Pros :1. Great small size
2. Bluetooth integration with smart phone is an A+ idea.
a. You can control settings.
b. You can see/ensure it's pointing in the direction you want.
c. You can review video, (although it looks choppy via bluetooth)
d. Haven't tested it yet, cuz I probably will never use it, but you can have it instantly upload videos.
3. Night mode is pretty decent, although movements can get more blurred. Fast camera panning in this mode will show blurry video, but mounted it to my helmet, took a ride on my motorcycle, and the video was pretty good! It was way brighter than the youtube video from 808yewtube (search for her) using the HD170 Stealth. Maybe not as smooth/sharp, but definitely brighter. Though you lose detail next to bright light sources.
Cons :
1. Video quality is so so, but of course, that's in the specs anyways (480p), and the lens is small. I never knew what 480p meant...all it means is regular 640x480 video. 320p is simply 480x320 video. But good enough for my needs.
2. Making video clips has problems.
a. When trying to make a clip from the looping buffer, the "progress" bar did not reflect ALL my video I shot that day. I had to move the progress marker to the beginning, then I had to press REWIND quite a few times to get to where I wanted to start my clip. Then when the clip was created, the beginning of the clip WAS NOT where I selected, but rather somewhere in the middle of my 15 minute drive.
b. I attempted to make a second clip, this time for a snippet of time farther back. This time, there was no "creating clip" message, and it instantly said my clip was created. Upon examining the clip, it was empty.
c. I attempted to do this the following day, and this time I was successful in making both clips. I wonder why. This time though, the "progress" bar properly indicated ALL of my video I recorded. I did not have to press REWIND. However, once I selected my start point for the video clip, there was some re-calibration that was done with the Android software, and once I did this, the progress bar no longer reflected ALL my video. However, I was able to make both of my clips that I failed to make the day before.
d. When setting the Looxcie Moments to 480p, I recorded video. I was able to view the video via the Looxcie Android app. I made a clip. I was able to view the clip with the Android app. I downloaded the video to my PC. Not viewable. I connected the Looxcie to the PC, and used the PC program to download the entire buffer (I had cleared the earlier video, so only had this 480p stuff on the Looxcie). That download was also unviewable. Later, I repeated the process (cleared buffer, set to Moments to 480p, recorded video, previewed video, made clip, downloaded clip, downloaded buffer), and twice more it failed, but then on my third time everything worked.
By the way, I just now copied back one of the bad videos back onto my Looxcie, and I was able to view it again using the Android app. It just won't view on my PC.
Sooo...to summarize my clip issues, it is inconsistent but mostly good. Works now as I tested everything again today, but the fact that it failed a few times earlier, makes me just a little bit uneasy.
3. Bluetooth connection sometimes had problems. I would launch the Looxcie Moments Android app, and sometimes it would not "initialize" the device. I once had to do a combination of turning off the device, and also rebooting my phone in order to get connection again.
4. The Bluetooth transfer of files from device to phone is buggy. Just now, I tried to copy/save an 8 minute/49 MB clip to my phone. It showed the green progress bar that was progressing along...but then a little less than half way through the process, the green progress disappeared and it was all gray again like it did nothing. But I just waited a little bit. After a short while, I got returned to the preview screen for the clip. I checked my phone, and no clip was copied. I attempted the transfer again, and once again the progress bar showed the green bar progressing along, then it just turned all gray around the same point. Then a few minutes later, I got returned to my clip preview screen. I checked my phone, and this time the clip did copy over.
5. Audio is so so. When in my car talking with someone with windows closed, our voices sounded muffled. Forget about it when I'm on my motorcycle, where audio sounds like hurricane winds.
6. Not water proof.
7. I could not get it mounted to my ear properly. Kept flopping left/right, and was uncomfortable regardless of what I did.
8. When using the Looxcie Moments Android app, I set it to night mode, after a minute, the preview I was seeing on my phone started showing artifacts across the bottom. But the moment I switched back to auto, it went away.
Conclusion :
It's good for my uses.
a. I wanted a small camera to document all the bad driving I encounter while on my motorcycle.
b. I wanted something not so big/obvious, and cheap.
c. Audio was secondary.
d. I just won't use it when it's raining.
e. I don't need the highest quality video for my uses.
f. I don't plan on wearing it over my ear.
I thought of the Contour, but there's no way to review your footage until you get back to your computer.
The HD170 Stealth had a display on it, but you can't see the display when you have your helmet on. And it's big.
The Drift HD 1080p was smaller, but had the same issue as the HD170 Stealth, and is $336.
The LX2 was small, cheap, and I liked the fact I could put on my helmet, then turn on my phone and ensure it's shooting where I want.
But I hate that sometimes the Bluetooth connectivity gets buggy.
I remember sitting on my motorcycle, engine idling, spending 5 minutes getting my phone to connect back up with the LX2.
I like being able to check on the camera via the phone too, to ensure it IS recording, and recording the direction I want, but then again, the issues of Bluetooth connectivity come into play again.
The fact that I had a problem a few times copying off video/making clips has me worried, but then I don't plan on using this for any serious video shooting, so I think I can tolerate some bad/lost video.
Overall, I look at it as a neat gadget that meets my limited needs, so it's good enough...but I need to test it a little more.
================
UPDATE
================
I don't mean to put this device down. It is novel and neat.
The problems I encountered were all transient, meaning they did not happen all the time, and the problems seem to have cleared up. I can't explain it. I'm no novice tech/gadget user, and I followed all the directions that led to the problems, but the problems I experienced did clear up.
=================
UPDATE 2012.05.19
=================
Well, there are still some bugs with it, so here's my final review statement :
Pros
1) It's small. So if you want size convenience, this is it! Amazing piece of technology in a small package!
2) Video is adequate. 640x480 (aka 480p) is good enough for miscellaneous video.
3) Battery life. Haven't tested it yet for extended use, but I have a feeling it will come close to specs.
4) It's GREAT that you can use your phone to help you point it when it is mounted. This is by far a very useful, AND its BEST, feature. Lets you me know I have it leveled, and pointing to get the correct field of view. (I just mount it on my motorcycle helmet.)
5) It's low-light mode looks brighter than other videos from other POV cameras I've seen posted youtube.
6) Seems to automatically know which side is "up" when you film with it. So if you mount it on left side or right side of your head, it will be turned one way or another, but it will know.
7) Two video shooting quality modes, to help extend your recording.
8) Two separate video storage (Looxcie Moments mode/Looxcie Camera mode) for added recording space.
Things I wish were better :
1) Audio is so so, but okay
2) Not waterproof.
3) Very light, which is good, but makes it feel fragile.
4) No replaceable battery.
5) I've tried mounting to my ear per their directions, I can't see how that works. Always flops around my ear, pointing off to side, and never securely against my ear.
6) Preview mode on the android phone is choppy, which is expected, but sometimes it takes a few seconds to refresh...so as you are trying to fine-tune your direction pointing of the device, you will sometimes have to wait a few seconds after an adjustment before you can tell if it's okay; only an issue if I'm in a rush.
7) No real high quality video mode..but this device not meant for such recordings anyways...
Cons
1) Looxcie Moments feature kind of useless. This is the mode where you have the video in looping mode, where you just always have it on, and when it reaches the end of its storage, it loops around and starts recording from beginning of storage. Novel idea! But the novelty of this idea is that you should be able to just get the snippets you want, and forget the rest. I've had tons of problems doing this. You work this by using your smart phone to display the entire buffer...but many times, it does not show the entire buffer, so I can't grab only the snippet I want. And sometimes when I was able to select the snippet I want, I was not able to use the android software to extract that snippet.
It was recommended to me to just download the entire buffer onto my PC and grab the snippets I want. How does this differ than regular video/aka Looxcie Camera mode? So forget clip-making mode and all it's bugs for now.
2) I've had problems with the on-camera record button. Here's my testing pattern :
a. Off for long time, turn on, press record, doesn't record...press again, still no record...wait 5 seconds, then press record, now it is recording.
b. Off for a long time, turn on, wait 5 seconds, press record, doesn't record...wait another 5 seconds, then press record, now it is working.
So first press always fails, and you have to wait 5 seconds before pressing again.
For me, well, I will always use my phone to start up recording anyways.
3) I've had intermittent problems getting my android phone to connect to the device. Usually about once in about every 10 20 uses. When that has happened, I've had to reboot my phone too! Doesn't happen to me so much now because I always follow this order : turn on Looxcie, wait a few seconds, turn on blue tooth on phone, wait few seconds, launch Looxcie android app....and NEVER shut down the bluetooth on your phone if have not "QUIT" your Looxcie Android app...either blue tooth on android or the Looxcie app itself is not "robust" enough to deal with such disconnections...
4) Because of my problems transferring video from the Looxcie to my phone in the past, I've given up on that feature. It was recommended to me to just download to my PC...so that recommendation negates this feature. Nice concept, but I think they are still working the bugs out.
Conclusion
1) If you need something per my "pros" on top, this is the device for you, so long as you know what the "cons" are as I specified.
2) It is an AMAZING piece of technology, IMHO, that they are making available on such a tiny package! Trying to get all the features working on such a tiny device has issues, but they are working on those.
My use :
a. Mount to my motorcycle helmet.
b. I remove if raining.
c. I only use my phone to turn on/off the device.
d. I only download the video to my PC via USB connection, and ignore any other bluetooth video editing/transfer features Looxcie tries to provide, which are buggy for now.
I wasn't aware that the earpiece made a beep every 30 seconds (audible to me, not to others) when recording. That is helpful for timing use of the moments button, but a bit annoying when using for long periods of time.
I have used the Looxcie while doing street photography, particularly when getting photos of police and protesters. I take high quality imagery with my real camera, but have the Looxcie running to capture any impromptu encounters with those who don't wish to have their actions recorded. They focus on my Nikon, and not my bluetooth headset.
Buy Looxcie LX2 Wearable Video Cam for iPhone and Android - Retail Packaging - Black Now
I DONT want Miss Right.. I want Miss Right Now!!this could be the underlying theme for the LX2 Digital Video cam system and Looxcies latest pass at the always-on videocam market, Looxcie.com is the ONLY player in this space right now.
Being the proud owner of 2 LX1 Video cams(so I can switch between them) I quickly ordered Looxcies latest product the LX2 system in the 5 hour capacity.
First Impressions? I am even more impressed with this unit than the original LX1,
The folks at Looxcie.com have indeed been listening to their user/customer base..
First of all the unit is glossy black with a front chrome ring.
(no more airbrushing gen 1 units black or using electrical tape to subdues the appearance of the unit.
the big feature is the new attachment system and no more swivelling ear bud.
The new system locks into the human ear in a far more secure fashion although new purchaser should indeed watch the LX2 fitting video to find out how to use all the new features.. they are not immediately apparent from looking at the unit.
The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is the red record light(I work security) it offers too much of an aiming point in the dark, for states where recording is legal without it it can be painted over or taped but it WOULD be nice to have a software control over it.
I DID have to reupgrade the looxciemoments app on my iphone to configure the new unit but that is quick and painless..
Would I repeat my purchase?? Without a single doubt in my mind.. the LX2 in 5/10 hour capacity is a permanent part of my daily wear kit just like the LX1 was/is.
I will have more comments in the user forums at www.looxcie.com where I am a regular...I just bought a Looxcie 2 from the company website. I've had it for a little over a day so I thought I'd share my thoughts.
The Looxcie 2 comes in two memory sizes. 4GB or 5 hours of video and 8GB or 10 hours of video. The memory is divided in two so that half the memory is storage and the other half is the looping buffer. When you plug the USB cable into your computer and turn on the Looxcie it will show a little less then 2GB or 4GB depending which version you have.
Here's Amazon's link to the 4GB Looxcie: Looxcie LX2 Wearable Video Cam for iPhone and Android Retail Packaging Black
I bought the 8GB version from the Looxcie website because only the 4GB version is being offered at this time by Amazon. When I plugged it in I thought I had the 4GB version and had to contact tech support to figure it out. It's explained on the website but not in the documentation.
I had a specific need for a camera that I could control from my iPod Touch. I can control the camera from a good distance away which is better then expected. I have a service dog and I'm going to use it for a "dogs eye view" as I work him.
I'll update this review in a couple of months with my thoughts.
Want Looxcie LX2 Wearable Video Cam for iPhone and Android - Retail Packaging - Black Discount?
I'll review this in two parts: the device, and the applications.DEVICE
The device itself (not the apps) does exactly what it says. It records well. It records in a loop and you can grab clips by pressing a button, or you can review the entire buffer later, and extract clips ad hoc. It can also send a clip to youtube, facebook, twitter or by email, if you hold the same button for a few seconds. That's great. My wife loves it, and I think it's pretty amazing. It does have some downsides though.
Pros:
Video quality is pretty good. it's not HD, but it's nice. I think it's better then what you might see in a cop car's camera.
Sound is actually better then I thought. So many people complain about sound and it wasn't bad at all. When driving, it can pick up people talking in the back seat, and me in the front.
I like the fact it loops the video. That's pretty amazing. you just hit record and let it go.
it works as a blue tooth device as well. that's pretty cool. my wife called me, and it went to the Looxcie pretty cool, and then when we hung up, it was still recording. no bugs in that for me.
Cons:
It wears on my ears though to have it hanging there more then an hour. The ball cap thing might help but then it looks more conspicuous. It also pulls inward so it hangs at like a 35 degree angle. it's hard to get it to be vertically straight for me. I'm still adusting it. that might be fixable.
I've had to restart the Looxcie device twice now, in the 4 days I've operated it. I think that's a bit much.
It would be nice if the press to send to youtube, was instant it really just creates a clip and attaches it to an email and basically you have to press send. if you were in a bad situation, it would be better to just have it auto send. It would be a nice option.
battery life is really poor. I think it's what they print... if you run it in 480p it lasts maybe 2 hours. maybe a bit more. if you run it in the lower res it lasts like 4 hours or more. So bring a charger with you wherever you go.
bright red light when you are recording, is displayed on the front. That's a tad silly when you don't want people to be drawn to the fact you're recording.
IPHONE APP's:
The applications are another story. Luckily this being the weak link IMO, they can be improved upon.
Pros:
Looxcie live is pretty amazing, IMO. You can stream to someone and they can push to talk to you. But their talking doesn't go to the bluetooth, it stays on the iphone. so if your iphone volume is up, you'll get to hear it. if not... you wont.
Looxcie moments is nice in that you can make clips and send to your social sites.
Cons:
Looxcie cam and Looxcie Moments are so damn buggy. they constantly can't find the Looxcie, so I have to forget the device/pairing, then repair all over again. This wasn't so bad the second time I did it, but after the fifth it got annoying. What's really silly, is that Looxcie Live *always* finds my Looxcie device. But Looxcie Moments and Looxcie Cam, can't, unless I reboot the looxcie or pair it again to the iphone.
The Looxcie Desktop application just crashed on me this morning, after I started transferring the buffer to disk. That's pretty frustrating. it takes like 45 min to transfer the buffer... i started it as I went to bed and in the morning the thing was hung on 100% complete, but it never transferred anything.
SUMMARY
In summary, keeping this perspective with the price, it's an excellent buy. at $150 or so, you get a device that you wear, and appears to be a blue tooth. It records up to 480p. Video and sound quality is great IMO. Keep in mind that blue tooth and network bandwidth constraints will cause Looxcie live to stutter or skip frames. But that's a dependancy outside of looxcie.
I am a little self conscious with it. I almost think people know it's a camera. I'm not sure. sometimes people stare at me. Maybe it's the red light on it which I intend to cover.
My wife likes it a lot. She see's it as a security system you wear. You have a video streaming to your family/friends with your every move, so if something happens they'll know. I think that's a great marketing idea for the device. It might also be cool to have a gps inside too, recording your location movements.
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