What camera please

[phil-b]

Looking on YouTube for advice on cameras bring up two main products

Cycliq fly12. Or. Insta 360 go s

One is a dedicated dash cam style camera for cyclists the other is an action cam style camera.

I’m thinking the action cam style might be more versatile and could be used for other things

The other thing I’m thinking are both are very expensive. Can I get something good for less?

 

[Psamathe]

I’m thinking the action cam style might be more versatile and could be used for other things

What things are you looking to do? would help people making suggestions to suggest something that meets your needs (if they know your needs).

Very different cameras approriiate to eg making a youtube video documenting interesting scenery from your ride vs eg recording close passes/dangerous drivers for submission to authorities.

Ian

 

[si_c]

Decent cameras will always cost a fair chunk - I had a low cost go pro equivalent for a while and whilst it recorded, the output was not great due to vibration. Battery life was poor and the mounting kit that came with it was dreadful. I gave it to my Dad to use as a dashcam.

An action cam could be a good shout - if you can get an older model at a good price then I'm sure that will more than suffice. I have the Fly12 and it does everything I want it to - in particular I use it as a front flashing light first and the camera is a secondary feature I rarely think about.

I'm using a go-pro attachment and a Garmin Varia mount to fit my out front computer mount - so it uses the same twist lock mechanism and is nice and secure, but really quick and easy to take off / put on.

 

[wafter]

What things are you looking to do? would help people making suggestions to suggest something that meets your needs (if they know your needs).

Very different cameras approriiate to eg making a youtube video documenting interesting scenery from your ride vs eg recording close passes/dangerous drivers for submission to authorities.

Ian

Since the post is in "commuting" I suspect it's the latter; although I guess a bit of versatility would be good.

Watching with interest as I could do with one but already have enough stuff to research..

 

[phil-b]

Since the post is in "commuting" I suspect it's the latter; although I guess a bit of versatility would be good.

Watching with interest as I could do with one but already have enough stuff to research..

Yes Primary use would be as a dash cam as evidence if ever I got into a collision of any sort.

 

[si_c]

Yes Primary use would be as a dash cam as evidence if ever I got into a collision of any sort.

I think then it probably doesn't matter what you get - provided the image quality is acceptable - budget and aesthetics will probably play a larger role.

The only recommendation I would make is that the mounting system is easy to use otherwise I tend to not bother.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Both the Cycliq and the Flow cameras are going to be £400+ once accessories are added. It's a big spend, surely there's got to be something cheaper?

 

[Drago]

Chilli are quite popular for those on a budget.

If you've a bit more to spend then the world is your lobster.

 

[biking_fox]

Since incidents are very rare, they key feature you need is ease of use, and probably overwriting storage. Commuting journeys are mostly boring, but you won't know they aren't until it's over! So it needs to work everyday without fuss, or it will never be on when you need it.

I had a gopro knockoff for a while, after a spate of a few bad incidents, but eventually even that became too much hassle to bother with. Think about how you collect the data, how you store/upload it, charging etc.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Battery life is an important factor. My Cycliq Fly 12 camera has really good life 7hr plus. But as this is the commuting section perhaps you don't care about that. In which case you can go cheaper.

Take a look at this thread https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike-camera-with-decent-battery-life.297856/

 

[phil-b]

Both the Cycliq and the Flow cameras are going to be £400+ once accessories are added. It's a big spend, surely there's got to be something cheaper?

I was hoping so too. This is just what came up most on YouTube. But this is what happens now. A company with an expensive product now uses its marketing budget to send free samples to hundreds of influencers . You don’t get a broad spectrum of ideas anymore . Also I’m willing to bet they are told not to do a product comparison in the video. There is always a race to get these videos out to be the first on YouTube so they are often rushed and not thorough . They tell you what it can do but often fail to find its limitations

 

[wiggydiggy]

Battery life is an important factor. My Cycliq Fly 12 camera has really good life 7hr plus. But as this is the commuting section perhaps you don't care about that. In which case you can go cheaper.

Take a look at this thread https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike-camera-with-decent-battery-life.297856/

The OP of that thread wrote a sumamry of their thoughts here: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike-camera-with-decent-battery-life.297856/post-7217851

I'd have to read some more reviews to be sure but the lack of proper documentation, corner cutting on cost (the cable not being a data cable is a swiz) and their customer service puts me off.

 

[si_c]

Both the Cycliq and the Flow cameras are going to be £400+ once accessories are added. It's a big spend, surely there's got to be something cheaper?

It was definitely a factor before I bought my Fly 12 but it came down to having the front light or not and the battery life. I also have the rear camera - but the Fly 6 non-pro which can be bought much cheaper than the one Cycliq sell now. Again integrated light and battery life swung it.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'd have to read some more reviews to be sure but the lack of proper documentation, corner cutting on cost (the cable not being a data cable is a swiz) and their customer service puts me off.

Agree about the data cable. No comment re documentation.

But their customer service has been OK ish IME. I upgraded their software and it wouldn't run properly on my PC. Their service was enthusiastic enough. They engaged with me and asked me about my problem, so a plus for that. But they couldn't actually fix it. Which is kind of what I'd hoped they'd do.

I like the camera though. Very nice and functions well and good battery life.

 

[cougie uk]

Chilli are quite popular for those on a budget.

If you've a bit more to spend then the world is your lobster.

I've a chilli camera for my Sunday bike rides. Good for catching weird incidents - like people walking their dogs from their car, seeing yet another tractor parade, drafting a traction engine, seeing a police chase etc etc.
Battery life is over 5 hours so good enough for commuting.
Image quality isn't brilliant but it will catch number plates for close passes or other stupid driving.

No use at night but are any bike cameras ?