by RCModelReviews » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:03 pm
The very reason that the Fatsharks don't look as sharp as those other glasses is the field of view.
To get the wide field of view, the FatSharks magnify the image significantly -- which means that the individual pixels become larger and make the image appear somewhat less sharp. It's just like when you get closer to your TV set, you can see the individual dots that make up the picture but when you stand back you can't.
It's a trade-off - wider field of view or sharper image.
As for the plastic - mine have yet to crack or break so I'd say it's up to the task.
As you point out, you can get diopter lenses for the FatShark -- the alternative would be to allow you to wear prescription glasses but then you have the problem of keeping ambient light out. One good thing about the FS glasses is that they do effectively block all ambient light.
Like (I suspect) you do, I suffer from astigmatism but it's really not bad enough to be an issue with the FS glasses. I am also a little short-sighted but that's good because it means I can use the FS without the need for my prescription lenses.
The *BIG* benefit that the FS glasses have over many of the cheap alternatives is the way they handle a noisy video signal. Most cheaper systems will blue-screen (or black-screen) rather than continuing to show the snowy picture. Even when a decent signal is restored, they take a second or so to switch back to the "live video" mode and that can be the difference between flying and crashing your model.
However, I do think that all the video glasses are *way* overpriced for what they are.
Fear not though -- right now I'm putting together a low-cost alternative to these video glasses that will allow you to wear your prescription lenses, offer full 640x480 resolution, and cost about half the price of a set of FS glasses.
It's part of my FPV feature series that is coming up soon in which I'll cover everything from "bareback FPV" on a budget to the full-featured ($$) options.
RCModelReviews.com, just the facts.