Here is a picture of my little JVC Adixxion, replacement for my malfunctioning GoPro Black.
As you may know I published a BLOG of my experiences and trials and tribulations with the much vaunted GoPro Hero 3 Black.
Finally after much wasted time dealing with the GoPro Company sent it back for a refund I started searching for an alternative camera. I considered both the Sony Sport Cam and this little JVC Adixxion.
The Adixxion seemed much the better camera but was $350.00.
After Christmas I found an incredibly short lived deal for $99.00 and immediately purchased the Adixxion.
The overall experience with this camera for me has been the complete opposite of the experience I had dealing with the GoPro Camera and the GoPro Company.
Namely I am very happy with it.
Likes:
Size and form factor are better than the GoPro and even more so when the GoPro has its case on it.
Has standard mount base screw socket on side and bottom (and picture can be inverted so camera can be used upside down).
Has 1080P 30 fps and 720P 30 and 60 FPS and generally a better picture in daylight than GoPro.
Built in image stabilization definitely decreases multicopter vibration problems. Not in GoPro.
5x digital Zoom works without image degradation on 1080P due to large camera chip. Not in GoPro.
WiFi live preview actually works on IPad and with computer and with negligible delay (less than 1/2 second).
Much easier and more intuitive 6 button menu and navigation than 2 button GoPro.
Built in color LCD viewfinder.
Single battery life is better than the GoPro with the additional add on battery.
Nothing malfunctioning at all.
(You do need to do a firmware update from the JVC web site for the WiFi to work properly.
Dislikes (none major to me):
Night time video not as bright as GoPro.
Doesn't have all the fancy super high resolution video modes the Black had (of almost no interest to me anyway).
Although the IPad and PC based WiFi worked much much better than the GoPro, the Adixxion does not currently support direct connection to an Android so my Nexus 7 is not of use to me for WiFi at this time.
Basically a lot more to like than to complain about, really glad I got it.
Haven't tried the WiFi live preview while flying yet, but will report back on the results of that, live preview actually does work well enough to use it for FPV so long as the camera WiFi and the RC signals do not interfere with each other.
GoPro should take a lot of cues from this camera for their future efforts.
If they get the bugs out of the Black it will be a cool camera, but right now, this is a more useful camera to our RC community in almost every way.
Even if you have to pay full price, you won't be unhappy with this camera, but if you can find any kind of deal at all (Amazon currently $250.00) you'll make the GoPro owners envious.
Comments
As for the Contour durability... I have one, and it's been perfect. I don't know what Mark's issue is. I've taken mine and mounted it to the frame of a motorcycle. I've mounted it to my helmet and crashed. Many times. I've used it white water rafting. I've used it on my quad. And I've clamped it rigid to the frame of my heli that was vibrating like crazy. It even survived, and recorded an incredible hard impact when my Octo cratered from quite high up as seen in this vid:
I read a review of the hackhd camera, sounds great to have such a camera available, I think I will give it a try, thanks Jason for bringing it to the discussion! :)
My prefect camera =D:
- 2k+ horizontal resolution
- 60-100 mBit per second bit-rate
- Raw output - ZERO in-camera processing (no sharpening, highlight or shadow clipping)
- Lens and sensor independent of the body
- Professional video codec
- Optical stabilization (like the Canon lenses)
- Shutter, ISO, and aperture control
Basically I'm describing the Black Magic Cinema Camera in a nano form-factor. This will easily exceed $2000.
One can dream.
Optical Zoom and true mechanical stabilization would be nice.
Personally I'd like to see totally uncompromised pro quality 1080P HD video and not even the GoPro quite has that.
here's some more cams to check out - none matching my anal specs however :)
perfect cam...
Luke thank you for suggestion about scan mode, makes perfect sense.
And you are right, I knew the Aurora had it but hadn't used it.
Will definitely give it a try re the WiFi live preview on the Adixxion.
Quite likely a good solution to an otherwise intractable problem.
Definitely stirred up a Hornets nest of Pro-GoProistas and Anti-GoProistas (See Zola and Dreyfuss).
If you got one of the GoPros that didn't have the nasty lock up and battery drain problem it's a great camera even if the WiFi isn't yet up to snuff and the Company is having "growing" pains.
But this little Adixxion is really cool too, has some superior design features, really does perform well and takes perfectly decent HD video.
Mark, thank you for your comment about Contours, you'd think a camera that so advertises it's ruggedness would be a bit more reliable.
On my videos from the Adixxion with 1080P the only thing Ive noticed in relation to apparent reduced image quality in comparison with GoPro relates directly to it's narrower field of view and resultant greater apparent "shakiness". Maybe a little loss of detail in some circumstances. Could you elaborate a bit more on what your experience between the two is video quality wise.
I noticed nobody has yet mentioned the Sony Sport Cam or any of the myriad Chinese clones of clones that are out there. If anybodies using anything other than a GoPro, please stick in your thoughts as well.
Gary,
Exactly my point - I am all for many cameras to choose from! If we have just one camera - it's another Microsoft all over again.
GoPro3 is for me, works magic with 1080 x60fps w/Protune - no issues with IS on gliders (or lack of it). I am always on a look-out for alternatives. In my case GoPro configuration of the lens is great (for now). But alternatives work better, i.e. if I can choose a lens either on a side on on a front.
GoPro, as far as I know have not considered this alternative.
Daniel, yes, I did try it on a ground - it's produces super results, but I have no equipment to enjoy it to the fullest (as 99% of the folks out there). My TV or even MacBook Pro can't produce the resolution or can not keep-up with the data flow.
If you try the live video preview over Wi-Fi and you have the Hitec Aurora 9 do it with the "Scan Mode" which will first scan the spectrum and then choose channels that are not in use. By default the radio doesn't do this (probably because if you lose connection it won't reconnect). This video demonstrates the feature with lots of detail about it.
http://youtu.be/7f43mydRdjA
Also worth mentioning, at least one person has tried a live video preview over Wi-Fi and lost control. Granted it was with a GoPro but know that you might lose control too. The radio was a Hitec Aurora 9, but probably not in the "Scan Mode" which might have prevented the loss of control.
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/flying-with-new-gopro-3-wifi-tu...
Mark, did you ever test using the 2.7k mode for the GP3B? I'm asking because very few people seem to use this feature. Having that resolution allows for nice post-stabilization and a 1080p final crop. Plus using Protune should theoretically give you more post processing leverage, such as sharpening and luma curves.
Also when you get your camera back, do you think you can upload video comparisons between the GP3B and Adixxion? IS and no IS too?
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