DXG 1080p Sport Action Camera with Wrist Mounted Remote - Review (Non WiFi Version of the Helix)

[@Techmoan]

Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to be considered good at something...I still feel I've got a lot to learn/discover. It only took me 40 years to figure out what I like doing.

[@Techmoan]

That's how time works here in Magicland. Things are presumably different in Pedantville.

[@Techmoan]

Standby time is one thing that is very difficult to test. I have to leave the camera on and after it's been on a few hours keep checking it every 10 mins to see if it's still powered up. I'll try and do this for you, but if I do, I hope you are looking to buy one, because it's not the kind of thing I like doing for fun. The mount on the bottom of the WP case can be removed with four screws and there is the cut-out shape of a tripod thread in the middle too. So, yes you could screw on a thread.

[@Techmoan]

I intended to do this at some point - I'll try and get to it in the next few months.

[@Techmoan]

Thanks, I try my best to be as professional as an amateur can be.

[@Techmoan]

I agree with you on that. When the price gets beyond £100 it's probably easier to just default to a GoPro 2 if you want a cube shaped camera with plenty of accessories.

[@Techmoan]

Thanks, I try to cover as much as I can in as little time as possible - still 21 mins is as long as most sitcoms, so I still need to work on being more concise.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I was amazed at the sound quality for such a small camera. Real bass in the headphones stuff.

[@Techmoan]

You won't need a big SD card. Remember that at the smallest interval (1 frame per sec) a file should be 30 times smaller than a 1080p video recorded for the same period. So by my calculations you could fit 195 hours of recording on a 32GB card (that's over a week). If you make the interval between frames longer you could record for much longer. I should mention that I've yet to determine if a 1080p30 video of 1fps time-lapse means time runs at 60x or at 30x with every second frame ignored.

[@Techmoan]

The camera doesn't have any manual controls. All possible options and settings are shown/demonstrated in the review.

[@Techmoan]

I think 5MP is fine for photos in a camera like this. A lot of cameras use interpolation to get their higher MP figures...I don't know if this is the case with the GoPro, but I wouldn't be too surprised if it was.

[@Techmoan]

Those are the two stand out features on this cam...but someone would really have to love the time-lapse movie mode to want to get this camera just for that...and if they were serious about time-lapse they probably get a Intervalometer for a DSLR.

[@Techmoan]

I've only got my original SJ1000. I prefer the brighter video quality of that - but its FOV is a bit too wide. The mounts and case on the DXG are better. I also like the Time-lapse mode from the DXG. The DXG costs quite a bit more than the SJ1000. Make what you can from that.

[@Techmoan]

It's also odd to be so loud for such a small mic hole. It's very sensitive, as you can see in the video I really wasn't expecting it to pick my voice up without the lavalier attached, but it came through reasonably clearly.

[@Techmoan]

Thanks for the update, I've moved the files onto Dropbox now instead.

[@Techmoan]

The scale is item N94JL on Maplin's website.

[@Techmoan]

The remote just starts and stops the standard video recording mode or takes photos. There is no re-recording over anything on this cam. Its a very simple camera, no clever features at all. It can record video, photos or time-lapse video. When the cards full, it's full, that's it.

[@Techmoan]

You prefer the full length intro?

[@Techmoan]

I loved the OLED display on this one. I know I'll be disappointed by other displays on cams after this now.

[@Techmoan]

I don't really use bike communication devices, I'm a solo biker and only discuss things with the voices in my head. I did try a bluetooth Scala headset once to use with my satnav, but it was just too much hassle. My open face style J1 also doesn't work well with any type of mic or headset. So I'll leave things like that to the experts at webbikeworld

[@Techmoan]

The only things I didn't mention in the video..... File sizes. You can always work this out from the bitrate - but a real world example from my SD card shows that a 15 Min 1080p30 bike ride video used up 1.25GB, so that's 5GB per hour or just under six and a half hours on a 32GB SD card. PRICE IS IN THE DESCRIPTION. The 1080p stuff looks jerky at times on youtube - the original files aren't (download a sample if you need proof). I don't know why I'm typing this, hardly anyone reads the comments.

[@Techmoan]

This is the only one of those three I can easily attach to my bike and not be concerned the rain...if that's an answer.

[@Techmoan]

Comments do get read to start with, but when they drop to page 2...it's a different story. Recently I've had to restrict myself to just answering questions for the first couple of days after I upload a video and then I have to move on to making the next one otherwise nothing would get done. Sorry if that seems a bit ignorant, but I'd be chasing my tail if I tried to answer everything that gets posted. I still get questions on videos I made three years ago about gadgets I've forgotten about.

[@Techmoan]

I try to answer as much as possible, but when I'm asleep or at work, it's a bit tricky.

[@Techmoan]

Yes, I think all action cams are.

[@Techmoan]

Well a lot is down to lighting and the camera, but my uploads are encoded out of iMovie into h.264 .mp4 at 15,000 kbps, with a key frame every 200 frames and a single pass.

[@Techmoan]

The mount are not compatible with other manufacturers mounts. I haven't tried it on a helmet, I don't like the way that cameras look when mounted on the top of helmets. For helmet mounting I prefer narrow side-mount cams like the (discontinued) Contour range.

[@Techmoan]

Unfortunately there isn't a single camera that does everything I need, and I don't think there ever could be. I have however compiled a list of my favourites for a few different scenarios - you can see this on Techmoan.com. The one I use most is the Sony AS15, but the Contour Roam 2 is the one I use on my bike helmet and the Mobius is good for quickly attaching to things.

[@BOLL7708]

The time-lapse mode sure seems like a killer feature. I loved that with my Canon Ixus 75, it saved movie files, have not seen the feature in any camera I bought since, DSLRs and whatnot. The OLED also piques my interest, looks very useful! Thanks again for reviewing these odd cameras, as a camera geek I make sure I watch every single review ;)

[@Techmoan]

If I every buy one, I will do, but I have no intentions. f you mean proper bunny-eyes style IR night vision, it usually only works for distances of a few feet...hence why all the ghost hunter type TV shows shoot everyone in extreme close-up.

[@madaboutvoice]

You'd be surprised, Matt, I for one always click on the 'All Comments' link and go through them quickly. I think people who watch review vids want to know what questions others are asking. And in your case, I rather like the fact that you actually do reply to people while many video posters don't bother most of the time. And your SOH helps! Cheers, mate.

[@Techmoan]

A reporter with asthma... I think a lot of the way I sound is down to the Mic being used, there's a certain sound quality to a lavalier/lapel mic that you normally only hear on TV and therefore anyone using one immediately sounds like a TV presenter.

[@4one]

It is true nobody reads the comments, but don't let this stop you. The details are one of the reasons why I check out your every video. Nice footage as always. Didn't expect the amazing quality since I was rather convinced #16/Mobius manufacturer was the only one that make those things right. I strongly recommend everyone download the sample clips. KZbin's output results are horrendous.

[@Techmoan]

Ad revenue and affiliated link commissions usually pay for the things I buy just to make reviews of. In this case I notice that the eBay auction I linked to hasn't sold a single one, so this particular vid will probably be a bit of a bust.

[@MultiTerpen]

one of the best reviews i have seen

[@Techmoan]

I was waiting for someone to notice. There are a contingent of viewers that go through videos with a fine toothed comb, pausing and zooming, looking for anything out of place. I'm not sure why, it's not something I do with videos or TV shows, and to be honest it's rather tiresome because I now have to triple-check every tiny detail myself during editing, however I put this easter egg in the video just for them/you.

[@drewqqq]

Would love to see a side by side of this and the SJ1000 and the mobius. I don't know what exactly i would film but your reviews have really made me want to buy an action camera. Keep up the great work

[@funofboredom]

Aww yeah, another camera review! Love watching your reviews. Do you mind reviewing one of those spectacle cameras? Just for a change? See how practical those cameras are?

[@DannyRaw]

You're channel is very addictive Techmoan. I'm also into vintage gear and motorbikes and bought a very similar camera to this before I watched this video. Mine's the one where the wristwatch has a view screen for the camera, but the camera is almost identical. It's branded as a HP but I've seen them as WaspCam as well. Anyhow, I noticed you mounted this to the bike rather than the helmet. I've not mounted mine yet as I'm not sure I trust the sticky mounts. But I'm just wondering why you chose to mount to the bike rather than the helmet? I'm thinking it'd be better to see what I see or does the helmet obstruct the view? At first I was gonna mount on the chin brace area of a full face helmet, I thought the sides might restrict the view (on wide angle) and on top would be more susceptible to the elements. Just wondered what your thoughts were on it.

[@jimmygee1969]

I bought this and wasn't impressed with the number of mounts and inability to easily buy extra ones. However, half an hour's hacking of two GoPoro mounts meant that the provided buckle that attaches to the waterproof case is now GoPro compatible. Here's what you do: on a three pronged GoPro mount take out the middle prong (I used a cable saw from a survival kit but a Dremel or very small hacksaw blade would do the job) and then reattach it with glue to the inside of the prong which has the nut on the back of it. The resulting gap perfectly fits the provided mount - simple.

[@Techmoan]

I tested it today - I think I got 2hrs out of it (give or take) in standby mode.

[@tobortine]

Excellent video as always. You weren't talking to yourself you were talking to us with a bit of delay.

[@Techmoan]

I've never put an adhesive mount on painted metal or plastic. However to remove it from my unpainted plastic, I will just saw it off using dental floss

[@Techmoan]

Most UK sitcoms from the 80s involved a vicar with no trousers on hiding in a cupboard.

[@ScanMan79]

HAHAHA! Loved the mirror lens cap prank! That was a laugh out loud moment! Great vid!

[@versyschris]

At John : the camera is sold as was Waspcam in Canada and the USA or as Hewlett Packard 200 if that helps.

[@gokschi]

So, after all the excellent reviews so far, what is your personal favourite action cam?

[@markdeedee]

A bit off subject this, but would you ever consider reviewing the different types of motorbike to motorbike communication, like the Bluetooth set ups or 2 way radios with in helmet mic and ear piece accessories ?

[@TheJopalma]

Thanks a lot for another great review, Mat. I think you add a nice professional feel to your articles. Congratulations and keep up the good work.

[@bobflyman]

Great review as usual Matt. The latest 808 16 software allow time lapse, though you do need to combine the shots. My Samsung HMX 80 camcorder £130 and only 720 does time lapse, saved as a video. Question. The battery. Is it a special one made for the camera by the manufacturer or have they used some big phone maufacturers standard battery? I'm just thinking what happens in a couple of years when the battery starts losing capacity. Will the manufacturer still be around to buy another one from?

[@cam_3d]

Cheers for the ace review, (again!) Definitely seems good quality, although struggling to see why any of these cameras aren't higher than 5mp? Yet the GoPro is easily running 11mp, Rog

[@damian2001111111]

Thanks for taking all those cameras to similiar places...is very good for comparison. thanks.

[@gustav901]

How easy is it to remove that sticky mount from different bike surfaces? Painted metal and plastics? GoPro's easy to use software will make a time laps movie out of images on your computer, I prefer this as it makes for easier editing if you want to remove just a few frames. I did a 24hour time laps and I could easily remove 6 frames I didn't want. But then again, different price range.

[@nycbicyclist]

i tries to read all the comments like a FAQ, however i am not sure if when using the remote control, you can have it set up to use the "time lapse mode" that makes this one camera excel. Great reviews , i wont buy anything anymore without checking your reviews, Great info on the record and using an external power supply which is also a good feature. Is it possible to have it set to only use the time lapse mode and rerecord over the sd card,if time lapse of an area or is all that you want?

[@Techmoan]

This is not important and doesn't make the information presented inaccurate or difficult to comprehend.

[@Niclord7]

Super review! I got myself the Medion action cam MD87205 with is exactly the same as this one. Looking at this review I don't even need to start reading the manual. Great job!

[@linaboshof9990]

Nicolas Belin yes but Medion says There is only a 110 wide angle and Not a170

[@xplorer110]

Great review, I'm a biker too what camera would you recommend for the best sound without the wind & other noises other than Gopro's? Thanks

[@Techmoan]

That would have made more sense, yes.

[@skageru4]

Have you tried to mount it on a helmet? Is it compatible with gopro mounts? thanks again for the video review. one of the nicest cam i saw you reviewed. keep it coming! :D

[@shananleigh9081]

Hi, in your opinion, which would be the best buy, this camera or the SJ4000??, both look superb, oh and fab channel btw, I just dont have time to what all the vids, cheers Shan

[@shielddetailing]

Looks look like we are finally starting to get a cheap alternative to go pros that are actually good quality ,I predict a wifi function within in the next 12 months. Great find and review

[@Techmoan]

Thanks for that.

[@exwhyz33]

Hi Techmoan, whilst I realise devices/gadgets change often, do you have a 'Top 3 Car DVR recommendations for September' please ?

[@MannyGonzalez]

Another terrific review. Sure looks like they aimed squarely at GoPro... it is a dead ringer in terms of the overall design. GoPro can learn a few things from this camera, most importantly: --An OLED display --Finished Time Lapses. While I use my Phone to control the camera most days, there are times I am stuck with the LCD. As for timelapse, I am very handy with Premiere Pro or After Effects but having a ready to go movie option is really useful. Thanks

[@daneloldane]

fantastic video. can i just ask how you edited these? did you convert the files or did you get the codecs? i'm having a few issues with this

[@Techmoan]

I use iMovie on a Mac to edit everything.

[@sixthisoverdrive]

I bought this camera for motovloging. The review is dead on, for filming in daylight it's spot on. The audio however is WAY too sensitive and a separate audio track is needed for just about any application.

[@Z098]

I know this is 6 years after the fact but does the mic work better in the water proof case. The super sensitivity might compensate for the water proof case.

[@harley84fly]

Some excellent reviews I have been watching almost all of ur action cam reviews, as I am looking to buy one the sony AS15 whilst looking for reviews of it I came across ur page, subscribed and now not sure what to buy haha as there are some good ones out there for less. I look forward to more vids thanx.

[@MarkJoakimBekkerMichelsen]

I tried buying one of those suggested in your link. The model I received was apparently sent from a place in the United Arab Emirates. It has a slightly different design than the one you are showing here. It's in black with orange buttons - no LED indicator light on top - just in the front and back. It has no Time Lapse function, and the menu looks much less detailed than what you've got here. Furthermore, there was an original invoice in the package from the actual factory in Hong Kong (maybe put there by mistake?), which had the price $100 on it. I paid something like $200 for the camera. Interesting. I'm curious to go and test it outside tomorrow to see if the quality is better than what I just tested in my living room.

[@ekerictang9589]

After I read your comment, I did some researchs. The camera that you had bought is the newer version, so it less expensive from the standard one. Oh by the way, How was it? are you satisfied ?

[@MarkJoakimBekkerMichelsen]

Chen EQ Well, I guess it shouldn't have cost those $200 which I paid..? But anyway, the camera quality is quite fine, and I am satisfied with the product. The only thing I miss a little bit is the Time Lapse function, which was advertised here. That would have been cool to try out.

[@nimrodg35]

great video!!! I try to search for the Q&A video but couldn't find it. if you can reuplud the vid it will be good. but now which digital scale do you use/??

[@Reconbox1001]

Another good review. I'm starting to get a picture of what I need and what not when I'm getting me a camera. 7:43 in the video... where you talk about the lens cap... did I see a blue haired monster? xD

[@LJ-fg2ef]

this looks handy for my job as a dog handler, the remote function would be good for easier recording and prelonging the battery, can you upgrade the battery to last 4 or 8hrs since this would hardly last a full shift at work if we were doing 1 patrol per hour and each patrol lasting 25minutes and most shifts are 12-17hrs... just need to find one with a better battery and night vision now ;) brilliant revie by the way..

[@absarking99]

What do you do for a living because your really good at these videos?

[@bpersonnnnnn1]

I am starting to believe your not from planet Earth. Earth people never explain things as clearly as you do. I don't know how you do it, but keep doing it. I have 3 cameras that you featured and my brain turn to mush and I want to buy every camera you feature.

[@knoxieman]

super video as always, tried to download clips from your website but it says you are out of bandwidth.

[@raymac1936]

acquired one o these after watching your review.GREAT VIDEO and Sound during my outings out doors. I have it mounted as a cap cam works great with the remote. Thanks for sharing.

[@fuktupboy]

Just got one from Lidl today. Good review.

[@spiritsofthesky]

Hey Techmoan, I was looking around and was wondering if you've reviewed any sunglass-based cameras,

[@kloppskalli]

is there any camera that records good sound at speed with a bike - like up to 100-120 km/h? I have a KTM 640 Adventure and would like to record some twisty roads driving and hear the engine sound without that typical " whooshrrrbllblblbshrrr"

[@ownagepwning0079]

Probably get yourself a helmet mic or something like that.

[@kloppskalli]

true.

[@Techmoan]

The Mini 0801 and the Mobius at joint 1 & 2 and perhaps the Viofo VF960 at no. 3. There is always a list of my favourites on the blog at Techmoan.com

[@Todo1de1comedia]

You're crazy! But it's necessary put the small, in front of camera, complement when you're in water? Thanks, I'm from Spain.

[@kamilgierczak9437]

waterproof case is plastic not glass. Also I would like to have that quick information in upper left corner about resolution in which you are recoring video in each recording you show. P.S. Does somebody know if wrist remote in this camera is waterproof ?

[@absarking99]

Your a awesome person because you reply to your comments quickly. I wish I could like a 100 times.

[@linhluu9479]

So how is the wristband working out for you? Is it working well?

[@Montes360]

What is your favorite spy cam?Im looking into getting an hd spy cam

[@BOLL7708]

I actually just got a Trigger Trap android dongle for my Panasonic G5, the electronic shutter makes time-lapse less of a camera-waster (shutter wear) so I'm definitely going to try some serious time-lapse soon :) so yeah, you're correct hehe.

[@chrisleech1565]

Another excellent review that makes the product quite compelling. Techmoan I have been a subscriber since you did the review on the 808 # 16 v2 and have since purchased two with different lenses affording me good hatcam vid production of RC builds for YT upload. I will also use them on the models for video transmission!!! The only thing that detracts from the use of them is the time needed to convert the files to a usable format to edit. How does this one measure up for the file it generates?

[@MetalSlab]

All of your reviews are superb!!!

[@krzysztofgawryluk4501]

quite important question regarding a time-lapse video ---- does it work in manual mode (exposure, white balance) or you it's only one auto mode? if the last is true (usually in all cheap cameras) then that time-lapse option is just a joke :P

[@inkaholic011]

It also doesn't come with the watch like controls. I bought the silvercrest one.

[@Techmoan]

Whilst true, there aren't many people who would understand that excuse if they saw me mumbling to myself in a park.

[@evilamo]

I just got the astak 7500, so far it is a real nice camera and I picked it up for $129 and free shipping on eBay.

[@Techmoan]

Nope - no live view output on this cam.

[@mikelo303]

So, what is the best action camera available now? I am on the market to buy one soon within 150 Euro range. Any pointers? I like this one...

[@tubularmonkeymaniac]

Hey Techmoan. Love your videos. Sure you've been asked this. But how do you afford to continuously buy gadgets?

[@addea911]

Very informative! Always looking forward to your reviews! Cheers!

[@thematty2303]

could you please do a video on cameras that have a decent night vision mode for a reasonable price?

[@inkaholic011]

Would you say there is anything better, for the money? I would just be using to do a video diary of days on my motorcycle. I have a spare £100 laying around so this would seem to suit.

[@Techmoan]

I"d get the SVC200 over this if you don't need time-lapse. The best £100 Action Camera - TCL SVC200

[@rodrigobenderrbender4959]

Dear Friend; Where can I find optional accessories for DVS5G9 such as - Bike mount - Tip T Mount - Floaty cake -Other .. Looking forward to ... Thank you ...

[@thematty2303]

ye, I was just looking for something to shoot airsoft night games with. any ideas?