An FPV drone backpack is completely price it in the event you fly usually. Whereas you should utilize a daily backpack, FPV-specific backpacks are purpose-built to retailer, shield, and arrange your gear effectively. They arrive with padded compartments to maintain your tools protected. I’ve been utilizing Auline FPV Backpack for the previous 5 years and beloved it. Now they’ve launched the brand new V4, and I couldn’t wait to test it out and share my expertise.
In search of FPV-related instruments? Try my suggestions: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-tools/
The place to Purchase
You should purchase the Auline FPV Backpack V4 from these distributors:
It comes with 11 velcro dividers of varied sizes, a waist strap, 4 buckled straps, a entrance cowl, and a rain cowl (not proven within the photos).
Specs and Options
- Chest and waist straps for load distribution
- Waterproof materials with exterior rain cowl
- YKK waterproof zippers
- 11 Velcro detachable inside dividers
- Adjustable chest assist buckle place
- Laptop computer pouch on the again
- Strengthened stitching
- Devoted radio high pouch with strengthened partitions
Dimensions
- Exterior: 52 × 30 × 24 cm
- Important Compartment: 35 × 28 × 20 cm
- High Pouch: 28 × 19 × 14 cm
- Laptop computer Pouch:
- Max opening: 39 cm
- Max width: 29 cm
- Min width: 25 cm
- Suits as much as 16″ laptops
- Entrance Cowl: 18 × 14 cm
- Weight: 2.65 kg
Entrance
One of many options that units an FPV backpack aside from a digicam bag or some other generic backpack is the straps on the surface for mounting drones.
On each model of Auline backpack, together with the brand new V4, you get 4 buckle straps on the entrance. Nonetheless, the V4 introduces a brand new buckle design: they’re now not magnetic, however they work simply as nicely—and arguably even higher—since they’re much less more likely to pop open by chance in the event you stumble upon one thing. The straps are additionally detachable in the event you want a cleaner look.
A entrance cowl is offered to additional safe your drones. I solely want the quilt had been a bit wider so it may double as a approach to conceal your drones and keep away from drawing undesirable consideration.
The bag itself is created from waterproof materials, which can maintain issues comparatively dry in gentle rain. For heavier rain, a devoted rain cowl is included.
High Pouch
One other characteristic that actually defines an FPV backpack is the highest pouch. This extremely accessible house is large enough to carry each your radio controller and FPV goggles. After all, you may put no matter you need in there—corresponding to your pockets, passport, or Bluetooth headphones when going by means of an airport.
Within the V4, the highest pouch has been redesigned. As a substitute of a set compartment, the pouch partitions at the moment are hooked up with Velcro, so you may take away them and merge the highest pouch with the primary compartment. This provides you way more flexibility in the way you configure your storage.
Nonetheless, one vital element was misplaced on this redesign: the Velcro strap that beforehand secured your radio. For one thing heavy, I’d actually want to have that additional strap to maintain it from rocking round whereas carrying the bag.
Facet Pouches
Each side of the backpack characteristic the identical pouches: an higher zipper pouch and a decrease open pouch. Contained in the zipper pouch, you’ll discover extra organizers for conserving smaller equipment neat and accessible. The decrease pouch with elastic opening is nice for carrying water bottles or umbrella.
A pleasant contact: on either side of the higher pouch, there are hooks that allow you to run a buckle strap throughout. This lets you safe longer gadgets like a tripod, and even mount a small drone corresponding to a cinewhoop.
The Important Compartment
Open up the entrance flap to entry the primary compartment. These zippers are top quality and retains your bag dry from water splashes.
Auline contains Velcro dividers of varied sizes so you may configure the format nevertheless you want. The dividers are barely stiff, which helps them maintain their form, however nonetheless versatile sufficient to bend by hand. They’ve virtually no padding—on the plus aspect, this maximizes usable house, however it does imply much less cushioning to your gear. Personally, I don’t assume that’s a significant situation.
Some individuals want backpacks that open from the again, so the aspect that touches your physique doesn’t get soiled whenever you set the bag down. Personally, I don’t thoughts the entrance flap design. I often set my bag on a tenting mat anyway, which retains it clear.
With the dividers eliminated, the compartment is roomy sufficient to suit a 5-inch FPV drone with props on.
It’s additionally deep sufficient to retailer your FPV goggles (together with DJI Goggles V2/2/3) and your radio (just like the TX16S/TX16) sideways—important for making full use of the obtainable house.
You’ll additionally discover that Auline has eliminated all zipper pouches on the partitions inside the primary compartment.
The Flap
One change I actually dislike is that Auline fully eliminated the pouches on the within of the flap.
It seems like wasted actual property. They might have not less than added device slots for screwdrivers or pliers, and even slim mesh pouches for small gadgets. Leaving it fully naked seems like a step backward.
On the earlier variations, there have been two massive zipper pouches the place I may stash props, cables, or small equipment. With out them, I’ll most likely want to make use of separate zipper luggage inside the primary compartment, which eats into worthwhile house.
The Again Facet
The again makes use of a brand new materials, it feels firmer and fewer versatile than earlier variations, however it’s extra breathable and noticeably extra snug in scorching summer time climate. I’m additionally glad to see thicker lumbar padding, which makes carrying a heavy load simpler on the again.
The backpack features a zippered laptop computer pouch that opens from high to backside. It ought to be large enough for 16-inch laptops. The draw back is that there’s little to no padding on the backside—so in the event you drop the bag arduous, your laptop computer may take a success. To be protected, I’d advocate including a little bit of padding your self for additional cushion, I’d most likely slip the rain cowl on the backside of the pouch.
That stated, my older V2 backpack had comparable design, and after a number of years of use I haven’t had any points. Nonetheless, it’s price being aware of in the event you’re carrying an costly laptop computer.
Straps
The shoulder straps are detachable and include an built-in buckled chest strap.
Every strap additionally has a pocket, which is surprisingly roomy—large enough to carry your smartphone or perhaps a small water bottle.
A waist strap is included as nicely. Personally, I don’t use them, however they may also help stabilize the load in the event you’re carrying heavy gear. The waist strap additionally has small pockets for storing quick-access gadgets like SD playing cards or keys. And in the event you don’t prefer it, you may merely take away it.
Backside
The underside of the backpack hasn’t modified a lot from earlier variations. It nonetheless has the identical sturdy rubber bumpers, that are nice for safeguarding the bag whenever you set it down on tough surfaces.
One new addition, although, is the hooks on each aspect. These are meant for attaching the entrance cowl or additional straps, which provides flexibility for a way you safe and arrange your gear.
Evaluating V4 to V2
I’ve been utilizing the Auline FPV Backpack V2 for the previous three years and actually preferred it. The brand new V4 brings some enhancements, however I additionally discover myself lacking just a few options from the older model.
Left: V4; proper: V2
Within the V2, there was a big zipper pouch, however on the V4 it’s been changed with a smaller one. Positively one thing I’ll miss.
They eliminated the strap within the high pouch, which I discovered actually helpful for securing the radio.
In addition they eliminated the zipper pouches on the wall of the primary compartment, which I used usually for instruments and cables.
The again strap that allowed you to slide the backpack over a suitcase deal with is gone as nicely. Not a dealbreaker except you journey lots on airplane together with your FPV gear, however it was a pleasant comfort that I want they stored.
Conclusion – Blended Emotions
Once I first noticed the brand new V4 backpack, the aesthetics instantly stood out.
The design appears extra refined and streamlined than the earlier variations. The construct high quality feels stable, with harder supplies and higher construction that give me confidence my gear is nicely protected. On high of that, it’s very snug to hold due to the ergonomic strap design and breathable again padding.
You should purchase the Auline FPV Backpack V4 from these distributors:
That stated, I do have blended emotions about among the modifications. It’s clear Auline wished to make the V4 extra smooth and minimalist, however within the course of, they oversimplified and sacrificed usability.
After utilizing it for some time, it turned clear that the elimination of zipper pouches (each on the flap and inside the primary compartment) and the downsizing of the aspect pouches are actual drawbacks for me. I used to depend on these areas for small instruments, props, and cables. Now I want to purchase additional zipper luggage, and find yourself taking on treasured house in the primary compartment. The lacking strap within the high pouch is one other annoyance—with out it, the radio tends to maneuver round. I most likely have so as to add my very own velcro strap or additional padding.
So, am I going to switch my trusty V2 with the V4? Truthfully, most likely not. The V2 nonetheless serves my wants higher. However in the event you don’t thoughts the problems I discussed and like a cleaner, sleeker design, the V4 could possibly be a very good backpack. It’s well-built, protecting, and cozy to hold—simply not fairly the improve I hoped for.
