Action Camera

[jdallan]

After going back through the Aldi HD Action Camera thread at the end of last year I had more or less decided to go for the Hitachi camera from Argos. Unfortunately I left it too late, it's no longer in stock and doesn't seem to be available elsewhere.

I'm now looking at the F9 1080 HD action cam which I know some members bought. I've followed both links in Blew it's post #3 of the thread but I'm having difficulty deciding between the £45 one or the £60 one - the latter being the "bullet"-shaped one. I'm not looking for anything fancy or specialised - just a decent camera to mount on the bike or helmet to record the antics of my fellow road/path users and the dogs which attempt to fasten themselves to my ankles as I pass by!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jim

 

[jackhandy]

Hi Jim,

I bought the F9 with the parallel body (£45) and, although the video quality is pretty good, the battery time is pants: Mine only lasts an hour, which is very little use as an incident camera, but may be ok for other uses.
I haven't been able to get it to work with an external power source yet, either.

 

[Eaglerider]

Hi Jim.

I also purchased the F9 mini camera. I'm no video buff but it seems to work very well. I have tested it on the bike several times using the supplied handlebar bracket and it makes good videos with good detail. Takes pretty good stills too.

If I was going to nit pick, the exposure is a bit sluggish when moving from bright conditions to sudden shade, and it needs good light as it does struggle in marginal dusk light levels. I've not had it run out of power yet, and the longest film I've done is 1hr 20 mins.

For £45 I think it's fantastic value. It does all I want and provides a stable picture despite shaking over the bumps. I would certainly recommend it providing you don't want to do any poor light stuff.

 

[jackhandy]

Looks like I may have a poor battery in mine, then: Problem is, no mention of duration on the ebay listing.

Can anyone confirm the record duration they get.

 

[jdallan]

Hmm...

The link to the £60 camera says that the price includes a second battery and that "each battery can last about an hour after fully charged". 1 hour or even 1 hour 20 mins doesn't seem much so it's back to the drawing board I think.

Thanks for the comments.

Jim

 

[jackhandy]

Hmm...

The link to the £60 camera says that the price includes a second battery and that "each battery can last about an hour after fully charged".
Jim

My £45 one doesn't have a removable battery.

 

[EddiePJ]

Speaking of cameras.

www.gizmag.com/fly6-actioncam-tail-light/30791/

www.bikebiz.com/news/read/camera-rear-light-combo-aims-to-changer-driver-behaviour/016000

 

[Emo Rider]

Just spent my first day with my new TCL SVC200 (£99 from Amazon). I had a couple of low end cameras that just did not perform as well as this one. I first spotted this in a review at techmoan. Go have a look. This guy does a great job breaking down all of the cam's many features and abilities. The cam did everything for me the review said it would. Great picture, sound and ease of use. Lots of mounts as well.

 

[jdallan]

Just spent my first day with my new TCL SVC200 (£99 from Amazon). I had a couple of low end cameras that just did not perform as well as this one. I first spotted this in a review at techmoan. Go have a look. This guy does a great job breaking down all of the cam's many features and abilities. The cam did everything for me the review said it would. Great picture, sound and ease of use. Lots of mounts as well.

Yes. I'm leaning towards that one after viewing techmoan's review. I also liked another of his recommendations - the Mobius - however its battery life in use is only about an hour, so not really long enough for my average bike ride.

Thanks for your advice.

Jim

 

[superDove]

Not ideal but the mobius should take external battery. I use a micro usb to mini usb adapter to use my smartphone back up battery. It would be ideal for someone running a crank drive and dynamo front hub.

 

[johnc461165]

So many action cameras here, just click on his videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan

 

[Emo Rider]

I am pleased to say that my bike cam video has been used in action being taken against a driver. I was thanked profusely by all those involved (except the driver). I was told that more people need to take the time to report these acts of dangerous and illegal driving. I believe that, in time, more drivers will act with greater respect when encountering bikes if they believe they are being recorded.