Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Camera

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Product Specifications

ULTRA HD VIDEO - Crystal clear 4K/30fps footage, 1080p/120fps, or slow motion capability at 720p/240fps
G-METRIX - Built-in GPS and external sensors with connectivity to Garmin devices to capture performance data like speed, elevation, heart rate and G-force
LCD COLOR TOUCHSCREEN - 1.75-inch display is easy to operate; fully functional in and out of waterproof case
VOICE CONTROL - Shoot hands-free by using voice commands to start/stop recording, take a photo or tag footage
3-AXIS IMAGE STABILIZ3-AXIS IMAGE STABILIZATION - Captures steady footage up to 1080p/60fps

Product Description

Style:Base Model | Product Packaging:Standard Packaging Can your action camera do this -prove how far, how fast and how high you went? VIRB Ultra 30, the waterproof HD action camera, can. It captures 4K/30fps video with GPS data overlays. It also has voice control so you can tell the camera to start, stop and “remember that.” That means more hands-free selfies when you’re looking fearless and easier editing when the action’s all done. For adventures in the wet or snow, you’ll love its LCD display and microphone that work even in the waterproof case. Plus, you can live-stream your video adventures with friends online.

Product Reviews

Action camera with metric data built in

I am a actual person who purchased the product. I know it is a surprise among the sea of thinly veiled reviewers that have to have the disclaimer: “I received the product for a fair and quality review…meaning it is bribed review.” Sigh…I hate thoseI actually bought the Virb ultra with my hard earned cash working. I am taking flying lessons. I purchased it so I could record my lessons and thought about getting dual use as a light camera and go any where action camera for fun. I am not extreme so have not tested this while jumping off a mountain into snow or swimming with sharks. I am a garmin fan but their products tend be released at almost beta stage software then mature into a excellent product. Which is not so here. I think they are quickly updating and fixing any issues (I had no issues myself). The metric data aspect really attracted me.Good:The metrics match pretty well. Although the altitude does not match the planes altitude after taking off and flying for a bit but it is close at times (off by 100 - 300 feet at times).*Update: Contacted garmin support. The elevation variation is actually within tolerance. According to Garmin support the elevation variation is plus + or - 400 feet. SO now that I know that the virb ultra 30 i actually a lot closer to the right altitude. Just a small thing to keep mind but its actually a very minor issues as the accuracy in my experience has been between 40-300 ft. So all in all its pretty close.The speed matches well and the tracking function is really helpful. I will try to dig into why the altitude doesn’t match closer after take off (maybe the refresh rate on the altimeter? it is hilly area also)The image quality turned out really well. I don’t know how the new gopro could markedly beat it.Metrics on board is nice and the Garmin edit software is great and easy to use.Camera controls are easy, well thought out and simple.Blinking lights on camera make it easy to tell if it is recording or on standby.Quick software updatesSound quality…excellent.Size is small and button layout is very straight forward is easy.Touch screen is great! No weird funky missed touches and is responsive, simple and layout well. (good job garmin!)Bad:Not many accessories yet…I am sure they are coming and they are responsive to suggestions so it is shaping up to be a good product all around.It is pricey though, especially compared to my Yi 4K I had but you are getting a ton of capabilities that no other camera on the market can provide.Going to need extra batteries or way to connect to battery pack for long recording or especially 4k.I was able to get about 1 hour 20 minutes on a full battery at 1080p 30 fps ( maybe if I turned off wifi and few others I can increase that). overall good considering all this little thing is doing.Final thoughts:Even with the gopro new release coming up I am happy with the Ultra 30 and will be keeping it because the metric data capabilities are amazing. I hope Garmin continues to invest in the Ultra 30 software development and accessories. I think they have a real winner here.In the photo you can see I have the Garmin cage with protective lens (only available through Garmin as of this moment). It is a great accessory if you do not need the hard plastic protective casing during filming. It is easy to get the camera in and out and quickly mounted. I also have the virb remote which is easy to use and simple. I highly recommend it if you would like a hands free operation without using voice commands (which work really well)Disclaimer: I bought the product and liked it. Garmin didn’t give me anything!I will try to update the review as I continue to use it and learn.I wish there was battery pack I could plug into it to keep it running longer. maybe one that would allow me to use inline audio recording from the headsets at same time.Update: I attached 3 photos I took to show the basic picture quality.Price just dropped to match the GoPro 399 price I presume. Shame I purchased it few days too soon at 499. It is a great price at 399. Still having issues with altimeter though. FYI Amazon doesn’t protect against price drops. So I lost 100 bucks. Boo Amazon your customer service used to be good.Action camera 5 starsAmazon 2.5 stars (customer service isn’t what it used to be at amazon)Good competitive move Garmin to match GoPro price.Update 11-4-16: I am still using the virb ultra 30 weekly. I really have grown to love this thing. It easy to use. I have no run into any overheating issues or write errors. It performs every time. I hope Garmin continue to develop and improve the android app as well as desktop software editing software. I would purchase again.Update 12-1-16 (elevation issue resolved, you can enter a reference elevation in virb editing software): It is still performing great. I am not sure if garmin updated the virb edit software or I was not aware before but you now can enter post recording reference elevation. So if you reference elevation while on the ground at 0 or so the elevation in the video will be correct in relation to the set point.Still recommend. I do wish garmin had put USB C connection on the virb ultra 30 but it still love my virb ultra 30.READ MORE

Best HD POV camera to date, perfect gift for the adventurer!

I’ve had the opportunity to use this camera for a few weeks now, excuse my grammar.Ill start with the case, I’m still waiting on, “the cage” which I intend to use more than the waterproof housing. The waterproof housing is really well designed and allows for flawless audio recording with it on. How they were able to do that was pretty spectacular. Voice command works well as long as you speak clearly and don’t have high noise or wind. What I love about this Garmin and the other two generations of Garmin cameras, have been the recoding on/off toggle switch. You eliminate the gopro selfie face or always relying on your partner to double check if it’s on or it’s recording. With the toggle switch you have 100% certainty you’re recording. The housing uses Gopro style mounts. The Ultra camera has a high sensitivity touch screen that will work with the dive housing. It took me a bit to get use to, it does work well. It obviously has it’s limitations but give it a chance and you’ll learn it works just fine.Video Quality compared to a Hero 4 BlackIt has all the same resolutions and frame rates as the 4 black. I do believe the sharpness is a bit better with the Ultra, I haven’t been able to confirm if its due to the lens or just less compression. All most always I shoot with the Pro Settings Enabled. For filmmakers and photographers this is known as .RAW. To most the image looks boring and flat. With these settings enabled you’re actually allowing for the most amount of information to be stored on each frame, whether it’s a photo or 120 frames per second on the slo mo option, It gives you the most dynamic range to edit afterwards.High sensitivity GPS, bluetooth, ANT + sensorsOk this is where the Ultra really sets it self apart from any other camera. App developers, Third party software and “Gopro back” add ons have added unnecessary bulk and complexity to the competitors camera. The Ultra 30 has it all built into this small package. It has a 10hz gps, (10 recordings a second, elevation, speed, G-forces, etc.) Recently I used the Bluetooth to pair my Sena 20s microphone to the Ultra. Again it was a flawless connection with ease of pairing. No additional software or bulky add ons. ANT+ sensors, If you’re familiar with Garmin fitness products you’ll know they have a plethora of sensors for running, cycling, aviation, racing, etc… I can’t get over how easy it’s been to pair my heart rate to the camera, it’s really taught me a lot about myself when debriefing flights.Battery lifeAs you may expect this camera is working considerably harder than most cameras on the market. If you’re running the GPS, have sensors connected, and constantly looking through the viewfinder, you’re going to burn through this battery. Every one will have different experiences on battery life with this camera. I tend to be in the 1 hr to 2.5hrs range. I’d like to point out again that I’m using the view finder quite a bit, I use the GPS constantly and will have my heart rate paired up as well. I switch back forth between having the voice control on or off. It’s a great feature when you have your hands tied up. A couple examples I’ve used it for; Mountain biking, and shooting with a 3-axis gimbal.I’ll come back and try and brush up this review from time to time, but for now I can’t see why you would even consider the Gopro 4 black over this. Same cost, much more features built into it.READ MORE

great action action camera much more simple to use and …

great action action camera much more simple to use and to handle than the gopro 5.this camera have very accurate sensors.

This is the best action camera I have ever used and the aviation …

This is the best action camera I have ever used and the aviation bundle put is in another category. I love the single action recording feature that allows you to turn the camera…

Not the content I aid for.

Why would Amazon sensor a real review? the contents of the package were not Garmin, not the camera or anything inside. The box was open and the contents replaced.

Five Stars

Awesome little camera.

Disgusting battery life

Very dismal battery performance, thought of returning It but didnt get time as was travelling abroad. Disgusting battery life. I will never recommend it.