Fat Shark have held their place as the leader in FPV goggles for quite some time and are about to launch their first true HD goggle headset, named the ‘Base HD’. It is also rumoured that this new headset may be bundled with a HD Connex FPV package.
Back in 2013, Fat Shark released the ‘Base SD’ headset, a simple but effective set of 35 FOV goggles based on the Fat Shark ‘Attitude’ model but without an integral 5.8ghz receiver. The model was launched to complement the popular Dominator series and was popular with pilots flying via ground-station setups.
Now four years later Fat Shark have informally announced, via Facebook, the launch of the new Fat Shark ‘Base HD’ model by sharing an unboxing video from YouTube channel ‘FatKidJoey’.
Unlike the previous version now incorporates LCD screens capable of high-definition (HD) video (720p).
The FOV of the new headset is unknown but is rumoured to be the same as the previous model at 35 degrees.
Little is known about the new model but from an initial unboxing review which has appeared online, the specification is suggested as follows:
- 720p dual LCD screens.
- Eye cup fitment instead of face-plate.
- 1000mah 2s Battery.
- HDMI Input.
- Headphone/audio port.
- Single control IPD adjuster.
- Inbuilt internal fan.
- 3D support.
- Brightness/contrast adjuster.
- Charging cable.
- Zipped carry case.
FPV enthusiasts will no doubt have questions concerning the supported aspect ratio capabilities of the new set, as well as the ability to toggle between the most popular 4:3 and 16:9. It would appear that the goggles do not incorporate a DVR.
Users complained about the small-capacity 1000mAh battery of the Fat Shark ‘SE’ model, however the ‘Base HD’ model does not power a 5.8ghz receiver or DVR unit and therefore should provide better use-time per battery.
A welcomed improvement is the revised single-control IPD adjustment which removes the need for individual adjusters per each eye, replaced by a single and central rotory control.
The headset also incorporates an internal fan rather than the previous exposed face-place fan to avoid misting/fogging of the internal screens.
The launch of the new HD model coincides with a sharp rise in the popularity of consumer photography/video drones such as the DJI Phantom, DJI Mavic Pro and Yuneec Typhoon range which support HDMI out into headsets such as the ‘Base HD’.
In addition, the ‘Base HD’ model will be perfect for those wishing to use FPV simulators via their PC HDMI output, practicing in high resolution, rather than via traditional SD resolution.
Pilots wishing to use the new Base HD headset for traditional FPV flight via 5.8ghz video transmission will require an external receiver/base station, attached via the goggles HDMI port, although digital input can be slightly more latent than analog.
It is rumoured that the retail price of the Base SD will sit at around $350 and that the new headset may be bundled with a Connex HD FPV set.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”They’re rolling out to retailers soon…”, Fat Shark via Facebook[/perfectpullquote]
We have asked Fat Shark for more information and will update this article when we receive a response.
Thanks to ‘FatKidJoey‘ for his unboxing review on YouTube:
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