Camera Helmet

Camera Helmet

Review - Drift Innovation X170 Action Camera

The Drift Innovation X170 Action Camera is the latest all-round helmet camera to be released onto the market and we would highly recommend it.  When it comes to filming extreme sports, 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, whether that be skiing, mountain biking or rally driving, and it's available from Action Cameras and is 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 slope, track, or water.

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 the 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 extreme sports 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 of motorbikes, push bikes and mountain bikes or the smooth surface of a helmet or 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. This can also be used with the headstrap whenever you don’t have a helmet with you.

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.

So why not check it out today and, as the The Drift Innovation catch phrase says; “Capture and Relive all of your Action Sports!”

About the Author

Submitted by Warrick Kernes, Product Manager at Action Cameras. Action Cameras was founded in January 2006 with the objective of bringing the latest developments in helmet camera technology to Europe so that its customers can record and share their extreme sports experiences.

Has anyone built a helmet mounted camera kit? What is involved?

Has anyone built a helmet mounted camera kit for filming activities eg ski, biking? What is involved?
I have seen a company that rents them at Heavenly and would like to buy or build my own.

i havent actually seen any helmet mounted camera kits, although theyre out there, but i do know about a car mount kit that could be used to mount to a helmet pretty easily. they use suction cups, and yes, i was thinking the same exact thing your thinking, but they actually are strong (from what the guy says that tested them). and after your done shooting your action sports footage, you could do extreme car chases as well. cool huh? obviously just remember to try it with a cheap cam first. hope this helps!

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