The Walksnail Avatar VRX is an external receiver module that you can connect to an FPV Goggles with HDMI input. This is a cheaper solution to get into the Walksnail Avatar HD Digital FPV System if you already has a set of FPV goggles, without spending more on a new headset from Fatshark or Walksnail.
Table of Contents
Where to Buy
Getting the VRX and 1S VTX Kit as a combo seems to be a pretty good deal, you are basically getting an additional VTX and Camera kit for just $30 more which you can use on your tiny whoop or micro quads.
You can find this product here:
- Caddx: https://oscarliang.com/product-z43e
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-s4o2
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCP7wtj
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-uqjh
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ItdUpt
Unlike the HDZero VRX, the Avatar VRX comes with all the necessary antennas.
A power splitter cable is included, it allows you to power your goggles and VRX at the same time (using your original Goggles power cable).
It comes with a micro HDMI cable, but it has straight connectors. It would have been better to have right angle connectors like what they provide with the HDZero VRX.
This is the right angle connector HDMI cable in the HDZero VRX
There are some adhesive for attaching the VRX module to your goggles if you can’t use the mount, and a bolt and allen key for attaching the module to your goggles.
Closer Look
The Walksnail Avatar VRX module is similar width and height to the HDZero VRX module, both uses 4 antennas.
But the Avatar is much thinner. The weight of these modules are similar at around 85g.
There’s a fan on the front, two patch antennas on both sides.
On the top of the module (from left to right), you have the back button, DVR record button, two RP-SMA female antenna connectors, bind button, and the menu joystick. Two stubby LHCP antennas are included.
On the side you have the SD card slot and power connector (7-21V, 2S-5S).
On the bottom you have HDMI output to the Goggles and vent holes.
This is how I mount it on my Orqa FPV.ONE goggles using a 3D printed adapter, they share power from the same battery (2S to 5S works for the VRX).
Fatshark/Skyzone goggles have mini HDMI connectors and should be plug and play with the Avatar VRX. However if you have the orqa like me, which has a micro HDMI connector, you will need to get yourself a different cable, or adapter. I am using this adapter for my Orqa works great.
The included antennas actually work pretty well (much better than the antennas that come with the Avatar Goggles), so you don’t have to spend extra buying new antennas.
Procedure of binding, firmware updating etc are identical to the Avatar goggles. You can find the complete tutorial here.
The Avatar VRX user interface and menu are identical to the Avatar Goggles (or the Fatshark Dominator HD Goggles).
Goggles Compatibility
Some of the popular FPV goggles that are known to work with the Avatar VRX currently are:
- HDZero Goggles
- Orqa FPV.ONE Pilot
- Fatshark HDO2
- Skyzone SKY04X
- Skyzone Cobra
Let me know if it works with other goggles that I haven’t mentioned.
Skyzone and Fatshark goggles can’t do 100fps, only 60fps (standard framerate). SKY04X V2/V3 hardware (the one that can do 60fps DVR) supports 1080p, the rest of Skyzone lineup can only do 720p. How can you tell which hardware version you have?
Orqa FPV.One Pilot only support 720p 60fps, 1080p nor 100fps is supported.
You still have 1080p and high frame rate options in the menu, but when you select one of those unsupported modes, it gives you the “Unsupported HDMI input” error on screen.
The only goggles on the market currently that support both 1080p and high frame rate (100fps) are the HDZero FPV Goggles, that’s why everyone is hyping the HDZero Goggles up as the “best FPV Goggles for the Avatar VRX”.
You also have the option to use both standard and high bitrate (25Mbps and 50Mbps). In my testing 50Mbps offers slightly better image quality when signal is good (when you are flying line of sight and close range). 25Mbps seems to work more reliably and offers a more stable signal with less pixelation in the image throughout the same flight. Personally I prefer 25Mbps for its more stable performance.
Latency
Some goggles perform better in latency than others.
Latency measurements were taken using a GoPro Hero 11 filming the goggles screens in 240fps, by counting how many frames it takes for an LED light to switch on. I must admit this is not the most accurate testing as there can be up to 4ms of error, but it can still give us a pretty good idea what the latency is like.
As expected, the Avatar Goggles (or Fatshark Dominator HD) at 720p 100fps 25Mbps offers the lowest latency, at around 32ms. This is better than any goggles connected to the VRX via HDMI using any settings. The Skyzone SKY04X and Fatshark HDO2 in 720p 60fps, and HDZero goggles in 720p 100fps come quite close, they only have 8ms-10ms higher latency at around 40ms.
Some other popular analog goggles that support the Avatar VRX has higher latency, such as the Orqa FPV.ONE is at around 52ms and the Skyzone Cobra X at 76ms. I think 50ms is not ideal but should still be flyable, 75ms is probably a bit too much and it would be a struggle for many.
Update and Unlock FCC?
A microSD memory card is used for updates, which can be downloaded from Caddx’s website. I have a tutorial on how to setup and use the Walksnail system, the steps are almost identical: https://oscarliang.com/setup-avatar-fpv-system/
By default, the system has a power limit of 25mW and reduced channel count. You can switch to FCC mode to unlock more power and channels (only if it’s legal): https://oscarliang.com/setup-avatar-fpv-system/#Unlocking-FCC-Mode
Who Should Get the Walksnail Avatar VRX?
If you have a pair of goggles that have HDMI input, and you want to give Walksnail Avatar a shot, then this VRX module is an affordable entry point. I have a post explaining all the FPV systems and how they compare to each other.
The HDZero goggles work really well with the Avatar VRX. Not only they support all the resolutions and frame rate, they are also compatible with Analog, HDZero and Avatar – 3 out of the 4 FPV systems currently on the market. But you are looking at spending over $900-$1000 if you are going to fly all these systems (think about all the VRX’s and antennas you have to buy). And honestly, do you really fly all 3 FPV systems? It sounds amazing on paper but in reality it’s extremely impractical and expensive in my opinion.
If you have an existing goggles that support the Avatar VRX, and you don’t want to spend $600 for a new set of goggles, the VRX will get the job done. Especially if you buy the combo (together with the VTX), it saves you quite a bit of money.
It’s best to use a goggles that is 16:9, or has the ability to switch from 4:3 to 16:9 because the image from the VRX is 16:9. If you have a 4:3 only goggles the image might look stretched.
You should also take into account the maximum resolution of your goggles. Ideally they should at least match the resolution you intent to use with the VRX, i.e. 720p vertical is the minimum.
If you want the full experience of the Walksnail Avatar system, I still think getting the Fatshark Dominator HD or Avatar Goggles is the way to go. You get the lowest latency (10ms difference is still quite a lot), and the setup is much cleaner and there’s no dangling cables. Though they don’t support analog and do not have HDMI input which is a deal breaker for some people.
Goggles X vs. External Module
When deciding between Walksnail Goggles X and the Walksnail external module, it’s essential to consider cost, user experience, and setup complexity. The Walksnail Goggles X, priced at $459, offers a straightforward, integrated digital experience. On the other hand, while initially seeming cost-effective, unless you can find a pair of analog goggles that’s cheaper than $220, pairing it with a $239 external module can quickly surpass the cost of the Goggles X. Not to mention most analog goggles out there have lower specs than the Goggles X.
Additionally, using the external module complicates setup and could introduce more potential troubleshooting issues. Given these factors, the Walksnail Goggles X is recommended for those seeking a hassle-free, high-quality digital FPV experience, while an analog setup might appeal to budget-conscious enthusiasts comfortable with more complex configurations.
14 comments
I’m looking for a system with a good camera and fairly long range 5-10km but I’d like to be able to view the video on my computer monitor or TV – is this possible? What system would you recommend?
Do you know which antenna working for signal transmission?
i run the vrx with my hd3 fatshark goggles ,, although the screens are small and the walksnail osd is small i still like the image its so much better then analog ,,
Hi Oscar,
Is there a way to connect the HDMI output from the VRX to the VTX by a MIPI cable through a
HDMI to MIPI CSI-2 bridge connector.
Thanks
Perfecto en Eachine 300o y 300o v2. con avatar v2 hd 4:3 720p Ronda los 25/30ms
Sky04l also has a hdmi input. You did not measure the delay in these glasses?
I don’t have them.
Dear Oscar,
I am about to purchase a 04x v1 to pair them with the external module. Why the analogue dvr affects the maximum hdmi resolution?
I fly the Avatar VRX with my HDO2 goggles and are absolutely happy with this combo. For 3″ and 5″ freestyle it`s just amazing. Image is clean and the HDO2s don`t stretch the image, its just letterboxing in the hight because the screens are 4:3 ratio in the goggles. But the image is still big and imersive. The system feels absolutely up to date.
For 75mm whoops and below I found the system a bit too slow. The higher latency makes the flightfeel inacurat and sloppy. Therefore I love my HDZero VRX!
Hi Oscar, i have the new skyzone 04L v2, will it give same performance as the 04x(latency)
Works fine with my Eachine EV300D :)
Hi Andreas, any new discoveries about EV300D and Avatar VRX. Any latency issues or other observations. I wish you safe flight and have a nice day!
I don’t think the sky04x has a 1080p display
1080p works on the skyzone O4x