Any worthwhile cheap GoPro alternatives?

[Kermit power]

Morning all,

Middle offspring is really keen on the idea of us getting a GoPro or similar to video his mountain biking exploits. I'd like to indulge him, but not at the cost of an actual GoPro!

I'm looking at the various Chinese knock-offs on Amazon at around £50, and wondering if any of them are any good? A lot of them have really good ratings, but when you read the 1 & 2 star reviews, you start to wonder if they were even for the same product!

Has anyone on here used anything they'd recommend? It'll be used pretty much exclusively for mountain biking, although it would be nice to have something waterproof for occasional snorkelling.

[idiotgap]

I know nothing about this... but, I think you might find it useful to look at the techmoan site. British guy who reviews loads of dashcams and action cams from China. I haven't looked for a while, but last time I did he was active.

edited to add a link: http://www.techmoan.com/blog/category/action-camer...

Edited by idiotgap on Saturday 2nd July 12:03

[V8FGO]

Techmoan

He did like the SJ4000, but now prefers the Gitup Git2 pro.

http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2016/1/22/the-fully-l...

[Crafty_]

Mobius ? http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/7/8/the-mobius-c...

http://www.banggood.com/search/mobius.html

Only issue might be how long the battery lasts.

[Sway]

I would have said Sj4000, I love mine.

However, having just seen that techmoan review I think I'd go for that if I were to buy now. External mic support wasn't something I thought about before buying yet have missed it a few times.

Really cannot understand the appeal of the gopro for the extra dosh?

[tr7v8]

Hobbyking are worth a look
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/1662__1376Photography_Action_Cams-Action_Cameras.html

[tjdixon911]

I was in Tesco the other day and they sell something similar for £59

http://www.tesco.com/direct/sports-cam-hd-action-c...

[Kermit power]

V8FGO said:

Techmoan

He did like the SJ4000, but now prefers the Gitup Git2 pro.

http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2016/1/22/the-fully-l...

That does look quite promising.

[Hobzy]

I've got one of the go-pro knock offs from Amazon. Been great so far think with a kit full of mounts and a spare waterproof case it cost me £65. 2 batteries and takes a micro SD card.

DBPower was the make.

I suspect the life of the batteries might not be great but who knows.

First time use produced this - typical and didn't have the cam at quite the right angle... excuse youtubes downgrading of the quality. Raw is 1080p and really very good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dvzdN4jcX4

[FurryExocet]

I had and SJ Cam and it destroyed a few memory cards, so sent it back.
I have a Möbius now and it's good. Downside is that it's a different size to a go pro, so mounting solutions aren't as easy.
The Git up camera gets rave reviews on the Dash cam forum too

[Dannbodge]

I've just bought a Sj4000+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0122KQYZK/ref...

It's due for delivery this week.

I went for the best sj4000 they do as it's got the internal gyro, wifi (handy for doing car videos) and records in 1080p @ 60fps, I just need to find somewhere on the bike to mount it

[andye30m3]

I've used an SJ400 for the last couple of years and am pretty happy with the results. I expect the go pros are a fair bit better but for £40 from ebay I don't think you can complain about the results from the SJ4000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GwQArjLD2I

[Kermit power]

Gitup Git Pro 2 being delivered tomorrow.

[FurryExocet]

Dannbodge said:

I've just bought a Sj4000+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0122KQYZK/ref...

It's due for delivery this week.

I went for the best sj4000 they do as it's got the internal gyro, wifi (handy for doing car videos) and records in 1080p @ 60fps, I just need to find somewhere on the bike to mount it

Seat post facing backwards, sound give a good view, especially if you have a mate following you (mountain biking)
Or for road use, helmet or handle bars

[Kermit power]

FurryExocet said:

Seat post facing backwards, sound give a good view, especially if you have a mate following you (mountain biking)
Or for road use, helmet or handle bars

Would that not get in the way with a dropper post?

[Sway]

Word of friendly warning - imo mounting a cam to a helmet is bloody daft, creating a crush/point load that can overcome the value of the helmet...

I've done decent off road vids mounted to handlebars, outside of the forks, and the best fitted to a chest mount (great framing, and less vibration than mounted on the bike).

[Kermit power]

Sway said:

Word of friendly warning - imo mounting a cam to a helmet is bloody daft, creating a crush/point load that can overcome the value of the helmet...

I've done decent off road vids mounted to handlebars, outside of the forks, and the best fitted to a chest mount (great framing, and less vibration than mounted on the bike).

I'd already discounted that, although more because a lot of our rides tend to go through fairly close foliage at least once or twice in a ride, so I've no desire to have that extra couple of inches sticking up into branches!

[FD3Si]

Sway said:

Word of friendly warning - imo mounting a cam to a helmet is bloody daft, creating a crush/point load that can overcome the value of the helmet...

Not entirely true. Maybe jsut randomly sticking one on to any old lid, but many helmets with mounts are designed to break off in an impact. In fact, Bell were pushing for a specific safety standard for breakaway mounts. My Transfer 9 has a specially designed breakoff mount, my friend's Giro Montaro has similar.

[AllTorque]

Balls, I hate threads like this - just ordered the Git too! Now I want this gimbal.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOuMNiSc8Qw

[Lovey1]

Take a look on the Sport Pursuit website. They have the Shimano, Garmin VIRB and VEHO MUVI all with big discounts