The DroneMask 2 is a relatively inexpensive product that approximates the experience of flying drones in FPV mode. However, it is not as sophisticated as real FPV goggles.
Does the DroneMask 2 provide a satisfying and immersive FPV experience? Or are you better off buying more premium goggles?
In this article, we take a look at the features of the DroneMask 2 and weigh its pros and cons.
Key Takeaways
- The DroneMask 2 is essentially a really well-made version of the usual VR glasses that are used for phones. It can be used for a wide range of drones to mimic the experience offered by FPV goggles.
- The product feels overpriced for the features that it offers. It is indeed a high-quality product, but will benefit greatly from a price reduction.
What Is the DroneMask 2?
The DroneMask 2 looks almost exactly like the standard VR goggles that are made to be used with your phone. It provides an immersive view of your drone flight, given that footage from the drone can be viewed on a phone.
This is the first important point that must be made about the DroneMask 2 – only get it if you’re using a remote controller that needs to be connected to a mobile device such as the DJI RC-N1. Remote controllers with integrated screens simply will not work.
It does feel like a disservice to compare the DroneMask 2 to the VR goggles that you can buy online for less than $50.
The DroneMask 2 feels like a more premium product made of high-quality fabric, with good construction, and comfortable head straps.
As we shall see later, it also has a couple of well-thought-out features that make the experience of using it a lot better than expected.
Features of the DroneMask 2
Using the DroneMask 2 cannot be simpler. Just download the drone flight app on your phone and slide the phone into the DroneMask 2.
Unlike other VR headsets, the DroneMask 2 does not require the view of the phone to be split in two. Instead, you have just a single screen which enhances the immersive experience.
This should be clear to all drone pilots but still bears saying – if you’re using the DroneMask 2, you should be flying with a visual observer. The FAA requires this for FPV drone flight, whether commercially or recreationally.
The DroneMask 2 is light and reasonably comfortable. There is a little bit of light leakage but nothing too bad.
A nice touch is the access holes located on the bottom of the headset that allow you to touch the screen of your phone without having to remove the phone every time. This is a simple and very thoughtful feature that enhances the experience.
The screen of the DroneMask 2 – actually made of two screens joined seamlessly in the middle – provides good magnification and clarity.
The quality of your phone screen is a huge factor, of course, but the screen of the goggles is nothing to complain about.
Uses outside of Drone Flight
With the DroneMask 2 having just a single screen, it actually works really well as a personal home cinema. It can also be used for many VR apps except for those that rely on split binocular viewing.
The front panel of the DroneMask 2 has a small window to allow your phone’s camera to peek through. The purpose of this is to allow the use of the goggles for AR apps.
Drawbacks of the DroneMask 2
It comes as no surprise, but the DroneMask 2 is not a perfect product. It is indeed well-made with high-quality material, but it is quite a bulky contraption.
This may come up as an issue if you need to pack the DroneMask 2 on a trip. FPV goggles, by comparison, are generally smaller.
There have also been accounts of the lenses of the goggles fogging during hot weather.
Perhaps the biggest gripe that many have with the DroneMask 2 is that it’s quite expensive. For a product that essentially holds a phone and magnifies its screen, the $179 price tag of the DroneMask 2 is surprising.
In their defense, the makers of DroneMask 2 state that they are committed to maintaining high quality in their products. They also say that they are a relatively small company and don’t have the scale for cheaper production at a more massive scale.
If you’re curious about FPV drone flight but don’t want to splurge on new hardware, then the DroneMask 2 is worth considering. It’s definitely still cheaper than the DJI FPV Goggles and will work with just about any drone.
This flexibility and ease of use are probably some of the best selling points of this product.
If you need more points to convince yourself to get it, it can also be a good alternative to sunshades or sunglasses when you want to fly your drone on a bright and sunny day.
However, the DroneMask 2 may disappoint you if you’re looking to explore FPV racing or some of the more dynamic and fast-paced aspects of FPV drone flight.
Dedicated FPV hardware is naturally a lot more immersive, and has better response time, better video quality, and wider field of view.
The DroneMask 2 would be easier to recommend at a lower price point. It’s a good product that feels just a little overpriced.
Still, the work that has gone into the DroneMask 2 and how much it has improved from its predecessor is commendable. There is certainly a space for such a product in the drone market, but hopefully, the company can afford to sell future versions of it at a lower price.
