Garmin getting into the helmet cam business.

belden...

belden...

Active member
What do you guys think? Looks pretty sick, lots of customization characteristics which seem easy and work well.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-trail/action-cameras/virb-elite/prod119594.html

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interesting....some cool features though

Film The Run, Not The Lift Line

VIRB Elite features high-sensitivity GPS for data stamping and

GPS-based “smart” recording profiles like Skiing Mode, which

automatically records your downhill runs and stops recording while

you’re getting hot cocoa or waiting in the lift line.

Sensors, Sensors and More Sensors

VIRB Elite’s ANT+™ wireless connectivity also works with Garmin external sensors. Pair with the tempe™

wireless temperature sensor, speed/cadence bike sensor and the premium

heart rate monitor to include revealing sensor information in your

videos, like how fast your heart was racing on your last bike race or

peering over the edge of the Grand Canyon. Elite also features a

built-in accelerometer and altimeter for data stamping and custom

filming profiles.

Shoot Video and Photographs at the Same Time

Don’t lose a moment of video just to capture a photograph. VIRB Elite

allows you to take still photos at the same time you are recording

video with just a touch of the button on either your compatible Garmin

device or on the camera itself.

 
I'm not seeing much advantage of this over a contour, except this will be much heavier it seems, especially if the usual mounts are anything like that sample one.
 
Seems like just another action cam attempting to take a bite out of GoPros delicious, but will only end up with a mere crumb
 
I wouldn't trust it too decide what to record and what not,

Just imagine "oops, it stopped recording when you did the backflip off the cliff"
 
While I never had one, contour is still the best action cam out there, simply because the audio, while not good, is more than just somebody beating a hammer against a stone wall, image quality on every action cam out there is not great, all really soft and oversharpened while not even having enough dynamic range to cope with snow.

In that case I really feel having the audio is just what makes an action camera, you're not gonna be using it for broadcasts in most cases, you're just filming friends and shit, so it's nice to hear what people have said/done.
 
I'm not totally sure as to whether or not that front lens element is the final element, or a protective element like gopro's case, but if it is the final, that would suck to scratch that thing.
 
I'd not far from bet my life on that being a protective element, you can see the parts where it attaches making it easily removable/replaceable.
 
Frankly at this point I dont understand what company would even bother going up against GoPro at this point from a business standpoint. I understand that Garmin is hurting as smartphones have pretty much decimated a large chunk of their business, but when I look at potential markets, and I see a company like GoPro spending ENORMOUS amounts of money on advertising, and having essentially already dominated the entire market I just dont get how they could think it would be a good idea to spend money on R&D making a camera thats going to try to compete with them. The only way I could see this being majorly successful was if they brought it to the market for 100-150 dollars and substantially undercutting GoPro while still managing the same level of image quality. Honestly I mean if you think about the people you know who are into any kind of action sports, and also have even a remote interest in filming, how many of them dont have a GoPro already? Anyone with a GoPro is not going to be changing either, because they have likely invested in a number of different mounts that work on any of the different models of GoPros.I give it a year after launch before its discontinued.
 
Have you used a GoPro Hero 3 Black edition?

This camera is a joke. Garmin is obviously hurting because GPS's are in our phones. I would personally never use that gps functionon the pov. I'm usually in the backcountry and it just wouldn't function for me. hopefully a bunch of people don't loose their jobs when this project fails.
 
Not sure if Garmin is going to have as many mounts like GoPro. IMO we're perceiving this as a failure. Let's give this 6 months and see where they are headed with their POV camera investment.
 
Not really actually.

Garmin's profits are still mostly automotive, they make stand alone as well as OEM units for manufacturers. They also have the aviation, outdoor and marine gps market firmly in their grip and a decent amount of cash to burn.

They probably will not get close to GoPro but they can possibly be a worthy alternative.
 
It's pretty damn ugly. Once they make a sleeker design and a mount that doesn't stick up so high they might have something worth buying.

I'm bummed that Contour went belly up. They were gopros only real competitor and made sick cameras.
 
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