Unpacking:
The contents of the pack can be described only as scanty; the delivery is limited only to the essentials. These include two self-adhesive plates for mounting, a holder (the no conventional tripod thread has), the camera along with battery, a USB cable (without charger, but it lies in the most technophile households have some around) and a few small items for installation ,
The camera is even without an additional housing waterproof, but only minutes to a depth of one meter and no more than 30.
When called Rollei there an underwater housing, a chest strap, three self-adhesive plates, helmet mounts and especially the ability to connect the camera via tripod socket with existing accessories.
Garmin is here obviously on the sale of lots of accessories, as only the brands from our own fit. And they were unfortunately not always particularly inexpensive.
Handling:
While the camera is good (and with battery very difficult) in his hand, but they should not at all out actually.
The lid on the bottom has the variety confidence-lock, as they are known on earlier models of this manufacturer.
The (not supplied) memory card is inserted, the same as with older Navis Garmin, underneath the battery. The only advantage is that you can never remove the card guarantees, while the machine is still running.
A highlight in my view is the large slide switch on the side of the camera, with which the recording can be started. This is even when wearing gloves, teeth or toes, unlike fiddly, mostly tiny little buttons with other cameras, such as the Rollei.
The menu is self-explanatory, the few keys beschiftet small but understandable, but the screen does not have its own lighting and relies on ambient light. That may save battery power, the eyes certainly not. And you would have a small, switchable if required illumination provided my judgment would have been a total of milder.
But wait, there was the weight. The Virb weighs namely twice as much as the Rollei S-50, namely whopping 160gr. Does not sound like much? At the helm already. Above all, I wonder how long the adhesive pads absorb the leverage by the holder before they leave the service. And there are no tripod mount to the camera in any way to fix.
Action:
The camera does what it should. She films. The strength of the wide-angle (you can already talk of a fisheye lens) can be adjusted, the stabilizer does unfortunately only in a recording program valuable services in all other recording modes, it can not be switched on.
Unfortunately, it will take not long until the first scratches mar the lens goggle-eyed, but has the Rollei the same problem. Luckily, you can the lens of Garmin - exchange - against corresponding fee.
The promised runtime of three hours is not achieved in spite of the large, heavy batteries, but two hours is quite realistic. Since the Rollei can not keep up despite the supplied, second battery; you go much earlier out of steam.
Per ANT + the camera with other Garmin devices can remotely control; in the absence of current, with ANT + device provided unfortunately I could not test this feature.
Movie:
Via HDMI, you can connect the camera to a TV and watch the movies. That's the theory. In practice, my Virb hanged, as I tried it, and indeed several times. After a few exasperated attempts and the final removal of the battery, it has then it worked.
The videos have much paler color than in the Rollei, but can also act in the setting Neutral everything comically garish.
Overall, the quality of both Action cameras is below that of a good video camera, but five minutes of fame on YouTube or the preservation of memories of daring stunts, it should be enough.
Of course you can also watch the videos and / or edit on a PC.
Conclusion:
The Virb is too difficult because a normal tripod thread suffers lack the flexibility and the unlit screen can be seen only in good weather.
The lateral slide switch for recording is a great idea, the battery life is appealing and the waterproof housing has always been at Garmin's Outdoor equipment standard.
Overall, however, a camera with a few accessories, excessive weight and a dubious display.
