An FPV drone backpack is totally price it when you fly usually. Whereas you should use a daily backpack, FPV-specific backpacks are purpose-built to retailer, shield, and manage 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 liked 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 assorted 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 Water resistant materials with exterior rain cowl YKK waterproof zippers 11 Velcro detachable inside dividers Adjustable chest assist buckle place Laptop computer pouch on the again Bolstered stitching Devoted radio prime pouch with bolstered 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 other than a digital camera bag or some other generic backpack is the straps on the skin 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 properly—and arguably even higher—since they’re much less prone to pop open by accident when you stumble upon one thing. The straps are additionally detachable when you favor a cleaner look.
A entrance cowl is offered to additional safe your drones. I solely want the quilt have been a bit wider so it might double as a method to conceal your drones and keep away from drawing undesirable consideration.
The bag itself is created from water resistant materials, which is able to maintain issues comparatively dry in gentle rain. For heavier rain, a devoted rain cowl is included.
High Pouch
One other function that actually defines an FPV backpack is the highest pouch. This extremely accessible area 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—comparable to your pockets, passport, or Bluetooth headphones when going via 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 connected with Velcro, so you’ll be able to take away them and merge the highest pouch with the principle compartment. This offers you way more flexibility in the way you configure your storage.
Nevertheless, one essential 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 further 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 extra organizers for maintaining smaller equipment neat and accessible. The decrease pouch with elastic opening is nice for carrying water bottles or umbrella.
A pleasant contact: on all sides of the higher pouch, there are hooks that allow you to run a buckle strap throughout. This lets you safe longer objects like a tripod, and even mount a small drone comparable to a cinewhoop.
The Important Compartment
Open up the entrance flap to entry the principle compartment. These zippers are top quality and retains your bag dry from water splashes.
Auline contains Velcro dividers of assorted 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 area, nevertheless it does imply much less cushioning to your gear. Personally, I don’t assume that’s a serious difficulty.
Some individuals favor backpacks that open from the again, so the facet that touches your physique doesn’t get soiled while 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—important for making full use of the out there area.
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 seems like wasted actual property. They might have at the least added instrument slots for screwdrivers or pliers, and even slim mesh pouches for small objects. Leaving it utterly naked seems like a step backward.
On the earlier variations, there have been two giant zipper pouches the place I might stash props, cables, or small equipment. With out them, I’ll in all probability want to make use of separate zipper baggage inside the principle compartment, which eats into worthwhile area.
The Again Facet
The again makes use of a brand new materials, it feels firmer and fewer versatile than earlier variations, nevertheless it’s extra breathable and noticeably extra comfy in sizzling 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 prime to backside. It needs 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 arduous, your laptop computer might take successful. To be protected, I’d advocate including a little bit of padding your self for further cushion, I’d in all probability 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 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 properly. Personally, I don’t use them, however they can assist stabilize the load when you’re carrying heavy gear. The waist strap additionally has small pockets for storing quick-access objects 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 shielding the bag while 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 further straps, which provides flexibility for a way you safe and manage your gear.
Evaluating V4 to V2
I’ve been utilizing the Auline FPV Backpack V2 for the previous three years and actually favored it. The brand new V4 brings some enhancements, however I additionally discover myself lacking a number of 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.
Additionally 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 properly. Not a dealbreaker until you journey loads on aircraft together with your FPV gear, nevertheless it was a pleasant comfort that I want they stored.
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 harder supplies and higher construction that give me confidence my gear is properly protected. On prime of that, it’s very comfy to hold due to the ergonomic strap design and breathable again padding.
You should buy the Auline FPV Backpack V4 from these distributors:
That stated, I do have combined emotions about a few of the modifications. It’s clear Auline wished to make the V4 extra modern and minimalist, however within the course of, they oversimplified and sacrificed usability.
After utilizing it for some time, it turned clear that the removing 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 further zipper baggage, and find yourself taking on valuable area 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 in all probability have so as to add my very own velcro strap or further padding.
So, am I going to switch my trusty V2 with the V4? Actually, in all probability 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 could possibly be backpack. It’s well-built, protecting, and cozy to hold—simply not fairly the improve I hoped for.
