keyven

Are there any reliable models out there? It seem the tech is still young and isn't very stable.

I'm using a Mobius cam but I'm just wondering if there are other options out there.

Thanks in advance.

Team Sarcasm

shimano cm1000, virb, and certain gopros.

ItsJustMe

A lot of them can do it, but from what I've seen and what I've read online, it's always a mess. For one thing they all use wifi, which means you have to reconfigure your wifi every time you want to connect to it (I think apps can do this for you on Android, but it's apparently harder for an app to take control of your connection on iOS (or was a year ago when I had a wifi camera) so it may be more work on iOS).

Honestly, I've had 3 cameras with wifi now and I've never found it to be more than a toy to play with for 5 minutes. I just don't have any need for a remote viewfinder or to start/stop recording.

WheresWaldo

Remote viewing works very well for setup and initial framing of your camera(s) but after that it is a battery hog and distraction. Contour does it on the Plus2 using bluetooth, Sony does it on their cams via WiFi but can use NFC to ease the complexity of connecting. GoPro also uses WiFi. GoPro and Sony both have dedicated remotes available with some models. Sony's has a video preview, GoPro is simply a remote.

trainsktg

My Virb connects easily to both my Android and iPad with the same level of ease. I just need to select the Virb wifi when I want to connect because my home wifi is my default. The Virb of course has the built in screen so you can frame your shots without a remote, but there is greater clarity with.

Keith

spdntrxi

Contour2+ says on while in record.. nice..
Virb Elite.. phone screen goes blank one record starts

keyven

That's my initial consideration - to use it mainly for setup and timely adjustments, since an on-camera viewfinder would be less useful for mounting on a bike. I intend to use it on my folding bike's handlebar so the camera position may be shifted to "tuck" it away during folding.

For that reason my interest was piqued by the Shimano CM-1000 - compact and versatile. My biggest concern is the price and a distinct lack of mount options.

WheresWaldo

This is why the Virb is not always the best option, sometimes you simply can't mount it right side up. At that point the on-board screen becomes less than helpful.

There are issues with the Shimano. The two biggest complaints are non-removable battery. Not an issue most of the time but limits your recording ability to one charge on longer rides. Second is that Shimano has yet to release any editing software. They say they will but who knows when and what it will look like, I just don't trust them as a software company.

dwmckee

Maybe just use a rear view mirror?

keyven

Both are non-minor issues, as the camera is not cheap but could be easily resolved within future iterations. In that sense, the Virb sounds like a slightly better deal, though at those prices, I think I'll have to wait till a more practical option comes out.

jimblairo

I purchased a Sony cam that was bundled with a wi fi device that is wrist mounted and provides
real time viewing. The bundled price was 320$.

jimblairo

Recent test results

2015 POV Camera Shootout: Best in test winners revealed - Mtbr.com

WheresWaldo

The only Virb worth having is the Elite, also not cheap. The regular Virb seems to be discontinued but like all Garmin products, there is plenty at retailers so they all seem to be discounted. If you look at the link provided by JB, MTBR voted the GoPro Hero 4 Silver as their favorite, but that site has always had a bias to GoPro anyway. They rank the Virb pretty low.

I doubt you will see a future revision of the CM-1000 any time soon from Shimano. We are also almost a year since the release and still no software. If you buy the Shimano, don't hold your breath waiting for any editing software either. The same MTBR review also ranked the Shimano poorly in video quality.

I currently have 3 Contour (2 GPS, 1 +), 1 GoPro (Hero 3 Black) and two Sony (2 HDR-AZ1) action cams. They are all used for different things, but the Sony has moved to the top of the list as the go to camera.

ahultin

I received 2 Virb basics for Christmas and am quite content with them as I already had a Garmin 810 which seems to give everything that the Elite would with the exception of g-force. Both were purchased from Groupon, 1 for $99 and 1 for $89. At those prices I can live with any short comings. For someone that wants the Elite, I was in REI San Diego this week and they had the white Elites's on clearance for $199. I have downloaded and viewed the footage over the last couple weeks to get an idea of settings but my main usage will be solely in the event of another motorist incident (I have had 3 serious in the last 8 yrs) . I believe I have settled on 720p 60fps 30 min loop recordings. Surprisingly my favorite feature of the Virb has been the ability to snap a picture (front and rear) from my 810 while it is still recording

keyven

Man, now you've got me crushing over the Sony AZ1s too... that might now be my frontrunner. Seems small and practical enough.

keyven

Saw it after reading the Sony review, and the comparisons seem to confirm that the Sony makes the most sense. Somehow I'm leery of paying top dollar for a GoPro as many of the "better" features will go unused by me. I'm sure that applies to most other cameras but the dollar-to-usage ratio is greater on the GoPro.

WheresWaldo

One of my favorite things about the Sony, is the Multi-Camera Support. Right now it is on their LiveRemote (wrist remote) only. It can control up to 5 cameras with one button press. They don't even have to be all Action Cams, some of Sony's mirrorless (NEX) cameras are also supported. They showed a new version of the Android app with the same multiple camera support at the recent CES. The AZ1 is the smallest of the bunch at only 61 grams with battery. But they also will have two 4K cameras this spring, although they are the same size as their regular line of action cams. I am not interested in 4K yet since I would venture to guess that all on bike footage would be like a high resolution version of Blair Witch, especially if you don't use image stabilization.

@ahultin, I too have a Garmin Edge 810 and was initially going to buy the Virb and it's associated remote, That is the one thing that all the other cams lack, ANT+ support built in. The virb is also one of the biggest and heaviest action cams made. But in the end I wanted more than that, so the Virb was out and I gave a serious look at the GoPro (since I already use one on my multi-rotor UAV). In the end I got a great deal on two Sony AZ1's and I am very happy. That said you got a killer deal, and Garmin (who can't write firmware to save their lives) did a real good job on Virb Edit. Some of the stuff they are working on will make it one of the best free action cam video software packages around.

The Virb is a big hit in the motorcycle market, where they can mount the camera right side up. The screen is virtually useless on a bike, since most mount the Virb upside down.

ahultin

The 810 acts as the remote (it adds a new training page that you can swipe to with the camera button and the record switch) so no need for the separate $50 remote. As for the weight, yes it is heavier but as a heavier rider I can take the extra weight off myself and make it negligible .
On my single bike both are mounted upside down so the screen on the camera is of little use, but on our tandem, the front is mounted replacing the headset cap and the rear is mounted on the bottom of the rack so both screens are usable.