gave up a hero/got a virb, did i make a mistake

So I had a hero silver, I read all the reviews about how well the virb integrates with other sensors and how well it performs as a camera. Most impressed with DC rainmaker's review, http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/12/garmin-depth-review.html .

However, now that I have my virb elite, and reading this forum, I am really questioning my decision.

I use the camera when cycling and sailing. The lack of live video on my phone while recording, which I didn't realize it couldn't do, is really a big issue. I need this when I am sailing, else I have to continously turn recording on and off to see what I am looking at.

Plus my impression is that garmin is not wholly behind this product the way gopro is (it is their only product). The lack of not having a forum just for the virb, and not really making the web site easy to get virb info, etc. makes me wonder about garmin's commitment to this product.

Does anyone else feel this way, or am I just over reacting to reading bugs on a forum (i realize most people come to a forum to post issues, not give kudos, so these are usually a bit biased).

0 geomonster over 11 years ago

Sounds like you're disappointed that the WiFi app doesn't give you live view on your phone while the camera's recording. Do you really have to have that all the time?

I had 3 GoPros and hated everything about them. I sold them a week after buying my first Elite.

I now have 3 Virb Elites and like almost everything about them. The lack of Live View in the app is really not an issue to me. I line up the shot, start the recording, then get back to whatever I'm doing like riding or driving.

I don't spend all my time viewing the phone.

(Unlike those crappy GoPro mounts, the Virb mounts don't change the angle when you least expect it so you don't have to keep checking that the alignment is still right.)

0 CROPTOP over 11 years ago

I'm straddling the fence myself. I agree completely that the Virb mounting system is much more rugged and reliable than what I had with my GoPro. And on paper, the GPS and ANT+ integration of my Virb Elite is killer for my uses. When it works, my Virb Elite is exactly what I'm looking for.

But my Virb is just as likely to lockup halfway through a ride as it is to capture the entire thing. That's an issue I never had with my GoPros. With them, I could count on them to continue recording video until I'd bled the batteries dry. I can't do that with my Virb Elite.

I really want to love this camera. It has so much potential. But right now, it causes me too much grief and I can't get any straight answers from anyone on how to fix it.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

But my Virb is just as likely to lockup halfway through a ride as it is to capture the entire thing. That's an issue I never had with my GoPros. With them, I could count on them to continue recording video until I'd bled the batteries dry. I can't do that with my Virb Elite.

I really want to love this camera. It has so much potential. But right now, it causes me too much grief and I can't get any straight answers from anyone on how to fix it.

this.

i havent had a ride that it hasn't frozen up. i did a quick mountainbike ride this afternoon and in 45mins of moving time (according to my 810) it captured.... wait for it... 1 second of video.

i knew it froze several times but the last time it was showing a moving timer and flashing red light... fml.

the unit is rather worthless to me right now and im hoping support is going to let me know how to fix this issue. other users are reporting that replacement units do the same.

i even tried recording in 720 30fps today to see if it could handle that...

0 dcrainmaker over 11 years ago

Have you tried a different SD card?

I ask because I believe that for folks seeing issues with lockups that have contacted me, I think every single one to date was resolved with a different SD card.

The problem is that SD cards (throughout the industry) have lots of quality control problems, even by the majors. And for whatever reason, the VIRB seems slightly more finicky to said problems.

Might help...

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

tried several yes. and this user has fiddled with his even more to try and isolate the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIDifh02-uQ

can you tell us the exact card(s) you used and ill order one of those and see if i cant minimize this. my unit has been worthless and frustrating as i think im recording and its not.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

posted this in reply on your site but wanting it documented here too:

do you know what sd cards have been successful or what you used at least?

oddist thing was i was trying a sandisk 64gb class 10 for the first time yesterday that i had just gotten and during the workday i let it sit outside on a chair in the shade recording for 20+ mins to see if it hiccuped and it didnt... went to ride and boom within 5 mins it locked up.

switched to 30fps recording and still nothing... over and over freezes. started to make me think the gps is hiccuping and thats locking up video since its writing two different files that should match (gpx to mp4)

thoughts?

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

i dont "need" another sd card but meh... ordered one of these EXTREME OMG cards... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DM1BDKU/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

if that works i may order the 64 of the same and try it as well.

0 geomonster over 11 years ago

I went out today, first time to try my new Virb Remote, and it and the camera worked flawlessly. I went through 2.2 batteries, and got back 160 photos and 12 videos ranging in size from 1/2 to 3 Gb in size.

Here's a partial listing of the folder where those files are listed:

Not sure what to say to you people who're having so many problems... except make sure you don't pull the battery out of the camera if your camera locks up. My camera became much more reliable when I started holding the power button in for 20 seconds to restart from a lockup.

0 dcrainmaker over 11 years ago

For those that have asked, I've been almost exclusively using the below:

Transcend 64GB MicroSDXC Class10 UHS-1 Memory Card
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHHTOII

Every once in a while a different random SD card will float it's way into a unit, but I've got a small stash of the above. When it's not one of the above, it's usually from a slightly older collection of SanDisk Ultra 32GB MicroSDHC Class 10/UHS-1 cards.

0 geomonster over 11 years ago

The problem is that SD cards (throughout the industry) have lots of quality control problems, even by the majors.

And then you get the counterfeits and cards whose marked "Class" is modified too... There are people who buy the cheapest cards they can get from eBay or Amazon, then wonder why their cameras lock up...