Garmin takes another swipe at GoPro with revamped, iOS-connected Virb action cameras
Electronics maker Garmin, best known for its handheld GPS units, continued to expand its product line this week with the launch of the Virb X and Virb XE, miniature action cameras designed to challenge market leader GoPro.
The Virb X and XE are smaller than their predecessor, featuring a new rectangular shape that brings them in line with most other action cameras on the market. Both models are waterproof up to a depth of 50 meters, and include an on-board GPS receiver as well as an accelerometer and gyroscope.
Communications capabilities include built-in Wi-Fi, ANT+, and Bluetooth. The new Virb cameras can connect to Garmin's official iOS application to transfer footage via Wi-Fi, while users with Bluetooth-enabled OBD tools can stream vehicle data like speed, RPM and throttle position to augment footage.
The Virb XE can capture video footage in 1440p at 30 frames per second, or 1080p at 60 frames per second with "super slow-mo," image stabilization and selectable zoom. Advanced users can configure white balance, sharpness, color profiles, exposure bias, and ISO.
The Virb X drops down to 1080p at 30 frames per second or 720p at 60 frames per second, with non-super slow-mo and unspecified zoom options.
Battery life from the removable and rechargeable cells is rated at up 2 hours. Footage is recorded to a microSD card, which users can upgrade to a larger capacity at their leisure.
The Virb X and XE are set to go on sale this summer for $299.99 and $399.99, respectively.
The Virb X and XE are smaller than their predecessor, featuring a new rectangular shape that brings them in line with most other action cameras on the market. Both models are waterproof up to a depth of 50 meters, and include an on-board GPS receiver as well as an accelerometer and gyroscope.
Communications capabilities include built-in Wi-Fi, ANT+, and Bluetooth. The new Virb cameras can connect to Garmin's official iOS application to transfer footage via Wi-Fi, while users with Bluetooth-enabled OBD tools can stream vehicle data like speed, RPM and throttle position to augment footage.
The Virb XE can capture video footage in 1440p at 30 frames per second, or 1080p at 60 frames per second with "super slow-mo," image stabilization and selectable zoom. Advanced users can configure white balance, sharpness, color profiles, exposure bias, and ISO.
The Virb X drops down to 1080p at 30 frames per second or 720p at 60 frames per second, with non-super slow-mo and unspecified zoom options.
Battery life from the removable and rechargeable cells is rated at up 2 hours. Footage is recorded to a microSD card, which users can upgrade to a larger capacity at their leisure.
The Virb X and XE are set to go on sale this summer for $299.99 and $399.99, respectively.
Comments
Any person who visits the great outdoors having a GoPro is a must.
Making low budget videos is another must.
Shooting memories from family gatherings is a must.
Outdoor concert venues like The Gorge at George is a must.
http://www.theverge.com/2015/4/10/8381661/when-asked-for-comment-the-gopro-said-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Outdoor concert venues like The Gorge at George is a must.
This would be a violation of the license you are granted on admission.
But I've bought my last Garmin product. Their tech support is a mess.
eh, is there really a large market for these cameras? seems niche to me.
Yeah...dash cam for your cars.
Any person who visits the great outdoors having a GoPro is a must.
Making low budget videos is another must.
Shooting memories from family gatherings is a must.
Outdoor concert venues like The Gorge at George is a must.
Gimme a break, Go PRo is the best camera for all those uses.
Hmm, there are a bunch of dash cams available for much less than a goPro cam...that have more dash cam oriented features. I could see using a goPro for a dashcam if you already have one, but it's not a reason to buy.
I don't get it. I can use my iPhone cam for each of these with good results. And if that fails, I have real cameras (which take high quality 1080p video and cost less than GoPro).
Where's the market for a GoPro outside of extreme sports and external car cams?
I don't get it. I can use my iPhone cam for each of these with good results.
Don't try that 50m underwater with your iPhone.
Open your eyes and read. I wasn't addressing the Garmin, but just the GoPro and its competitors, in general.
Personally, I'll just buy the GoPro.
Open your eyes and read. I wasn't addressing the Garmin, but just the GoPro and its competitors, in general.
Personally, I'll just buy the GoPro.
You forgot my ... I'm saying Go Pro is inadequate to totally BAD and plain producing GARBAGE for many of those uses.
If you use Go Pro for a family gathering, a perfect use for a 100 times better camera, well, hey, what can I say.
Don't try that 50m underwater with your iPhone.
Exactly and remember its another device which in my opinion is better. No low battery situation on the phone when overloading all your tasks to that one device. This is a nightmare for me on vacations actually with my iphone. I dont leave home with an extra battery in my pocket which is kind of shame.
But by far biggest point of a gopro is the fish-eye lens. If you don't know why you need a gopro then you have never used one.... OK, you can buy a 500 dollar fish-eye lens to you camera but to then talk about the price of a gopro hero(140 bucks) or compare a normal HD camera to hero4 4K action cam is just an insult in my opinion...