An FPV drone backpack is totally price it when you fly usually. Whereas you need to use a daily backpack, FPV-specific backpacks are purpose-built to retailer, defend, and set up your gear effectively. They arrive with padded compartments to maintain your gear protected. I’ve been utilizing Auline FPV Backpack for the previous 5 years and cherished it. Now they’ve launched the brand new V4, and I couldn’t wait to test it out and share my expertise.
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The place to Purchase
You should buy 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 help buckle place
- Laptop computer pouch on the again
- Strengthened stitching
- Devoted radio prime pouch with bolstered partitions
Dimensions
- Exterior: 52 × 30 × 24 cm
- Fundamental Compartment: 35 × 28 × 20 cm
- Prime Pouch: 28 × 19 × 14 cm
- Laptop computer Pouch:
- Max opening: 39 cm
- Max width: 29 cm
- Min width: 25 cm
- Matches as much as 16″ laptops
- Entrance Cowl: 18 × 14 cm
- Weight: 2.65 kg
Entrance
One of many options that units an FPV backpack other than a digital camera 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. Nevertheless, 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 prone to pop open by chance when you stumble upon one thing. The straps are additionally detachable when you favor a cleaner look.
A entrance cowl is supplied to additional safe your drones. I solely want the duvet have been a bit wider so it may double as a technique to conceal your drones and keep away from drawing undesirable consideration.
The bag itself is produced from waterproof materials, which is able to maintain issues comparatively dry in mild rain. For heavier rain, a devoted rain cowl is included.
Prime Pouch
One other function that basically 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’ll be able to put no matter you need in there—corresponding to your pockets, passport, or Bluetooth headphones when going by way of an airport.
Within the V4, the highest pouch has been redesigned. As an alternative of a hard and fast compartment, the pouch partitions at the moment are hooked up with Velcro, so you’ll be able to take away them and merge the highest pouch with the principle compartment. This offers you much more flexibility in the way you configure your storage.
Nevertheless, one vital element was misplaced on this redesign: the Velcro strap that beforehand secured your radio. For one thing heavy, I’d actually favor to have that additional strap to maintain it from rocking round whereas carrying the bag.
Facet Pouches
Each side of the backpack function the identical pouches: an higher zipper pouch and a decrease open pouch. Contained in the zipper pouch, you’ll discover further 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 both sides 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 Fundamental Compartment
Open up the entrance flap to entry the principle compartment. These zippers are prime quality and retains your bag dry from water splashes.
Auline consists of Velcro dividers of varied sizes so you’ll be able to configure the structure nonetheless 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 facet, this maximizes usable house, but it surely does imply much less cushioning on your gear. Personally, I don’t suppose that’s a serious concern.
Some folks favor backpacks that open from the again, so the facet that touches your physique doesn’t get soiled whenever you set the bag down. Personally, I don’t thoughts the entrance flap design. I normally 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—essential for making full use of the out there house.
You’ll additionally discover that Auline has eliminated all zipper pouches on the partitions inside the principle compartment.
The Flap
One change I actually dislike is that Auline utterly eliminated the pouches on the within of the flap.
It appears like wasted actual property. They might have at the least added instrument slots for screwdrivers or pliers, and even slim mesh pouches for small gadgets. Leaving it utterly naked appears like a step backward.
On the earlier variations, there have been two giant 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 principle compartment, which eats into priceless house.
The Again Facet
The again makes use of a brand new materials, it feels firmer and fewer versatile than earlier variations, but it surely’s extra breathable and noticeably extra snug in sizzling summer season 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 prime 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 when you drop the bag onerous, your laptop computer may take a success. To be protected, I’d suggest 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 related design, and after a number of years of use I haven’t had any points. Nonetheless, it’s price being conscious of when 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 will help stabilize the load when you’re carrying heavy gear. The waist strap additionally has small pockets for storing quick-access gadgets like SD playing cards or keys. And when you don’t prefer it, you’ll be able to 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 facet. These are meant for attaching the entrance cowl or additional straps, which provides flexibility for the way you safe and set up your gear.
Evaluating V4 to V2
I’ve been utilizing the Auline FPV Backpack V2 for the previous three years and actually appreciated 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. Undoubtedly one thing I’ll miss.
They eliminated the strap within the prime pouch, which I discovered actually helpful for securing the radio.
In addition they eliminated the zipper pouches on the wall of the principle 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 until you journey rather a lot on airplane together with your FPV gear, but it surely was a pleasant comfort that I want they saved.
Conclusion – Combined Emotions
After I first noticed the brand new V4 backpack, the aesthetics instantly stood out.
The design appears to be like extra refined and streamlined than the earlier variations. The construct high quality feels stable, with more durable supplies and higher construction that give me confidence my gear is nicely protected. On prime of that, it’s very snug to hold because of the ergonomic strap design and breathable again padding.
You should buy the Auline FPV Backpack V4 from these distributors:
That stated, I do have blended emotions about a number of the adjustments. 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 grew to become clear that the elimination of zipper pouches (each on the flap and inside the principle compartment) and the downsizing of the facet 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 valuable house in the principle compartment. The lacking strap within the prime 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 exchange my trusty V2 with the V4? Actually, most likely not. The V2 nonetheless serves my wants higher. However when you don’t thoughts the problems I discussed and like a cleaner, sleeker design, the V4 may very well be a very good backpack. It’s well-built, protecting, and comfy to hold—simply not fairly the improve I hoped for.