Home action camera

ThiEYE T5 Edge Action Camera review


REVIEW – These days, I frequently say that action cameras are “a dime a dozen”, so I was quite intrigued to review the ThiEYE T5 Edge camera which looks promising enough to seriously challenge the GoPro. Let’s see how it went.

What is it?

This is a GoPro type 4K action camera that takes both video and photos using its 170-degree lens to provide high-resolution wide-angle footage.

What’s in the box

1 x ThiEYE T5 Edge Action Camera
1 x Waterproof Housing
1 x Additional Skeleton Backdoor
1 x Remote Control
1 x 360 Degree Rotating Release Buckle
! x 360 Degree Vertical Release Buckle
1 x Flat Adhesive Mount
1 x Curved Adhesive Mount
2 x Adhesive Stickers
2 x Anti-fog Inserts
1 x Battery
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x Microfiber Cloth
1 x Cloth Bag
1 x Instruction Manual

Design and features

Manufacturer’s Specifications:


On the front of the camera, there is the 170-degree lens, the Power/Mode selection button, and 2 LEDs that light up blue to indicate recording status and Wi-Fi on/off status. On the back of the camera is the screen display that measures 1″ x 1.75″. The two LEDs on the bottom left of the back of the camera are the recording indicator and charging indicator. They light up blue when active.


On one of the short sides of the camera, there are 2 buttons to navigate up/down through the settings. On the opposite short side, there are 3 ports that accommodate the micro SD card, the micro USB power/charging cable, and a micro HDMI cable.


At the top of the camera is the Wi-Fi/selection button. At the bottom of the camera, there is a 1/4-20″ mount for tripods, monopods, etc, the battery compartment and battery cover. Inside of the battery compartment, there is the serial number sticker that is needed for firmware updates, but it is somewhat difficult to see the serial number.


Along with the camera, there is a remote control that connects to the camera via Bluetooth. It has 3 buttons on it that control turning its own power on, taking photos remotely and starting and stopping video recording. At the top of the logo on the remote is the microphone that allows you to say voice commands like “Action Start Recording” or “Action Photo”. The remote control is not waterproof.

App

The ThiEYE App and the camera connect via the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi. The app allows you to take pictures and video and change settings. The App’s screen presents the photo/video image from the perspective of the lens of the camera. Here are a few of the app screens:




Performance

Depressing the power button with a long press (4 seconds or more) turns the camera on/off. Once the camera is turned on, it is usually in video mode. Depressing the power button in short bursts switches between camera mode, video mode, and settings mode. On the settings screen, there are 4 choices that allow you to control the settings of the camera.

The two side up/down buttons let you toggle between the 4 choices and the Wi-Fi top button lets you select. The front power button also allows you to exit each settings screen.

The ThiEYE T5 Edge Action Camera works like most other action cameras and it has a lot of settings to control the recording and photo modes. The inclusion of both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to allow remote control from both the included hardware remote control or the app is a great feature, and they both work well most of the time with the exception of the voice control. The instructions indicate that there may be a need to repeat your voice commands that are affected by and respond based on pronunciation. I guess the camera does not like how I speak because thus far I have not been able to get it to work for me. Otherwise, the handheld remote works well. When I tried the camera on my windshield mount as a dash cam, it worked a few times but on a hot day, it froze and could only be reset by removing the battery. I also experienced the “freezing” issue more than once when I was connected to my cell phone via Wi-Fi and I tried to disconnect by powering off the camera when I was done taking photos. When it was connected to the app, it froze on the camera’s W-Fi- screen and could only be reset by removing the battery. I did check their website to make sure that I have the latest firmware.


On another occasion, I decided to take pictures of fruit nicely arranged on a fruit cart. As you can see in the picture below, the camera froze. It was in picture mode and only on for about 10 minutes prior to that moment. I decided not to bother to take the picture since it would have required me to remove the housing and the battery at that moment to restart the camera.


Otherwise, the camera performed well, and the waterproof housing worked. When operating the camera with the waterproof housing installed, the buttons required a bit of extra effort to depress and engage the camera buttons.

Pictures:
(This one on the left was taken on a very stormy and cloudy morning and without in-camera correction. The one on the right was taken in the afternoon with in-camera correction)


(Downtown Brooklyn)


Video:

The quality of the video is good, even on an overcast and foggy day, and the in-camera stabilization and correction work well to produce nice footage.

What I like

  • The waterproof housing remains reliably sealed
  • The 4K footage
  • The remote control via the app and the included remote
  • The numerous customizable settings

What can be improved

  • The buggy software/hardware issue that causes the camera to freeze and stop working in random situations including heat when used as a dash cam
  • The ability to rotate the video in-camera
  • The buttons on the waterproof housing that require more than anticipated normal pressure to engage the buttons on the camera
  • The ability of the voice control to work with various voices and pronunciation

Final thoughts

When I first saw the physical appearance and specifications of the ThiEYE T5 Edge Action Camera, I was very eager to try it. My eagerness was also based on the previous various brands of similar action cameras that I have tested and been quite impressed with. This action camera includes really nice features that are very practical, but the few flaws are too effective to overlook. I missed several opportunities to take photos and videos because of the random freezing of the camera, and the fact that the only way to recover is to remove the housing and remove and replace the battery is simply unacceptable for me. The other issue of repeatedly speaking in a remote to use the voice function and being unsuccessful at it until my jaws were tired, sealed the deal for me. This is a camera with great promise, but unless the flaws can be adequately fixed, I will pass on recommending it.

Price: $129.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by ThiEYE.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

ThiEYE T5 Edge Action Camera review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 22, 2018 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

The Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K action camera says ready! Set! Go!


NEWS – Ever since GoPro introduced the very capable action cameras, consumers have found more and more interest in them. Many more manufacturers have joined the industry and are producing similar cameras with enhanced features and capabilities.

The Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Action Camera with a 170-degree lens seems to be a great addition to the market. It supports 4K footage at up to 30fps (3840 x 2160), 2.7K at 30fps, 2.5K at 60fps, 1080P at 120fps, 720P at 240fps, and a 12MP still image camera.

For viewing and changing footage and settings, there is a 2 inch IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 240. Videos are saved in the MP4 format and images as .jpg files. It also supports an external microphone and you can purchase an optional Bluetooth remote control, or the camera functions can be controlled via an app. There is a 1200 mAh built-in Lithium-Ion battery, and a micro SD slot that supports a card up to 128GB.

If you would like to learn more about the Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K Action Camera or you are interested in purchasing one, you can head over to the Gearbest website. It is available for purchase for $149.99.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged:

The Hawkeye Firefly 8SE 4K action camera says ready! Set! Go! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 21, 2018 at 11:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Apeman Trawo action camera review


REVIEW – Ever since the famous GoPro Action Camera was launched, many companies have tried to follow that model by creating a similar product with similar features, but for a lower cost. I recently got the opportunity to test and review just such a product. Here are the results:

What is it?

The Apeman Trawo Action Camera is a GoPro style action camera, with 4K capability and a host of similar GoPro features for capturing action and movement footage in all types of environments and scenarios.

What’s in the box

1 x Apeman Trawo Action Camera
1 x Waterproof Case
1 x Additional Rear case Cover
1 x Micro USB Cable
7 x Various Case Mounts
1 x Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth
1 x Pack of Velcro Straps (Assorted Sizes)
4 x Plastic Ties
1 x Wire Strap with Double-Sided Tape
3 x Base Mounts (@ with ¼-20mm female mounts)

(I received a pre-release version of this camera, so no instruction booklet was included in the box)

Design and features

Much like other Action cameras available today, the Apeman Trawo Action Camera is a small compact action camera that without the waterproof case measures approximately 2 1/4″ x 1 3/4″ x 1″. When in the waterproof case, it measures approximately 3″ x 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ at the widest and longest sides. The LCD screen is approximately 1 1/2″ x 1 1/4″. It is well built and in my opinion, it does not feel cheap in any way.



The controls for the camera are on the sides. On the top of the camera, there are 2 buttons. With the camera facing forward, the top left button has 2 main functions on the button. The front of the button powers the camera on and off and the back of the button switches the camera mode between video, camera, viewing, settings modes. The button on the top right turns the record function on and off, works as the shutter button for taking pictures and also works as the selection button when in settings mode.


On the left side of the camera, there are 3 ports with a removable cover. These ports are the micro SD card slot, the micro USB port, and the micro HDMI port.


On the right side of the camera, are the up and down buttons for navigating.


At the bottom of the camera, there is the battery port and cover.


The waterproof case that comes with the camera has water-sealed buttons that mirror the buttons on the camera, but the sides with the ports and battery are sealed.



Settings

The Apeman Trawo has a large selection of settings that offer great customization. Navigating through the settings is very easy and every choice is very clear. The following is the list of settings located on the “settings” screen. I have provided details on the first 2 since many folks would want that preliminary information:
Video resolution – 720P@60fps 1280* 720 ~ 4K@30fps 3840*2160
Image size from – 3MP 2048*1536 ~ 20MP 5120*3840
Time-lapse, Loop Recording, Anti-Shake, Lens Angle, Shooting Timer, Burst, Mic, Exposure Compensation, ISO, AWB, Scene, Rotate, Light Frequency, Language, Date/Time, Date Stamp, Wi-Fi SSID, Screen Saver, Auto Shut Off, Delete, Format, Default Setting, Version.
(See Settings Screens Below)






Performance

I used the action camera for daily activities to see how it would stand up to things I normally do. For the first test, I bought a windshield mount, and I tried it out as a dashcam.


The footage I got was very good and the stabilization worked well. However, the camera seemed to have some negative effects from the heat of the sun through the windshield. Let me first say that before each test, I charged the battery overnight to ensure that it was fully charged. Each time I used it, it either shut down at around an hour or so of use, or when it didn’t, the battery drained very quickly, or the sensors told the camera that it was drained. Each time the battery indicator was red, and when I removed the camera from the windshield mount and powered it off, waited a bit and powered it back on, the battery showed back in the white, but also on the low side. My conclusion is that there must be some effect from the heat.

Here is some footage from the dashcam: (Notice near the end of the video when I am driving on really rough roads, how well the Anti-shake works).

My next test was to see if the waterproof case was, in fact, waterproof and to see what kind of underwater footage I could get with the water thrashing up against the camera. For this test, I purchased a waterproof monopod with a 1/4″-20mm stud.

I then submerged the camera into the waves of the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. I am not a diver so I am not sure what the depth threshold is, but the case is definitely waterproof. Here is some of the footage:

The Action Camera also takes wide and clear pictures. (You can choose the lens angle in the settings)

Hisi 4K CAM

What I like

I like the small form factor of the camera that mirrors that of the GoPro. I like that is records in 4K, and that the waterproof case really is waterproof. The footage is great.

What can be improved

  • Battery response to heat
  • Better battery life
  • Addition of a detailed instruction booklet

Final thoughts

When I first received the Apeman Trawo Action Camera for review, I was expecting a less than capable GoPro knockoff that like many similar products, would not do any one thing very well. I must say that I am quite surprised by the performance and capabilities of this action camera. It performs very well, albeit with a few issues that I am sure can be overcome. It offers great footage and great resolutions, and the stabilization actually works. When comparing the price to other action cameras that offer the same quality and features, in my opinion, this is a great choice.

Price: $139
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Apeman.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

Apeman Trawo action camera review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 18, 2018 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

OmiCam 4K VR action cam review


What is it?

OMICAM is a versatile wearable VR action camera with built-in auto horizon and image stabilization, along with supporting features that include editing and streaming.

What’s in the box

Package contents:

1x OMI Camera
1x OMI Stand with Quick Release
1x 360 degree Quick Release Clip
1x Quick Release Set (Flat Mount, Screw Mount, 3x Tape)
1x Carrying Bag
1x Micro USC Charging Cable
1x Screw Driver
1 x Instruction booklet

Design and features

The OMICAM VR action camera is a small, compact, water resistant action camera that records video in 4K, and has the ability to provide stabilization on both horizontal and vertical planes even with rigorous movement. At the top of the camera, there is the lens in a circular encasement, and on the front, there is a shutter button.

On the bottom there is a ¼”-20 female threaded mount.


On the left is the power button and Wi-Fi button as one button, the micro SD card port, and the USB port.

On the top at the back there is the Lifelog button which allows you to switch the selection between photo and video. The camera and video icons light green when the camera is on and in ready mode, and the video icon lights red when recording video. The camera icon flashes blue when the shutter button is depressed to take a picture.

The rest of the back has the mounting holes for the various mounts.

This action camera has a lens that is able to capture footage at a 240 degree angle, which provides a nice perspective when moving up or down or side to side. When I viewed the video, looking at the footage from that VR 240 degree perspective was strange. The camera recorded both video and audio, and for every one minute, it took up 108MB of space on my micro SD card. It has a 12 Megapixel Sensor for capturing great images,  records up to 80 minutes in continuous video mode,  2 1/2 hours of video in lifelog mode, and 15 hours of video when filming in long period Lifelog mode. It records 4K video at 30 frames per second. In Lifelog mode, the OMI Camera uses a smart algorithm to record up to 15 hours of film. It does this by turning off for 3 minutes and then waking up for 5 seconds to record video. It continuously repeats the cycle. It can also take snapshots/photos at intervals.

Once you download the app, it connects to the OMI Camera via the Wi-Fi built in to the camera. When you open the app you see the main screen.


From the app you can go into the recording screen and choose photo mode or video mode, and either take a picture or start and stop the video recording. The camera records in one minute files that are 108MB in size. When you are done with your recordings, they can be viewed and edited by going to the edit tab.


Once you select a video to edit, you can play it, choose to add or remove stabilization, and/or make a square video for mobile upload or sharing. You can also save it to an album. You can also take snapshots with this camera and process them via the mobile or desktop app.


On the top right hand corner, there is an icon to download the video. When that icon is selected, the next screen gives you the option to download as a VR story in different resolutions, or save as the original video.


There is also a settings screen that allows you to set up the operational basics of the camera. This screen also has a link to FAQs, the Privacy Policy, the Terms of Service, and the usual “About” information.


There is also a desktop version of the software for both PC and MAC. Once downloaded and installed, you can create a VR Story, or process a single video, or batch them together.

The following are links to 2 videos that I recorded with the OMICAM during my daily commute:

Here is a snapshot that I  took from above in my truck:

What I like

I like that this action camera can capture clean video footage in 4K and that it has versatile mounting capabilities. It also includes the ability to mount a tripod plate, or the numerous other ¼”-20 available rig options. The audio is also quite clear for anything audible in relatively close proximity.

What can be improved

The two major aspects that can be improved are the access to the micro SD card slot, and the cover that slides on to protect the ports and the front bottom half of the camera. The micro SD slot is indented and I guess because of my “big” fingers, I had to use a paper clip to fully insert the card. To remove the card, I once again had to use a paper clip to press it in to engage the spring loaded mechanism, and once it popped out, I was still unable to pull it out by hand. I had to use tweezers squeezed tightly to get the card out the rest of the way.

When I first examined the front cover that protects the ports, I felt that it did not click into place securely, and that it could be easily lost. Sometime during my third recording outing and just as I suspected, it fell off and was lost.

Final Thoughts

The Omicam 4k VR action camera is a nice action camera for someone that enjoys capturing and watching footage from that 240 degree perspective. It is quite different from a conventional video camera, and even different from the famous GoPro action camera. Whatever footage that you capture with this camera will be very good. I do believe that in scenes such as kayaking through waves that pass over you, or in adventurous places like caves in mountains, etc, it would provide amazing footage. In my opinion, while it is unlikely to be an everyday mainstream action camera for many, it will be very popular for people seeking the specific perspective that it offers. On the other hand, the very effective built-in horizontal and vertical stabilization may very well make it a major contender against some of the more popular action cameras on the market today, as long as the front cover issue is resolved.

Price: $249.99
Where to buy: Omicam and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Omicam.

The post OmiCam 4K VR action cam review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

OmiCam 4K VR action cam review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 8, 2018 at 10:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Newsflash – GoPro Fusion 360-degree camera now shipping

GoPro is just about single-handedly responsible for bringing wide-angle action video to the masses. But GoPro is also an adaptive company and not complacent to rest on its past successes. In response to the growing trend of VR and 360-degree spherical content, GoPro has developed Fusion with the ability to capture immersive 5.2K 360-degree movies. 

The camera features:

  • 5.2K30 and 3K60 Spherical Video
  • 18MP Spherical Photo
  • OverCapture Allows for Traditional Video Creation from 360 Footage
  • Advanced Stabilization
  • 360 Audio
  • Waterproof to 16ft (5m)
  • Time Lapse Video + Photo, Night Lapse and Burst Modes
  • Voice Control in 10 Languages
  • GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Compass
  • Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
  • In-box with: Fusion Grip, protective case, sticky mounts, battery, charging cable

GoPro has a reputation for great design, and this camera is already receiving praise for its outstanding design and engineering, earning a CES 2018 Innovation Award in the digital imaging category. Users can control the camera, live preview their shots, and stitch, trim and share content with the iOS GoPro app (Android coming soon). Desktop editing software supports a GoPro feature called  OverCapture, which lets you re-frame and save traditional fixed perspective videos from the captured 360-degree video. Yes, we’re much closer to being able to manipulate photos like Deckard. GoPro says a mobile OverCapture experience and new visual presets including Tiny Planet and PanoFlow will be released in early 2018.

Fusion is available today on GoPro.com and shipping 11/14/17 to USA, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union for $699.99 (US); €749.99 EUR.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged:

Newsflash – GoPro Fusion 360-degree camera now shipping originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 14, 2017 at 8:41 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.