JVC’s upgraded GC-XA2 ADIXXION action camera is really, really hard to put down

JVC's upgraded GCXA2 ADIXXION action camera is still really, really hard to put down

Look, we all know someone suffering from an insatiable appetite for [insert vice here]. But if you've ever met someone who picked up the OG ADIXXION, you probably understand just how fixated on a single product one can become. Keeping the fix going is JVC, who has introduced the latest -- and perhaps most addicting -- ADIXXION yet. The GC-XA2 is obviously designed to rival anything in the space that GoPro presently owns, boasting a water-, shock-, dust- and freeze-proof enclosure and mounting options galore.

Performance improvements in the new model include 1,920 x 1,080 60p/50p Progressive Full HD recording, and 1,280 x 720 high-speed recording at 120fps / 100fps for 4x slow-motion playback. ther upgrades include a brighter and wider-angle optical lens, improved image stabilization, a higher-resolution LCD monitor with auto-off and auto-brightness functions, a higher-resolution image sensor, a higher audio bit rate and better noise reduction. It'll start shipping later this month for a hair under $300... just don't go stealing from your mum in order to finance it, okay?

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Source: JVC

Geonaute’s 360 degree sports camera catches all the action, even our hands on

Geonaute's 360 degree sports camera catches all the action, even our hands on

Sport and action cameras are big business, and even though there are a couple of main players, it doesn't stop other's trying to get a bite of the apple. Geonaute, however, have come at the situation from a different angle. Heck, they're coming at it from every angle, with its 360-degree offering. Equipped with three 8-megapixel wide-angle lenses the camera captures an almost spherical field of view. This might initially sound like a strange idea... after all, who wants all of that in one video, won't it all be warped beyond recognition? The short answer is no, in fact it's much better than you would ever have thought, and we'll explain why shortly. Going back to the camera itself, it looks a little like the innards of those security cameras you find in government buildings etc that peer at you ominously. However, in this case, the three lenses have color detail around them which makes them look anything but sinister, and the circular base section might look a little large, but in fact it's light in the hand -- and actually helps it sit quite comfortably atop a helmet.

In 360 video mode the advertised resolution is up to 2,048 x 1,024. In photo mode you'll get single shot, burst and time-lapse modes with a top resolution of 4,096 x 2,048. The actual FOV is 360 degrees on the horizontal, and 150 degrees vertically, but the end result is a fairly complete viewing sphere. The 3,000 mAh battery should be good for two hours of footage, and the microSD card slot will take cards of up to 32GB. While there is a waterproof housing, the camera itself will take the elements on pretty well thanks to its IPX7 rating. Read on after the break for more impressions.

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iON reveals Adventure and Air Pro 2 sports cameras, we go hands on

iON reveals Adventure and Air Pro 2 sports cameras, we go hands on

You may remember iON stepping out onto the action camera market back in spring, when we went hands on with the OG Air Pro. Fast forward to CES, and it's back with a brace of new cameras to capture your every move. First up is the iON Adventure, a 1080p GPS-enabled helmet cam with a twist, almost literally. The device has the same tubular format as the original, but the lens is actually on one of the longer sides, rather than at the end of the barrel, making it more suitable for chest mounting. The Adventure also has two memory card slots, meaning you can pack in a whole lot more footage, battery willing. For those extended shoots, a new loop recording mode allows continuous, non-stop recording between the two cards -- no more swapping out your micro-SD on the move. Other features include a vibrate-to-record function (it starts and stops recording when it detects movement) and a partnership with map / video sharing service Kinomap. The device has a sleek, gloss back finish, weighs just 4.2 ounces, and has a large, easily accessible record button on one end. While we only spent a short time with the camera, the quality of the build felt good, and the demo footage looked impressive. The Adventure will be available starting in March for $349.

The second new family member is the Air Pro 2. As you might have guessed, this is the second iteration of the original we saw back in March. Much of the external design remains the same, with the distinct octagonal accents at either end of the barrel. The main difference being the image sensor upgrade, which can now shoot at 14 megapixels, with 60fps for video and a 180-degree mode for those extra wide shots. Last time we liked the Air Pro, but we'll be especially keen to see how the follow up performs. With more and more cameras launching into the market, differentiating can be difficult, something apparently not lost on iON, who has clearly tried hard to introduce new and distinct features. The Air Pro 2 also becomes available in March, with two versions -- one with WiFi, one without. The wireless enabled one will cost you $299, or $249 if you don't need the extra functionality.

Sean Cooper contributed to this report

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Sony Action Cam review: a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles

DNP Sony Action Cam review a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles

Until now, Sony's efforts in the element-stopping sports cam world had largely consisted of handhelds such as the Bloggie Sport HD and the waterproof Handycam. The $200 Action Cam, however, is an all-out hiking-boot-wearing adventurist, with a backpack full of tools and supplies by comparison, that frankly, makes the brand's previous attempts look like they're barely prepared for a school field trip.

A lot of technology can be broken down into numbers. PetaFLOPS, gigahertz and megabytes -- the idea usually being, the more the better. And often that's true. Sometimes, though, what you really need are a couple breaths of fresh air and a healthy shot of adrenaline. And that's where something like Sony's new HDR-AS15 Action Cam shines. It's one of a growing breed of devices that allow us to get our fill of the great outdoors, while still satisfying our gadget fix. With plenty of other competitors lining up to be your sporting partner of choice, however, does the Action Cam have what it takes to keep up? Dive past the break to find out.

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Sony Action Cam review: a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Action Cam review: a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles

DNP Sony Action Cam review a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles

Until now, Sony's efforts in the element-stopping sports cam world had largely consisted of handhelds such as the Bloggie Sport HD and the waterproof Handycam. The $200 Action Cam, however, is an all-out hiking-boot-wearing adventurist, with a backpack full of tools and supplies by comparison, that frankly, makes the brand's previous attempts look like they're barely prepared for a school field trip.

A lot of technology can be broken down into numbers. PetaFLOPS, gigahertz and megabytes -- the idea usually being, the more the better. And often that's true. Sometimes, though, what you really need are a couple breaths of fresh air and a healthy shot of adrenaline. And that's where something like Sony's new HDR-AS15 Action Cam shines. It's one of a growing breed of devices that allow us to get our fill of the great outdoors, while still satisfying our gadget fix. With plenty of other competitors lining up to be your sporting partner of choice, however, does the Action Cam have what it takes to keep up? Dive past the break to find out.

Continue reading Sony Action Cam review: a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles

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Sony Action Cam review: a good rugged camera with a few software wrinkles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mophie Outride ruggedized action case for iPhone hands-on

Mophie Outride ruggedized action case for iPhone handson

Sure, you've been tempted to strap your iPhone to that ski helmet for a homemade action cam solution, but ultimately, you respect Apple's warranty, as limited as it may be. Mophie's new Outride ruggedized case equips your fragile smartphone with a ruggedized shell, protecting the device while also serving as a helmet / bicycle / flat-surface mount. The thick plastic case includes a raised lens module, and is available in both water-resistant and above ground flavors. That first version is still undergoing testing, according to Mophie reps, so we don't know just how far it can dunk with letting down its guard to condensation, but we do know that it will retail for $149. A land-only version will also be available for $129, and unlike the sealed model, your iPhone's display will still be exposed, giving you full access to the device. Both cases include a dedicated shutter release, which works in camera mode, letting you snap away under the sea. They also ship with a trio of mounts for your helmet, handle bars or a flat surface. Catch a closer look at Outride in the gallery below.

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Mophie Outride ruggedized action case for iPhone hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Veho Muvi HD ‘NPNG’ Edition action camera impressions (video)

Veho releases Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera, we go handson

Action cameras. We love 'em. Much like buying new sports gear, owning one makes you feel one step closer to the adventurer you know your true self to be. While we're familiar with more than one contender for the "gnarly throne", who said there wasn't room in the rankings for one more? Veho's been making pocket-friendly cameras for some time, even of the action variety, but this latest edition -- in conjunction with No Proof No Glory (an extreme sports video hub) -- sees it making the clearest move yet towards carving its own slice of the high-octane pie.

The latest member of the Muvi HD family will do you full HD at 30fps, along with 720p (at both 30 and 60 fps) plus the usual other resolutions -- 960p, WVGA, etc. Of course, it'll also do stills (if you don't mind them all being wide-angle) and it'll even just record audio if you like. So far, so good. What really got us interested, though, was that Veho has squashed two of our most common bug-bears with action cameras by including a viewfinder / screen and a remote control as standard. So, with hope in our hearts and glory to prove, we strapped one on and took it for a ride. Scoot past the break for the impressions.

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Veho Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera impressions (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ion launches Air Pro WiFi, helps you document your morning commute (video)

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Ion's officially releasing its Air Pro camera that we put through its paces back in March. The sports shooter is designed to be strapped to a helmet or extreme-sports gear to document your extreme adventures in high definition. It'll also come with 8GB of free storage from MiMedia to share your death-risking achievements over the internet. Budget models are available starting at $230, but for the full package (with the WiFi module) it'll set you back $350 from today. Oh, and if you'd like to see what you're expected to do with the gear, you can head past the jump for test footage.

Continue reading Ion launches Air Pro WiFi, helps you document your morning commute (video)

Ion launches Air Pro WiFi, helps you document your morning commute (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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