Garmin virb action cam

[thunderlips76]

Thinking about getting a garmin virb, anyone currently own one or had one. Are they worth it?

 

[Joffey]

Got the original Virb. It's a bit heavy to mount on a helmet but it takes great quality videos mounted on a bar and you can pair with a Garmin GPS and put overlays on the videos. Pretty cool. For the price you can get them for on eBay they are a bargain.

Here's one I did earlier:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VNIfACBAF0

 

[raleighnut]

Was that road noise over the cattle grid.

 

[Joffey]

Haha yes, not a fart!!

 

[Piemaster]

I've got one of the older ones too - second Joffeys post. The built in GPS was one of the attractions as it saves having to mess with editing software afterwards - Garmins is basic but does the job. Having said that when I remember to use it, unless anything interesting happens I don't usually bother doing anything with the footage.

 

[DWiggy]

I've got one but only used it a couple of times as its way too big and heavy to be mounted to my cycle helmet. Picture quality was quite good though!

I have been thinking about mounting it under my Garmin but it will most likely end up on ebay.

also there seems to be a common problem with the battery showing 30-40% left when it powers off due to no power!?

 

[jowwy]

Ive just ordered the new virb xe.......but its for crimbo

 

[andyfraser]

I got used to the weight when it's helmet mounted. Video quality is pretty good, even in low light. Mine is the basic one so I have to sync up my GPS data in VIRB Edit which can be a bit hit and miss. I do like having videos with GPS data overlaid so it's worth the effort.

 

[andyoxon]

Had my Virb basic since May and pleased with it. Didn't get the elite, as I always use a Garmin etrex for gps logging and track following anyway; and find the gpx really easy to sync (and don't need ANT+). Got the bike mount & extra battery bundle when on offer for ~£110. Mount it on the bars, not helmet. Have used it in the pouring rain with no problems. I tend to use std video for commuting, and timelapse for longer rides e.g. recorded a whole 160km ride on timelapse, with external USB battery pack. (BTW in rain rear mounting may give better results owing to rain drops on lens)... Mostly uploaded cut down 720p, but the 1080p is v.good, though large file wise. TL video works best in good light I find.

Here is a link to some of my youtube videos... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbPhRUVj7jeQjZY6E3qIQ1g

...
also there seems to be a common problem with the battery showing 30-40% left when it powers off due to no power!?

(my bold)

I had this - very easily fixed. To begin with was the battery level indicator not accurately reflecting the battery charge, so unit turned off at ~40% charge. Turned out that the battery only needs to be given one complete discharge and then long charge e.g. overnight, to set min/max - absolutely fine after this.

 

[HLaB]

Ive not used mine (an elite) for a while but it takes good video, its sync is a bit out though (the speed tends to be a few secs behind the video).

 

[400bhp]

I've just (10 mins ago) bought a cam - It was a toss up between the Virb and the Sj4000. I opted for the SJ4000 because it's much lighter and it's smaller and there's a slightly easier way to fit it under the bars (rather than it sticking up above).

I'd never mount one on a helmet anyway.

 

[jowwy]

I've just (10 mins ago) bought a cam - It was a toss up between the Virb and the Sj4000. I opted for the SJ4000 because it's much lighter and it's smaller and there's a slightly easier way to fit it under the bars (rather than it sticking up above).

I'd never mount one on a helmet anyway.

Mine came with out front mount to put garmin on top and virb underneath.......

 

[andyoxon]

See my post above. Easily fixed by full discharge

Mine came with out front mount to put garmin on top and virb underneath.......

I have my Virb mounted inverted (with video 'flipped') below handlebars with std bike mount/cradle - works well.

 

[BSRU]

Ive not used mine (an elite) for a while but it takes good video, its sync is a bit out though (the speed tends to be a few secs behind the video).

If it is anything like other GPS cameras it probably needs to be GPS locked before starting recording.

 

[jamin100]

I've just (10 mins ago) bought a cam - It was a toss up between the Virb and the Sj4000. I opted for the SJ4000 because it's much lighter and it's smaller and there's a slightly easier way to fit it under the bars (rather than it sticking up above).

I'd never mount one on a helmet anyway.

I had the SJ4000 but found the video quality to be very shaky. It was defiantly an original SJ4000 too

I mount my virb underneath my garmin 800 with a race ware mount