I've been fed up with the Gopro Hero 3 black that was originally $350+. Each revision of the Gopro has given me problems and they still haven't been able to implement a loop recording feature that deletes old footage to free up space. The battery would never last more than an hour neither..
Anyways because of this, I finally set out to look for another helmet camera, I then bought the Garmin Virb Elite. Spent an extra $40 for the dark color, heh.
Prices:
I've used this camera for about a week now, and I have to say I'm impressed, coming from a Gopro. Although bulky, the feel of the device seems very well built, has very nice features, and water proof without case. The video quality is very good at capturing plates during the day at a speed under 30mph. Video modes in 1080p @ 30fps or 720p @ 60fps, both with wide angle or ultra zoom / focus+stabilization features. The software when editing video can create overlays on video with gauges measuring speed, compass, g-force, heart rate(sensor sold seperately), and elevation. OH, I also LOVE the battery and tactile record switch. The battery alone can last a little more than 3 hours, and you can flip on the tactile record switch, which will not only turn on the camera, but automatically begin recording. Flipping this switch off would stop the recording, and within 30 seconds of idle, turn off the camera. The tactile record switch could be felt and switched on/off through heavy gloves.
What I don't like about it is the audio and night quality from the camera. Gopro is definitely superior when talking about the audio quality, however the Virb has a mic in port if you wish to use an external microphone. The night quality is similar to Gopro, basically about 50% the quality of day footage IMO.
Below is a video capture of my first day with the camera:
[youtube]I7QKVnKsZA4[/youtube]
And here are some overlays:
Anyways because of this, I finally set out to look for another helmet camera, I then bought the Garmin Virb Elite. Spent an extra $40 for the dark color, heh.
Prices:
- $179 - White - http://amzn.to/1VL4JVi
- $217 - Dark Khaki/Beige/Khaki - http://amzn.to/22Y8BRq
I've used this camera for about a week now, and I have to say I'm impressed, coming from a Gopro. Although bulky, the feel of the device seems very well built, has very nice features, and water proof without case. The video quality is very good at capturing plates during the day at a speed under 30mph. Video modes in 1080p @ 30fps or 720p @ 60fps, both with wide angle or ultra zoom / focus+stabilization features. The software when editing video can create overlays on video with gauges measuring speed, compass, g-force, heart rate(sensor sold seperately), and elevation. OH, I also LOVE the battery and tactile record switch. The battery alone can last a little more than 3 hours, and you can flip on the tactile record switch, which will not only turn on the camera, but automatically begin recording. Flipping this switch off would stop the recording, and within 30 seconds of idle, turn off the camera. The tactile record switch could be felt and switched on/off through heavy gloves.
What I don't like about it is the audio and night quality from the camera. Gopro is definitely superior when talking about the audio quality, however the Virb has a mic in port if you wish to use an external microphone. The night quality is similar to Gopro, basically about 50% the quality of day footage IMO.
Below is a video capture of my first day with the camera:
[youtube]I7QKVnKsZA4[/youtube]
And here are some overlays:
- http://i.imgur.com/ldDifpO.jpg Some speed/heart overlay
- http://i.imgur.com/0pccfmo.jpg Race/track/lap overlays!
