Let me start by saying that this cam makes great, clear video. It lasts beyond the rated 2hrs. using rechargeable batts. An 8gb card gives about 1:50 of record time, @ 2gb per 30 mins. A 16gb card would let you max out the batt. life.I gave it 4 stars for a few small(sort of) issues. The mounting systems have limited adjustment, and very limited instructions. The H.bar mount sits very high, and has no provision for screw tightening, you pull it tight like a tie-wrap. The helmet and goggle strap mounts require bending a plastic tab, and pulling the base completely out of the mount to adjust the vert. angle, something near impossible to do if you're already wearing it. You need eyes on to do it right, and not break it. The stick-on helmet mount has no side to side adjustment, so you better get it pointed right on the first try. It also has very limited tilt range, so it almost has to be where the goggle strap goes anyway. There's no provision for top mounting, only side.
The cam itself works great, with caveats. If any air will move near the cam, the mic hole MUST be taped over, otherwise a horrible screeching will be heard. The problem with this is that the batt. cover includes one side of the mic hole, requiring replacing the tape each time. Sound level is still fine with mic taped, this thing hears EVERYTHING! One last thing; when mounted from the bottom, on the bike helmet mount, it's near impossible to remove batt. cover without loosening the cam first. And I think it would benefit from a small sun shade, a bright sky can make the trails go almost black. I haven't tried adding one yet, so I can't be sure it will work.
I highly recommend this cam, but you'll need to tweak things a bit depending what you use it for.
Also, I bought the Transend class 6 micro sd card with reader and it works great.
I bought the Kingston class 4 first, and it was either defective or fake, it did all kinds of crazy stuff, like making 30 files that were 10 secs. long during one ride. Also, pull the card out and use a reader. Downloading from the cam directly is frustratingly slow.
One last thing(really). This cam will start a new file every 30 mins., so it's best if you cycle it off and on yourself before this, or you will lose a random 10-15 seconds while cam resets.
Cons:
It is not totally waterproof, but after a lot of ski days, it has no issues
The files it creates are huge about 70mb/min
Pros:
Comes with lots of mounts, the goggle mount works great
Image quality is very very good. People hear "HD" and think that is what matters. Really, the lens, image processor, white balance, contrast etc etc matter more, and they are really good on this little guy.
Small and light. I have used the GoPro HD and its like skiing with a weight on one side of your head.
$77!! Its so much cheaper than your other options which also charge for mounts.
This is a great little camera. Originally bought for my little bro for skiing, we have been both using it, and I will be getting another one for me shortly.I use this with my dual sport motorcycle. First the helmet strap isn't long enough to go around a helmet so I had to use the sticker mount. That worked fine. Next, the unit I got was an open box return and the usb port was messed up. They sent me a new one. No problem. Then I got to actually take it out and use it and here is what I found out.
Going faster than 10mph it picks up the wind noise so bad you have to mute the sound. Also picks up a horrible high pitch whistle. The video looks passable when you watch it at its native size but if you expand it to full screen on your computer or TV you can't pick out any details. Everything is very pixelated. Which since it is I think 640X480 that is what you can expect.
Colors are washed out too. I kept saying to myself " I can't wait to get home and show the kids my video of how beautiful it is here" and then I get home and it is just crappy video quality. I am going to save up for a go-pro. You get what you pay for. I was cheap with this purchase and so I got a cheap camera with cheap video and horrible audio.
Would not buy again.I bought this camera to mount in my race car looking out the windsheild. It works great. My only issues are the static noise that can be heard over the sound of the engine but this is a minor issue and also it comes with 4 different mounts but none of them worked for me. I just wrap a wire tie around the camera and the roll cage and then go around it with electrical tape to keep it from moving around especially during bumping and crashes. I have a few videos of my racing using this camera if you would like to check it out: [ ... ] I have just purchased another camera to mount in the rear facing back to give me a whole other perspective. Ok they won't let my link to the videos show so just go to youtube and search for Johnson 54 Racing to view the videos.This is an awesome camera takes great video for the price. I have shot all my ride vids with it. I really liked the fact that it cam with multiple mounts, the handle bar mount broke on my 3rd use. its plastic and it was cold out and i over tightened it. But the other mounts worked well on the bike. I would also suggest a piece of black tape over the mic whole, will not hinder the sound but blocks all the wind noise.
Pros Great Price, good picture and sound quality, easy to use, uses up to a 32GB Micro SD(not included)All mounts included, easily mountable anywhere, very durable small and compact and very light. no driver software needed for connecting to a PC
Cons battery only lasts for 2 hr continuous use, videos are broken down into 28minute 2GB segments but as the batteries weaken you will get multiple small files of 100mb or less. Files are all AVI no compression. Micro SD card not included.
Even with the technical Cons I bought a second unit and love them. I have recommended them to my ride buddies and they have picked them up as well
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