Hello everyone-I’m new to this forum and hoping others can help me decide on a next set of goggles. I am currently flying Attitude V4’s. I mainly fly toothpicks and whoops so need to protect for good analog on small quads. I also plan on using shark byte on some. Based on everything I have read, I definitely want OLEDs and have been focusing on the HDO2 and SKY04X. The reviews that I have seen seem to say:

Both of them have similar brightness, resolution, and FOV.

The SKY04X has a better face fit, DVR, and menu system, and comes with a receiver module-some say it is nearly as good as Rapidfire, others say buggy and skyzone can’t produce firmware to fix. Skyzone service is questionable and the updates seem very slow if ever on certain issues.

HDO2 has eyelash rubbing issue and some complain of round halo around image. Would pair with Rapidfire for analog so good performance there. FatShark service is good.

From actual owners or users of these goggles, I would appreciate input for HDO2 on the halo around image and eyelash issues, fit, and viewing experience. SKY04X owners, I would appreciate your input on the receiver performance, overall reliability, and service. Also if anyone has had opportunity to try both would be interested in how they compared for you.

When the main board on my Attitude V4's failed, I decided to get a new set of goggles and went with the Skyzone's. I have not had any issues with mine so far, though I have read some owner's issues that made me wonder about the included VRX. I am using a VAS ION Pro long stalk as my omni directional and a Menace Invader as a patch and the setup works well out to a few kilometers. Also have an ORT 6-turn Helical that seems to work great, but it stick out so far I find myself catching it on everything so I usually only install it in the field if I want a narrower reception pattern with better gain.

I believe the fit of my 040X's is better suited to my face than I was able to achieve with the Fatshark goggles and that really was the deciding factor for me. The pictures are about the same as near as I can tell...I do not notice haloing with either when I am flying. It might just be that I am blissfully ignorant of it, but I think I would notice it.

On the HDO2 halo thing. I have a pair and yes when you first put them on you will see what appears to be two circles you can’t put together. I think it’s because like when you look through binoculars you expect the two images to converge into one as you adjust them. Here’s the weird thing you have to actually be looking at the rings to see them. They are very faint. Once I had worn them for a couple flights I didn’t  notice it anymore, and there has never been a bad image because of this. 
    Another very helpful thing that hdo’s have is adjustable diopters. I don’t know what sky zone has but on the HDO2’s you just turn a little wheel for each eye. They also allow you to control how narrow or wide you want the lens apart.
     The eyelash thing is a real issue and have been surprised that FS really does not seem to care to fix this. They will actually point you to 3rd party vendors of face foam if you email them. Well they personally did for me so can’t say for everyone that contacted them about this. Newbie drone makes a very good one but I kinda would’ve thought that just maybe for the price of these they might’ve fixed it by now. It’s probably their biggest complaint. Or maybe they all have shaved/ plucked eyelashes and have never noticed this themselves? 
     There is one more known issue with the HDO2’s and that is the 18650 batter holder. The wire with the barrel connector seems to fail on people. It happened on me when I wasn’t in the air. That was good because you will most likely crash if this happens when in the air. 
     Other than the minor things they are a very good google, nice fit ( once foam replaced), and I replaced the barrel connector / wire. They have not failed while flying ever, never total lose of video.
The big question I would ask hdo2 owners is would you buy them again. I would buy them again.

https://youtu.be/Jtg67QBZ4a8?t=140

The Skyzone focus is adjusted using the diopter rings and I can finally fly without fitting glasses or straining.

Thank you Kaitylynn and Kevin2112 for your input. It is very helpful when you hear actual owner experiences rather than just quick reviews from someone that was given a sample to demo.

(16-Oct-2021, 03:47 AM)kaitylynn Wrote: When the main board on my Attitude V4's failed, I decided to get a new set of goggles and went with the Skyzone's. I have not had any issues with mine so far, though I have read some owner's issues that made me wonder about the included VRX. I am using a VAS ION Pro long stalk as my omni directional and a Menace Invader as a patch and the setup works well out to a few kilometers. Also have an ORT 6-turn Helical that seems to work great, but it stick out so far I find myself catching it on everything so I usually only install it in the field if I want a narrower reception pattern with better gain.

I believe the fit of my 040X's is better suited to my face than I was able to achieve with the Fatshark goggles and that really was the deciding factor for me. The pictures are about the same as near as I can tell...I do not notice haloing with either when I am flying. It might just be that I am blissfully ignorant of it, but I think I would notice it.

Glad you are having good luck with your receiver. The receiver mix mode issue and Skyzones lack of response to address it has been the primary reason I have held off buying them so far. Unfortunately it seems so hit or miss-not sure I want to take the risk.

(16-Oct-2021, 04:38 AM)Kevin2112 Wrote: On the HDO2 halo thing. I have a pair and yes when you first put them on you will see what appears to be two circles you can’t put together. I think it’s because like when you look through binoculars you expect the two images to converge into one as you adjust them. Here’s the weird thing you have to actually be looking at the rings to see them. They are very faint. Once I had worn them for a couple flights I didn’t  notice it anymore, and there has never been a bad image because of this. 
    Another very helpful thing that hdo’s have is adjustable diopters. I don’t know what sky zone has but on the HDO2’s you just turn a little wheel for each eye. They also allow you to control how narrow or wide you want the lens apart.
     The eyelash thing is a real issue and have been surprised that FS really does not seem to care to fix this. They will actually point you to 3rd party vendors of face foam if you email them. Well they personally did for me so can’t say for everyone that contacted them about this. Newbie drone makes a very good one but I kinda would’ve thought that just maybe for the price of these they might’ve fixed it by now. It’s probably their biggest complaint. Or maybe they all have shaved/ plucked eyelashes and have never noticed this themselves? 
     There is one more known issue with the HDO2’s and that is the 18650 batter holder. The wire with the barrel connector seems to fail on people. It happened on me when I wasn’t in the air. That was good because you will most likely crash if this happens when in the air. 
     Other than the minor things they are a very good google, nice fit ( once foam replaced), and I replaced the barrel connector / wire. They have not failed while flying ever, never total lose of video.
The big question I would ask hdo2 owners is would you buy them again. I would buy them again.

Very helpful info on the halo effect. Glad to hear that it is subtle and indiscernible after a few flights and eyelash issue can be corrected so easily. I agree with you on the eyelash face foam. After dropping $500 on a set of goggles (without a receiver), it’s a little irritating to have to purchase an aftermarket foam pad to address an issue that had to have been known before release. FS - how much can it cost you to include the proper foam pad?? All of that said, your info just sealed my decision to go with the HDO2s. Sounds like a few minor issues that are easily addressed with end result being great image/experience. I also have a lot more confidence in the after sale support with the HDO2s vs the Sky04x.

You have probably made your decision by now based on Kevin's experience which is not very different to mine having owned the HDO2's for coming to be 2 years now.

Yes, the HD02's have been out that long and although they are fairly well built they are starting to feel outdated.

They do what they are supposed to do but when I look at the menu or the DVR quality its like from a decade ago.

You will definitely need the foam to solve the eye lash issue and the barrel effect will be gone after a few flights (I barely notice it anymore).

I was starting to recommend Sky04X's but recently people have started mentioning about the quality issues.

ORQA FPV.One are great goggles but may already have an updated version or a completely different goggle that will be released soon. Not sure I can recommend you wait that long for the newer ORQA goggles.

(16-Oct-2021, 06:19 AM)Robby C Wrote: Glad you are having good luck with your receiver.  The receiver mix mode issue and Skyzones lack of response to address it has been the primary reason I have held off buying them so far.  Unfortunately it seems so hit or miss-not sure I want to take the risk.

Yes, it is starting to look that way. I guess I got lucky early on and Am starting to wonder if they dropped their QC in an attempt to pit more product on the shelves. If you get a good pair, I can attest to them being a great goggle.

If you have the money I would get the Qrqas. The Skyzones's are currently now hard to recommend with all the complaints you see about them.

Alternatively you could look for a pair of pre-owned goggles as an interim solution. I currently use FatShark HDO's (the V1's) which have the same feel to them as the HDO2's but with a slightly lower resolution and FOV, and they don't have adjustable focus but you can put diopters in them. They also don't have the "eyelash rubbing" issue that the HDO2's have. I use some of these and they are great goggles. It's just quality of the DVR footage that sucks, but if you only use that for helping to locate a lost quad rather than for publishing footage of your flights then it doesn't really matter.

(16-Oct-2021, 06:54 AM)kafie1980 Wrote: You have probably made your decision by now based on Kevin's experience which is not very different to mine having owned the HDO2's for coming to be 2 years now.

Yes, the HD02's have been out that long and although they are fairly well built they are starting to feel outdated.

They do what they are supposed to do but when I look at the menu or the DVR quality its like from a decade ago.

You will definitely need the foam to solve the eye lash issue and the barrel effect will be gone after a few flights (I barely notice it anymore).

I was starting to recommend Sky04X's but recently people have started mentioning about the quality issues.

ORQA FPV.One are great goggles but may already have an updated version or a completely different goggle that will be released soon. Not sure I can recommend you wait that long for the newer ORQA goggles.

I was trying to find out when ORQA would be releasing their next generation but couldn’t find any info-have they announced anything? I considered the ORQA FPV.One as well. I definitely like the better DVR as I fly small quads and need to get footage from the goggles instead of onboard. I had some concerns with the ORQAs on after sale service. I wasn’t sure how well they supported them and where I would get service-any perspective there? Beyond those, I also wondered when an “HDO3” would be released - ideally with integrated digital and also analog capable (and hopefully better DVR and menu).

(16-Oct-2021, 12:06 PM)Robby C Wrote: I was trying to find out when ORQA would be releasing their next generation but couldn’t find any info-have they announced anything?   I considered the ORQA FPV.One as well.  I definitely like the better DVR as I fly small quads and need to get footage from the goggles instead of onboard. I had some concerns with the ORQAs on after sale service. I wasn’t sure how well they supported them and where I would get service-any perspective there?  Beyond those, I also wondered when an “HDO3” would be released - ideally with integrated digital and also analog capable (and hopefully better DVR and menu).

ORQA is great with service but you will need to ship the goggles to Croatia. This may be work well for EU customers. I am not completely aware if they have any service centers located elsewhere.

If you are to purchase something within the premium goggles price range then my advice is to buy it from a good local vendor or directly from the manufacturer. 

In the case of ORQA's they are no longer selling the FPV.One goggles on their store.

With ORQA's we do have some official public information from them with regards to an upcoming release (they say in about a months time): https://intofpv.com/t-is-something-new-coming-from-orqa

HDO3 is just a hoax/rumour for now as we have not seen any proof of this. Besides based on previous experience with FatShark, they make very minor changes to the design and so I do not expect anything mind blowing unless they just release a HD only version of the HDO3 goggles.

Reminder that you check your IPD. Sky04x goes from 58mm to 71mm and HDO2 goes from 54mm to 74mm. People often forget this. I did.

My IPD is 56mm. SkyZone goggles barely works. I had no choice but to get FatShark.

Being able to see single clear image is the first requirement.

(16-Oct-2021, 06:59 PM)ax3141 Wrote: Reminder that you check your IPD. Sky04x goes from 58mm to 71mm and HDO2 goes from 54mm to 74mm. People often forget this. I did.

My IPD is 56mm. SkyZone goggles barely works. I had no choice but to get FatShark.

Being able to see single clear image is the first requirement.

Great point-I didn’t think of that. Will check that.

I got my HDO2's when they first came out. I did the foam replacement for the eyelash thing but still have a problem. When I get the lens focused it is so close that when I move the goggles up to my forehead, they touch and then they need cleaning, especially if you are sweating at all. I try to move them up more on my head, but then they tend to want to fall off if I tilt my head too far. If you don't need stronger reading glasses, that may not be a problem for you.

My second gripe, is that the built in DVR is just crap. I actually plug in a external DVR into the goggles to record with for my quads without onboard recording.

Other than those two things, they have worked wonderfully for me.

If I had to buy goggles right now, it would be a very difficult choice between the HDO2's, Sky04x, and ORQA. I would probably lean towards the ORQA's.