A few months ago in a reply in this post I mentioned looking for a camera that would record both forward and backward for cycling, and ran across this kickstarter today for exactly that, thought it was worth sharing.
Dual direction camera kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pictime/soocoo-s50-unleashing-filming-wonders-by-dual-recording
10 Comments
Showroom7561@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 1y
FYI, cameras like that already exist (not in 4k from what I've seen). I haven't used a dual lens camera like that, but I always worry about battery life. 4h isn't enough. 8 hours barely cuts it for me. ðŸ˜
For commuting, it might be perfect.
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y
What do you use that lasts that long?
I use a Ghost DriftXL because its only $100 and has good enough resolution/battery life for my commutes (only one direction though).
Showroom7561@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 1y
Hey man, FYI, I swapped out the glass lens on mine just now, and the clarity I gained is significant!
The Drift lens kit was like $25 + shipping, and I didn't need anything but the glass. So, I measured mine, and found a replacement "watch lens glass" replacement... 19mm is what you want, flat glass (some are domed), and as close to 0.9mm as possible. The one I got was 0.8mm, and it fits perfectly. I paid like $11, just to get it quickly, but I can order a bulk pack for just a few dollars each.
Not that I've had to replace this before, but it had so many micro scratches from cleaning the lens when wet while riding, that I figured I should try. I was expecting some improvement, but it's like the contrast just got cranked up!
If you ever need to replace that lens, look for third-party glass!
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y
Thanks for the tip! Mine is still pretty pristine but I'll keep this in mind for when it inevitably needs replaced.
Showroom7561@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1y
For sure. I got the idea when I read a review about the entire Drift lens kit, and someone said "I wish they just sold the glass". So, I measured mine up, and was able to find adequate replacements within minutes!
Showroom7561@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1y
I have the Drift Ghost X, but with the extended battery pack. It gets me to the 8h mark, but I usually have to plug it in when I'm going for rides longer than that.
It's been a great camera, and I wish they still sold this model. I may get the XL, but I really prefer to have a removable battery module.
If you have two or more Drift cameras, you can link them together to start/stop (and I believe tag videos) in sync. Extra stuff to manage compared to one camera with a dual lens, but it's an option :)
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y
Damn, they had ones with removable batteries!? I wish they still sold them too.
Yeah, the sync is part of why I got them: I figured down the road I could get a rear/front cam, plus maybe a helmet cam even (what I currently run).
The Insta360 also does front/back recording, but you run into the issue of battery life and recording space.
Showroom7561@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1y
Edit: the Drift Ghost X had a small battery built-in (non-removable) and a battery pack module that connected to it. You could swap the module for an extended pack, or a regular-sized one, and never really run out of juice.
Yeah, I keep checking Aliexpress and Amazon, hoping they'll have old stock they want to get rid of on sale, but nothing.
I mean, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I got a different Drift model. The battery I'm using has already seen tens of thousands of KM of riding over the last 4 years, through extreme summer and the coldest winters. It's probably the most reliable piece of cycling tech I own! LOL I just wish they never used that damn mini-USB connector. USB-C would make this camera perfect.
I own an older Samsung 360 camera, and it's REALLY NICE as a dash cam... but there are so many limitations when using a 360 camera:
That said, if a cycling-specific 360 dash camera ever came out, I'd be very interested!
I'm not a fan of bike helmet mounted cameras, although, I was running the Drift on a motorcycle helmet (side mounted) for years before I sold my higher-power e-scooter.
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y
I mount mine on the very top: I figure it i get into a crash it's more likely to get knocked off and it's a good vantage point.
Showroom7561@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 1y
I've been freaked out by ANYTHING mounted to my helmet after this incident.