INNOVV has been producing progressively higher bike sprint cams at cheap costs for over 5 years, and we’ve usually had good outcomes from them. Now, the corporate is stepping extra immediately into the motion digital camera market with a helmet cam that gives some distinct variations from the 800-lb gorilla available in the market. I’ve been testing the INNOVV H5 Helmet Digicam for some time and have discovered it to be an amiable driving companion.
Within the field
The packaging is of a high quality that you’d anticipate from a higher-priced product, with a prime held closed with a magnet. Inside, you’ll discover the digital camera, a 2400 mAh battery, and a USB connector for powering the digital camera when the battery runs out. Hidden under the preliminary view is a helmet mount and some different doodads.
The H5 has two energy choices: a USB connector (middle) and a 2,400mAh battery (proper).
The H5 digital camera (or DVR as INNOVV refers to it) brims with options. With a most decision of 4K at 30fps, along with 2.7K at 60fps and 1080P at 60fps. The SONY 4K picture sensor contains a built-in picture stabilization functionality. The nonetheless digital camera perform affords selections of 20, 10, and 5 megapixels. Lastly, the digital camera can help MicroSD/TF playing cards as much as 512GB, for roughly 4 hours of 4K video time. The digital camera has a built-in microphone for recording ambient sound, and an optionally available boom-microphone adapter is offered as an adjunct.
The H5’s type issue is uncommon (and polarizing), favoring a slender entrance face when in comparison with most GoPro-like motion cameras, selecting as an alternative to place the majority of the digital camera to the rear as an alternative of the facet. The digital camera’s dimensions are 1.3 x 4.3 x 2.2 in., making it look a very good bit bigger than GoPro’s 2.64 x 1.34 x 1.85 in. Given the bigger dimensions, you’ll most likely be shocked to be taught that at 5.1 oz., the H5 weighs lower than the 5.4 oz. GoPro Hero 11. Moreover, the H5’s smaller entrance dealing with floor space reduces the forces generated by the wind blast at velocity (when mounted on the facet of a helmet), whereas concurrently permitting for a bigger battery. Powering the H5 is a detachable 2,400mAh battery, which is claimed to offer 300 minutes (5 hours) of recording time. The unit itself is IP65 compliant for splash, water, and dirt resistance.
The mounting clip is extraordinarily sturdy, although it will doubtless break away in a direct impression (which is an effective factor).
Mounting the H5
The H5 has notches within the prime and backside of the unit that pair with the included clip-on mounting bracket. This technique permits the digital camera to be simply mounted and eliminated. The mount is constructed of three elements. The low-profile cradle that’s connected to the helmet by way of double stick tape permits for the majority of the meeting to be eliminated when the digital camera shouldn’t be wanted. An adjustable ball mount slides into the cradle and provides the mount a three-dimensional vary of changes for the digital camera. That is each a bonus and drawback. When placing the digital camera into its bracket, I’ve unintentionally modified its orientation, which requires a visit to the app to be sure that the lens is pointed in the suitable course.
The method for adjusting the digital camera angle is simple, and I haven’t had it shift in any respect aside from what was talked about above. One factor I did discover, nevertheless, was that the tilting of the digital camera to get a degree horizon shouldn’t be utterly doable on some notably rounded helmets. The ball mount runs out of adjustment. So, I ended up leveling the digital camera on my Shoei Hornet X2 by butting a number of layers of double-stick Gorilla tape on the underside edges of the mount. To maintain as a lot of the tape as doable in touch with the helmet shell, I began with a layer that went to the midpoint of the mount and made every extra layer narrower as I moved in direction of the underside edge. In the end, I used to be in a position to get a fairly degree horizon. Two days of off-road driving has me satisfied that the digital camera mount will keep caught in place over the long run.
You possibly can see how I adjusted the angle with a number of layers of double stick tape. This association feels fairly strong. Observe how the ball mount is on the prime of its adjustment vary.
Arrange and use
Earlier than you employ the H5 within the wild, I counsel ensuring that it has the most recent firmware put in, which is achieved by copying a file to the MicroSD card’s root listing. This isn’t terribly troublesome, however over-the-air updates can be nicer. All the digital camera settings are dealt with with a smartphone app that you just join by way of WiFi. The method is simple and principally self-explanatory. You additionally use the app to get a reside view of the digital camera for setting its orientation. Because the digital camera units its inner clock out of your cellphone and that clock is used within the naming of the video information, I like to recommend connecting your cellphone to the H5 any time the battery has been eliminated for charging as a result of the interior clock doesn’t maintain the time with out the battery. Needing to take away the battery from the digital camera physique to cost looks like an oversight, notably when you think about that the clock loses its settings, however I believe it has one thing to do with the IP65 ranking.
The charging port is hidden contained in the battery’s sealed space subsequent to the digital camera.
As soon as the digital camera is ready up, all it’s important to do is press the ability button till you’re feeling the 2 haptic pulses signaling startup. The digital camera instantly begins recording. To cease the digital camera and energy it down, you press the button till you’re feeling an extended pulse. Tremendous straightforward!
The outcomes
As an alternative of simply posting just a few clips right here within the overview to point out the standard of the recording, I made a decision to make use of the H5 to shoot a video to be used on the MO YouTube channel. All the driving footage shot on the LA-Barstow to Vegas Twin-Sport Experience was from the INNOVV H5. (For ease of transport, the stand ups had been shot with an iPhone 14 Professional.) You possibly can see for your self how the H5 did. Personally, I used to be impressed by the standard of the 4K, which I felt is similar to the GoPro trade commonplace. The colours might not be as punchy, however that may be fastened in any video editor. For probably the most half, the picture stabilization smooths out the roughness of the off-road surroundings, however sometimes, it encountered bumps that had been too massive to counteract. In these circumstances, very like with my Canon R5 nonetheless digital camera, you may see the video soar because the picture stabilizer {hardware} reaches its limits.
On the subject of recording sound at velocity, there may be a whole lot of wind noise, and sooner or later, I plan to attempt taping some foam over the built-in microphone to imitate the froth circumstances which are offered for GoPros. Though I did have entry to the accent growth microphone that mounts contained in the helmet, I opted to not use it as a result of it requires utilizing an exterior battery by way of a USB cable, and I didn’t need to must cope with that whereas driving within the LAB2V.
One remaining word concerning the H5 sound. My check unit is a pre-production mannequin, and it has a sound concern that INNOVV says has been addressed within the manufacturing model. When first recording, the audio has a whine attributable to the WiFi system. As soon as the WiFi shuts off after a minute, the noise goes away, however I’d be negligent if I didn’t word this in my check. Once more, this concern is meant to be moot within the models being shipped to clients.
The H5 mounted and being powered by a USB energy financial institution.
In my time with the INNOVV H5 Helmet Digicam, I’ve been impressed with the recording high quality and size of recording it’s able to. It’s versatile sufficient for use as a looping sprint cam through the week for commuting after which, by way of a fast change of settings, as a digital camera to report your driving exploits on the weekend. With a retail value of $268, the H5 is reasonably priced in comparison with different motion cameras usually utilized by motorcyclists. The shortage of a display screen helps to maintain the worth down and the battery life lengthy. Nevertheless, the commerce off is that it will possibly actually solely be successfully used mounted to a helmet or a bike and never as a multi-purpose video digital camera. Nonetheless, as an motion digital camera, the video high quality and retail value make the INNOVV H5 a robust participant in a mature market.
Store for the INNOVV H5 right here
FAQ
Are you able to connect a digital camera to a bike helmet?
Sure, you may, however it’s essential contemplate just a few issues. First, by no means drill any type of gap in your helmet to mount a digital camera or wiring. This may compromise your security. Second, bear in mind that protrusions out of your helmet can catch in a slide, inflicting hurt. Third, by no means mount a digital camera in such a means that it impairs your visual field.
How do you report your self driving a bike?
Two of the preferred strategies of recording your self driving a bike are to mount a digital camera to your helmet/physique or mount a digital camera to the bike itself. These all provide totally different views and benefits/disadvantages. A helmet mount is probably the most typical, however they could reduce your helmet’s safety in an accident. Mounting a digital camera on the bike is one other strategy to get both the view in entrance of the bike or rotated in direction of the rider. A chest-mounted digital camera may also present extra of the bike’s cockpit, which may be both a constructive or adverse.
Further Sources
The Greatest Motorbike Cameras To Doc Your Rides
MO Examined: Innovv K1 Motorbike Digicam Overview
MO Examined: Innovv C5 Motorbike Digicam System Overview
MO Examined: INNOVV K2 Motorbike Digicam System Overview
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