Best Action Camera for the $$$

[@Robertlavigne1]

That camera might be the only way I have the confidence to send in a crit video. Not only will everyone think i'm traveling at jet plane speeds thanks to the quality microphone, but I can also blame my terrible sprinting on the fact it looks like I'm riding during a 7.5 earthquake.

[@ahmadabdalla7742]

😂😂😂😂

[@whiskeyandbikes]

We have a winner

[@tomokuta_]

lmao

[@liltaedong]

holy shit HAHAHAA

[@rserton]

It feels weird to hear your voice coming out of an actual person as opposed to just being a voiceover. Great video, though.

[@silaswl2003]

The second you saw the camera C footage, you instantly knew you were in for a treat ;)

[@samledoux9963]

Hey, really enjoyed the video just wondering where you saw the 5 session for 100$ as I can’t even find it anywhere at the moment

[@jakobbuhs3417]

Sam Ledoux as he said they are discontinued and therefore you have to but them second hand from sites like Craigslist og eBay

[@ncarrick783]

I'd just like to take a moment and appreciate how very good this "studio" set up is. Good lighting on you, AND the background, plus very good sound... A talking head video that looks this good is not easy to nail on the first try. Your commitment to quality really shines through here. Bravo. Also, please don't send me that camera.

[@mitchellsteindler]

That Akaso footage is perfect for a horror movie

[@jshepard5840]

Blair Witch Project came immediately to mind.

[@martyptx]

I watched your video after I ordered the AKASO Brave 7 LE, and I was concerned. Now that I received my Akaso and thoroughly tested it for 2 days including several miles of riding my bike on all types of roads and my video samples look nothing, absolutely nothing like yours.My footage looks much more like your high-priced GoPros. So, for now I’m happy.

[@skepticsr_us]

This is probably because you turned the stabilization on. Then it is nearly as good as the GoPro. I see this in other reviews.

[@siamese7577]

yeah, when i saw the footage he produced i was shocked, ive had a brave 7 le for a few months and while it isnt gopro level, its definitely usable, and looks LEAGUES better than what this video implies

[@wassimdhaouahira7907]

Had me rolling at 5:10. Keep up the great work Jeff!

[@josephtobin4831]

Damn we found Edward Snowden

[@Pratalax]

I was thinking Norton, funnily enough

[@wikwayer]

More like Gordon Freeman

[@eyang9001]

Appreciate the MKBHD level of transparency with the nature of the review/partnership!

[@coloradocyclingcrew5361]

I'm so glad you posted this and where open and honest, I have a Hero7 black and am going to get a Session 5 for the front moving forward.

[@sergiogomezorias]

To whoever gets the camera: you have to film a full ride/race, if possible MTB and with a loud hub. Surely reviewing that footage will be beautiful 😂

[@JesseDishner]

😀

[@ryans-18]

filming a 10.0 earthquake at that point lol

[@markp.7345]

Thanks for the honest review, tired of all those channels that are sullied by sponsorship!

[@w4yland3r27]

Honest and left me smiling, as always! Great review.

[@Ikkei-4444]

ive tried using the akaso brave 7 during one of the alvisos a few weeks back and the footage looked like a found footage from 2003. i also had an accident where the driver ran and when i tried showing the footage to police and insurance, they sait the image was unusable

[@ImBenGraham]

I love the diversity of your content. I wasn't even shopping for a camera, but you do a great job of keeping things interesting while most of us can't race!

[@NorCalCycling]

Thanks Ben!

[@brianaoliver2675]

Video quality in a phased out product is better than the Akaso. Better luck with the next release.

[@33gades]

Hearing your story about how you got into bike racing and progressed through the ranks would be cool. Especially with the boom of the bike market recently I think it'd be cool for new bike riders to hear how your fitness and racing progressed over the years!

[@kturek625]

Jeff - You have a great speaking voice, unbiased review process and you ride a bike like the Devil on fire. BRAVO! Do more of these - Don't let DC Rainmaker get all of the big bucks!

[@TimGuntDE]

Wow, this actually really surprises me. I have an Akaso v50 elite, so a lower range model and it produces way better footage than your model. Maybe not quite GoPro level but definitely usable. The image stabilisation is also really good, even when riding gravel or trails.

[@YuriThorpe]

The camera you are using to record this is unreasonably good for someone who doesn't normally make videos in a setting like this, I love it. Also for anyone reading this, buy the Amazon renewed session 5, it's fantastic! Also if I get that camera I will record all of my cat 3 races with it so you can tell me why I got dropped in full 1080p

[@hurf_durf]

Yuri Thorpe When he started off with ‘this isn’t my usual type of video’ I had the raise an eyebrow.. not even the camera, the lighting and exposure was perfect!

[@NorCalCycling]

Thanks guys!

[@YuriThorpe]

@@hurf_durf yeah! I was looking at it and was like "well he should do this more"

[@YuriThorpe]

@@NorCalCycling btw thanks for the advice on reddit about a bike fit, my seatpost was 5cm too high and we has to cut it! :)

[@greggus42]

A very timely review. I was just about to buy the Akaso. Thanks for the honesty and advice.

[@Lightshayde]

Holy shit that was a funny review. That full-on unblinking stare into the camera whenever you're saying bad (but true) things about the akaso xD xD

[@curescuelias9722]

I think all the real cyclists looked at your tan lines :)))

[@TheSlyckx]

I genuinely started laughing out loud when the "camera c" footage started playing.

[@JustOneRedSoloCup]

So, coincidences aside, I also have the original Hero Session, a Hero 8 Black, and the Akaso Brave 7 LE. I use the Akaso on my drone, and I'll tell you, even with a gimbal attached, that footage is borderline so-so during flight... but in mid-hover, it's not so bad for distant terrain shots. You nailed it, Jeff. I just _knew_ my eyes weren't deceiving me. There is indeed something to be said about quality video detail and battery life. As a side note, I could swear I'm more aero with the Session cube shape versus the Hero 8 rectangle Haha.

[@michelrivard1987]

I shouldn't write a comment as I don't want to be the lucky winner of the Akaso camera. Thanks for the honest review Jeff. Keep up your great work!

[@MI5Hellsent]

I was given a Session 5 as a gift a few years ago when they came out. I don't really do any video so sold it last year for above £100. I just hated the battery life. It really was so poor, I dont race bikes and I wanted to use it as a kind of "dashcam" in case something bad happens, but when it can barely record 1 hour of footage it's useless on a 3 hour road ride. You can't predict when someone is gonna cut you up or something interesting is gonna happen. So I think the session is bad in that regard. I guess for a 1 hour race/crit, yeah it would serve it's purpose as it's lighter and smaller than the other go pros, but it's kind of a niche market.

[@getreadyforthepunch3474]

5:15 omg i was drinking my coffee while watching this i didnt expect that 😂😂😂

[@TC-hl1ws]

I love your race reviews but any content cycling related is much enjoyed and appreciated.

[@hondahems]

try the akaso v50x decent image stabilisation image quality is good, great touch screen, also comes with remote to start/stop recording, overall it competes pretty well with the gorpro especially when it is less than $100

[@rozzer61]

This is a really great, honest and amusing review!

[@setharcher5869]

You just saved me some $$. I have been looking at getting an action cam to record some of my rides and was thinking about trying the Akaso. I've always liked the Session form factor so going to try to find one of those. Thanks for the comparo!

[@blackkhawkk]

FYI I manage about 1h45 on both my Hero 5 and my Session 5 on 1080p@60fps by disabling pretty much everything except for image stabilization. Just by disabling all connections and GPS it should increase notably

[@benjaminurzua8100]

Hey man, if possible would be awesome another video on cornering focused on what exactly to do with the handlebars during the whole turn, I "know" that the only way to turn at speed is countersteering, conscious or not, what I don´t know is if you have to keep actively countersteering during the whole turn, or just at the start to lean the bike and then let go, or maintain the pressure, or how to modulate, and if it´s better to keep the inside knee touching the top tube or to stick it out pointing where you want to go, if that is just a reassuring action and really does nothing, and how to take really tight U turns, countersteering or pointing the front wheel to the exit. There is a lot of contradicting information about this topic so after some websites, blogs and videos I ended even more confused. Thanks anyways, your content is great.

[@zulfikarveritic]

Great to switch up w/ more personal videos! Hope to see more in future!

[@kslikk34]

What in the 1980s shoulder camcorder is going on here 😂😂😂.

[@TheBRad704]

Bob Saget wants your funny home videos! You could win $100,000!

[@enriqueDFTL]

lmao

[@kslikk34]

@@TheBRad704 😂😂😂

[@Masmasini21]

Thanks for the honest review. The session is best value for money and form factor. Sad they discontinued it.

[@NorCalCycling]

Totally agree, it's starting to age now, but for a older camera it still rocks

[@LaniWOW]

Good timing . I just started camera shopping this week.

[@AsiaGrass]

Idc what type of video you do because I LIKE EVERY TYPE OF VIDEO WHICH YOU DO !!! LUV

[@ianbent0n]

Jeff send me the camera, I want to make you a grainy movie ;)

[@CamNicholls]

Nice vid mate, although I'm still skeptical about this video being sponsored by Akaso! haha. Proves a solid point about quality (and in most instances, you get what you pay for) Cam

[@BLUEsurf63]

You've got a duff Akaso camera, all the other footage from a lot of other reviewers looks great, i have two Akaso cameras the V50X and the V50pro, both produce excellent qualty video with the V50 X being the winner with it's excellent stabilisation, downside of the V50X is the audio which is not great, very muffled and low volume, but for the price point it's overall a great camera.

[@NorCalCycling]

Everyone else walks around with it in perfect conditions. I actually put it to the test in the same conditions that I usually record with the GoPro.

[@jph1200]

Thanks for the review. I’ve wondered about those knock off cameras for a while. The price makes them very tempting. Maybe in the future their quality will improve and reach closer to GoPro.

[@nathanwillms7806]

lighting and film making is sooo good man!

[@M.E.Cyclist]

"see if you can tell the difference" LOL! I was thinking about getting a Session for rear view or wayside shots since it's lighter. Right now I'm using a Hero 5 Black for filming, would love to move up to the 8 for the better stabilization. Great video. Oh and I like your 'studio' background, looks nice! 🚲

[@paxvid]

I've been using Yi action cameras, they do a good job, but probably going back to GoPro next year. Garmin Virb seems cool although pricey depends what's on the market when I hit it. Thanks for the recommendations, I'm a fan, keep up. the quality work 👍

[@JimUe1]

"I just can not recommend these ... cameras. i just can't do it. I'll be shipping this camera to a random sub+commenter" why would you do that? are you a sadist?

[@NorCalCycling]

Better than nothing 😂

[@coloradocyclingcrew5361]

I think its hilarious!

[@albr4]

some people just want to watch the world burn

[@schrockstar1]

Whoever gets it can forward it to the landfill XD

[@H3llb0y4444]

@@NorCalCycling Exactly, I would gladly send you some home footage with that camera ;)

[@gregorilopez]

Thanks for the detailed review...and honesty...been thinking of a older GoPro and this helps me weigh in on my options. 👍🚴‍♂️

[@mattbowen7921]

This is integrity in video making right here. Recommending only what works

[@wallacedavidg]

I bought an EKEN H6S for $93 delivered. It delivers much better picture quality than the Akaso Brave 7 LE that you showed. The EKEN H6S's max resolution with image stabilization is 4K 25FPS. I use it to film 'B' roll with the Hero 8 capturing the main footage. I did a comparison between my Hero 8BK, the EKEN H6S and an old Hero 3BK. I agree with you, the Hero 8BK is clearly the best. As I understand it it depends on the processor they use. Some don't really record at 4K, just an interpolated (fake) resolution. I also bought an Akaso V50 Elite for about $150. It was just okay, not as good as the EKEN so I returned it.

[@carlos_g2]

great channel man, been watching the videos lately , keep it up!!

[@madnessmadness5003]

Love all your videos man Keep up the good work

[@flimbs]

Sessions have a way better form factor, but it's the lack of swappable battery that was the deal breaker. Cheers mate! Good vid

[@DanteBarcelona]

love this format! is this the start of vlogger Jeff ?!?

[@Malte1878]

Love it. Was looking to buy cheap...thank you for changing my mind

[@piteiracorp]

thank you for this review, it saved me from buying junk.

[@f0t0fr33k]

Definitely check out Cycliq-fly12 as well. It used to last an entire ride for me i.e Portola Valley to Pescadero and back with great quality as well. Might be a tad heavy for racing but a great cycling camera nonetheless.

[@johnmcgovern5372]

Thanks for the video. I'm looking for one at the moment just for recording like a dash cam as where I live people drive terribly. As long as the camera can pick up number plates etc I'm sure this would do the job for that.

[@efrainromanroman1996]

Good job... that was a heck of a great comparative review.

[@Turbo329]

Nothing beats the GoPro Session Jeff. 1080p in Superview without the aerodynamic penalty. ;-)

[@bladereenders]

Could you cover a mtn bike race?? Does anyone send you footage for that?

[@whatwelearned]

Quite impressed with the production here, big dog. Good work.

[@NorCalCycling]

Much appreciated!

[@raphaelouellet169]

100% agree, I tried the apeman but it never got the quality expected. My friend's go pro footage is always looking more clean.

[@johnrodriguez8253]

Thank you for that explanation. I would like to know how GoPro compares to the Fly6 etc. but I really appreciate your input!!

[@pup5190]

Great video as usual. I laughed so hard at some points.

[@joshuawatson1604]

Love your stuff Jeff! Keep it up

[@Incaensio]

My SJCam M10+ (not made anymore) is amazing. We need more of the small cube cameras.

[@micw8422]

Very helpful. I was wondering this myself. Thanks.

[@methylmike]

do you have an electrical engineer friend? it should be very easy to break down the hero, take out the internal battery and rewire a slightly larger amp hour battery which you could stick into your handle bars or something

[@B.deBaat5002]

When you go to the Netherlands for racing?

[@NorCalCycling]

I would love to, i have more footage from netherlands I'm looking forward to analyzin - you guys are fast.

[@VuurwerkenF1funz]

@@NorCalCycling if you do, please anounce it. I would love to meet you

[@MyDemon32]

@@NorCalCycling you need to come to Rotterdam, sometimes pro's go ride crits there :D

[@B.deBaat5002]

@@NorCalCycling hahaha i now, I am 14 years and in my category are they already fast But when do you think you will coma to the Netherlands? Im impatiently sorry

[@maximkrivov]

Would be great if a company with a decent 360 camera (Rylo, GoPro, Insta...) sent you one to try as a helmet cam for race footage...so much editing possibilities. Ultimate field of view.

[@PersonaN007Grata]

I have a Hero 7 and use it to record road riding. It’s super smooth and you’d have a hard time telling the difference between it and the 8. On super rough surfaces such as mountain biking, the 8 is noticeably smoother than the 7. But for road, you can’t even tell. So if you’re looking for a deal, get the 7 while you can. As for video quality, yes the 8 can do slightly higher bitrate at 4K and is noticeable, but if you’re uploading to KZbin, the compression is horrendous so it doesn’t even matter. In order for KZbin to encode in higher compression, VP9, you need to upload in either 1440p or 4K. (I record in 1080p 60fps, and get over 60 mins with Artman batteries, and encode in 1440p 60fps) If you upload in 1080p, it will encode in AVC1, which makes motion blur look crap. Of course if you’re a decent sized KZbinr, they prioritize your uploads to VP9 automatically. But if you’re not sure what your videos are encoded as, check the Stats for Nerds. Oh, and iOS won’t display VP9 no matter what lol. Even if you’ve checked that your video is VP9 on your laptop, it will show terrible motion artifacts and such on your Apple device because they don’t allow it.

[@JoshHuSaxophone]

Thank you for the video. Wouldn't mind the akaso camera though.

[@hazellvt]

Thanks for a very honest review

[@edwardo123]

Oh man, camera c gave me some 2005-07 youtube video nostalgia lol

[@johnscott737]

Thanks for the video it was very helpful I was thinking about getting a hero 8 I think you convinced me

[@zikaperic2133]

Mr Snowden, I would like to take opportunity and thank you for brave work in the past.

[@joshpower1073]

SJCAM is the other actual competitor to gopro. I got one of their first ones and it was very good. Battery life was around an hr

[@gabrielmunoz9146]

Always wondered about these. Thanks for the info! I'll stick with my GoPro too

[@davidberry8138]

Just got the HERO8 the day before this video. So glad it won.

[@movem1]

Excellent to know, thank you 🙌

[@richardbottslotsandmore5696]

Great video...I use the DJI ozmo Action and Ozmo Pocket for my videos....Go pro is awesome too...

[@GluttonyIsMySin]

This is a great review, do you know if it takes an external mic? I have a DragonTouch Vista 5 and use it here and there for trips. DT is the sister company to Akaso... But the image stabilization I so much better.. But I have it mounted in my jeep... That might be the difference but Chicago potholes don't shake like in your video. I like the Brave 7 though... It has that nice screen on the front and the waterproofing without a case is a plus.. But that shake on the short ride is just wow.

[@dvaneg98]

Thank you for all the race advices 🤟

[@juddridesbikes]

I wonder if you got a bad camera Jeff. I used an Akaso V50 Pro for my video that you edited. How did the footage compare? I know it is not as good as the goPro but it seemed totally usable.

[@DanielWisehart]

Are there times--maybe rougher roads--when the stabilization of the Hero 8 makes a difference: makes it better than the Session 5? I was expecting to see more of a difference between them.

[@NorCalCycling]

yes, the hero 8 shines on bumpier roads, and has more options for things like timelapse, 4k, slow-mo, etc. smooth roads for video going to youtube, the hero 5 session is very capable, and has a better form factor.

[@DavidvanderWant]

The akaso could be useful as a pocket camera to use at coffee stops on long rides to catch funny banter and save the gopro battery for the riding.

[@SamTeller]

Good video. Well produced!

[@joesguitarshop8194]

Great video! Did the Akaso have any tips on how to get better video with their camera?

[@NorCalCycling]

buy a gopro

[@dylanmd7917]

People that made the Akaso watching this like “still podium”😂

[@alonblue]

I've been happy with my Cycliq FLY12, great quality and 7 (yes seven!) hours of battery life. All of my front facing footage here on KZbin is from the Cycliq. A bit cheaper than the GoPro.

[@BigMoe1290]

Maybe a head unit/powermeter video. Been looking into buying a powermeter now and don’t know which one and how to use it once I got one.

[@TheYondaime008]

Send it over Jeff. I'm in need of some earthquake footage in my life.

[@DrewKime]

You didn't say anything about the companion app. I've got a no-name camera that actually has decent stabilization. The two problems are the battery life, especially in hot weather, and the app. In theory you can pair with your phone and upload directly from that. Great for backing up footage during a multi-day event. The app for mine never successfully did that, so my options were either bring along a laptop or buy extra SDHC cards.

[@NorCalCycling]

cold weather kills batteries quickly, and with storage being so cheap i never run into the issue of running out of space

[@DrewKime]

@@NorCalCycling Hmm ... Yeah, cold should be a bigger problem for battery life. Maybe it's actually overheating.

[@johnyg8183]

What about the chest cam? That's my favorite one from your videos because it shows off your clean cockpit.

[@hugocossette9705]

Another great video Jeff!

[@NorCalCycling]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@noels8817]

Jeff, very informative. Oh, can u mention which mount you use?

[@NorCalCycling]

comes with the bike, get a barfly or k-edge

[@ezijensfljkwbpqsmkndl2751]

Great review ! Thanks !

[@parmijo]

I think Akaso named it Brave because whoever used it would have to be pretty brave to post any video from it. You see angry comments just because a video used a cheap mic.

[@louisstevens7010]

Very handy to know, I’ve been thinking about getting a camera myself and was considering a cheep one Chinese one but not no more