Totally out of my league, but I see this on Amazon: a prime day deal that ends today 7/11.
Not a Go Pro but priced attractively at 51% off.
Would this be a good introductory camera to use while boating? Pro's/con's, thoughts?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F2SB2HCL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A333J910W8G3XL&th=1
camera.jpg
I tried to find a YouTube video review of the Hitcam? but couldn't find one. I did find this one that looks like the same thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f43CyZzmYus
The sound quality isn't great, and stabilization also isn't up to par, but at this price I think it is probably worth the money. I know that some of these cameras tend to over heat and GoPro is notorious for that. Here is a video doing a comparison of the top end action cameras. To give you an idea of what is out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OQ7QiuEiks
You might want to spend $10 more as this camera comes with attachment accessories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OQ7QiuEiks
You may want to consider this camera which is $10 more but comes with accessories and a 64GB micro SD card. I don't see the card which you will need mention with the Hitcam you posted.
https://www.amazon.com/REEDTOCK-Underwater-Waterproof-Batteries-Accessories/dp/B09QSJQZTT/ref=pd_ci_mcx_pspc_dp_2_i_3?pd_rd_w=ZWNRx&content-id=amzn1.sym.cd152278-debd-42b9-91b9-6f271389fda7&pf_rd_p=cd152278-debd-42b9-91b9-6f271389fda7&pf_rd_r=DQZPM1MS1NDHSQ9CN69Z&pd_rd_wg=mz9U5&pd_rd_r=e7555b0f-c910-4e82-97d6-ea45d6aca9e6&pd_rd_i=B09QSJQZTT
My wife bought an action camera that looks very much like that one. The remote didn't work and they sent me another camera. Now with 2, I mount 1 facing the cockpit and the other facing the bow. I also have a suction cup mount that gives me great videos when stuck to the hull about 12" above the waterline. Cant say if they'll outlast my GoPro, I just got them a couple months ago, but for the price, if I get a couple years that's good. As for the aound quaility, they are always used in the waterproof case, so...
Dale, I have the dumber, older, brother of that camera. Dumber and older, because I got it two or three years ago and Technology never stands still. The same CMOS sensor, the same resolution, battery technology and case. About the only new wrinkle, is the display on both sides. (A dubious feature, IMHO.)
I've gone from a Hanimex using 35mm analog film:
Hanimex.jpg
In the 70's and 80's, until obtaining film became problematic.
Then in the 90's and 2000's, I got a Sea Life DC600:
DC600.jpg
It suffered the same fate as many of the things I own and care for.
They quit making replacement parts for it until it could no longer be maintained.
Dumb stuff like the main door O-ring, but also the smaller o-rings that seal the buttons, etc.
Finally, the door hinge cracked and all that was left usable, was the inside portion of the camera system.
Then the battery door plastic got brittle with age and cracked off. >:(
Casting about for something, I tripped over an Intova, at a dive shop.
Intova.jpg
Same deal; after 3 or 4 years, the plastic door hinge crumbled.
And the manufacturer was out of business by then, natch. >:(
That led me to the Actman 131:
actman 131.jpg
The forerunner of the one you are looking at.
**********************************
Brief Digression:
In the '70's, the Japanese government heavily subsidized electronics manufacturers to the point that they built and provided factories and workers. It was a strange time. Hitachi would rent the factory for a few months and manufacture (for example) Stereo FM receivers, then to Panasonic for a few months, then DaeWoo, then Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood and Yamaha, etc. As an electronics repair technician, it was amusing to see the schematics for the different brands were all the same thing. Right down to R117 being a 4.7k Ω biasing resistor in all the different brands.
Different cases, different knobs, identical guts.
The Chinese have a taken a page from the Japanese playbook and there are several different camera "brands" with identical guts.
While I still have the Actman 131, I recently tripped over a Sea Life DX1200HD, at a yard sale:
DX1200HD.jpg
While it is only 12MP (Mega-Pixel) compared to the 20MP you're looking at, it has a distinct advantage over the newer cameras.
No fish eye distortion.
The electronics are marvelous in these new little cameras, but the lens leave a little to be desired, compared to an old-school type underwater camera.
Which is not to say they are that bad.
Here are some pics taken with the Actman in Steinhatchee a few years ago.
20220903_131316 1024X768.jpg
Good resolution.
20220903_120445 1024X768.jpg
Good color saturation.
20220903_132850 1024X768.jpg
Yeah, that's exactly how it looked to a Mark I eyeball, down there.
20220903_132344 1024X768.jpg
Here's where they fall down, with lens limitations.
Note the curve of the horizon line. If that were the actual horizon, we'd be on a planet the size of Mars, not Earth. My DX1200 would show a straight horizon, even at only 12MP of resolution.
My issues with the Actman 131 camera are:
1) The thing wants to start up in video mode and has to be switched to stills mode. I mostly take stills, but if you're more of a video guy, that might not be an issue.
2) The camera shutter button on the housing takes a little more pressure than I'm used to on other cameras and sometime you think you took the shot, but you didn't. Or you feel that it didn't make the shot so you press harder and end up moving the camera and get things out of frame. Not a deal-breaker, but may take practice.
3) Be gentle with the battery door, and
4) Gentle with the housing hinged door.
Quick Edit: Have never had any overheating problems, even when it was left in the sun, for a while.
Other than that, it's a very good camera for the money.
Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan