Action Camera for Trackdays Etc.

scaza

scaza

scaza

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Afternoon guys,

I'm on the hunt for a cheap action cam to record Trackdays/Drives/Occasional holidays etc.

I know GoPro are the quality name and there are some real cheap ones out there that just seem plain awful. But there seems to be a select group of cameras in the middle that offer value for money in terms of price/performance.

Cameras I've come across so far from worst (Cheapest) to perceived best (More expensive):
Elecam Explorer Elite
Hawkeye Firefly 8s
SJCAM SJ7 Star

If anyone has any experience with those listed above, any other cameras of note, or any advice on either end of the spectrum, I'm all ears.

Cheers
 
Mobius action cam is a great camera. I run one alongside a Gopro and the difference in quality is much less that the price difference would suggest
 
Only thing I'd suggest against any action camera is an external microphone. Otherwise you'll generally get scratchy audio with very little in way of low end bass replication.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far.

dale1uk said:
Mobius action cam is a great camera. I run one alongside a Gopro and the difference in quality is much less that the price difference would suggest
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I'll look at some reviews and keep it in mind! There seems to be so much available in this middle section of the market.

ScoobyDoo69 said:
Only thing I'd suggest against any action camera is an external microphone. Otherwise you'll generally get scratchy audio with very little in way of low end bass replication.
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I've been noticing some of the more expensive ones do support external Mics, I'll be looking on the YouTube for some reviews. Cheers.
 
Xiomai may be worth a look too, last review I read basically said it's as good as a top end go pro. With only the software side letting it down.
 
Annoyingly can't remember details but someone posted one with a couple of comparison videos recently here that was pretty good for less than go pro money.

If doing track days consider some kind of stabilisation mount as well - works so much better than digital stabilisation.
 
I have a Xiaomi Yi cam 4k+ which records 4K @ 60fps, it comes with a usb-c to 3.5mm adapter that allows external mics to be connected. Previously I've used a GoPro Hero 4 black for a trackday and that worked great with a binaural external microphone. I also have an SJCam 4000 wifi which wasn't used with a mic and the audio was half decent, but not enough to be worthy of capturing a nice engine sound. E ven the GoPro's mic is not great and that costs more than twice the SJ's launch price.

The Yicam has built in stereo mics and records audio much better than any other action camera I have ever heard, but external mics will always be the best of course.


I think for the price, the yi 4k+ offers much more than anything else.
 
mrk said:
I have a Xiaomi Yi cam 4k+ which records 4K @ 60fps.

I think for the price, the yi 4k+ offers much more than anything else.
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Having just looked at this, it looks an immense bit of kit, unfortunately though it's out of my price range.

The Git2 also looks like a contender for price Vs performance.

I'm going to get my video watching head on and get one ordered today ready for November.
 
Well after looking at YouTube reviews and sample videos, I've decided the best value for performance camera seems to be the Firefly 8s with external mic, together @ £84 from gearbest.

Now it comes in 2 setups, 170 degree FOV or 90 degree FOV. I'm assuming a wider field of view, while causing a little fish eye effect, should be better for action recording.

Advice?
 
Not heard of that one but the spec looks good. I would go for the wide angle, you can usually swap the lens out for others in previous cameras I've had if you need to.
 
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