The Tianqu XS809W is a unique quadcopter - it looks very similar to the popular DJI Mavic, but it only costs $50. The low price is for a reason - it lacks GPS, a good camera, stabilization, long range, and pretty much all the cool features of the Mavic. However, it DOES feature a really compact, folding design, a punchy set of brushed motors (I know, I know), and WiFi FPV views. It's a fun quad to fly, and while it doesn't quite carry a GoPro (as seen in the video), it has great battery life and handles flips without a problem. Check it out at Gearbest here: http://bit.ly/2rDiXMe
Remember my budget FPV setup with a smart phone plus EasyCap? How about a dedicated FPV headset for only $50? Gearbest let me try out the Furibee VR01 FPV Goggles and I am pretty impressed. I flew it with my Hubsan H501S, my XK X251, and my MJX Bugs drones, all with great success. The goggles provided a clear signal, and easily found the FPV output signals from the drones (or the onboard video transmitter setuo). A extra battery is required to power the drone, thankfully a 7.4v 2S lipo does the job fine (see video link for battery). Overall, quality is very similar to my FPV smartphone setup, and this is a little easier to setup, saving time and letting me fly more.
Ever wanted a mini camping stove that you could throw into your backpack, then assemble at the end of your hike? The Free Soldier Camping Stove aims to be just that-its a 4-sided metal (supposedly stainless steel) with a base. It comes with a neat little carrying case, with durable design and straps for attaching it to a backpack. The stove takes a little practice to snap together (Watch out for the sharp edges--it doubles as multi-tool device), but once it's done it works quite well. Simply place your tinder/fuel inside the stove, and place your cookware ontop. Voila! Overall, it gets the job done, although some may find it easier to just use a campsite fireplace that's already present. Check your local fire/burn regulations as well before using this stove.
I
recently was sent an action camera from
ODRVM that boasts of filming in 4K, and I took it through its paces to see how
it’d do in the NorCal backcountry. The ODRVM Action Camera and its low-cost
piqued my interest to see how it would hold up.
Video review:
Overview:
The
ODRVM 4K Action Camera is remarkably affordable ($55.99 - $79.99 [with
attachments]) and is loaded with features uncommon to similar action cameras.
I’ll go more into detail down below in the Features section, but know right
away that its Settings Menu is one of the most customizable menus I’ve seen.
Accessories
The ODRVM 4K Action
Camera is loaded with accessories, and the waterproof case is compatible with
GoPro accessories as well. Inside the handy foam-padded case that the camera
arrives in are the following accessories: a waterproof case similar to most
other action camera designs with large buttons, an open non-waterproof backing
to allow sound in, an extra 3.7V Li-ion 1050mAh battery, Wireless Remote with
wrist strap, 2x mounts with adhesive backings, handlebar clip, screw mounts, 90
degrees mount, USB cable, selfie-stick mount, a lens wipe, multiple straps,
multiple zipties, adhesive pads, and a wire tether. Overall, they didn’t skimp
out on accessories with this camera!
Features:
The ODRVM 4K Action
Camera reportedly uses a 20 MP Sony sensor (although the manual says it’s only
a 12 MP Sony sensor) and a Novatek Chipset. A bit of further research (since
it’s not found in the manual or on the Amazon page) showed me that for the
image properties, the Camera Maker is listed as Cosuo and Camera Model is CS96.
Thus it looks like the ODRVM 4K Action Camera actually uses a 12 MP IMX 078
Camera sensor and Novatek NTK96660. I'm not sure if this allows for true 4K, or just interpolated imaged.
All photos files are in
.JPG and all video files are in .MP4. It connects to the wireless remote via a
WiFi signal, and according to the manual, it can “be synced to a mobile device
by downloading the ZSANYCAM app on the app store,” although that specific app
is wasn't reliable for me.
- Time-lapse Record: 100ms / 200ms / 500ms /
1Sec / 5 Sec (note: it is not an actual time-lapse)
- Loop Recording Supported (it will
auto-overwrite files when this option is on)
- Voice Prompt Supported (meaning that the
camera will say “Video Start” when you begin taking a video – it does not mean that you can speak to it and
have it start recording!)
- 5x Digital Zoom – simply press the up/down
arrows on the side of the camera.
- Motion Detection Supported (although it seemed
rather buggy when I tried to use it, with no amount of movement triggering the
camera)
- Frequency: 50Hz/60Hz
- USB Interface: micro USB 2.0, micro HDMI
- Power Source Interface: 5V/1A
- Battery Capacity: 3.7V Li-ion Battery 1050 mAh
(Two Batteries Included )
- Recording Time per battery: 40 minutes/ UHD 24
fps, 60 minutes/1080P 30fps , 70 minutes/720p 120fps (my average was about 45
minutes for 1080P at 60 fps)
- Storage capability: Up to 64 GB according to
the manual, 128 GB according to their online specifications
-Waterproof case: up to 30 meters
-Weight: 2.2 ounces
Sample photos:
Performance:
I took the ODRVM 4K Action Camera up to a cabin in the Klamath Mountains
of Northern California and spent a week hiking through the backcountry, past
thickets of tan oak and up above the snow line. I explored a creek and tested
out its waterproof case in it. The battery seemed to die quickly after only a
few shots and clips. I later found that the cause was because it wasn’t turning
off when I pressed the Power button – this was due to the waterproof case with
the waterproof backing having a bit too much rubber on the seal, thereby not
sealing fully (there was a gap between the plastic case and the plastic
backing) which created space for the camera to not be in contact with the Power
button. I replaced the waterproof backing with the non-waterproof, sound-enabled
backing and it worked much better.
While video quality was on par with most other budget Action Cameras, I
particularly liked the built-in Gyro that enabled me to get fairly smooth
recordings. Having a gyro is a HUGE plus and really helps offer better quality footage. The photos were decent but occasionally had some blueish-pinkish discoloration in the top portions (depending on lighting). I couldn’t seem to nail down the cause, but my guess is
that it had to do with the various color options (Auto White Balance, 0
Exposure, WRD enabled). Audio quality was superb with no weird crackling sounds
or anything of that sort. Overall, it worked pretty well and left me pleased.
Summary:
The ODRVM action camera offers a affordable
action camera price that can record decent HD footage with a Gyro stabilization and take fairly
good photos. The 4K footage isn't as as exciting as I had hoped, but the 1080p footage is sharp and crisp. Photos are fairly good too, and I like the protective carrying case it comes with. Check it out at here on Amazon.
I've been looking for a affordable, simple solar headlamp for a long time. Several years ago, I even saw several on Alibaba, but none were currently available. Fast forward to 2017 and I finally found one! It's dirt cheap (~$10), comfortable, and bright!
There are several variations of this model, but all seem to have the same modes: 3 different light settings (one is just a flashing light), a solar panel on the front of the headlamp for optimal charging, and a LED light with roughly a reported 6 hours of use. I've gotten several hours of use with non-stop light use, but haven't pushed it till it's completely empty. It also comes with a wired charger, in case you dont have a sunny day or need a quicker charge up.
Overall, I'm very excited about this solar headlight. It is exactly what I was looking and I will be using it a lot, on hiking trips (planning to hang this solar headlamp from my backpack to charge while hiking), and late-night fishing trips. You can buy this sun--powered light here: https://tinyurl.com/solarheadlampor on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/2nMlDoa
The MJX Bugs drone (https://tinyurl.com/mg8v6p3) is a very reasonably-priced, budget-friendly drone. It is also a brushless drone, packing powerful motors with a durable, well-designed frame. I'm not sure why they named it "Bugs", but it looks fast and no-nonsense. I really like the included action camera mount. I made it a little more snug by inserting a small piece of foam in it, helping hold my camera tighter. Range on the drone is quite good, although a little less than the XK X251. However, it carries a camera much better than my XK X251 does! Gearbest hooked me up with a review sample of the MJX Bugs, and I love it!
I have taken the Bugs drone and turned it into a great budget FPV drone. Using the simple EasyCap adapter setup, I can now fly FPV style, thanks to my Android smartphone, a pair of cheap VR goggles, a free app, an action camera with video out-recording feature (I use the GitUp1, but the SJ4000 and many others also have this capability), a cheap video transmitter/receiver combo, and the EasyCap adapter. Here's my complete list of gear for this rather bulky but very cheap and quite nice quality FPV setup:
Not counting the cost of a phone and action camera, this FPV setup costs just over $50. Dirt cheap for getting into a very fun hobby! Make sure your phone is OTG USB compatible before jumping into this setup. There is a tiny amount of latency, but not enough to impact my flying. As you can see from the video below, this little setup packs a punch! Sure, you probably wouldn't want to rely on it for competitive FPV racing, but it does a great job for fun hobby FPV flying. As always, make sure to have a spotter when flying FPV style, as I do.
Have any questions about this setup or the MJX Bugs drone? Let me know below, or on YouTube. Check out this bargain-priced brushless drone on Gearbest: https://tinyurl.com/mg8v6p3
Other Gearbest Drones: https://tinyurl.com/lkqldzo
For budget action cameras, 4K video resolution has
traditionally been out of reach. For the < $150 range, most cameras really
only do 1080p, and occasionally offer subpar 4K (often either unusably low FPS
rates, and/or “fake” 4K resolution with interpolation tricks). The closest bet
so far for a “affordable” action camera is the Yi 4K, which I absolutely love,
priced around $200. After that, you are looking at $400 for the GoPro Hero 5 Black,
which is certainly not a bargain.
Enter the ThiEye T5E (https://tinyurl.com/thieyecam). Not only does this camera feature true 4K resolution at
30fps, it also comes in at a stunningly low price, a little over $100. When I
first heard about the camera, I was fairly skeptical, given the poor track
record of bargain cameras offering high-quality 4K footage. Thanks to Gearbest,
I was hooked up with a review sample of the ThiEye T5E and put it through its
paces. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised with its performance and I think
you will be too!
Features
Not only can the ThiEye T5E shoot 4k at 30FPS, it also offers 1080p at 60 fps
AND 120 FPS, in addition to several other resolutions. It offers a viewing LCD
on the back, WiFi connectivity with a dedicated app for remote control, and 12MP
photos. The image sensor is the IMX117, a powerful sensor that is the same as
the latest SJCam (7) model and is capable of true 4K. Here is a complete list
of the specification for ThiEye T5E:
Specification
General
Brand: ThiEYE Model: T5e Type: Sports Camera Type of Camera: 4K Chipset Name: Ambarella Chipset: Ambarella A12LS75 Sensor: CMOS Sensor size (inch): 1/2.3 Function: WiFi,Time Lapse,Waterproof Application: Extreme Sports,Underwater,Ski
Storage
Max External Card Supported: SDHC 64G (not included)
Battery Type: External Battery Capacity (mAh): 1100mAh Charge way: USB charge by PC Working Time: 80min at 4K / 30fps, 100min at 1080P Standby time: 4h Charging Time: 2h
Video format: MP4 Video Resolution: 1080P (100fps),1080P(30fps), 1080P(60fps),1440P (30fps),1440P (60fps),4K (30fps),720P(200fps) Video Frame Rate: 100fps,200fps,30FPS,60FPS Image Format : JPEG Audio System: Monophony Exposure Compensation: +2EV,-2EV White Balance Mode: Auto,Cloudy,Daylight,Incandescent Microphone: Built-in
Functions
WIFI: Yes WiFi Function: Image Transmission,Remote Control,Sync and Sharing Albums WiFi Distance : 10m Waterproof: Yes Waterproof Rating : IP68 ( 60m, with waterproof case ) Loop-cycle Recording : Yes Loop-cycle Recording Time: 1min,2min,3min,5min Night vision : No Remote Control: Yes Camera Timer: Yes Time lapse: Yes Auto Focusing: Yes Anti-shake: Yes Aerial Photography: Yes Interface Type: HDMI,USB 2.0 Language: Arabic,Dutch,French,German, Indonesian,Italian,Japanese,Korean,Polski,Portuguese, Russian,Simplified Chinese,Spanish,Swedish,Traditional Chinese
Dimension/Weight
Product weight: 0.0580 kg Package weight: 0.4210 kg Product size (L x W x H): 6.00 x 4.00 x 3.00 cm / 2.36 x 1.57 x 1.18 inches Package size (L x W x H): 17.00 x 11.00 x 6.00 cm / 6.69 x 4.33 x 2.36 inches
Package Contents
Package Contents: 1 x T5e Action Camera, 1 x Multi-language User Manual, 1 x Wiper, 2 x 1100mAh Battery, 1 x USB Cable, 1 x Pack of Accessories, 1 x Waterproof Case
Accessories
ThiEye T5E comes with considerably less accoessires than
many other action cameras. Just the basics, including a few adhesive pads,
charging cable, microfiber cloth, mount bracket, and instruction manuel.
Fortunately, it also comes with two nice goodies: a solid waterproof case, and
not just one but two action camera batteries! This is the first action camera
I’ve reviewed that offers a backup battery. It’s worth noting the batteries are
not cross compatible with other action cameras such as the GitUp2 or SJCam
(ThiEye T5E’s batteries are a little too large). Of note, the Yi 4K action
camera DOES NOT come with its own waterproof case (strangely).
Performance
ThiEye T5E adventured with me on a variety of recent hiking,
drone flying, and outdoor trips. Overall, it performed excellently, and helped
me get superb footage under different conditions. The audio quality (something
I don’t typically worry about as I almost always replace it with music) is also
quite good., when recording outside of the case. I recorded at several
different resolutions and found them all to look great, especially the 4K. In
fact, in head to head comparisons between the ThiEye T5E and the Yi 4K camera, I
seriously couldn’t see a major difference, certainly not one to justify the
significant price difference. In some tests, the ThiEye T5E images looked a
little bit sharper than the Yi 4k.This really impressed me, and speaks volumes
of how nice this budget 4K camera is. I notice much image quality loss, even
with uploading to YouTube. You’ll notice in my video review that it’s set to
1080p; I took all the 4K footage and rendered it down to 1080p for editing
purposes, but you can certainly keep it at 4k if you wish.
A couple of critques I did note: On my very first trip with
ThiEye T5E, I encountered a SD card formatting error, requiring me to reformat
when I returned home. That was frustrating, but after reformatting the microSD,
I haven’t had any issues.
The gyro stabilization is definitely less intense than the
SJCam S6 Legend or GitUp2. I wouldn’t rely on ThiEye T5E as your primary drone
camera if you are flying with a non-gimbal drone like the Hubsan H501s. On
land, it does a decent job though. Just like the Yi 4k camera, the EIS gyro
feature is only available at 1080p, 60 fps; not at 4K.
The menu on the ThiEye T5E is a weak point-it’s usable but
otherwise uninspired and clunky. While several action cameras have recently
offered innovative menu designs (Yi 4K, SJCam M20+, etc), the ThiEye T5E menu
is a throwback to older, less easy to navigate menus. It’s simply listed under
settings, with multiple “frames” to scroll through, requiring a lot of clicking
to edit settings. It gets the job done, but isn’t fun to navigate through it.
Photos looked very sharp and crisp, capturing both dark and
light environments well. Additionally, the WiFi dedicated app worked great. I
didn’t have crashes or problems operating it on my Android smartphone. I was
able to remotely operate the camera with ease and review playback videos
without an issue.
Video Review
Audio for on/off recording is nicely audible even through
the case. The camera boots up fairly fast, and I didn’t have issues with lost
footage (thinking I was recording when I really wasn’t due to audio errors).
The camera itself features a solid build, with a nice locking switch for the
battery. The waterproof case and other accessories have nice design and feel
high-quality. Overall, the accessories are solid, and the video quality is
excellent.
Conclusion
ThiEye T5E action camera is a relatively unknown camera on
the action camera scene, but I think you are going to see a LOT about it soon.
Once word gets out about how nice it is, for such an affordable price, you can
bet you’ll see it in YouTube videos frequently. It reminds me of the excitement
around the GitUp2, still a solid camera, from a newcomer on the camera scene,
that absolutely took off once everyone found it. ThiEye T5E’s high quality true
4K footage, plus perfect price point, almost guarantees it will be a success.
This isn’t the only ThiEye model, expect to see more innovative cameras from
these folks soon! Let me know if you have any questions about the ThiEye T5E
camera, either through my YouTube review, or below. You can buy ThiEye T5E
through Gearbest here: https://tinyurl.com/thieyecam
