in the menu settings.
Appearance, User Interface and Controls
The Walksnail Goggles L feature a white plastic housing with a matte finish and a well-organized layout of buttons and connectors for ease of use.
On the right side of the goggles, you will find a series of essential controls.
- From the left, there is the 5D Joystick Button, which enables you to scroll through the menu and confirm selections by toggling and pressing the button.
- Next, you have the Back Button for returning to the previous menu or exiting the current mode. However, the Back button doesn’t seem to work in my unit. I can go back in the menu using the record button, and the Back button simply doesn’t do anything at all. I hope it’s just a weird bug they can fixed in future firmware.
- Next, is the Record Button, which is supposed to be used to start or stop video recording.
- Finally, we have the Link Button on the far right, which allows you to pair the goggles to a VTX.
On the bottom of the goggles, you have the 3.5mm Port, providing head tracking output. Adjacent to it is the Power Port (DC 5.5*2.1mm barrel connector), supporting a voltage range of 6V–25.2V (2S to 6S).
On the top side of the goggles, there is a Heat Dissipation Outlet for maintaining optimal operating temperature.
The Micro SD Card Slot is conveniently placed above the display area under the faceplate foam, allowing easy access for storing and retrieving recordings. With a built-in Micro SD card slot, users can easily record their flights.
For some reason they have not put any LED indicator on this goggles, so you have to rely on its beeper to guess what state the goggles are in.
Finally, there’s no USB-C port, so upgrade is done via the SD card, and power only through the barrel to XT60 connector. There’s no video output to external display either.
Screen and Menu
The 1080p screens look crisp and clear, providing high resolution. This is sufficient since the Walksnail system supports up to 1080p, and most users prefer 720p for better stability and lower latency. The interface and menu are identical to what you see in the Goggles X.
Antenna Performance
One reason the Goggles L look so streamlined and clean is due to the integrated antennas. These patch antennas provide balanced performance between coverage and range. While specific beam width is not provided, the gain is about 4.9dBi, and the antennas are LHCP.
These are directional antennas, offering better range when flying in front of yourself but potentially reduced performance when flying behind. You can’t switch to aftermarket antennas, so these goggles are not designed for long-range flights or situations requiring high penetration performance. They are more suitable for indoor whoop flying or flying in small local parks.
Head Tracker Support
Most people probably won’t care about head tracking, but if you do, the Goggles L is for you. The head tracking sensor, which uses a 9-axis gyro module, is integrated into the goggles to capture the pilot’s head movements. Paired with a gimbal, it sends signals via the image transmission system to control the camera’s pan and tilt, providing pilots with a cockpit-like sensation. Caddx recently released some gimbals for this feature: https://oscarliang.com/product-e5un
It also supports PPM signal output to Radio Controllers via the Goggles L’s 3.5mm headphone TX connector, which in turn outputs to the drone.
Comfort and Fit
Walksnail excels in creating goggles that fit well, and the Goggles L is no exception.Utilizing thick, good quality polyurethane foam, the goggles’ face mask ensures softness and comfort while reducing light leakage for an enhanced wearing experience. The foam is attached by velcro and is removable.
The goggles weigh only 351 grams and are relatively comfortable, although some light leakage around the nose area is common with box goggles. The provided foam padding is adequate, but hopefully, we will see some other aftermarket foam and headstrap options for those seeking a better fit.
One issue is that the top of the goggles gets quite hot after running for about 10 minutes, even when not paired with the VTX. Warm air gets blown to your forehead and eyes, which might become uncomfortable in hot summer days.
Lack of Low Latency Mode
The Walksnail Goggles L come equipped with 1080p resolution screens running at 60fps. This means you won’t be able to use the 100fps low latency mode available on the Goggles X, resulting in about 35 to 40ms latency versus the 25 to 30ms latency of the 100fps mode.
Not for People Wearing Glasses
The Goggles L uses a magnifying lens system, making the screen appear further away than it actually is, which helps reduce eye strain. This setup is beneficial for most users, though those with significant vision correction needs might find it challenging without customizable diopters. There’s no focus adjustment, and the goggles are too small to fit a pair of glasses while wearing them.
According to my contact at Walksnail, they can customize lenses for users, but they require a prescription. The custom lens is detachable, allowing for the installation of nearsighted, farsighted, or blue light-blocking lenses to meet individual preferences. They can’t provide me with a cost currently so it’s unclear how much they will charge. Update (16 July 2024: I’ve just been informed that the price for the custom lenses is $29.99 which includes the spectacle frame. You can also purchase just the spectacle frame for $3.99 and use your own lenses).
I wish they could provide generic lenses with -2, -4, -6 diopters like Fatshark did, however after discussing with Walksnail they don’t seem too keen on doing that and insisted on a prescription.
For those who wear glasses, the Goggles X might be a more convenient option as you can adjust focus inside the goggles.
Compatibility
The Goggles L is compatible with all existing Walksnail VTX models – VTX V1/V2, 1S Lite, Moonlight, etc. However, the Goggles L is strictly designed for the Walksnail FPV System. Due to the lack of AV input and HDMI input, you won’t be able to use the Goggles L with Analog and HDZero.
Goggles X Comparison
Despite the entirely different design, the weight and size differences between the Goggles X and Goggles L are actually more similar than I expected. Without battery, the Goggles X weighs 317g, while the Goggles L weighs 351g.
To evaluate the performance, I compared the Goggles L to my Walksnail Goggles X equipped with original antennas. Despite the Goggles L’s lower frame rate, the performance was impressive. The signal strength and latency were comparable when flying within 300m. In some cases, the Goggles L maintained even better bitrate (Mbps) and latency performance than the Goggles X setup, probably due to the higher gain antennas.
Buzzer Status
The Goggles L doesn’t have any LED for status indication, relying only on the beeper.
| Goggles Buzzer Status | Buzzer Sound |
|---|---|
| Link State | DI…. DI…. DI…. DI…. |
| Upgrade Firmware | DI…… DI…… DI…… DI—— |
| Upgrade Failed (No SD card or firmware detected) | DI.. DI.. DI.. DI.. |
| Boot Failure (Reboot or re-upgrade) | DI.. DI…… DI.. DI…… |
Included manual leaflet.
Linking Goggles L to VTX
The procedure is exactly the same as other Walksnail Goggles: https://oscarliang.com/setup-avatar-fpv-system/#Pairing-Air-Unit-to-Goggles
However, you do have to update the firmware on the VTX to the latest version to support the Goggles L; otherwise, it will just stay in binding mode.
Updating Firmware
The process of updating firmware on the Goggles L is identical to other goggles. See my tutorial here: https://oscarliang.com/setup-avatar-fpv-system/#How-to-Update-Firmware-on-GogglesVRX
The firmware file for the Goggles L is: AvatarLite_Gnd_xx.xx.xx.
Conclusion
For $199, the Walksnail Goggles L provides a good balance of quality, performance, and affordability, making digital FPV more accessible to a wider audience. While they lack some of the advanced features and lower latency of higher-end models, their performance is commendable, making them a solid choice for those looking to step into the digital FPV world without a hefty investment.
You can get the Walksnail Goggles L from these vendors:
- Caddx: https://oscarliang.com/product-zhqm
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DddKEBp
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-gqdg
The Goggles L is suitable for RC cars, FPV drones, and fixed-wing aircraft. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pilot looking for a budget-friendly option, the Goggles L is worth considering. However, for those who want to fly long range and be able to swap antennas, video outputs, compatibility with other FPV systems, and have built-in focus adjustment, the Goggles X might still be a better option.
20 comments
Hi oscar. can u tell me what is max range , have u test it? I cann’t saw any long range test about it ( with moonlight kit …, or others) so if u have any information how far can I go tell me please
Is the goggles compitible with Walksnail avatar ha kit PRO?
Yes.
Would it be possible to drill the housing and put pigtails in the internal UFL connector to upgrade the antenna? That would be a nice tutorial.
Yes it’s possible.
I think the range is actually pretty good. I’ve seen flights on Youtube going up to 4 Km. But I have never seen a full range test.
Well done for remembering that the Recon HD exists! A lot of reviewers have been talking about the Goggles L like they are the first ever digital box goggles (“digital FPV is now affordable!”), despite the fact that the Fatshark Recon HD’s have been providing an affordable Walksnail option for almost two years, and HDZero has had the EMAX Transporter 2 HD for almost as long.
As well as beginners I think the Goggles L look like a good option for a second set of goggles, for people who want to be able to share their FPV view with interested friends/family using the Walksnail broadcast feature. I’m interested in them primarily for this reason.
The lenses here look exactly like the one I’ve had in Fatshark Scout goggless. Wouldn’t be surprised if those are made by Fatshark too.
I wish they added the headtracking support to Goggles X (since there are gyros already..)
Hi! Maybe it is a bit early to tell, but I guess there will be some possible modification of the antenna setup in a near future? Usually the antennas can be disconnected with a little dissaenbly and replaced with different ones. For the price it won’t be a big risk to take.
How does it compare with fatshark recon hd?
Says “Pre Order” on the site – when do they start shipping out? I’ve paid but see no movement on tracking.. but then my gimbel took 16 days before they sent it out.
Hi oscar. Would you say these are better than buying the walksnail vrx system for my hdzero goggles? Cheers
Absolutely, if your eyesights are fine and don’t require diopters. This goggle is similar price to the VRX!
the prescription lenses being only 29$ is such a good move on their part, just got the dji integra and dji doesn’t offer prescription lenses, you need to go through 3rd party sellers and it costs 60$ + shipping.
i’ll honestly might move over to walksnail.
but why do you need lenses for integra? doesn’t it have adjustive lenses built it?
Hi…Is video playback option available?
aliexpress link goes to nowhere…
It hasn’t made it to AliExpress yet, give it a few more days. For now just get it from the Caddx Store.
Hi oscar, please tell me, i wanna switch to walksnail goggles box.. i confused about fatshark recon hd or goggles L? for latency and build quality. i fly with quadcopter.
thx before oscar
They have very similar specs but the Goggles L is $50 cheaper, so it’s an obvious choice I think. Also it’s newer so it’s more likely to get spare parts if you need to repair it.