A 1080p Wired Bullet Cam
Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 4:50PM 
This review is almost a half-hour long, and yet I'm sure that I will have skimmed past things that I wasn't interested in, but other people would want to know about. Therefore, if there is something specific you do want me to cover in a follow up video, let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can do if/when I get the chance to do a follow-up video.
CLICK HERE for RAW SAMPLES from this camera.
If you click the link above you will find a shared folder hosted on Dumptruck containing 720p60 & 1080p30 clips as well as a few stills.
So why no price or seller link? (Updated now included.... see below)
You will notice that there are no links to a seller or even details about the price. I briefly explained why this was the case at the end of the video, but I'll elaborate here. I've been contacted by resellers/retailers who have indicated that they would like to use my videos as product demonstrations on their web stores, but when I promote the name of their competitors as my source, it makes it impossible for them to embed the videos on their site. Therefore for this video I'm trying something different. I've reviewed the product but left out any mention of supplier or price.
If there are any resellers who do stock this camera and want to provide a link to their store in the comments below, please feel free to do so. Likewise, I'm happy for you to embed this video on your website/store. Also if anyone spots these for sale anywhere, you can also post a helpful link below. I'm basically putting a call out and asking you to help one other to find the best place to buy this camera from.
This is just an experiment to see how this affects my viewing numbers. Don't worry, the next few items I'm reviewing after this have been sent to me as review samples...so of course I'll be providing full links to the retailers on these products. You'll have seen a subject for a future review making a cameo appearance in this video. However, please be patient as these reviews take me a long time to put together.
P.S By the way just because the control box has an HDMI in socket on it doesn't mean it will work as a PVR. The camera is using this as a data port only, not for streaming encoded video.
EDIT 12/08/12 I've given the experiment long enough and now it's time to name where I bought mine from
When the auction I've linked to expires, you'll have to look at the seller's page to see if he is selling more.
In future, links to sellers will be on this blog rather than in the video...because that will enable me to keep this information up to date.
UPDATE - 18/8/12 I've now done a review of the car accessory lead and the microphone. This video also includes some night driving footage for those people who were interested in seeing this.
Reader Comments (142)
Nice review - can you do these.. a) plug cam into tv directly b) plug the output of say a PS3 hdmi into the cam socket and use the device as a hd PVR capture recorder? give it a ttry an let us know- could be handy if either work
Another great review Mat.
I will be selling this item on my website for 169.00 GBP. Website is down for maintenance for a few days. Hoping to be back on line next week.
Look forward to more reviews in the future.
www.gadgetstoredirect.com
@Matt, you can't use it as a PVR on a PS3 because the video is encoded usually. However, it's worth a try.
@Kerry I don't think this will record anything, the fact the cable is an HDMI is just misleading people into thinking it is sending video through it. If it was USB I don't think people would be asking this question. I'm going to have to check it now before this snowballs out of control so I can kill this line of enquiry asap.
The mini HDMI camera-in socket will not work with anything other than the supplied camera.
Is that the Xdreme HD camera at 27:00 minutes? If so I hope you do a review on it. Great video by the way!
Great review, very thorough!
Great review!
You did not mention a supplier or price in the video for good reasons, but could you maybe tell us where you got it, here in the comments? I've emailed Koonlung, but I believe you got it nit directly from them.
Will you please do a review of the added features that the dash cam lead will provide?
Found one site listing at @£250 but I think that quite speculative, the price will tumble as eBay sellers get in on the act.
http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/minidvr-hd-bullet-camera.html
Another excellent review! Thank you.
And a very interesting camera.
Nice bike BTW. Enjoy it.
Excellent review as always. The low light room demonstration was genius, great baseline with the Sony, just wonderful. Thanks.
It is on eBay for £149+ being sold by 'niximtech'.
Only listing postage to Australia currently, I've asked them the cost to the UK will post here when they reply.
Nice video...
...as usual interested in motion detection, the quality of the images seems to be pretty good...seems has a pretty short battery life.
niximtech will send to the UK. Shipping is free. http://tinyurl.com/85ybbqx
HTH.
@Voyager03 Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the eBay link. I'd found them (extremely marked up) on dogcam's site, but niximtech gets the sale!
Please do a review of that bike, it looks flipping gorgeous! Got my direct access course booked up for next Friday so you have a week! (just kidding)
Might be worth making an offer - just seen this - "Made an offer on ebay at $195 and it was rejected. Went to $201 and was accepted.
That's £133.91"
(From here - http://tinyurl.com/d7r7lwj)
Wonder if the seller marks it at actual value or not. I'm not anti-c&e but if parcelforce are the uk agent their £8 fee for touching it bugs me
Have used Niximtech myself a few times & never had a problem.
hi
What type of external mic is required for this, as you mentioned that one you already had didn't work.
thanks
It's a 3.5mm socket with a three section plug. Plugs with three sections are usually used for stereo mics, but I believe this one is mono. You can buy your own plug and wire up your own mic to it....or buy the official mic. I ordered mine from Dogcamsport. I haven't got any stereo mics to test, but these may work.
Hi Techmoan!
It was a great review, and beacuse of it I'm considering to purchase this cam. And thanks for Your calm, non-overentusiastic like in USA styled videos.
Hi there - I want to use this as Car Dash Cam / Trackday cam. Do you have any idea where I can get the 'optional' remote that enables the car mode?
I ordered my car adaptor from dogcamsport....but I'm still waiting for it to be delivered.
I like this but missed the 'battery life' and still can't find it? What is it please?
@David I guesstimated the battery life in the video and quickly flashed it on the screen.......but I tested it again properly today with a battery that had been charged over night and the screen off...in 1080p mode and managed to get 2hrs 45mins.....so I'd say that's about as good as I'm going to achieve.
Thanks Techmoan. I'm looking at using this unit as a cheaper alternative to the Motorsport version on dogcam to use as a full time dash cam on continuous loop set to auto record once ignition is switched on. Would be great to see another review once the car adaptor has arrived :) the windscreen mount for the bullet cam looks a bit flimsy. Tom
or here
http://tinyurl.com/7pheoax
£121
@me - thanks. Good to see the eBay price war has commenced!
Also I note that one of the pics shows the 'dash mount' that I think was not included with Techmoans box. It is listed on the Koonlung website.
www.ebay.com/itm/310401850530
US $189.99
As always, a very good review of a product with your usual injection of dry wit, thank you.
This looks to be the best option so far for a reasonably well-priced handlebar cam. I mainly use cameras for recording dangerous driving while cycling but there always seem to be limitations - unlabeled buttons, lack of informational lights, tricky to remember button combos or non-removable batteries.
i currently use an 808 #16 and a rear-facing Muvi clone.
This camera with a spare battery would more or less cover all bases. The control box could either go in a top tube bag or in the seat pack with a long enough cable. I'll wait and see how the prices develop before taking the plunge
Thanks for the review!
Is there a way to increase the video compression bitrate?
12mb/sec is not enough for 1080P
Maybe there will be a firmware update for this dvr/camera
There is no way to manually change bit rates....I've never come across a camera that has this feature. Don't expect any firmware updates.
Another excellent review and by far the best helmet camera reviews I have ever seen so many thanks for that. I am very interested to hear the sound quality of a mic mounted inside the helmet. Also I just thought it worth a mention is that I have seen bullet cams wrapped up in layers of foam in order to suppress the wind noise, I presume just like those big professional mic booms that animals always seem attracted to or fond of attacking, just a passing thought and no idea if this is really practical, Thanks for all your reviews but this one is the most promising looking bullet cam in my low budget price range, great stuff
Great review. Will it also record while charging?
Hi,
Thank, for this review. Excellent as always. Would you consider this superior than your previous favourite the RD32II? I am looking for a bike (not motor) cam and this 'seems' the best so far.
@Peter It's definitely my favourite action camera. I use it every time I go out on the bike. It's so easy to use and doesn't draw attention to itself....other action cameras stick out too far from the helmet. The ability to accurately line up the camera whilst it is being worn is invaluable.
Great review! I am so impressed that you post raw camera footage. I asked GoPro for some and they told me to GoLook at Youtube.
Thank you heaps!
Rob
Hi. Excellent as usual. I want to use it as a helmet cam for my commute to and from work.
Could you upload a video of some night time recording. Can you see anything?
@Parv1 When I test out the auto-start/stop car kit, I'll try and take it out on the road at night.
Has anyone found a link for a supplier of spare batteries for this?
Dogcam list a spare battery for £20.
There has to be a cheaper supplier and I'd guess it is a generic shape possibly used in a phone?
isn't it this one? http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/mini-dvr-hd-battery.html
and still no review of that lovely new bike?! flipping 'eck what are we paying you for ? ... oh... oh yeah!
Thanks for the battery link(s). Hopefully the ebay prices will be cheaper when they appear, but that's not too bad a price to begin with.
Hopefully spare handlebar mounts will appear too, to simplify bike-swapping.
I'm looking at getting one of these for motorcycling. A little concerned about the Velcro holding up is it really strong enough? I think I'd prefer some of the 3M stuff.
How well does the external microphone do? I'm assuming you'd wedge it somewhere in your helmet. Does turning off the external microphone cut out all the nasty wind noise?
The velcro has stuck so far, but I understand your concern. The mic is too big to fit into my helmet, any mic would be...it's a very tight fit. You can turn the mic volume down or up on either mic and mute either one entirely. I suppose if you found a way to keep the mic out of the wind then you wouldn't get any wind noise...same as any mic in this regard.
@Techmoan
Thank you very much for your reviews. I have seen now many of them. I a do own this camera and therefore was watching this particular video with great interest. I'm not too satisfied with. I was not able to record one single video without problems. The camera gets always stuck too and i have to open it und take out the battery.I have to say, that i'm in vintage cars and maybe the cable (lense to camera) causes of the problems.
Link to a test video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feAPLmkxlgg
The car in this video: 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Hooper Sport Saloon.
Thanks for the review, it is simply superb.
I have just ordered one now from China 195$ including shipping to Denmark.
I intend to use it on my race car. I'll keep you posted.
Today i took a video in an other vintage car, a 1954 Willys Wagon. And it was very OK. My mechanic thinks it is the 12V power cable, that takes the disturbance, not the cable to the lense, Next time i'm in one of the problem cars i unplug the power connection to test, whether the power cable has to be shielded.
Scared Cat
The Velcro holds fine. it is my favorite fix to my vintage cars.
Jano
I'm wondering how you order all the cables in your race car:-). From the camera:
...1) to the lense
...2) to power 12 Volt
...3) the on and off Switch
...4) the external microphone
That is a disadvantage of this type of camera: cables everywhere
Am I correct to understand that this camera is the same one that's sold on the Dog Cam website? I'm in a jam right now having purchased equipment that did not work for what I needed so I don't want to spend a lot of money and would rather buy it without all the markup. Can you order directly from the Chinese manufacturer? Other question - Can this camera be powered with wall electricity instead of the battery? I want to use the camera as a second camera to mount to a guitar for instructional video, do you anticipate any problems? The camera would be mounted on the headstock shooting down the length of the neck....Thanks, and thanks for your great review!