Can You Fly a Drone with Oculus Quest 2? (Explained)

It’s an easy jump from gaming to drones. If you’re into video games, especially the virtual reality sort, you’ll love the thrill of drones. And the FPV experience is something you won’t want to miss. If you’re just getting into drones, and you already have gaming gear, you may be wondering whether you can use your Oculus Quest 2 headset to fly FPV. 

It is possible to fly a drone using an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, but it is not altogether a simple process to get it set up. It requires downloading a casting app that will allow you to share your phone’s screen view to the Oculus. Even with this, there is a video lag that will hinder the flight experience.

Can I use the Oculus Quest 2 to fly my DJI Mavic Mini or Mini 2? #

You can fly a Mavic Mini or Mini 2 drone using an Oculus Quest 2. The simplest way is with an Android device, and a WiFi connection. 

Here is a tutorial on how to set up the Oculus Quest 2:

• First, download the AirScreen app on your Android device. 
• Connect the Oculus Quest 2 to your PC and open the SideQuest to install the application on the headset. 
• Run the app within the headset and follow the setup steps. 
• From your android phone or tablet,  turn on the screen mirroring app, and select the Oculus Quest 2 headset.
• Put your headset on and follow the instructions in the app. At this point, you should see your phone’s screen, and therefore you can fly.

However, you have to be careful not to fly the drone near objects. This is because a wireless connection enables the whole process. There might be a video lag, but this shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you fly your DJI Mavic Mini or Mini 2 in an open space.

How to set up and use the Oculus Quest 2 with an Android device #

You can exploit the full advantages of Oculus Quest 2 by using an android device that is compatible with it. To set up and use the VR, you will need a 5.0+ android device, an Oculus app on your device, and a Facebook account. Here is a step-by-step guide on setting up and using Oculus Quest 2 with an Android device.

• Install the Oculus Quest 2 app on an Android device. The app is free in the App store.
• Once the app is installed, open it and sign in with your Facebook account. You can create one if you don’t have one.

After signing in, you can now pair your device with the Oculus Quest 2 VR and use it. Here is how to do it.

• Ensure your Oculus Quest 2 is fully charged and turn it on.
• Connect the VR headset and your android device to the same WiFi network
• Additionally, you will be required to turn on the Bluetooth of your android device for it to be identified and paired with the headset.
• For the best Bluetooth connection, ensure both your device and the Oculus Quest are close to each other.
• Open the Oculus Quest 2 App on your device and tap the ‘’Devices’’ option and select the Oculus Quest 2 you are using.
• A notification will be sent to your Android device, and you should tap on it to start pairing.
• The headset and the android device should pair automatically with each other.
• Both the VR headset and the Oculus app should remain turned on during the pairing process
• The Oculus Quest 2 is ready to use with the android device after the pairing is done.

How to set up and use the Oculus Quest 2 with an Apple device #

An Oculus Quest 2 can also be set up and used with an Apple device. However, the device must be 10 +, connected to WiFi, and have the Bluetooth turned on. Here are the steps to setting up and using Oculus Quest 2 with an Apple device.

• The first thing to do is plug your Oculus Quest 2 into a power source. You can use a wall charger or USB cable. 
• Download the Oculus app via the App Store on the Apple device
• Open the app on your device
• Turn on the Oculus Quest 2 and keep it close to the Apple device with its Bluetooth on
• Connect the VR to the Apple device by tapping on the Oculus app and selecting it.
• Set up the headset by putting it on, connecting it to WiFi, and following the instructions
• The VR will start updating, and once done, it will make a sound.
• The VR is now set up, and you can use it.

Potential problems with using a VR headset to fly a drone #

As much as flying a drone with a VR headset is fun, it is not always a walk in the park. Some challenges come with it, and here is a discussion of some of them.

Line of sight rules #

FAA rules outline safe drone flying, and one of them is the Visual Line of Sight rule. The law states that every drone pilot must be able to see the drone with their naked eyes while flying. 

However, if you fly your drone with a VR headset, you must have someone who will stand beside you as a visual observer. This person will act as the eyes of drone pilots, informing them in case something goes wrong. 

So it’s not a simple case of hopping outside to fly FPV with your Oculus Quest headset. You need to have a friend handy to be your visual observer if you’re going to stay within the law.

Video lag time #

This is another potential problem likely to occur when flying your drone using a headset. The video lag is caused by the type of connection and the fact that has to go through first the phone, then screencast to the headset. They’re not designed to run together the way an FPV headset is.

The problem with the lag time is that you run the risk of crashing into things. The video lag also means you’re not going to be able to use your Quest headset to get great photos while flying your drone. And it certainly means you’re not going to want to use it to race your drone.

WiFi connection between the phone and headset #

There must be a strong WiFi connection for your VR headset to fly a drone successfully. This means you have to fly your drone in a place near a WiFi connection, so, not out in the middle of nowhere. You’re going to be pretty limited in your range of where you can fly to make sure you stay close to your WiFi.

You may have a bad experience with manifestations of lags or stutters if the WiFi connection is poor. The loading time can also be affected by a slow WiFi connection.

Health risks #

Although very little is mentioned about the risks that VR headsets bring, the truth is that they put the user’s health at risk. Below are some of the risks that come with using VR headsets.

Nausea #

This is one of the most common health issues drone pilots report using headsets. The nausea is mainly caused by a tight fit of the headset on the user’s head. If you experience such a problem, adjust the headset or loosen the straps. 

Eye problems #

Using VR headsets might cause you to strain your eyes as you try to focus on the screen. Most VR devices are not made to optically favor the user’s eyes, thus becoming uncomfortable if they don’t have a large field of view. Straining your eyes for a long time can have permanent effects.

Other drones that work with Oculus Quest 2 #

Drones and Oculus Quest 2 are two technologies that can be made to work together. Here is a list of drones that can work with Oculus Quest 2, or any other VR headset.

DJI Mavic Mini #

This is one drone that works well with Oculus Quest 2. To connect this drone to the virtual reality headsets, you need a smartphone, a wifi connection, and an SDK app. We discussed the steps to using the Mavic Mini with Oculus Quest 2 above, so check it out in the first subheading.

DJI Tello #

The Tello is fun to fly, and better yet, it’s compatible with Oculus Quest 2. You will need an android app and wifi connection, and you can be sure to have the best view of where you are flying. The view is not affected by speed, and therefore you can move at whichever speed you wish.

MJX X101C Quadcopter #

This drone is also known as DBPower X 101c. It is a WiFi FPV and 3D headset-enabled drone. The availability of the two features is via a free android application, which is why it works well with the Oculus Quest 2 headsets. 

Power Up FPV Drone #

The Power Up FPV drone gives a cockpit experience when you fly it using Oculus Quest 2, with every view looking so real. The aircraft is easily controllable using the movements of your head and incredibly responds to them. Additionally, it is compatible with android, and these two features make flying it with Oculus Quest possible.

Parrot Bebop 2 #

If you are not a newbie in the drone industry, you might have encountered the Parrot Bebop 2 drone. The Oculus Quest 2 connects to this drone via HDMI. This drone uses a smartphone or tablet since it doesn’t have a controller, which makes it easy to use with Oculus Quest.

Aomola S5 Drone with Camera for adults #

This remote-controlled drone has user-friendly features making it easy to control when flying with a VR headset. Therefore, you can be sure to get the best views via the Oculus Quest 2. The Aomola S5 is easily compatible with Oculus Quest 2 because it already uses a phone app for control.

Photo by Remy Gieling on Unsplash