DJI Mini 3 Pro Goggles (Explained for Beginners)

Flying FPV is one of the best experiences you can have. You get to view the world from a drone’s cockpit, which makes you feel like you are at the nose of a fighter jet. But not everyone has the finances or the skills required to fly an FPV drone.

What if I told you you could experience a similar experience with a standard camera drone like the DJI Mini 3 Pro?

So, are there any DJI Mini 3 Pro goggles, and how do they work?

Thanks to a recent update, the DJI Mini 3 Pro now works with DJI Avata’s Goggles 2 and Integra and is also compatible with the DJI RC Motion 2, which also work with DJI’s FPV drones and systems. Other options to view the Mini 3 Pro’s footage in FPV are the DroneMask, which holds your smartphone and turns it into a VR view, or the Oculus VR headset, where you mirror what you see on the smartphone to the VR’s screen.

Please keep reading to learn more about how to experience FPV flight with your DJI Mini 3 Pro.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Goggles – DJI Goggles or Goggles Integra #

Suppose you don’t have the budget or time to pick up an FPV drone. In that case, DJI has made it possible to experience FPV on the DJI Mini 3 Pro by making it compatible with the DJI Goggles 2 that came with the DJI Avata and the Goggles Integra that was released later. It is also compatible with Motion controller which you must get alongside the goggles to control the drone.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro took the world by storm by being one of the sub-250 grams drones that came packed with several advanced features. These include a 4K camera, vertical gimbal, tri-directional obstacle avoidance, and intelligent flight modes.

And as if that wasn’t good enough, they made it possible to fly the DJI Mini 3 Pro like an FPV drone. All you have to do is connect the goggles and the motion controller, then switch on FPV mode in the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s Gimbal settings, and you will get an experience close enough to that of the DJI Avata. The Motion Controller 2 detects your hand movements, allowing you to control the drone by moving your arm along the wrist. It’s one of the easiest ways to control an FPV drone.

Unfortunately, Portrait Mode, focus adjustments, FocusTrack, and the other intelligent flight modes will not work when using it in FPV mode. All you can do is take single photos and record regular videos.

To learn how to connect the goggles and the motion controller to your drone, DJI has provided the guidelines here.

Below is the DJI Mini 3 Pro in action with the goggles and the motion controller;

DJI Goggles 2 vs. DJI Goggles Integra #

The DJI Goggles 2 are a more advanced version, while the DJI Goggles Integra is a cheaper and more stripped-down version. The DJI Goggles 2 feature a larger screen, live streaming capability, a touchpad, and diopter adjustment. While the Integra version lacks diopter adjustments, it comes with corrective lenses. The touchpad has also been replaced with physical buttons, which are easier to use. The Integra goggles also feature a handy battery placement in the headband where you can place the battery, which makes them more comfortable to wear. The Integra version also comes with the improved O3+ transmission system, which allows them to be compatible with up to 6 devices, while the Goggles 2 are compatible with 4. Head tracking is also available in both drones, which would allow to come with some very creative shots.

Other ways to view the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s footage in FPV #

If you don’t have access to DJI Goggles 2 due to budget or are looking for other options, below are a few.

Drone Mask #

The drone mask was designed for people with regular camera drones looking for an immersive experience. But they aren’t exactly goggles. Instead, the Drone Mask is a casing in the shape of goggles, with an opening at the end where you place your smartphone. Then, you wear these goggles, like any other FPV-designated goggles, and you can see your smartphone’s screen.

The first issue with this setup is if an error pops up on the screen or you want to adjust something on your smartphone, you have to remove the goggles to access the smartphone. If you have a spotter when flying FPV, which is required in most regions, they can help you by adjusting the settings or clearing the errors.

Setting up the Drone Mask is quite easy. Besides the smartphone, controller, and drone, you also need a long USB cable, longer than the one that comes with the drone. Unfortunately, Drone Mask doesn’t provide a USB cable, which is surprising considering you pay $169 for the Drone Mask. You don’t get a receiver, diopter settings, or any other adjustment features available on other FPV goggles.

You can only adjust how far the screen can be from you within the goggles.

But how does it feel to fly with the Drone Mask? They are comfortable enough, and the split-screen VR view makes you forget you are wearing a mask and not actual goggles. One of the main reasons I find them useful is when you are flying on a very sunny day, making it difficult to see the drone or even the smartphone’s screen.

Unfortunately, you can only use these goggles with the DJI Mini 3 Pro RC-N1 standard controller. You can’t use it with the DJI RC controller with an inbuilt screen since you have to place the controller in the goggles and also need it to control the drone.

For the price, I would have expected better features from them, but if you want that immersive experience with your DJI Mini 3 Pro, the Drone Mask would be a cheaper option to do it, though I find it better to wait until you can get the Goggles 2 or Integra.

Oculus Quest 2 #

If you already have an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, I think it can work. This is only speculative, but since Quest 2 works with a wide range of drones, including the DJI Mini 2, the Mini 3 Pro’s predecessor, I expect this method to work on the Mini 3 Pro.

You will need the following items to experience FPV with your DJI drone;

• A smartphone
• Screen Stream App – This app helps you mirror your smartphone’s screen on any web browser
• Oculus VR headsets

Below is the step-by-step process;

• After setting up your drone for takeoff, download the Screen Stream App and open it.
• Take note of the device’s address, as shown below.

3. Press the Start button at the bottom to start the application.
4. Go to Settings > Advanced, and make sure all the boxes, except the Local Host Only, are checked.

5. Turn Hot Spot on your smartphone, then connect to your smartphone’s WiFi connection on your Oculus.
6. In the Oculus search bar or browser, type the IP address on the Screen Stream App.
7. You should be able to see your smartphone’s screen in the Oculus VR goggles.

Note: You might experience some lags, which may be unbearable for some. If you don’t have the Oculus Quest 2 yet, I would not advise you to get them specifically for the DJI Mini 3 Pro. You can get them to use them for other activities that they were designed for, but for the DJi Mini 3 Pro, I’d save up and get the DJI Goggles 2 or Integra. The good thing is that whenever you get an FPV drone, you will not need an extra pair of goggles since the Goggles 2 or Integra will work with a wide range of FPV drones and systems.

Will DJI FPV goggles work with DJI Mini 3 Pro? #

At first, it was not possible. But DJI later made it possible to connect your DJI Mini 3 Pro to the Goggles 2 and fly it like an FPV drone with the Motion Controller.

Does the DJI Mini 3 Pro work with Goggles V2? #

Not really. The Goggles v2 are the goggles that first came out with the DJI FPV drone, the DJI Avata’s predecessor, and should not be confused with the DJI Goggles 2. The firmware update only allowed the DJI Mini 3 Pro to work with the Goggles 2 and the Goggles Integra.

Legal considerations #

You are subjected to even more regulations when you start flying your DJI Mini 3 Pro with goggles. In most regions, you must fly within your line of sight, so you will need to test the goggles in a wide-open area.

Also, you will need a spotter to fly FPV since your own sight is directed into the goggles and not at the drone itself.

Other regulations to pay attention to include maintaining a 400 feet altitude and not flying close to other manned aircraft.