What an Action-Cam?
Well, that's certainly a legitimate question. In some, affected by police corruption countries, almost heard a Car Cam as standard in order for a spurious traffic offenses to prove the opposite in court. But since we live in a democracy, is such a Cam rather is a fun product.
So I floated for example before installation on my RC cars to hold my daredevil jump maneuvers in the gravel pit for eternity. For attachment to RC helicopters, the Cam is unfortunately too heavy. In addition, I made the installation on my mountain bike in the eye, but a few to mention possible applications. In the car I would not mount the Cam, as I do not see the benefits, and it is safe also legally questionable to monitor other road users with a camera. Primarily, the Cam should therefore filming the rides my RC Cars and just so I've also tested. Of course you can use the cam as web cam on the PC as an attachment with the extensive range of accessories is not an issue.
Scope of supply:
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The scope of supply is enormous, as can be seen in the enclosed photo.
In addition to the action itself are numerous mounting clips and holders for helmet and bike, a USB charger, an underwater housing,
Tape, a very well illustrated instructions and even a steel cable to secure included.
What I missed, is a suction cup, which can be used not only for use in the car. Because obviously the GoPro accessories can also be used with this cam, you can stock up with the numerous holders in the accessories market in each price and quality level.
Even an HDMI cable to connect to the LCD TV would have been nice, but also missing. Due to the standard micro HDMI Type D connector, can fortunately use standard cable:
Technical Specifications:
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Sensor: Lt. Manufacturer 12 MP, but in my view are the 12 MP interpolated. Qualitatively, I would rather suggest a 3 MP sensor, which is also consistent with some other reviews.
Image Resolution: VGA (640 x 480) up to 12 MP (4032 x 1024) in JPG format
Video resolution: 640 x 480 at 60 fps up to 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, so FullHD 1080p with H.264 compression in MOV format
Zoom: 4x digital
Lens: wide angle with 170 °
Battery Life: 70 minutes with replaceable battery (costs about 10 EUR)
Battery capacity: 900 mAh
LCD Monitor: 1.5-color display
Dimensions: 29,8X59,2X41 mm
Weight: 58 g including battery.
Connectors: USB 2.0; HDMI 1.3; microSD card slot up to 32 GB (for me worked a SDXC card with 64 GB!)
Design and processing:
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The camera makes a strong impression, which is also important for the intended use. The sides are grooved and slightly rubberized, so it fits comfortably in your hand.
The connectors for microSD card, USB and HDMI unfortunately live unprotected, so you should also be used in dusty environments the underwater housing to prevent dirt from entering the camera. Here a rubber cap would have been helpful to protect the connectors from dust and dirt. In addition to the terminals, there is also the microphone.
The display is 1.5 quite small relative to the overall size of the camera, but is sufficient for monitoring purposes from.
Even a small speaker is installed in addition to the rocker keys for the zoom.
The pressure point of all keys is smooth and pleasant.
A small slide mechanism is exposes the flap for changing battery, which is easy to remove and re-purchaseable for a few euros.
The comprehensive equipment also makes them a stable impression, at least the parts that I could test so far. The adhesive mounts are also stable and sit after a few trips with my RC car still rock solid.
The underwater housing is, like the other parts, precisely matched to the camera. Ie operating buttons and cutouts for ports are precisely, but a little stiff. Bathtub Test no water has penetrated, but this need not be a sign that even with the promised in the technical data water depth of 30 meters, everything remains dry.
Installation and Operation:
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The installation is simplified enormously by some diagrams in the manual. In it you can see exactly which parts you need to assemble as to use the camera for the specific application, such as cycling and helmet assembly, can.
The text of the manual in German reads then but rather as if one the English text 1: 1 taken from the Google Translator.
The camera is turned on by pressing the Mode button on the front. After pressing the OK button starts the action taken, which have been previously selected in the menu. By slightly shorter pressing the Mode button, you can switch between 4 modes back and forth:
Video Mode: Start a Video recording
Picture Mode: Create a photo
Playback mode: Playing Fotos- Files
Menu: Settings Menu
In the settings menu numerous adjustments can be made. The here to explain all, beyond the scope. Therefore, only in brief, what is really important:
Resolution Video: Here you should adjust for best video results equal FHD 1080p
Cyclic Recording: This is sometimes in the car or important for monitoring purposes because the recordings are overwritten again after a specified time. However, the maximum time of 10 minutes, I find too small.
Movement Detection: Starts recording when motion is detected.
Resolution photo: Here you can put on the maximum resolution, it is questionable whether one will notice a difference between 3 MP and 12 MP.
Beep: Turns off the annoying sound when pressed!
Turn: Rotates the image 180 ° for overhead mounting.
Car Mode: Turns the recording function automatically when the ignition is turned on or the cigarette lighter power supplies. Practically, if the camera is mounted farther away.
In addition, you can still do a lot of other settings such as ISO, color, sharpness, image quality, etc. These are mE but by default already optimal and should only be changed if necessary.
Video and photo quality, the Cam in use:
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Using the supplied adhesive holder I have the Cam stuck in the back of my RC Trucks.
Use can also change the position by 360 °.
The video quality is very good and the power has been adjusted while driving only once. Due to the extremely large wide-angle lens, you get a very wide field of view, as if you were sitting in the RC car. However, the collection in the field wobbles badly. For this, the camera can not do anything. This is in the nature of things. An RC car makes the terrain extremely strong and jerky movements that can not compensate for camera electronics. On the road it looks but for better.
But what has really surprised me is that both the bond, as well as the fittings are virtually insensitive to vibrations. Only once loosened while driving the screw and the camera tilted slightly downward.
Nevertheless videos are only with adequate lighting of good quality. In darker rooms with artificial lighting, the electronics starts pumping and the brightness varies thereby greatly. But that was only to be expected for the price.
PS If you want to see the Cam in use, can obtain information about the link in my profile in my blog. There I have a video that I recorded while driving link.
The photo quality is not really good, but it should not rather be as important as one would like to record video normally. For the one or other photo with adequate lighting which is sufficient but Cam.
Conclusion:
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For the price you get with the Sj4000 a really good camera for mobile use, which almost managed to get in touch with the GoPro it if you have not quite as high demands on the quality and workmanship.
The new perspective of my RC Monster Truck has thrilled me. For my occasional inserts with my RC cars the SJ4000 enough loose, so I am completely satisfied.
