I had already offered you comparative tests between the original DJI antennas installed on the Goggles 2 headset, the Helical antennas from ORT, the X-Air 5.8 Mk II from TrueRC and the Yagi “rakes” from StartRC (see here et leaves).
I tried the Osprey Flip G2 model from FlyFishRC, which I put against the others. Is there a pair of antennas that stands out with better range and obstacle penetration? Answer in this column.
Preamble
For the record, the DJI Goggles 2 helmet is based on 4 antennas of " 2T4R antenna technology, which means that two external antennas are used for signal transmission, and all four antennas can receive signals » (according to DJI FAQ). There are two antennas hidden under the front panel, non-removable, and two external antennas. These are designed to be left in place all the time, and that is why they are foldable. But they are still removable, via an MCX connector: simply pull on them to remove them. FlyFishRC antennas are intended to replace them by offering gain in range and penetration.
Owner's turn
The Osprey Flip G2 antennas are also foldable – hence the word “flip”. They thus use the principle of the original antennas which fold down when not in use, to facilitate transport. This is essential if you place the headphones in a pouch to carry them around. Because all other alternative antennas take up too much space for storage.
The fact remains that these antennas are more imposing, even folded, than the original DJI ones. You must therefore check that your carrying pouch can accommodate approximately one centimeter more thickness. Each antenna weighs 7,8 grams: this is a negligible weight compared to that of the DJI headset.
The flap angle is approximately 60°. They are more discreet than the ORT and TrueRC models, but it remains particularly ridiculous with the helmet on the nose. There is even a little something of the wings of Asterix's helmet in these antennas. From afar.
Facility ?
Once the original antennas are removed, simply place the FlyFishRC ones. At first glance, it's easy: the right antenna is identified by the letter R on its rear side, the left one by the letter L. But insertion is not as easy as for the original antennas and other alternative antennas. You must be careful to align the guides correctly (flat for the left antenna, thin edge for the right) and press very hard to get them in.
With a risk: that of not properly aligning the guides and still succeeding in inserting the antennas by pushing too hard. The result ? On the one hand reception will be very impaired since there will be no contact, on the other hand removing the antenna risks damaging it – or even damaging the connector on the headphone side.
A good point, all the same: once inserted, the antennas stay in place, there is no risk of them coming loose. And since they can stay in place even during transport, there is no need to take them off and put them back on each flight session.
The result in flight?
FlyFishRC says the antennas operate optimally in a 120° cone at 2,4 GHz and 65° at 5,8 GHz. The good news is that they are designed to operate in both frequency ranges, 2,4 and 5,8 GHz.
The other good news is that these antennas have given convincing results compared to the original DJI antennas with better range without obstacles and especially better penetration in the presence of obstacles.
But beware !
I only get this improvement when the antennas are pointed towards the drone! because otherwise, reception is most often degraded compared to the original antennas.
This is an important concept to take into account during flights: reception is better in front of the antennas and to a lesser extent behind, but it is less good on the sides. If you tilt your head toward the ground and fly high, reception will be degraded. Ditto, if you raise your head too high and fly low to the ground. Reception is only correct when pointing at the drone.
If you tend to let your head go on its own during immersion flights, you may not benefit from these antennas. Ask your observer to correct your position (because you are flying with a visual observer in compliance with regulations, of course!)
And compared to other antennas?
The FlyfishRC Osprey Flip G2 gives results very similar to those of the ORT Helical and TrueRC. Sometimes better, sometimes worse, without being able to clearly identify the situations in which some stood out.
They are better than the Yagi antenna complements, which already improve reception compared to the original antennas.
A comparison video
In this video you can carefully watch the behavior of each antenna on identical courses, taking breaks as necessary. Pay particular attention to the speed in Mbps (rather than the bar indicator): this is the best indicator of reception quality.
What you must remember ?
What do all alternative antennas have in common? They perform better than the original antennas when pointing towards the drone. Reception is degraded to worse than with the original antennas when they are not pointing in the right direction.
What sets the FlyfishRC Osprey Flip G2 apart? Unlike other alternative antennas, it is possible to leave them in place thanks to their folding mechanism.
Should I buy them?
Because a gain in range, with or without the help of the FCC hack (see here) is always interesting whether you fly in mid-range or simply in the undergrowth in the presence of foliage or obstacles, I chose to replace the original antennas with the Osprey Flip G2.
Why these rather than the other models? Because they facilitate transport, for similar performances. They have another advantage: at €50, for example at studioSPORT, these are the cheapest of the alternative antennas (except Yagi). These antennas are specific to the DJI Goggles 2 headset, and are not compatible with the Goggles V2 and Integra headsets.
Other pictures
