DIY Goggles - cheap Dominator HD alternative?

by RCSchim | October 10, 2014 | (8) Posted in Projects

From the comments on my Fatshark Dominator HD review I see that this is a hot topic. So many questions about alternatives to the expensive and hard to get DomHDs.
One really good one is also the cheapes one with extra large picture, good quality and good comfort. I saw these first on a FPV meet (Poolnoodle Challenge) and was amazed by the clear and huge display. Pricing is around 100$, buildtime maybe 1-2h - but really easy!
If you have some questions, comments - don't hesitate! Good luck with the build and have fun!

Check out my blog post here for more details and all the pictures (which are also in the video at the end).

Short shopping-list:
1. Frame (styrofoam) from UK http://goo.gl/pikyzS
2. 5" TFT display from Dealextreme http://goo.gl/Vd419Y
3. better fresnel lens (optional) http://goo.gl/TlJlzp

Video Index:
0:11 Intro
3:10 Impressions, take a look thru the goggles!
4:35 horizontal Interalced "issue"
5:25 Lag?
5:44 Fatshark DomHD vs DIY Goggles
8:20 Difference between DomHD and DIY Goggles
9:25 Price, Buildtips
10:07 Strap mount Tip!
12:00 Bluescreen?
15:27 Answer: Monitor or Goggles for beginners?
19:09 Buildpics (Pics also available on picasa)

COMMENTS

Gopherdave on October 10, 2014
Hello.
Very nice video, lots of great information and explanation of how it works and why. Thanks for taking the time to share and explain this to us. I first saw this idea on rcmodelreviews and they were shown as a cheap secondary alternative to goggles for 30 dollars. I like how you were able to source the best parts and show where to get them. I love how you explain thongs in you videos, like all the reasons why we don't use digital video or HDMI because of latency issues. These goggles will be my next project now and I look forward to your next video.

Dave
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RCSchim on October 10, 2014
thanks for your nice comment! I also saw the review from bruce (and that brought me off the idea to buy the 30$ HK goggles ;-)
Then I saw the improved quality goggles from a friend and was amazed by his picture quality. I like being able to do exactly the videos that are of high interest - and after the Dominator HD review I saw that lots of guys are asking about the DIY goggles.
It took some time tough until the display was delivered...
good luck on your build, you'll love it!
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Gopherdave on October 10, 2014
Hello.
Thanks for the reply. I went to your blog link, lots more good stuff there. The link for the Fresnel shows the product not listed any more, I could probably find another but you mentioned it helps a lot? The link to your design mentor, promthius doesn't work? The head box is $50 Canadian, mostly for shipping, I guess it would be hard to duplicate though..

Dave
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galaxy engineer on October 10, 2014
Hey Schim......Great subject and really informative video. I have built several of my own Head Mount Displays. One thing I found to get rid of the ''bow tie'' or ''barrel'' distortion is to curve the Fresnel lens slightly (kind of around your face direction). This will also eliminate or drastically reduce reflections from the lens itself.
Thanks again for one of your great videos.
Brett
(aka Galaxy Engineer)
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Trauma50 on October 10, 2014
RCSchim $100 bucks? I did a review on the same setup from Hobby King. http://flitetest.com/articles/quanum-diy-fpv-goggle-set-with-monitor-kit
They were $29.99. where did you find yours?
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RCSchim on October 10, 2014
I tested this goggles from a friend and was amazed by the quality. I asked him: are those the 30$ ones from HK. He just smiled and then was kind enough to give me the links to much better components. See my description to see what's used. Main pricetag is on the display (40$). But it's really good!
One can save on the lens (5$?) and build foamparts yourself - but they were from the UK, fast and around 30$.
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Trauma50 on October 10, 2014
Thanks for the info. A side by side comparison of the 2 kits would be would be great. Sorry I did not watch the video yet. Had to get work. Keep up the good work.
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DIY Goggles - cheap Dominator HD alternative?