Vivitar DVR480-LIC 1.3 Megapixel Digital Helmet Camcorder

I just bought one of these from a local seller, and it's cool and inexpensive.

Some important clarifications:

the "LCD Screen" is a calculator-style information display (icons, timer display), NOT an image playback display. So you can't know if you have it aimed "right" out in the field.

Counter to what the tech specs here says, it takes AAA batteries not AA batteries; they are not included. (Besides, if they include AA batteries, you'll still need to get AAA batteries!)

It has very basic controls: Power, Record, and Mode (switch between 640x480 and 320x240 modes). NO zoom or exposure.

Audio records well when stopped. But when riding just around town with it mounted on my helmet (9-12 mph), wind noise wiped out any sound. It comes with a silicone sleeve to protect it from rain; I haven't checked if that will baffle the sound.

I would have set the focal length differently so that it was a bit wider angle than it is, at least for bike use. My video looks like I'm about to be run over or run into cars! :-)

You can see the product manual on the manufacturer's web site, Vivitar.

I purchased the red version on December 28, 2011 when one of the well-known store chains put it on Post-Christmas Sale. Honestly it was the color and the low price are what swayed me into getting this even though if money is not an issue I know I would easily get the GoPro HD Helmet Hero or the ContourHD 1080p Helmet Camera. These two have been hands-down the best in the outdoor/sports video business, but for those like me who are scrapping for their hobby budgets, the CAMCORDER, MUVI ATOM, BLACK, MICRO or the Midland XTC100VP2 640 x 480 Standard Definition Extreme Action Camera with 4 types of Mounts Included (Black) should be at the top of their lists. Until this Vivitar came to one's radar.

As in any item purchase, you get what you pay for. After un-packing this (which happened in the evening), I immediately tested it inside the house to find out how the video and audio would fare. Video quality is grainy but rendered the colors as close to the actual ones. Panning the videocamera should be made carefully, as even the slow movement can still produce that irritating vertigo effect. There is no way to check if the camera is pointed to the intended angle so everything is guesstimate. But to its credit, the viewing angle is sufficient to my preference. The audio is pretty good in picking up sounds, though this might be an issue when it's being used outdoors and it's quite windy or even just panning the camera. I have attached the top mount to my bike helmet and I'm pretty satisfied with the controls allowing me to operate the camera just by feel.

I still have to put this into its intended purpose which is getting videos while on my bike, so until then I will update this review to share how it performs.

Update: I have used this twice in my bike rides this winter season in the Northeast and I am beginning to have a general idea on its performance. Attached this on top of my helmet and rode in temperatures ranging from 34F up till 63F. For its price, I would say it's decent, but don't expect beyond that. The video is still grainy even at full sunlight, the colors are washed out, and it's pretty sensitive to even the slightest and controlled movements. No matter how I tried to keep my head as still as possible while on the bike, the resulting video still displayed otherwise. The video I took can be found in "http://youtu.be/7FfiR2C-nMA". I used the new "stabilize" feature being offered by the hosting site which worked well on the video but at the expense of the wobbling edges. The original video can cause a bit of a vertigo to some. I also noticed that it's not good at keeping the battery insulated from cold temperature, hence I got a suddenly weak batteres in the middle of my ride which only recorded about 30 seconds of footage before shutting off.

Bottom line, I'll keep myself satisfied until I can afford the more upscale and better-performing brands.

Buy Vivitar DVR480-LIC 1.3 Megapixel Digital Helmet Camcorder Now

Check out this Youtube channel for a couple videos of the footage it captured: xxthegrayfox216xx

Works pretty well. Can't beat it for the price.

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The video quality is very poor even for the price I paid ($20+ a target) it is a POS. I would not recommend it to anyone lots better stuff out there

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I bought this for a High Altitude Balloon Videography Project. Overall I accomplished everything it needed to. With a 16GB card and good lithium batteries it got @ 3 hrs worth of video on the lower res setting this was in Oct and altitudes of up to 86K ft so it had to withstand colder temps. Overall it shot decent video in a lightweight package.

The video is posted at:

for more info on the project: