Some updates from Ian below with regards to the latest 26.30.6 firmware for the FatShark / Walksnail Avatar HD System. Also read the comments under the video for other peoples experiences of the same.

In a nutshell:-

• Compression is better - less blocking / smearing.
  
• Dynamic range is worse - much warmer image (less green and more red) and much darker. EV can be bumped up to compensate but doing that then blows out bright areas such as the sky.
  
• No gradual progression in bitrate loss as the signal strength gets worse - the bitrate remains high and then just suddenly / unpredictably drops off a cliff, like an on / off switch.
  
• Jitters still present in the feed and random dropouts of the link when flying at range.
  
• No status updates on the CE of FCC certifications which means that the system is effectively illegal to use in most countries.
  
• Conclusion: Still a beta product which is still not yet ready for mainstream adoption / use.
  

Avatar HD set at 0EV (default)




Avatar HD set at 7EV




DJI on default settings for comparison

Some people may have already seen this but for those who haven't, below is what is supposedly a prototype of a Walksnail Avatar HD 1S FC mounted in an 75mm whoop frame...

Sources (Twitter):

• https://twitter.com/kopterheld/status/15...6290184194
  
• https://twitter.com/kopterheld/status/15...9341475841
  

 
 

1s!!! Weight? Oh I got my curiosity up!

(07-Sep-2022, 05:24 PM)Rob Axel Wrote: 1s!!! Weight?  Oh I got my curiosity up!

The Walksnail Avatar HD Mini 1S VTX has today been listed for purchase on the Walksnail website. See the post linked to below. The weight of the VTX and camera (excluding antenna) is 10.3g.

https://intofpv.com/t-walksnail-avatar-hd-mini-1s-vtx

Oh noes hdzeroes!!  

(09-Sep-2022, 04:34 PM)the.ronin Wrote: Oh noes hdzeroes!!  

The HDZero Whoop Lite board with a Nano Lite camera weighs a total of 6g so that is still over 40% lighter than the Avatar Mini 1S VTX board and camera. I guess it depends what you are building, but an extra 4.3g of weight does seem to matter to people who are building ultra light micro quads.

If anyone downloaded and installed the new Walksnail Avatar HD 27.32.10 firmware a few days ago, be aware that Walksnail have now pulled that version of the firmware from their website due to some reports of random screen blackouts during flight. For anyone on that version then it's probably advisable and safest to revert to a previous firmware version for peace of mind so you don't risk losing an expensive quad.

Walksnail, more like Walkback.

amirite?

Walksnail Avatar HD range testing by Wezley Varty below. Spoilers are underneath the video thumbnail. While the image quality within a 13km range isn't yet on par with the DJI FPV System, Avatar certainly looks to be the HD system of choice for long range pilots when decent / appropriate antennas are also used.




Test #1

• Stock omni antennas on the goggles
  
• Stock omni antennas on the VTX
  
• 720p
  
• 25Mbps
  
• 25mW
  
• Maximum Range Achieved = 1.5km
  

Test #2

• Stock omni antennas on the goggles
  
• Stock omni antennas on the VTX
  
• 720p
  
• 25Mbps
  
• 700mW
  
• Maximum Range Achieved = 6.9km
  

Test #3

• Stock omni antennas on the goggles
  
• Stock omni antennas on the VTX
  
• 720p
  
• 25Mbps
  
• 1200mW
  
• Maximum Range Achieved = 8.1km
  

Test #4

• Triple Feed Patch Array dinner plates + TrueRC X-Air Patch on the goggles
  
• TrueRC Singularities on the VTX
  
• 720p
  
• 50Mbps
  
• 1200mW
  
• Maximum Range Achieved = 31km
  

Wesley mentions one of my hang ups with the system in his video. DVR in the goggles doesn't record the OSD, so when I have to search for a downed model I wouldnt be able to play back the footage. I suppose a small external DVR on the goggles run to the usb-c plug would work, but it isnt optimal.

One thing that I have not seen anyone doing yet is mountain surfing at range. If this system can do that I would give it a try, but I will wait to see if anyone else does it first to purchase.

Oh, what a surprise. The two companies who originally swore blind they had nothing whatsoever to do with each other are merging

Source (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?s...3536203939

CaddxFPV Wrote:Dear customers,

In order to consolidate resources and concentrate content, Walksnail and CaddxFPV decide to merge operations.

Please be noticed that www.walksnail.com will stop accepting payments on Sept 30,2022, for any walksnail related product needs, please order at https://caddxfpv.com/collections/walksna...tar-system

Thanks for your support to CaddxFPV and Walknail!

... and by "merge operations" they mean they took down the paper sign on one of the rooms at Caddx with a hand-written notice that read, "Walksnail Office"? lol.

What a year for digital fpv.
It’s actually good for fpv pilots for competition helps keep companies pushing technology and prices competitive.
Dji,WS,FS,(HDZero/Skyzone/FrSky have in a way teamed up ),then Orqa is still saying they are coming out with digital system.
7 companies working on digital fpv systems is good news for fpv hobbiests.

(04-Oct-2022, 02:36 AM)Rob3ddd Wrote: What a year for digital fpv.
It’s actually good for fpv pilots for competition helps keep companies pushing technology and prices competitive.
Dji,WS,FS,(HDZero/Skyzone/FrSky have in a way teamed up ),then Orqa is still saying they are coming out with digital system.
7 companies working on digital fpv systems is good news for fpv hobbiests.

  Rotor Riot is offering a 30 day money back guarantee on Dom HD goggles,vtx camera and antenna so pilots can try it out.
  I think they are reacting to HDZERO goggle release.
 
  I’m still highly interested in HDZero goggles.

(21-Oct-2022, 02:24 AM)Rob3ddd Wrote:   Rotor Riot is offering a 30 day money back guarantee on Dom HD goggles,vtx camera and antenna so pilots can try it out.
  I think they are reacting to HDZERO goggle release.

It's quite obvious that sales of the Walksnail Avatar HD system have been much lower than Walksnail / Caddx / FatShark anticipated so I think this 30 money back guarantee from Rotor Riot and also the $100 voucher that GetFPV are offering to buyers of the system are just some desperate measures to try and get people to buy their system which is still clearly a beta product even 5+ months after the product launch.