Spyder RTL
New member
I previously posted about how I mounted my GoPro Hero 3+ Black on our 2014 RT Limited (link below). Having the camera mounted to the bike made it easy for me to “bike power” the camera during extended rides. Yes, I know there some riders who prefer a helmet mounted camera. And that’s fine. To each his own. But this post is about a new camera; this is my “show and tell.”
While I was happy with this GoPro camera set-up, I always wished that the GoPro had a built-in GPS OR could somehow allow you to easily embed the GPS data from the Zumo into the GoPro video file. I have used RaceRender to merge the Zumo data with the GoPro footage. Although this worked, syncing the two files was troublesome at best.
I have tried other action cameras from Sony and VIO. When Garmin released their Virb camera, I did not care for the cigar shaped form factor. Well, Garmin just released their new Virb camera and it looked like I may have found THE replacement for the GoPro. I pre-ordered the Virb XE and I took delivery this past Saturday. Will the Virb XE replace my GoPro Hero? Let’s find out.
The GPS equipped Virb XE is wider and thicker than a naked GoPro. The camera does NOT have a case like the GoPro. Instead the camera is self-contained and is “waterproof to 50 meters without a dive case.” I found that the Virb XE will fit the GoPro mount so it was easy to mount on the RTL since I already had an adhesive GoPro mounting plate attached to the bike.
But I may switch to the Garmin mount because it utilizes a cam-lock(?) type system that appears to be more secure. [Edit: I did switch to the Garmin mount]
Warning: The following image contains a naked GoPro Hero. I don't want to offend anyone so I blurred out "those" parts.
I recently changed our Zumo 660 to the Zumo 590. One reason for the change was for the 590’s ANT+ feature. ANT+ is a wireless protocol that allows me to pair the Virb XE to the Zumo 590. Once paired, I can remotely start/stop recording or snap a photo (this can be done in the map screen). Sadly, you can only pair one Virb camera to the Zumo. With GoPro, I can wirelessly control 2 cameras (front and rear facing) with their remote. If I bought the Garmin remote, then I could control multiple cameras. But I’m not there yet.
ANT+ also allowed me to pair 3 Garmin tire pressure monitor sensors to the 590. The tire pressure can be viewed in the Zumo and a warning can be set if the pressure gets too low. I am, however, annoyed by frequent warning messages that the Zumo has lost connection with a sensor. But I digress – this post is about the Virb XE. So...
Back to the camera. Unlike the GoPro remote that allows you to also power on and power off the camera, the Zumo can only start and stop recording. At first I was disappointed with this missing function. But I now realize it’s not a game changer.
The data that the Virb XE records includes date and time, position, elevation, speed, distance, bearing, G Force, and grade. I did find that the “distance” data field resets each time you turn off the camera. I wish it had a cumulative distance field with a manual reset.
Another sensor that I paired to the Virb XE was a temperature sensor. In my sample video (recorded in 1080p at 60 fps), you can see the ambient temperature and how it changed throughout my ride. I mounted the sensor under the passenger backrest for now. The sensor will always be out of direct sunlight in this location but I don’t know how having a passenger will affect the temperature accuracy. But then I’m not aiming for scientific accuracy – as long as I’m within the ballpark I'm okay with it.
I used the Garmin Virb Edit software (free download) to process the above video. The software is basic and I like how easy it is to change the “overlays.” The overlays are gauges and/or data fields that display the data recorded by the Virb XE. You can move the overlays anywhere and you specify which data field you want. There are pre-made templates or you can save your own.
I like the data that the Virb XE captures. I like how easy it is to manipulate the overlays in the Virb Edit software. So for now, the Garmin Virb XE has replaced the GoPro Hero. Sorry GoPro.
Garmin’s marketing tag is “Tell a better story. Without data, it’s just video.” I agree.
Helpful links:
Ryde Safe!
Dave
While I was happy with this GoPro camera set-up, I always wished that the GoPro had a built-in GPS OR could somehow allow you to easily embed the GPS data from the Zumo into the GoPro video file. I have used RaceRender to merge the Zumo data with the GoPro footage. Although this worked, syncing the two files was troublesome at best.
I have tried other action cameras from Sony and VIO. When Garmin released their Virb camera, I did not care for the cigar shaped form factor. Well, Garmin just released their new Virb camera and it looked like I may have found THE replacement for the GoPro. I pre-ordered the Virb XE and I took delivery this past Saturday. Will the Virb XE replace my GoPro Hero? Let’s find out.
The GPS equipped Virb XE is wider and thicker than a naked GoPro. The camera does NOT have a case like the GoPro. Instead the camera is self-contained and is “waterproof to 50 meters without a dive case.” I found that the Virb XE will fit the GoPro mount so it was easy to mount on the RTL since I already had an adhesive GoPro mounting plate attached to the bike.
But I may switch to the Garmin mount because it utilizes a cam-lock(?) type system that appears to be more secure. [Edit: I did switch to the Garmin mount]
Warning: The following image contains a naked GoPro Hero. I don't want to offend anyone so I blurred out "those" parts.
I recently changed our Zumo 660 to the Zumo 590. One reason for the change was for the 590’s ANT+ feature. ANT+ is a wireless protocol that allows me to pair the Virb XE to the Zumo 590. Once paired, I can remotely start/stop recording or snap a photo (this can be done in the map screen). Sadly, you can only pair one Virb camera to the Zumo. With GoPro, I can wirelessly control 2 cameras (front and rear facing) with their remote. If I bought the Garmin remote, then I could control multiple cameras. But I’m not there yet.
ANT+ also allowed me to pair 3 Garmin tire pressure monitor sensors to the 590. The tire pressure can be viewed in the Zumo and a warning can be set if the pressure gets too low. I am, however, annoyed by frequent warning messages that the Zumo has lost connection with a sensor. But I digress – this post is about the Virb XE. So...
Back to the camera. Unlike the GoPro remote that allows you to also power on and power off the camera, the Zumo can only start and stop recording. At first I was disappointed with this missing function. But I now realize it’s not a game changer.
The data that the Virb XE records includes date and time, position, elevation, speed, distance, bearing, G Force, and grade. I did find that the “distance” data field resets each time you turn off the camera. I wish it had a cumulative distance field with a manual reset.
Another sensor that I paired to the Virb XE was a temperature sensor. In my sample video (recorded in 1080p at 60 fps), you can see the ambient temperature and how it changed throughout my ride. I mounted the sensor under the passenger backrest for now. The sensor will always be out of direct sunlight in this location but I don’t know how having a passenger will affect the temperature accuracy. But then I’m not aiming for scientific accuracy – as long as I’m within the ballpark I'm okay with it.
I used the Garmin Virb Edit software (free download) to process the above video. The software is basic and I like how easy it is to change the “overlays.” The overlays are gauges and/or data fields that display the data recorded by the Virb XE. You can move the overlays anywhere and you specify which data field you want. There are pre-made templates or you can save your own.
I like the data that the Virb XE captures. I like how easy it is to manipulate the overlays in the Virb Edit software. So for now, the Garmin Virb XE has replaced the GoPro Hero. Sorry GoPro.
Garmin’s marketing tag is “Tell a better story. Without data, it’s just video.” I agree.
Helpful links:
My GoPro Mounting Post: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?74002-GoPro-Hero-Mounting-on-the-RT-Limited
Garmin Virb XE: http://virb.garmin.com/en-US/virb-xe
Garmin Virb Edit software: http://www.garmin.com/en-US/shop/downloads/virb-edit
Garmin Temperature Sensor: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod107335.html
RaceRender: http://racerender.com/Products/index.html
Ryde Safe!
Dave
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