Action cam game changer

[bcroslin]

Polaroid (not the real Polaroid but an Asian company that bought the brand) is marketing a new action camera that is the perfect form factor for a cycling camera (http://petapixel.com/2014/08/13/polaroids-cube-action-cam-special/#more-142236) to catch the assorted stuff that happens when we ride in hostile environments. Best of all is the price - $100! It's not available yet but Photojojo is taking preorders (http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/polaroid-cube-camera/).

[Lewis Moon]

Polaroid (not the real Polaroid but an Asian company that bought the brand) is marketing a new action camera that is the perfect form factor for a cycling camera (http://petapixel.com/2014/08/13/polaroids-cube-action-cam-special/#more-142236) to catch the assorted stuff that happens when we ride in hostile environments. Best of all is the price - $100! It's not available yet but Photojojo is taking preorders (http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/polaroid-cube-camera/).

I just wish they'd leave the cutsy 5#!+ alone.

[bcroslin]

I just wish they'd leave the cutsy 5#!+ alone.

Thats what a black sharpie is for!

[Lewis Moon]

Thats what a black sharpie is for!

The monkey mount needs to hit the dumpster too.

[mvrider]

I don't own an action cam, but it seems that the 90-minute battery life of the Polaroid unit would be rather limiting for cycling.

[sworcester]

I tried the GoPro, maybe a generation back, and the jello shutter effect made cycling videos tough to watch. Any of these cameras, because of the vibration, have issues with juttery footage.

[weisan]

So I toyed with the idea of getting an action camera on and off for the last couple of years, held back mostly by the quality vs the cost. A top-of-the-line GoPro can easily set you back $300-500 plus I am not a big fan of its form factor.

Last week, a special deal came up with a polaroid action camera (XS100i Extreme). I watched a couple of footage that folks have recorded using the gadget and posted on YouTube, was pretty impressed with what I saw so I jumped in and bought the thing.

Yesterday was the first trial run with my newest toy. I recorded short 15-mins commute from my office to the train station. It was mounted from the rear on my rack.

It's set at 1080p at 30 frames per seconds.

A couple of things I like about it so far:

Relatively compact and small
Came with TONS of accessories and different mounts
waterproof without any special casing
Good balance between quality vs price/cost
Easy turn-on/off button, foolproof, even with fat fingers or heavy gloves
wifi ready

Things I am not so fond of but can live with:
Have to remove back cap to access File Transfer/Charging User interface - I guess the cap was sort of necessary to ensure it's water proof.
Lack of LCD view - you can connect wirelessly through your Android or iOS to see where it's pointing at in the beginning of the recording.
One full charge gets about 2-2.5 hours of recording - wish it would add an extra hour and go up to 3-3.5
no changeable battery, it's built-in

To reiterate...Good balance between quality vs price/cost - this is by far the most important consideration for me, I paid $120 on a special deal (Ritz Camera website), regular $180.

Anyway, if you are interested, here's my recorded footage...it's kinda boring except maybe when you fast forward to 8:00 ;)
http://alicehui.com/video/commute.html

http://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2014/07/16/7fdfa592-3ff3-4a46-9b11-dc4c1025b760/resize/770x578/82d34330d52cc88b00ddd6b099bf5942/polaroid-xs100i-action-cam-product-photos11.jpg

[numbskull]

Impressive performance for $120.

[weisan]

Impressive performance for $120.

yeah, I thought so too.

[shamsixnine]

This one just came out. Yes, pricier than the Polaroid, but this will do it for me. Don't know the street price yet. What's really significant about this one is that it can shoot at 120 frame per second slow motion.

http://us.ricoh-imaging.com/digital-camera/WG-M1_Orange

[bcroslin]

Shipping on Polaroid's cube cam has slipped to mid-Nov so ill more than likely cancel my preorder. Contour just announced a new version of their camera at a $200 price point so that's likely the direction I'm headed.

[Tony]

Been using the small, compact Oregon Scientific ATC for several years, been a very durable, reliable video camera.

A recent video from a couple weeks ago using the OS ATC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ZY4yrgDCI&feature=youtu.be

[Aaron O]

The shape of the Polaroid looks similar to the contour.

[false_Aest]

Meh.

If you're willing to pay $200 for the "upgraded" version, save your pennies and check out the Shimano Sport. It's really nice, smaller than most of the others and fits so well under the stem/handlebar or behind the saddle.

I got to test it out at the Brentwood GP in August. Paired with iPhone and android easily. Really nice to set it up on a friends bike + have him ride around in front of me so that we could see what the camera is going to see while racing.

[eddief]

into its GPS units...for us bikers.

[bcroslin]

Meh.

If you're willing to pay $200 for the "upgraded" version, save your pennies and check out the Shimano Sport. It's really nice, smaller than most of the others and fits so well under the stem/handlebar or behind the saddle.

I got to test it out at the Brentwood GP in August. Paired with iPhone and android easily. Really nice to set it up on a friends bike + have him ride around in front of me so that we could see what the camera is going to see while racing.

I think I'm going to pester the local shimano rep to lend me one of their cams for a few days. I love the form factor of the contour but hate that the "upgrade" doesn't include iphone connectivity via bluetooth or wifi.

[sitzmark]

Shipping on Polaroid's cube cam has slipped to mid-Nov so ill more than likely cancel my preorder. Contour just announced a new version of their camera at a $200 price point so that's likely the direction I'm headed.

I have a Contour ROAM2 and a Contour +2 GPS with a WoMo Designs mount. Different mount "inserts" allow single and dual mountings for camera, ride computer and/or light, etc. One of the more expensive mounts, but I tried many and this one is solid, gets the camera up front out of the way, and also cuts out a lot of undesirable video jiggle.

Usually just mount the ROAM2 and have available if I want to flip the switch on - which isn't often. Easier to use than Contour +2 because it doesn't need case to be "waterproof". In dry weather can flip the back cover open and patch in a small USB external battery pack. Get 2.5-3 hours of use with built-in battery at 720HD 30fps, less at 1080 60fps, but never use it in that mode. Contour +2 makes it possible to swap out battery, but then have to worry about rain (or use bulky waterproof case). New ROAM3 looks good. Happy to see Contour back from bankruptcy.

Not a big video fanatic, but if I want to capture some vids I don't like screwing around with problematic mounts. WOMO is simple and works.

[carpediemracing]

Anyway, if you are interested, here's my recorded footage...it's kinda boring except maybe when you fast forward to 8:00 ;)
http://alicehui.com/video/commute.html

Is there a reason is goes to "pause" every second or two?

Nevermind, it's buffering.

You want to put it on YouTube or something? :)

[m_sasso]

Hope the OP does not mind a topic branch.

Along similar lines, anyone have recommendations for 1/4 “ post simple, light handle bar mounts with/without ball pivots.

Aware of the Hama Bike Pod, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032KHK1W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DWFOGYJNEPMV&coliid=IR35HXMU6BI49

Anything else out there worth considering, have a Minoura on order http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DMYRRC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DWFOGYJNEPMV&coliid=I2MDNJX7F0FYKL

[bcroslin]

Hope the OP does not mind a topic branch.

Along similar lines, anyone have recommendations for 1/4 “ post simple, light handle bar mounts with/without ball pivots.

Aware of the Hama Bike Pod, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032KHK1W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DWFOGYJNEPMV&coliid=IR35HXMU6BI49

Anything else out there worth considering, have a Minoura on order http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DMYRRC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DWFOGYJNEPMV&coliid=I2MDNJX7F0FYKL

I bought a mount that looks a lot like the Hama and its collecting dust. It's tough to get the ball head to tighten enough that a small bump won't knock the camera out of position.

[djg21]

Hope the OP does not mind a topic branch.

Along similar lines, anyone have recommendations for 1/4 “ post simple, light handle bar mounts with/without ball pivots.

Aware of the Hama Bike Pod, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032KHK1W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DWFOGYJNEPMV&coliid=IR35HXMU6BI49

Anything else out there worth considering, have a Minoura on order http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DMYRRC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1DWFOGYJNEPMV&coliid=I2MDNJX7F0FYKL

RAM makes a couple. I've used RAM mounts in my car, but obviously not these.

http://www.rammount.com/Products/BicycleMounts/BicycleRecommendedMounts/tabid/4736/Default.aspx

[false_Aest]

I think I'm going to pester the local shimano rep to lend me one of their cams for a few days. I love the form factor of the contour but hate that the "upgrade" doesn't include iphone connectivity via bluetooth or wifi.


You will like it LOTS.

[weisan]

Play with my new toy some more. Here's another clip of my commute except in the opposite direction from the train station to the office in the morning.

http://alicehui.com/video/commute2.html

I also do a lunch ride with friends at work around town lake. This is a portion of the 10-mile loop:
http://alicehui.com/video/townlake.html

May have to wait for the video to buffer load to get a smoother playback. I intend to look into vimeo or youtube over the next few days. For now, I am using my personal hosted site.

[tiretrax]

into its GPS units...for us bikers.

Garmin has a camera with GPS built in.

[BSBD]

A friend put together a massive review of action cams on another hobby website (skydiving): http://www.dropzone.com/news/Gear/Best_Action_Camera_2014_-_Ultimate_POV_Camera_Shootout_1027.html

[weisan]

A friend put together a massive review of action cams on another hobby website (skydiving): http://www.dropzone.com/news/Gear/Best_Action_Camera_2014_-_Ultimate_POV_Camera_Shootout_1027.html
massive is an understatement. I think this is more than just a hobby, won't you say so?:rolleyes::p
http://www.dropzone.com/articles/action-cam/action-cam-frankenlens.jpg
http://www.dropzone.com/articles/action-cam/action-cameras-mounted.jpg

[tiretrax]

My neck hurts from looking at that picture!

[Dired]

Thanks for posting this! Awesome resource.

[BSBD]

massive is an understatement. I think this is more than just a hobby, won't you say so?:rolleyes::p


Spot (DSE) is a professional in pro video and audio as well as skydiving. :)

[Dr Luxurious]

I'm thinking about getting one of these little suckers.
http://mobius-actioncam.com/

check it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wmIyD1fM4M

[cinema]

Got mine from polaroid directly yesterday

Want everyone to know mine had a DOA battery and is buggy right out of the box. battery will not hold a charge and unit will not take any pictures with brand new sd card formatted for the camera.

Will be returning shortly, don't waste your time with this junk.

[weisan]

Been playing with my new action cam for three weeks now. So far, still pretty happy with the value proposition for $120.

Take note, I am NOT talking about the newest cute cubical looking thingy here. Two different thing.

I uploaded a couple of clips on youtube.

This was mounted on the front windshield
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz9DLcFNDms

In comparison, this was mounted in the rear of the vehicle on the suction mount.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76OE4HWZ5c

This was mounted facing the rear of the bike on the seatstay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nd0kdGTSXI

Same mounting method, on a different ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wnuiTURlU

One other thing that sorta took me by surprise is the duration of recording I get out of one full charge. According to the manual, it says it can be anywhere between 2-2.5 hrs depending on the settings. So I have set mine to the highest resolution and when I got back to the house after a 3-hr ride, I thought surely the thing would have turned off on its own or run out of space...no, it was still recording. I guess I didn't ride long enough to find out what it's max range is..but I know for a fact it can go beyond 3 hrs and that took up about 12G of disk space on my 32G microSD card.

The quality of the footage also largely depends on the lighting conditions, not very different from photography.

Like I said, I sort of evaluate everything as a package including the extras/accesories that came with it and they are tons. In the end, I was satisfied with what I am getting for the price/value prop.

[bcroslin]

WHAT?! I pre-ordered mine and still haven't received it. I'm canceling the order.