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TECH NEWS
Garmin launches new Virb X and Virb XE action cameras
GPS specialist Garmin has followed the release of its Virb Elite HD a couple of years ago, the company’s first foray into the video camera market, with the new Virb X and Virb XE action cameras. The new cameras have a completely revamped form factor and offer numerous improvements, including higher quality video recording, more sensors and connectivity options and a wider range of mounting options. It's also now waterproof up to 50 metres without an additional case.
The difference between the two cameras is mainly in the video quality each offers. They both shoot HD video, but the more expensive Virb XE offers 1440p/30fps and 1080p/60fps with super slow-mo, image stabilisation and different zoom levels, while the Virb X provides 1080p/30fps and 720p/60fps with slow-mo and zoom options. Both cameras can shoot still photos with photo bursts up to 12MP image quality. The more expensive Virb XE also provides a plethora of manual controls like ISO and exposure bias if you want to get a bit more creative.
The two Virb cameras have a brand new design. They look nothing like the previous Virb. The newly designed case, designed to be more rugged, is more compact and also offers more mounting options, with loads of bike, body and helmet mounts to choose from. The camera still has an integrated video screen, this one has a high-contrast 1in display for changing the various settings.
The cameras use built-in sensors for recording data like speed and with ANT+ and WiFi can be hooked up to various compatible devices like cadence sensors or power meters. WiFi allows both cameras to be controlled from the Virb smartphone and tablet app, with live stream aiding camera setup, and to make it easy to upload and share recorded videos.
Something called G-Metrix takes data from the on-board or external sensors and overlays it over your recorded video. This data overlay is a big USP of the Virb camera over rivals like the GoPro. It’s not always easy to get a sense of how fast you’re going when you watch the video back, so being able to overlay speed, power, heart rate or cadence over your video will give viewers a greater sense of how punishing the ride was. For riding in the mountains you could display climbing speed or total altitude for example.
The microphone has also been redesigned and it’s compatible with Bluetooth microphones if you wanted to record more audio or ride commentary. Video cameras usually need a specific waterproof case of filming underwater, but the new Virb can work up to 50 metres underwater without an external case. The flat glass lens has a hydrophobic coating, useful for underwater filming or also for cycling in in the rain, as rain drops will bead right off the surface.
Garmin is claiming a 2 hour battery life when filming at 1080p and the battery is removable meaning you could purchase additional batteries if you want to film for longer than that. The Virb records to microSD memory cards.
Garmin hasn’t announced UK prices for the two cameras that will be available this summer, but in the US the Virb XE costs $400 and the Virb X is $300. More at http://virb.garmin.com/en-US/virb-xe
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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14 comments
still wanted a Garmin Edge type GPS with a decent camera. Now THAT would have been a great product.
Disappointed they moved away from the bullet design. I have a Virb Elite and whilst the video quality could be a little better it works well on a helmet mount or on the handlebars. The software updates soon got rid of any technical quirks - for me at least.
That said, it looks like they have build in some neat new features into the new models and it will appeal to a wider customer base. I just hope they provide a few more firmware updates for the first gen models - it is fun to get a few more time lapse modes etc to play around with when I am not on the bike.
All I want is a camera that will do the best job at recording a number plate in all light conditions. I've had boy-racer types cross the road to drive at me but the footage from my Drift was useless. I've had buses force me into the gutter, but again, at night the footage was useless.
For serious filming on a road bike I think the new 4K Sony 1000 will be the way to go.
Other sports might not mind a box shaped thingee sitting on their kit but I for one preferred the bullet design.
Has anybody tried the Shimano CM-1000? More bullet shaped than this or GoPro and has similar Ant+ connectivity.
I guessed there must be a new one coming when they were on Sportpursuit for ~£85 the other week...
I'm pretty gutted about this.
What was good about the previous Virb Elite was that you could use it to record your ride (like a basic Edge) and fire off some video once in a while. Meaning you only needed one unit on your handlebars, not two.
What I was hoping for was a smaller unit, retaining the bullet shape, with a display. All they needed to do was improve the video specs to keep up with GoPro and Sony.
Now they've gone in a completely different direction and ignored what set their camera apart from rest (for road cyclists at least).
Bummer.
This looks like it could be a winner. From the spec it has seriously caught up with GoPro and I love the data overlay option. Maybe in the stocking this coming Christmas.
Step in the wrong direction in terms of shape in my view. I want a decent camera that is smaller and more bullet-shaped for my helmet - not particularly for aero reasons, but more so that I don't want to have a huge obvious camera sticking out of my head.
I tried a Roadhawk Ride, but found it really unreliable (as in it would regularly stop recording during my ride) so I no longer use it much - but the form factor was just right me me and I would jump at something that size and shape from GoPro or Garmin.
hylozoist - have you spoke to RoadHawk, I found their customer service to be fantastic. Always use my Ride R+.
No, I have to admit it was on my list of things to follow up that I never quite got round to. Instead I have taken the winning approach of waiting a year or so and then having a whinge about it on an Internet forum
I may have done RoadHawk a disservice by not giving them the opportunity to address it - could just be a dodgy unit. Works fine with an external power source, but running on its own I generally ended up with the red/blue/green flashing signifying a memory card error (and of course I tried many different memory cards, reformatting etc).
Just the right size, shape and functionality though, as I don't fancy the idea of riding around with what looks like an instamatic camera on my head. Hence my disappointment with Garmin's direction.
The R+ is decent. A tiny bit bigger and heavier than the Ride, but better image quality, more robust, and battery lasts a bit longer. Loop mode is very handy, as it means you only need to remember to charge it.
I don't wear a helmet, and have mine mounted on the arm of my glasses. It makes them a tiny bit lopsided, but works pretty well.
I have the existing Virb Elite and it is useless compared to the GoPro Hero 4. The major areas where it is let down are (1) size - it's too big and the wrong shape; and (2) lack of mounting options.
It's on my desk doing nothing now, and will probably be relegated to a rear-facing camera under the seatpost.
I wonder if this will address those issues?
With the Go-Pro adaptor that comes with the camera there shouldn't be a shortage of mounts you can use.
I've got a K-Edge saddle rail mount for my second Virb and using the aforementioned Go-Pro adaptor it sits quite happily under the saddle.
The Virb form factor was a plus for me and with the remote control of my Edge 800, the decision was an easy one for me.