Can You Fly an FPV Drone Without Goggles? (Explained for Beginners)

FPV goggles are an essential part of the first person view experience of drone flying. They help the pilot have a clear, immersive type view of the live feed from the camera. However, if you own an FPV drone, you might be wondering if you can fly it without the goggles for one reason or another.

Yes, you can fly an FPV drone without goggles. Most drone experts advise that newbies should first learn drone flying with the drone in their visual sight before using goggles. Additionally, the law only allows one to fly an aircraft with goggles if they also have a visual observer.

Even though FPV goggles must be used with caution, and in accordance with FAA regulations, when used properly, they are amazing.  In this post, we will cover some of the best ways you can fly an FPV drone without goggles without diminishing the FPV experience too much.

Can you fly an FPV drone without FPV goggles? #

Yes, it’s definitely possible to fly your aircraft without FPV goggles. However, as much as you can fly an FPV without the over-the-eyes viewing devices, they really are the best for flying FPV. For one thing, you can determine your aircraft’s direction and enjoy a more authentic flying experience. The goggles also come in handy when making changes in the settings of your aircraft.

 Besides, why be left out when other drone users have these devices whenever they are out racing? Get in on the action and don’t miss out!

Can you fly a DJI FPV drone without the goggles? #

Unlike your standard FPV drone, the DJI FPV drone is made specifically to connect to the FPV goggles that come as a set with the drone, and can’t be used with just any FPV goggles. The answer to whether this drone can be used without the goggles is a little bit different.

The DJI FPV drone can be used without wearing the goggles. However, in order to do so, you will still need to have the goggles. If you don’t want to wear them (perhaps you don’t have a spotter handy?), you will need to turn on the FPV goggles, connect them to the drone, then plug in your smartphone to the goggles using a USB-C cable.

This will allow you to use your phone as the viewing monitor to be able to see the camera feed and other monitor controls during your flight. 

What are the advantages of FPV goggles?  #

When buying a drone, of course, you wish to get the best experience out of it. You can only enjoy that real-life experience of flight if you have FPV goggles. You will be fully immersed in your FPV drone flying moments, unlike when not using goggles, you are relying instead on your smartphone or another monitor.

FPV flight is all about the viewing experience, making it feel like you’re up there on the drone. While you can see this on a smartphone or tablet screen, it’s much less of an experience. The goggles allow you to get in there, and be fully engaged with the flight experience. That’s what FPV is all about.

The other benefit of goggles is that you can keep in touch with the whereabouts of your FPV drone. The eyewear ensures that you don’t lose track of your drone since you have a constant on-ground view of what’s happening in the skies.

The manufacturers of goggles had your comfort in mind, which is why they built their antennas into the headset. This is to ensure that the unit doesn’t get too heavy for you. It also enhances the connectivity of the goggles to the FPV drone, thus ensuring the live feed is constant.

Goggles also boast a technology that syncs the movement of your head with the camera’s direction. This gives you complete control over your focus, allowing you to direct your camera simply by moving your head around.

All these are the benefits of using goggles when flying an FPV drone. This is a technology you need to try out, regardless of how you use your drone on a day-to-day basis.

Are there alternatives to drone goggles? #

If you want to fly your FPV drone, but don’t want to or can’t use the FPV goggles, here are some alternatives.

Use of smartphones or tablets #

If you are not buying the idea of using goggles when flying an FPV drone, you can always use your phone. They also offer a real-time view of the images being captured by the camera. Much less immersive, the view on the smartphone is still adequate to see what the drone sees, and to have effective control over the drone and camera view. They still technically offer an FPV experience.

AR glasses #

AR stands for Augmented Reality Smartglasses. They look like normal goggles; only that drone flyers wear them. The type of live feed that AR glasses offer from your aircrafts’ perspective is high quality. 

The upside of AR glasses is that they allow you to see the location of your drone from the ground even if the live feed stops, since you can see through the lenses.

This is different from your typical FPV goggles because your vision will be obscured if the live video stops. You can only save the situation by flipping the goggles upward. The split second it takes to take off the goggles could be the difference causing a crash, or getting left behind if you were in a race.

Make a decision #

Since it’s not a must for a drone pilot to use goggles, the ball is in your court here. You can decide whether you think FPV goggles are a must-have in your case or not. However, your decision should be based on what you use your drone for. If your drone is for fun, you can record your contents and view them later. This eliminates the need for goggles. 

Nevertheless, if your drone is for commercial purposes or racing, the goggles are the way to go. 

Generally, drone goggles will help you capture high-quality videos within a short time. Additionally, you will have a clear view of your FPV drone’s location, thus enhancing your navigation. When you use goggles, you also run a lower risk of colliding with someone or something.