Garmin Virb XE

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Product Specifications

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
ADVANCED VIDEO - Capture thrilling footage with high definition 1080p resolution at 60 frames-per-second, or capture up to 240 frames-per-second slow motion
BURST CAPABILITY - The VIRB X and VIRB XE offer a burst shooting mode that will capture several photographs in quick succession so that you don’t miss the action.
WATERPROOF - Waterproof to 50 meters without a case, allowing control of cleaner and clearer video and audio. Weather proof contacts allow for rugged charging and powering
BLUETOOTH AUDIO - VIRB X and VIRB XE can connect directly to wireless Bluetooth headsets or microphones to capture audio in high definition

Product Description

Style:With Image Stabilization (1080p / 60fps) | Product Packaging:Standard Packaging Garmin VIRB XE performance action camera shoots high definition footage at 1080p/60fps. Truly built for rough conditions, VIRB XE provides gyro based imagestabilization and stunning clear 12MP photos at up to 30fps. The rugged compact camera fits every activity and all conditions with a waterproof rating of 50meters, with no case needed. Use the VIRB App on your smart phone for real-time viewing while recording, remote control and instant share functions. G-Metrixin the camera and from compatible Garmin devices and sensors create true excitement by adding animated gauges and graphs to your video with action data likespeed, g-force and other performance data.

Product Reviews

Great little camera in a compact package

UPDATE: 9/6/15: What is it with battery life on any action camera? Taken this thing out a couple more times and keeping it in highest quality mode and last use only allowed me 45 minutes of shooting. Going to have to hook it back up to a backup battery and on the look out for a 3rd party battery for it. Otherwise, video still coming out great, lots of fun action shots and have not had any problem with GPS connectivity or connectivity to iPhone. Keeping it at 5 stars since battery issues seem to be a problem for a lot of cameras and the end product with this thing is still great.ORIGINAL REVIEW:I am very impressed with this camera. I have taken it out a couple of times already and have not had any difficulty getting a GPS lock, exactly what I would expect from one of the leaders in GPS equipment. The video it shot in 1080p at 30fps was sharp and putting the gauges on the video was super easy using the free software. I came from a contour camera to this and the difference is night and day. Didn’t require that I format my SD card and just uploaded my video with intuitive editing software. Very nice and a massive change from contour, which hit or miss would even recognize the camera! The only con so far is that the little quick start manual is pretty useless. It takes a little bit of toying around with it to figure out all the tricks this compact thing can perform. Looking to putting it through the tests on the mountain bike and hopefully in the water soon. Unlike the other reviewer, I was able to find all the mounts I needed for this quickly on Amazon and Garmin’s website. Will update as I get a bit more experience with it!

Nice.

GoPro looks better, but this one has GPS and ANT +, so you can connect all your sensors.

By far the best camera on the market

This is by far the best POV camera I have ever gotten. I started using POV for skiing and sailing 10 years ago before the GoPro was even a thing. Recently my GPS enabled camera broke and I was looking around for a better version and was refusing to get a GoPro. When I came across the Garmin Virb I was skeptical at first because it is not exactly their field. Fear not, this self contained camera does everything and more. Having a built in waterproof and shock resistant case makes me feel safe using it in the worst of conditions. The one button on and record is great for knowing exactly when it is recording without the necessity of looking for a red light. The GPS is very accurate and is quick to connect with the satellite connections. The software that comes with the camera matches the great quality of the camera itself. The desktop editing software makes it easy to import telemetry from the camera and other Garmin devices, making for quick editing and posting of your favorite clips. The app is also great for seeing both live footage and recorded footage. Great for showing your friends on a lift ride up the previous run you just did. Battery life is surprisingly good for constantly running a GPS, plus I bought some external batteries that are easy to swap in mid run. It is convenient that Garmin chose to stick with the universal mounting system that GoPro made because when you finally replace your GoPro with the Garmin Virb you can still keep all the same mounts.

Great images and other data

Great video images. I love the GPS/location capture aspect and other G-metric data that can be captured from the vehicle. Camera is rugged and has good battery life. While I also got the power cable, I haven’t needed to use it when doing various video runs. Virb software is user friendly and works very well for editing the video clips and applying a wide range of G-metric data in numerous formats. I prefer this to my GoPro Hero 4 when recording vehicle operations.

I love the camera/video features and the GPS features - however

I bought this bundle for recording from inside the cabin of an airplane; I love the camera/video features and the GPS features - however, the external audio input from the airplane headset hasn’t worked well at all; Garmin is aware of, and acknowledges that there is an issue but has yet to resolve it - I’m told they are working on it and will contact me as soon as it’s fixed; the previous model VIRB, the Elite, which I had borrowed, worked great with ext. audio in; so I’ll see about returning the XE for the Elite.

Love my VIRB!

It’s intuitive to use, the video quality is very good and the fact that it is waterproof to 50 feet without a case makes it ideal for taking videos while snorkeling. I can also take it in my fishing kayak without worrying about rain or even dropping it into the lake (unless, of course, it exceeds 50 feet.) My only complaint is that it’s far more complicated than it should be to download and separate still pictures.

Link to my Garmin 595 GPS works great. Used on Motorcycle most of the time

Cost high, but is worth it. Link to my Garmin 595 GPS works great. Used on Motorcycle most of the time. Posts to you tube without problems. Thinking about buying a second one.

An excellent product for the action person

An excellent product for the action person…I use it almost 100% of the time now while my GoPro collects dust. The data overlay (speed, elevation, G’s, etc.) adds a lot to the video playback. It is so easy to power on/off, start/stop video recording, take still pictures…can do it with one finger without being able to see the unit (i.e., camera mounted on top of helmet and you just reach up and accomplish all actions with just one finger).

GoPro- take notes on this camera, its way better

GoPro who? I love this camera. Great quality, can work with GoPro mounts, editing software is nice. Easy to sync multiple cameras togather, and the overlay with details like…

Great camera.

However, my first one died… but Garmin replaced it without question and without charge.

Unique features but poor video quality

I’m a fan of Garmin and have several of their dashcams, GPS nav units, and a Virb Elite. But the Virb X is disappointing.

No audio recorded. dont buy if your a pilot wanting to record atc and cockpit talk.

Audio will not record in helicopter no matter what settings or cables are used. Garmin support says it may be because the batch mine was in was older.