I honestly do not think existing HD pilots are where the vast majority of Walksnail sales and market share is coming from. From what I've seen, it's from analogue pilots moving up to HD and looking for a system from a vendor that is listening to customers and has that more inclusive approach to key projects like Betaflight, INAV and Gyrofliw (among others). Most hobbyists who already have an HD FPV system (and like it) are unlikely to spend another £600 for another system unless they feel like they get a lot more from it. In reality, most of the hobby pilots I talk to can't afford extra thousands on several different HD systems , they just want one that works, will be here for a long time and stay conpatable with all of the pieces they buy at the start.... Comparisons with video from different HD FPV systems are fun, but without those key features, pilots could be buying into something they have to replace before they want to....
I'm thinking the same and some days ago, when the time to replace my brave Quanum Cyclops for something lighter on my head and with a working DVR, I hesitated between staying analog and buy EV300D or going on the Walksnail path. I finally choose a compromise with analog EV300D and a Hawkeye Thumb (I already have a firefly split v4 on my T1 ranger but it's near to not movable 😅). Google X seems to have some overheating problems and there's a rumor of protocol change this summer so I wait to see returns when weather will be hot before have to change the 6 months old outdated VRX of my overheating googles this summer.
I must be in the minority but I have been deep in the DJI ecosystem since Phantom 1 and I have a boatload of DJI Air Units and O3s and I am in the midst of a full changeover to Walksnail, all because DJI has turned its back on us with the OSD shortcoming. Anyway, thanks, Lee, for your first-class channel ... you've guided me on many builds.
I will no doubt buy a couple of units when made available in US locations. Walksnail continues to turn out new and better spec products. Not buying any more DJI products in 2024. HD Zero and Walksnail only.
Im interested to see where they take it. i had to sell my fatshark/walksnail goggles for some financial reasons but ill be back to the hobby soon. The goggles X look great seeing that you can just plop a new board inside for hardware updates. Not having to buy another set of super expensive goggles
Did you have any issues with screen flickering with the Goggles X? My right screen was flickering quite a bit until I upgraded the firmware. I really hope there are no issues when it has been running for ages.
@@r1m.dog78 so far no, I have not experienced any flickering or anything. I immediately upgraded them to the new firmware out of the box. Flew for about 20-25 minutes straight and didn’t notice anything. It’s been cool weather here lately though. Let’s see when it heats up what happens
Honestly the external cable was the best option, IMO. Any sort of PCB stack with the pin risers ive used have broken rather quickly. We need to see the 4k recording in action though
I hope that external wire doesn’t have to stay there in flight tho. That won’t last long. Considering all the whinging about broken connectors on the VTXs prior to this, I’m sure this will be no different.
I agree the pin risers are the worst. Major fail point on any board but maybe they could’ve used some sort of internal ribbon cable that could be disconnected when taking the boards apart
I think the modular aspect is interesting. Like the Goggles X. Leaves them open to upgrading some parts of the system without upgrading all parts of the system. Certainly more cost effective for them, probably also more cost effective for us.
Does the EIS operate in the live feed? (switchable?) I realize live EIS could/would increase latency, but might be nice during certain kinds of flights, just to take the "edge" off - esp for those of us who get "seasick" from time to time while flying fpv. :)
@@Painless360So long as EIS can be disabled too. For those looking at using cameras for Dramatic or Action/Adventure/SciFi film making or TV production, we do that part in post, and cameras that record in the camera, not in the goggles only, are prefered. EIS 'may' be useful for live sports production, such as following atheletes, cyclists, horses, from above with the digital downlink and HDMI output bringing such a camera down in to the state or regional broadcaster range. This camera/TX, with the camera on a gimbal, will be excelent for NEWS production too, either under a quad or under a much quieter wing that can loiter at very low throttle, and there the EIS would absolutely be used, especially in HD.
Is this moonlight camera/the STARVIS-sensor in it, the same as in the Avatar HD-pro camera, so are these cameras equally capable in lowlight conditions? (i think the aperture of the HD-pro lens is 1.6 wherelse it is 2.1 on the moonlight?)
I hope to god they do. It amazes me how we have ChatGPT but somehow we dont have the computational power to do digital FPV cheaper. It shouldnt be all that difficult either. Alot of good open sourced solutions are out there that work relatively fine.
th-cam.com/video/-lGCc-N8U1o/w-d-xo.html for previous mod3ls. For this, simply copy the update file into the root directory of the SD card... best of luck
VTX case needs to be smaller. No one seems to want to build a frame for Walksnail and with its need for cables on the sides we need some way to keep them from getting damaged.
@@Painless360 It looks like they are going to sell the camera and VTX separately as an upgrade to a current unit for $110. I imagine you would use that short cable to make it work. I wonder if it would be worth an upgrade...
@@Painless360 It looks like they are going to sell the camera and VTX separately as an upgrade to a current unit for $110. I imagine you would use that short cable to make it work. I wonder if it would be worth an upgrade...
@@MrMartinRome$110 would be a lot. A $30 premium on top of a Pro kit, yeah maybe I’m interested. $110? Nah. Others might tho, I mean if you fly with a GoPro this is a lot cheaper.
Sucks that the original DJI air units are the only way to get live audio, and I have not heard of anyone else looking to implement audio. I will probably hold on to my rooted DJI V1 goggles for this very reason, as it is nice to have live audio on at least a few drones.
Is Walksnail as good as DJI as far as penetration, range & reliability yet? I haven't been paying much attention lately and am curious if they've caught up yet.
Thank you for this overview! Would you consider taking a look at the OpenIPC FPV project. It seems to be quite involved, and cobstantly evolving, but it offers many possibilities for digital FPV at a low cost
I've tried to get involved with stuff like that before and found it very tricky. The documentation and code is changing so quickly that any content becomes outdated as soon as it is released...
@@Painless360That is true. Remains to be seen if these DIY Open source HD FPV projects reach a level of maturity, where it would be feasible. Thank you for the reply!
Never flown anything but HDZero. Can you plug in a USB C cable and download video or must you remove the SD card? How is the range and penetration at this point?
Is it the sheer volume of data needing to be transmitted and received that causes latency? Does that mean if u could reduce the data load there’d be less latency? If the data load could be split in half and transmitted by dual vtx’s and received by dual vrx’s and then spliced back together would it be quicker?
Anytime you add an additional process you add a few ms. Encoding takes time, some cameras are actually quicker than others to get the pixels to the VRX (analog was like this but way less variances), bi directional checks take a few ms, The only way I see to make it faster is reduce the steps or make them seem non-existent.
If Insta360 studio can edit files from ANY other manufacturer besides Insta360, then list likely, yes. But - I'm thinking Insta360 studio only works with their own files.
@@Painless360 I see, I'm probably dumb but does that mean the *quality* (includes changes in image compression, sharpness, detail, etc like the goggle feed of O3) of the image we see in the goggles the same as the previous models?
6:00 using two boards for repairability is a HUGE thing for a modern manufacturer. It's harder, costs more, loses income and your competitors aren't doing it - and it generates almost no extra sales in fact the added size might cost some. That says a lot about a mfr 💪. Edit: eeeh just saw that external cable😂 not a deal-breaker but use a jumper guys😂
Wow toysckeep getting better, amazing what is available now. Dang what might I have done with such tech as a youth. Alas the hobby is under such attack , world wide . A Jennie out of the box as easy to catch as smoke. I am cursed with seeing both sides of the arguments. Shame when our toys reach the levels of being a threat . Watched a swarm display a while back saw the potential a little scary. The old German saboteur I found as a boy would have found this amazing much superior to his balloons carrying glass rods filled with white phosphorus take care .
Any technology has the potential to be used illegally. UAVs and model planes are no different. Sadly, this results in laws that impact those who aren't criminals..
I honestly do not think existing HD pilots are where the vast majority of Walksnail sales and market share is coming from. From what I've seen, it's from analogue pilots moving up to HD and looking for a system from a vendor that is listening to customers and has that more inclusive approach to key projects like Betaflight, INAV and Gyrofliw (among others).
Most hobbyists who already have an HD FPV system (and like it) are unlikely to spend another £600 for another system unless they feel like they get a lot more from it.
In reality, most of the hobby pilots I talk to can't afford extra thousands on several different HD systems , they just want one that works, will be here for a long time and stay conpatable with all of the pieces they buy at the start....
Comparisons with video from different HD FPV systems are fun, but without those key features, pilots could be buying into something they have to replace before they want to....
That's pretty much where I'm at. Not flying fpv at all, but waiting for a more deserving/responsive/rc hobby minded place to put my £ than DJI
Absolutely true, that's where I came from as well
I'm thinking the same and some days ago, when the time to replace my brave Quanum Cyclops for something lighter on my head and with a working DVR, I hesitated between staying analog and buy EV300D or going on the Walksnail path. I finally choose a compromise with analog EV300D and a Hawkeye Thumb (I already have a firefly split v4 on my T1 ranger but it's near to not movable 😅). Google X seems to have some overheating problems and there's a rumor of protocol change this summer so I wait to see returns when weather will be hot before have to change the 6 months old outdated VRX of my overheating googles this summer.
I must be in the minority but I have been deep in the DJI ecosystem since Phantom 1 and I have a boatload of DJI Air Units and O3s and I am in the midst of a full changeover to Walksnail, all because DJI has turned its back on us with the OSD shortcoming. Anyway, thanks, Lee, for your first-class channel ... you've guided me on many builds.
While I do not use this system, I love the innovation. We need companies to keep designing new things, to push other companies to do the same.
😂
Walksnail 4K has entered the chat...
DJI: Hey, see you looking at her! Don't even think about it mister!
I will no doubt buy a couple of units when made available in US locations. Walksnail continues to turn out new and better spec products. Not buying any more DJI products in 2024. HD Zero and Walksnail only.
I’m am really happy so far with my goggles X and the Avatar HD system. It’s exciting to see them releasing new hardware in an effort to compete.
Im interested to see where they take it. i had to sell my fatshark/walksnail goggles for some financial reasons but ill be back to the hobby soon. The goggles X look great seeing that you can just plop a new board inside for hardware updates. Not having to buy another set of super expensive goggles
Did you have any issues with screen flickering with the Goggles X? My right screen was flickering quite a bit until I upgraded the firmware. I really hope there are no issues when it has been running for ages.
@@r1m.dog78 so far no, I have not experienced any flickering or anything. I immediately upgraded them to the new firmware out of the box. Flew for about 20-25 minutes straight and didn’t notice anything. It’s been cool weather here lately though. Let’s see when it heats up what happens
@@PoodlehawkFPV Great, thanks for the reply, and fingers crossed we don't have any issues 👍
happy to see caddx put efforts in supporting existing VTX.
Fantastic flying and review, Lee!!! 😃
Finally this camera and VTX are out! And I really liked the footage!
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Honestly the external cable was the best option, IMO. Any sort of PCB stack with the pin risers ive used have broken rather quickly. We need to see the 4k recording in action though
I hope that external wire doesn’t have to stay there in flight tho. That won’t last long. Considering all the whinging about broken connectors on the VTXs prior to this, I’m sure this will be no different.
External wire only needed for update. Covered in video
@@Painless360 good to know it's not needed for daily use
I agree the pin risers are the worst. Major fail point on any board but maybe they could’ve used some sort of internal ribbon cable that could be disconnected when taking the boards apart
great vid brother thanks for all the sweet details
So happy that caddx released this, hoping that they make micros for this like the pavo pico!
Weight ! is it really 10g heaver than the O3 Air Unit?
I think the modular aspect is interesting. Like the Goggles X. Leaves them open to upgrading some parts of the system without upgrading all parts of the system. Certainly more cost effective for them, probably also more cost effective for us.
As always Great Video
Nice. But no options for lens focal length? And no audio?
I love everything about walksnail I just wish it could record audio
Will love to know what the naked version weighs.
Good video Lee
Does the EIS operate in the live feed? (switchable?) I realize live EIS could/would increase latency, but might be nice during certain kinds of flights, just to take the "edge" off - esp for those of us who get "seasick" from time to time while flying fpv. :)
I will wait to answer that as I've fed back to WS that EIS needs to be added to 720 and 1080P recordings too and I want to see what that looks like..
@@Painless360So long as EIS can be disabled too. For those looking at using cameras for Dramatic or Action/Adventure/SciFi film making or TV production, we do that part in post, and cameras that record in the camera, not in the goggles only, are prefered.
EIS 'may' be useful for live sports production, such as following atheletes, cyclists, horses, from above with the digital downlink and HDMI output bringing such a camera down in to the state or regional broadcaster range.
This camera/TX, with the camera on a gimbal, will be excelent for NEWS production too, either under a quad or under a much quieter wing that can loiter at very low throttle, and there the EIS would absolutely be used, especially in HD.
Is this moonlight camera/the STARVIS-sensor in it, the same as in the Avatar HD-pro camera, so are these cameras equally capable in lowlight conditions? (i think the aperture of the HD-pro lens is 1.6 wherelse it is 2.1 on the moonlight?)
Thanks for the overview. Will you put that on a wing?
Thanks
Maybe, not sure... Happy flying!
What about the expected range?
This is good news! I’m on the DJI ecosystem but like you said, maybe DJI will step it up now and lower their prices 🎉
Dji? Not likely ever
I hope to god they do.
It amazes me how we have ChatGPT but somehow we dont have the computational power to do digital FPV cheaper.
It shouldnt be all that difficult either. Alot of good open sourced solutions are out there that work relatively fine.
Its all about the volume of the products. Hobby Grade HD FPV isn't a huge market..
Nah, they don't need to ... They make so much money outside FPV
Hi do you know what the smallest walkdnail cam is with the best fidelity?. Was looking to make a small walkdnail build
No bad choices for the camera. Lots of choice for the Avatar unit... see my build inside a ZOHD Drift and todays video on the Dart...best of luck
I got problem with update procedure, maybe you can explain how to do it ...
th-cam.com/video/-lGCc-N8U1o/w-d-xo.html for previous mod3ls. For this, simply copy the update file into the root directory of the SD card... best of luck
VTX case needs to be smaller. No one seems to want to build a frame for Walksnail and with its need for cables on the sides we need some way to keep them from getting damaged.
Thanks Lee. Can you comment on the flying experience. Did you notice any difference in the goggles compared to the other Walksnail cameras/vtx?
It flies exactly like the other AVATAR units from the testing here. The ND filter helps with contrast..
@@Painless360 It looks like they are going to sell the camera and VTX separately as an upgrade to a current unit for $110. I imagine you would use that short cable to make it work. I wonder if it would be worth an upgrade...
@@Painless360 It looks like they are going to sell the camera and VTX separately as an upgrade to a current unit for $110. I imagine you would use that short cable to make it work. I wonder if it would be worth an upgrade...
@@MrMartinRome$110 would be a lot. A $30 premium on top of a Pro kit, yeah maybe I’m interested. $110? Nah. Others might tho, I mean if you fly with a GoPro this is a lot cheaper.
WS needs to drop a vtx kit with live audio for edge over the market
Sucks that the original DJI air units are the only way to get live audio, and I have not heard of anyone else looking to implement audio. I will probably hold on to my rooted DJI V1 goggles for this very reason, as it is nice to have live audio on at least a few drones.
Is Walksnail as good as DJI as far as penetration, range & reliability yet? I haven't been paying much attention lately and am curious if they've caught up yet.
Much better on range.. Lots of comparison videos about.. Happy flying
thanks Sir
Walksnail system user here.
Thank you for this overview! Would you consider taking a look at the OpenIPC FPV project. It seems to be quite involved, and cobstantly evolving, but it offers many possibilities for digital FPV at a low cost
I've tried to get involved with stuff like that before and found it very tricky. The documentation and code is changing so quickly that any content becomes outdated as soon as it is released...
@@Painless360That is true. Remains to be seen if these DIY Open source HD FPV projects reach a level of maturity, where it would be feasible. Thank you for the reply!
You're welcome. OpenHD was the last project that took a lot of time for no stable solution or useful content..
Never flown anything but HDZero. Can you plug in a USB C cable and download video or must you remove the SD card? How is the range and penetration at this point?
Remove sd card.. Happy flying
Is it the sheer volume of data needing to be transmitted and received that causes latency? Does that mean if u could reduce the data load there’d be less latency? If the data load could be split in half and transmitted by dual vtx’s and received by dual vrx’s and then spliced back together would it be quicker?
Anytime you add an additional process you add a few ms. Encoding takes time, some cameras are actually quicker than others to get the pixels to the VRX (analog was like this but way less variances), bi directional checks take a few ms,
The only way I see to make it faster is reduce the steps or make them seem non-existent.
Damn, too late to receive one as a Christmas present 😢
Will this system work with dji goggles v2?
No. This is a Walksnail AVATAR... Happy flying
Do u think the 2.7 recording be edited with insta360 studio?
If Insta360 studio can edit files from ANY other manufacturer besides Insta360, then list likely, yes. But - I'm thinking Insta360 studio only works with their own files.
Does anyone have any clue if the image quality in the goggles are improved or is that the same as the previous models?
Covered in the video. Goggles still only 720p or1080
@@Painless360 I see, I'm probably dumb but does that mean the *quality* (includes changes in image compression, sharpness, detail, etc like the goggle feed of O3) of the image we see in the goggles the same as the previous models?
So... is the 2.7k/4k just for the recorded file and not for the fpv footage? Or will there be 4k goggles soon?
We would need a codec that's 4x better than h265 to do 4k FPV at the same performance as we have now. There's no way around that.
Crazy
Is this walksnail system still compatible with the earlier walksnail systems that you can add to the analog goggles
Yes, all compatable. This isn't DJI...
@@Painless360 very cool thank you
Hi sir. Does it works with the old avatar goggles?
Yes
Which frame
I don't understand
@@Painless360 which frame have you used in this video for installing up moonlight kit and fly it
Quadcopter Build for Beginners (late 2023): th-cam.com/play/PLYsWjANuAm4pgz-3DtfdHHKBLz23zgrSe.html
6:00 using two boards for repairability is a HUGE thing for a modern manufacturer. It's harder, costs more, loses income and your competitors aren't doing it - and it generates almost no extra sales in fact the added size might cost some. That says a lot about a mfr 💪. Edit: eeeh just saw that external cable😂 not a deal-breaker but use a jumper guys😂
Wow toysckeep getting better, amazing what is available now. Dang what might I have done with such tech as a youth. Alas the hobby is under such attack , world wide . A Jennie out of the box as easy to catch as smoke. I am cursed with seeing both sides of the arguments. Shame when our toys reach the levels of being a threat . Watched a swarm display a while back saw the potential a little scary. The old German saboteur I found as a boy would have found this amazing much superior to his balloons carrying glass rods filled with white phosphorus take care .
Any technology has the potential to be used illegally. UAVs and model planes are no different. Sadly, this results in laws that impact those who aren't criminals..