Drift Innovation X170 Action Camera Review |
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 The Drift Innovation X170 Action Camera (http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/X170) is the latest all-round helmet camera to be released onto the market and we would highly recommend it. When it comes to filming Motorcycling track days, it is one of the best we have come across.This new camera has been designed, not only to take high quality point-of-view photos and videos but also to be perfect for all extreme sports, especially motor sports, and it's available from Action Cameras (http://www.actioncameras.co.uk) for just £199.99, so fantastic value for money! When looking for a helmet camera you want to know that you are purchasing one that can pull out all of the stops and the X170 does just that. It ticks every single box that you could want an extreme sports camera to tick. Here is a list of some of the product's main features: * The X170 delivers DVD quality video and 5Mp photographs * These functions can be controlled by a wireless RF remote control * A 1.5" screen helps you to line up the perfect shot and to show off your video right away * Memory expansion up to 8Gb on SD card * With a wide angle lens of 170º you will get all the action in your shot * All the mounts that you need are provided, plus it has a metal 8mm mount * Most importantly a price tag that is not going to break the bank One of the first things that you’ll notice when taking your new X170 out of the box is the 1.5" screen - something that we consider to be one of the product's most desirable features. We found having a screen on the camera extremely useful for two reasons; firstly you can line up the best angle when mounting the camera so that you don’t get home after a long day out expecting to see brilliant videos only to find that you have been filming blue sky all day. Secondly, and more importantly is watching your videos on the screen with your mates straight after you’ve come off the track. The wide angled lens also provides great advantages: with previous narrower angled cameras it was difficult to gain perspective of the speed because the lens only saw the track in front of you. With 170º field of view you will not only see what is in front of you but also the scenery around you. This truly puts the speed in perspective and is the way forward for point-of-view cameras. This camera may seem a bit backwards as it runs on the older style AA batteries, rather than the rechargeable lith-ion batteries that most cameras use these days. But considering all motorcycle tracks are outdoors would you like batteries that can be quickly replaced or to have to find a wall socket to recharge your battery? We prefer to simply carry a spare set of batteries if we’re heading out for a long time. The guys at Drift Innovation seem to have thought this one through though and have therefore delivered the best solution. In terms of mounting the new X170, the options are endless, as it has a built-in steel quarter inch thread (8mm thread) so you can attach it to suction mounts and rollbar mounts which are included in the kit. The quick release mount adapter easily inserts into the quarter inch thread securely, which can be used to attach the camera to each of the mounting options available in the box. Also included with the camera are handlebar and helmet grips, so the camera can be mounted to anywhere you would want to, whether that is onto handlebars or the smooth surface of a helmet or the bike's fairing. The is also a goggle mount included and this is a really easy mount to use as you simply put your goggles strap into the mount and you’re ready to go. The new X170 can even be used on its side or upside down, as the lens rotates 180º from one side to the other. This gives flexibility to mount the camera on either side of a helmet or on top while still being able to have an upright image by simply twisting the lens around. The final feature and one of our favourite parts of the X170 kit is the radio frequency wireless remote control. It comes with a strap so you can safely secure to your wrist etc and it only contains two buttons that are large enough to be used with gloves on, so it really couldn’t be simpler to use. Also due to the fact that it works through radio frequency (as opposed to infra-red) it doesn’t need line-of-sight to operate and it works up to three metres away from the camera, making it a great asset to the kit.  We took it out for a test drive on a Suzuki GSXR 750 around The Isle of Man TT street racecourse. The race offi cials, as well as track day officials, are becoming more and more sticky about allowing on-board cameras onto the track, but with the X170 we breezed through the official’s checks as the mounts that come standard with the X170 are all purpose built and so the mounting is rock solid. The handlebar mount fitted nice and tight around the handlebar giving a nice view out front. We also used the industrial-strength adhesive pads to mount the camera securely to the side of our helmet and then later onto the fairing. Later on we used a suction mount on the tank to point the camera onto the speedo and the road ahead to give a picture that looks just like a computer game! So why not check it out today and, as The Drift Innovation catch phrase says; “Capture and Relive all of your Action Sports!" Review by Action Cameras
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