DJI Goggles 2 vs V2: Should I Upgrade?

For FPV drone enthusiasts and racers, a high quality pair of FPV goggles is essential. When it comes to digital FPV goggles for drones, two models stand out from drone leader DJI: the Goggles V2 and the newer Goggles 2.

Both these goggles provide an immersive digital FPV experience and integrate seamlessly with DJI’s own Air Unit ecosystem. However, there are some notable differences.

So, which is better for your needs and budget?

In this in-depth guide, we’ll compare and test the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and DJI FPV Goggles 2 across a range of factors to help you decide which is the better choice for you.

Let’s dive in!

DJI Goggles 2

DJI Goggles V2

Now, let’s dig deeper into the key pros and cons of these dji goggles.

1. Comparison: Image and Video Quality

When it comes to FPV goggles, image and video quality are essential for an immersive, high performance flying experience.

The Goggles V2 deliver a great FPV feed at 1080p resolution and 60fps. Images are sharp and clear, with accurate colors and contrast. The four onboard antennas provide good reception from your FPV drone.

However, the Goggles 2 edge out the Goggles V2 for sheer image quality. They capture 1080p video at a faster 120fps for smoother footage and reduced motion blur. Combined with lower latency (more below), the Goggles 2 feel more real-time and lifelike.

The Goggles 2 also use superior OLED display panels rather than the LCDs in the Goggles V2. OLED allows for truer blacks, more vibrant colors, better contrast, and reduced motion blur. Many users comment that footage simply looks more dynamic and immersive on the Goggles 2 displays.

So for outright FPV video quality direct from your racing drones, the Goggles 2 deliver the best experience. But the Goggles V2 are still very capable if you’re on a tighter budget.

2. Comparison: Latency and Performance

Low latency is critical for FPV drone piloting, so you can react instantly to footage from your high speed drone. Here the Goggles 2 again outperform the previous Goggles V2.

The Goggles 2 introduce significantly lower end-to-end latency of sub 30ms thanks to their snappier onboard processor. Combined with the 120fps video feed, everything feels instantaneous and lag-free.

Even high speed maneuvers and complex courses feel fluid to pilot in the Goggles 2. You become deeply immersed in the FPV experience.

The Goggles V2 still deliver a very capable sub 40ms latency. But those extra milliseconds of lag can make a difference for competitive and pro pilots who need to react instantly to obstacles and terrain at high speeds. For casual users though, the Goggles V2 latency is just fine.

So if you are a burgeoning FPV racer looking for the most reactive goggles under $1000 for racing drones, the Goggles 2 are your top choice. Their class-leading low latency takes immersion and piloting precision to the next level. But the Goggles V2 still pack good performance for hobbyists.

3. Comparison: Lenses and Screens

An often overlooked aspect of FPV goggles is the lenses and how these impact the screens you view. Here there are considerable differences in the optics between the Goggles V2 and Goggles 2.

The Goggles 2 allow you to insert diopter lenses to match your vision needs, ranging from -4.0 to 2.0. So whether you are near or far sighted, you can enjoy a crisp flight experience without needing vision correction glasses underneath the goggles.

In contrast, the Goggles V2 don’t offer adjustable focal distance via lenses. This can mean images seem slightly blurry for glasses wearers. It’s workable, but not ideal.

Compounding matters, the Goggles 2 also use superior OLED screens rather than LCD panels to achieve better brightness, contrast, colors and blacks. The Goggles 2 optics and displays work together for a best-in-class viewing experience.

For our needs, the Goggles 2 offer a wider sweet spot to see the full frame clearly along with the overall better OLED displays.

So if visual acuity is important to you, the Goggles 2 pair takes the win here for sharper and more vibrant FPV footage during flights. But the Goggles V2 still deliver very capable optics and screens for most hobbyists.

4. Comparison: Design and Portability

When it comes to design and portability, the svelte Goggles 2 clearly beat the bulkier Goggles V2.

The Goggles 2 adopt an all new industrial design making them over 20% lighter than the Goggles V2. Tipping the scales at just 420g, the Goggles 2 won’t weigh heavy on your head or neck during longer flights. Their lighter front box is better balanced then previous models.

Size and bulk is also considerably reduced with the Goggles 2. They carry a far lower profile against your face and the entire rear head mount section is condensed. Folding down, the Goggles 2 are small enough to easily fit into many jacket pockets for ultimate portability.

The Goggles V2 seem massive in comparison. Their thicker profile and larger antenna arches makes them less bag friendly. You’ll need a dedicated goggle case. And having to constantly screw on/off antennas is tedious. The heavier 575g heft does tire some users’ heads and necks over longer multi-battery sessions too.

For pure compact, lightweight design that you can easily toss into any bag, the svelte Goggles 2 are the superior pick by a long shot. Their pared down dimensions make them ideal for packing on trips or just heading out for quick rip. Though bulkier, the Goggles V2 are still very wearable for daily use.

5. Comparison: Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, both models actually deliver roughly equivalent flies times on a single charge. You can expect 60-90 minutes of continuous flight ability before needing to charge up.

The Goggles 2 gain extra efficiencies thanks to their lower power requirements. And their batteries recharge nicely via USB-C PD at up to 18W. This allows you to leverage multi-purpose power banks for charging in the field if you ever run low while out flying models.

But the Goggles V2 batteries also provide ample runtimes for most users during longer sessions. And some may prefer to just pack multiple hot swap batteries which can deliver longer cumulative flight times. This does mean carrying bulkier batteries packs instead of lightweight USB PD power banks though.

All in all, battery life is largely a wash here between the two goggle models. Both provide enough juice for even most hardcore pilots on single charges. And both allow some method to extend cumulative flight times further when needed via additional batteries or USB power banks in the case of the Goggles 2.

6. Comparison: Features and Accessories

When it comes to extra features and accessory support, the Goggles 2 pull ahead as the newer and more fully-featured model overall.

A key upgrade with the Goggles 2 is the ability to record critical flight telemetry like battery voltage, controller signal, altitude and more directly in the DVR video. This integrated telemetry overlay is handy.

The Goggles 2 also introduce a “Auto Focus Mode” that automatically scans RF channels to lock onto your strongest video signal during power up. No more manually hunting for the clearest channel.

On the smart device connectivity front, the Goggles 2 allow you to view photos, videos, and more by wirelessly pairing with your phone or tablet. Great for kicking back to enjoy non-flight content between battery changes.

And for accessories, the Goggles 2 add things like magnetic removable face padding without needing tools. And their USB-C port allows connecting a wider range of USB chargers and battery packs to extend flights.

The Goggles V2 deliver very robust core performance for FPV flights including integrated DVR recording. But they lack some of the newer special features and slick accessory upgrades introduced with the Goggles 2.

If you value add-ons like telemetry overlays, auto channel scanning, face pad removal, or smartphone playback integration, the Goggles 2 give you more tools integrated out of the box to enhance the experience. But the Goggles V2 cover all the basics well.

7. Comparison: Compatibility and Support

For compatibility with your existing FPV fleet, along with potential future support cycles from DJI going forward, both models largely tie up.

The Goggles V2 and Goggles 2 fully support all existing DJI FPV aircraft and the current FPV Remote Controllers without issue. You’ll have native integration with the handy DJI FPV ecosystem featuring models like the Avata drone, FPV drone, kits and components.

And both googles integrate future upcoming DJI FPV aircraft and ecosystem gear as they launch. DJI has shown solid dedication in releasing firmware upgrades over past years to evolve support. Owners of both goggle models continue enjoying great forward compatibility.

The only wrinkle is whether the Goggles V2 receive firmware updates as far into the future cycles as the Goggles 2. Being the next generation, DJI will likely update and support the Goggles 2 a little longer as years pass. But near term, again both integrate existing and upcoming FPV gear very nicely.

For today’s compatibility needs with DJI’s steadfastly growing digital FPV environment including drones, controllers and components, either googles model works great and includes future device support. But the Goggles 2 may have a slight edge in long term firmware update longevity.

8. Comparison: Comfort and Fit

Comfort and fit can vary quite a bit depending on your face shape and size. And here the Goggles V2 tend to better accommodate more head shapes comfortably right out of the box.

The Goggles V2 ship with a nice plush foam face gasket that feels great against your skin without pressing uncomfortably on most bone or nose structures. For medium to larger heads, the Goggles V2 fit nice and snug while avoiding undue pressure points.

In contrast, some users complain that the Goggles 2 have a narrower fit range and can put pressure on certain wide or prominent facial structures like noses and cheek bones. The compact form factor doesn’t always jive with larger heads or certain bone protrusions.

Luckily aftermarket companies make wider fitting foam face inserts for the Goggles 2 to help alleviate this issue if you are affected by the tight fit.

And being lighter and better balanced, the Goggles 2 don’t tire your next muscles over longer sessions quite as much as the heftier Goggles V2 can. So the comfort experience feels more mixed overall between these two models depending on your face and head shape.

For accommodating more head sizes comfortably with less facial pressure issues, the Goggles V2 seems to fit best for most users. But smaller faces may enjoy the very lightweight Goggles 2. Just beware nose pressure complaints on the Goggles 2 for some.

9. Comparison: Price and Value

With the release of the Goggles 2, the prior generation Goggles V2 have understandably come down nicely in price. And this can make them an excellent choice to enter the immersive world of digital FPV on a budget.

Quality used Goggles V2 kits now trade hands in the $300 to $400 range routinely on common platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. And big box retailers like Amazon offer brand new Goggles V2 units on sale with steep discounts knocking 40% or more off retail prices.

So it’s possible to snag Goggles V2 at incredible price-to-performance ratios compared to their launch price. And optically they still outperform analog FPV goggles costing considerably more. This makes them highly appealing entry level digital FPV goggles.

The Goggles 2 retail around $629 USD brand new, which feels justifiable given all their upgrades over early gen models. But it is a big premium over scoring discounted late model Goggles V2.

If budget it tight, scoring Goggles V2 for $350 or under makes then hard to beat. But the Goggles 2 justify their price tag nicely if you can afford the newest gear. At discounted clearance sale prices though, the Goggles V2 look very tempting based on value alone!

DJI Goggles V2 vs Goggles 2 – Conclusion

So which DJI digital FPV goggle reigns supreme in this head-to-head comparison?

For max performance, stunning image quality, ultra low latency and competitive/pro use, the state-of-the-art DJI Goggles 2 take the win. Their faster feeds and OLED image panels vault the immersive FPV experience to new heights. If budget allows, they are the goggles to beat in 2023 for both hobbyists and racers.

But the prior generation DJI Goggles V2 still hold their own very nicely – especially at newly discounted prices. Their proven ergonomics, good latency and solid 1080p optics keep them extremely capable for casual and mid-tier FPV pilots. Value shoppers can benefit from the now reduced prices on these still awesome last-gen goggles.

So choosing comes down to…

Choose the DJI Goggles 2 if:

• You want the best image quality money can buy
• Need instantaneous latency for competitive racing
• Plan to fly for multiple hours without goggle fatigue
• Want futureproof support and features from DJI

Choose the DJI Goggles V2 if:

• You want quality FPV without breaking the bank
• Prioritize comfortable fit for longer sessions
• Mainly fly for fun and not competition
• Are new to FPV and want solid starter goggles

Whichever DJI immersive digital FPV goggle you choose, both deliver thrilling fully-integrated performance within DJI’s steadfast drone ecosystem. You really can’t go wrong picking either generation. Happy and safe flying!