Is the DJI FPV system the future? On paper it ticks all the boxes, HD video stream, low latency and ultra long range. For long range, it’s a no brainer but how does it perform in a race situation? Check out this DJI FPV quad build to see for yourself if it’s worth it or not.

The DJI FPV system comes in two configurations:

• DJI FPV Experience Combo (DJI goggles, 2 Air Units) This option is for people who want to use the goggles and fly with HD video on their existing quads. You can use your existing FrSky or TBS Crossfire rx with the Taranis or Spektrum. Just swap out the camera and fly with the DJI Goggles.
• DJI FPV Fly More Combo (DJI goggles, 1 Air Units, DJI remote)

The DJI FPV Fly More system is comprised of three main items.

• DJI remote – The transmitter feels solid without creaking plastic and has nice rubber finger grips on the back. There are two adjustable height gimbals, 4 three position switches, two finger dials, back, record and customizable C button. The gimbal tension can be easily adjusted by removing the rubber finger pads on the back of the remote. Unlike the Taranis where you have to disassemble the thing to access the gimbals.
• Goggles – These goggles are sick! It looks like something Oakley would make. The screens on these goggles are huge, crisp and clear. The built in fan can move a good deal of air but somewhat loud. It does seem like the goggle is made for people with bigger faces as there is light leak on the sides and nose area.
• Air Unit – The Air unit is the video transmitter and receiver if used with the DJI transmitter.

All the components have the excellent build quality of all the DJI products.

DJI FPV Quad Build

Parts used in this build:

• PROton-R 5″ Hybrid Skeleton
• Tmotor F55A PROII ESC
• Tmotor F4 Flight Controller
• Tmotor F40 III 2400kv
• DJI FPV Fly More Combo – camera, video transmitter, rx, goggles, controller
• Fixed camera mount
• Custom antenna mount

The files for the camera and antenna mount are available on Thingiverse for those who have a 3D printer.

In this build I’ll be using the PROton-R in the 5″ Hybrid Skeleton configuration.

This build will be broken in two parts:

1. Basic quad – frame, motors, ESC and flight controller.
2. DJI FPV Fly More combo is comprised of the goggles, air unit (video transmitter with built in DVR, transmitter rx), camera and transmitter.

DJI FPV Quad Build

Assemble the frame. I’m using M3x16MM screws for the stack. Cut some butter mounts in half to keep the ESC off the Nucleus Plate.

Mount the motors and solder wires on the 4in1 ESC. Use the wire harness to power the fc and motor signals. Nothing new here.

The Air unit will take care of the camera, video transmitter and receiver. The Air unit requires an input voltage of 7.4v – 17.6v. I’m using the power from the camera. Select the VBAT jumper.

Solder the Air Unit’s 6 wire harness like this:

• Red: Power (7.4 – 17.6v) On the Tmotor F4 flight controller, select Vbat on the camera power
• Black: Power GND – any ground on the board
• White: UART RX (Connect to any free TX UART) using TX6 on this board
• Grey: UART TX (Connect to any free RX UART) using RX6 on this board
• Brown: connect to any GND on board
• Yellow: SBUS – using RX5 on this board

The Tmotor ESC and Flight controller wire harness is a direct plugin. No need to remap or rewire the harness.

I made custom mounts for the camera and antenna.

The Air unit is pretty big so I used 35mm standoffs to raise the top plate. I could have used 30mm standoffs but I ran out.

Before you can use the goggles, air unit and transmitter they need to be activated. Watch this video to activate the components.

Once the components are activated you’ll need to bind the Air unit to the transmitter and goggles. Watch the video on how to do that.

DJI FPV BetaFlight Settings

The yellow rx wire is connected to RX5 so enable serialrx for UART5. Enable MSP for UART6. This allows the Air unit to make settings to the flight controller such as PIDs

Select SBUS for the receiver signal.

Is the DJI FPV Quad Build Worth the Price?

So would I recommend the DJI FPV system? Yes and no. If you are wanting to use the system for racing with others, I’d say no, because it won’t work…as of right now. I’m sure they will get that sorted in the future. But if you mostly fly by yourself, freestyle or long range with some buddies this would be something i’d definitely take a look at.

If you found this post helpful, it would be super cool if you purchased the components from my store or purchase items from my Amazon links. These posts are expensive and take a loooong time to make so the purchases make it possible for me to keep making them. Thanks in advance, I greatly appreciate it 🙂