How to make cheap FPV goggles
939Update: Since I made this video in the first half of 2013, a few more options have popped up. flyingwings.co.uk bought out a version for a 4.3" screen http://www.flyingwings.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=411 and also have the option of a head strap for both sets. Meantime Hobbyking have swooped in and undercut the prices with their Quanum DIY goggles kit which includes a monitor http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=62919&aff=663923 I haven't checked it out personally, but it seems pretty good and is getting some good feedback.
There's never been a cheaper way to get into FPV - what are you waiting for !
Stock Update: I exchanged some email with Rob at flying wings today (27/7/13), and there won't be anything now until early September. This is partly due to Rob shutting down for a period over summer, and running out of black EPP !
Thinking of giving FPV a go, but were put off by the price of a pair of Fat Sharks ? Try a set of these then - I built these "goggles" for just £28, which I intend to use as passenger goggles, but I really didn't have high hopes for them. I though it would be ok at best, but really the picture through them looks really nice. I'm pleasantly surprised.
Apologies for the variable audio in this video. I built them gone midnight, so found myself whispering and had to try re-recording the audio. For some reason the iSight recording audio is really boosted. Hopefully you get the general idea though.
Please feel free to ask if there's any questions
Some links to where I got the stuff if it was unclear from the video -
Eco Goggles - http://www.flyingwings.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=57_76&product_id=382
Reversing monitor (this is ebay, so could be transient) - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271037766713
**UPDATE** The above is a link to the original item I bought from ebay, at the time it spec'd the monitor as 640x400, but now I notice it lists it as a 320x200 resolution. As far as I can tell, the one I have *looks* like it's 640x480, but as many people have pointed out, not all the sellers on ebay are as honest as they could be. My suggestion is to do a search for 3.5" reversing monitors, looks for a seller in your country with good feedback who spec'd their monitor as 640x480, ask the question to make sure it is, and don't accept any vague answers like "yeah, I think so, that's what it says in this email". If it turns out not to be what you paid for, then take them to town on the issue
The FPV kit I was using in the video was the Boscam 200mw 5.8 VTX and RC305 VRX, these are a nice cheap setup from Hobbyking at $55 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=15295&aff=663923
I was using an 808 #16 key camera with the D lens, you can get them from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-DVR-808-Micro-Camera-16-V2-D-HD-720P-H-264-Pocket-Camcorder-Video-Recorder-/160874297245?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_Camcorders&hash=item2574daf79d
If you want to go super budget on starting out in FPV, HobbyKing knock out a board cam that will plug straight into the Boscam VTX at $16.99 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=11977&aff=663923 (PAL) or http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=13434&aff=663923 (NTSC) Not the best quality, but will get you going
Top Tip: A great tip from Jason W in the comments, he's alerted me to the fact you can get black glue gun sticks (check on ebay), which is news to me. These would be absolutely ideal for making sure you didn't get any light leakage, as the normal glue stick is translucent.