I used this excellent write up as the base for conversion
http://www.rcexplorer.se/page14/goggles/goggles.html (http://www.rcexplorer.se/page14/goggles/goggles.html)
I made slight variations to suit my particular requirements as I wear varifocal glasses so got a ski mask intended for spectacle wearers.
Dismantle the original goggles to get the parts required
Pic 1
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0136.jpg)
Dremel out the goggles to suit
Pic 2
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0139.jpg)
Test fit before fixing in place
Pic 3
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0140.jpg)
I used black silicone sealer and when dry, mask off and spray with 'rattle can' spray (don't spray the black front most part as there is the infrared sensor behind it!).
Pic 4
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0144.jpg)
I used the original connector with all it's contacts and cabling (cable tied to the framework of the ski mask)
Pic 5
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0147.jpg)
View from inside
Pic 6
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0148.jpg)
I might add the right side audio connector later
Pic 7
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0149.jpg)
Complete and ready to rock n roll (note the small velcro fastner to help stop the cable from pulling out of the mask connector when in use)
Pic 8
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0154.jpg)
Belt clip to enable control/battery box to be clipped to trousers/belt/pocket (clip is a CB radio fist mic car dashboard mount).
I'll secure it to the battery cover with a couple of countersunk set screws.
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj54/Devonian20d/DSCN0156.jpg)
Nigel.
Excellent job Ian, ive been wanting to mine for ages now but didnt want to butcher my goggles. But it seems so many are doing it and they are much much better than originals.
Mine are the same goggles as yours, let loads of light through and keep slipping awat from my face so its a mod that must be coming soon for me.
They look great mate :)
The only thing that concerns me is the exposed circuitboards being damaged and the wire pulling out, what are your thought on this ?
Ian ?? ;D
The risk is about the same as the original goggles for the exposed cabling.
I used the original velcro fastener at the mask end to help prevent it from pulling out whilst in use.
I intend to make a little belt clip for the control/battery box - then, if anyone steps on or pulls any cabling, it will only be the cabling to the VRx output and that is by a single audio/video 3.5mm connector and the strain will be at the belt clip only.
Nigel.
Lol where did i get Ian from pmsl sorry Nigel
Ah so you can still use the same velcr retainer to keep it on, nice one. Yeah the control box idea is also a must, i find them a pain. I end up with it in my pocket so it doesnt get caught up :)
I've added to the first post the belt clip idea using a CB radio 'fist microphone' car dashboard mount (last pic in the first post above).
Nigel.
Ah yeah good idea, i was going to knock up a LM7805 circuit to supply 5 volts to it off ground station battery too. The batteries i find dont last too long :)
Good idea, although it's another cable to trip over!
The battery is the same as lots of Nokia phones (I have a couple of spare hi-capacity batteries).
Nigel.
This looks great Nigel. I got as far as buying some ski goggles but haven't done the mod yet. Perhaps now is the time!
Just do it, you won't regret it.
The worst bit is deciding just where to cut the ski goggles, mine are double skinned so it wasn't quite as easy as first thought.
A dremmel is sooo much better than trying to Stanley knife it out, and a compreesor and air line helps to get all the plastic swarf out from inbetween the 2 skins of the mask/lens parts.
Best bit was the £0.99 price I paid for the ski mask on eBlag ;D
I mean, who wants a ski mask in mid summer !
Nigel.
£0.99 !
Ok its a done deal im buying one :)
Ive done this too, and I've never looked back. Better light blocking, feels secure when using the headtracker and they're far more comfortable to wear. Cant post any pictures because Im away from home at the moment.
I like it, good one, I think I will be looking to do the same soon.
Njoro
I'm thinking of doing this mod but as I sweat like the proverbial rapist I was wondering if wearing a ski mask would steam things up or are they ventilated?
Cheers.
Cadders
Yeah good point, never considered steaming, do they cope in the heat ?
If you look closely at my ski mask, the framework is latticed and then covered in thin, black foam (does let some light through but not huge amounts).
Pics, 5 and 6 above show it best.
They are supposed to be quite good at not misting up in original form.
I haven't had a real test of them as yet, but even perspiring profusely whilst testing with an R/C car, my spectacles suffered worse than the mask itself.
Nigel.
Ive ordered mine yesterday, 8 quid delivered Scot ones
Can you give me a link to where you got them at that price Coyote.
Cheers.
Cadders
Mine were second hand ones but i figured who cares im cutting them to bits, heres a few cheap options :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motocross-Enduro-Trials-Ski-Road-Camo-Goggles-NEW-/310226350990?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Motorcycle_Helmets&hash=item483aee738e (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motocross-Enduro-Trials-Ski-Road-Camo-Goggles-NEW-/310226350990?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Motorcycle_Helmets&hash=item483aee738e)
I will get some pics later, but you might have to remove some of the sponge from around the nose area. Thats if you have a huge nose like me, as they 'pinched' my nose a bit..
Well my scot goggles have just arrived but instead of taking my vr`s apart im trying to find a way of mounting them whole still in ski goggles. May be a bit of fiddling to get them to stay properly though. :)
Update, this is how ive got on with mine, i didnt want to dismantle goggles but wanted 2 things, to block the sunlight out and hold my fpv goggles on as they keep slipping off.
First i taped up my goggles :
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/cayote64/DSCF0429.jpg)
Then cut a slot out of the goggles to hold the fpv glasses in place. I then covered the end of the glasses with a cut piece of plastic bag so it didnt stick. Then set about raiding our lasses knicker drawer and got hold of some tights. Cut a leg off and put it over the lot. I then coated the tights in fibre glass epoxy nd let it harden off :
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/cayote64/DSCF0427.jpg)
Another tight layer for more strength then kept adding layers of resin to get a glass finish for spraying :
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/cayote64/DSCF0428.jpg)
Once all set i cut off the excess material, then trimmed the mould and hot glued to mask :
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/cayote64/DSCF0433.jpg)
Tested fit, now i put the glasses on, then the mask on top. Once sprayed black all light will be gone.
So thats what ive been doing. Just got to sand and spray and its done :)
Ok update, i got the goggles in primer then sprayed..............
Didnt like them in black, so tried silver, looked ok but dull.
So i applied gloss finish, let it go off and then keyed up and sprayed primer on ??????
Yes i put primer on top of laqure, why ? I wanted it to react, most of the time you want to avoid this but this time i wanted the effect there.
Silver over the top and hey presto :
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/cayote64/DSCF0435.jpg)
I wanted ideally a bit more reaction but it looks much better i think for it :)
(http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n39/cayote64/DSCF0438.jpg)
Baseball cap might make look less of a complete Tw&t like :)
Hi Devonian
I see you wear glasses as I do, I've been meaning to ask one of the opticians in town if he could cut me small rectangular lenses to my prescription to silicon in place in the goggles that way I will get rid of the glasses frame. What do you think?
great idea this. Well no reason why one couldnt just whack some heatshrink over the bare circuit boards