INNOVV has been producing progressively higher motorbike sprint cams at affordable costs for over 5 years, and we’ve usually had good outcomes from them. Now, the corporate is stepping extra immediately into the motion digital camera market with a helmet cam that gives some distinct variations from the 800-lb gorilla available in the market. I’ve been testing the INNOVV H5 Helmet Digicam for some time and have discovered it to be an amiable driving companion.
Within the field
The packaging is of a top quality that you’d anticipate from a higher-priced product, with a high held closed with a magnet. Inside, you’ll discover the digital camera, a 2400 mAh battery, and a USB connector for powering the digital camera when the battery runs out. Hidden under the preliminary view is a helmet mount and some different doodads.
The H5 has two energy choices: a USB connector (middle) and a 2,400mAh battery (proper).
The H5 digital camera (or DVR as INNOVV refers to it) brims with options. With a most decision of 4K at 30fps, along with 2.7K at 60fps and 1080P at 60fps. The SONY 4K picture sensor encompasses a built-in picture stabilization functionality. The nonetheless digital camera perform presents decisions of 20, 10, and 5 megapixels. Lastly, the digital camera can assist MicroSD/TF playing cards as much as 512GB, for roughly 4 hours of 4K video time. The digital camera has a built-in microphone for recording ambient sound, and an elective boom-microphone adapter is accessible as an adjunct.
The H5’s kind issue is uncommon (and polarizing), favoring a slim entrance face when in comparison with most GoPro-like motion cameras, selecting as an alternative to place the majority of the digital camera to the rear as an alternative of the aspect. The digital camera’s dimensions are 1.3 x 4.3 x 2.2 in., making it look bit bigger than GoPro’s 2.64 x 1.34 x 1.85 in. Given the bigger dimensions, you’ll most likely be shocked to be taught that at 5.1 oz., the H5 weighs lower than the 5.4 oz. GoPro Hero 11. Moreover, the H5’s smaller entrance dealing with floor space reduces the forces generated by the wind blast at pace (when mounted on the aspect of a helmet), whereas concurrently permitting for a bigger battery. Powering the H5 is a detachable 2,400mAh battery, which is claimed to supply 300 minutes (5 hours) of recording time. The unit itself is IP65 compliant for splash, water, and mud resistance.
The mounting clip is extraordinarily sturdy, although it will possible break away in a direct influence (which is an effective factor).
Mounting the H5
The H5 has notches within the high and backside of the unit that pair with the included clip-on mounting bracket. This method permits the digital camera to be simply mounted and eliminated. The mount is constructed of three elements. The low-profile cradle that’s hooked up to the helmet by way of double stick tape permits for the majority of the meeting to be eliminated when the digital camera shouldn’t be wanted. An adjustable ball mount slides into the cradle and offers the mount a three-dimensional vary of changes for the digital camera. That is each a bonus and drawback. When placing the digital camera into its bracket, I’ve by accident modified its orientation, which requires a visit to the app to ensure that the lens is pointed in the proper path.
The method for adjusting the digital camera angle is straightforward, and I haven’t had it shift in any respect apart from what was talked about above. One factor I did discover, nevertheless, was that the tilting of the digital camera to get a degree horizon shouldn’t be utterly potential on some notably rounded helmets. The ball mount runs out of adjustment. So, I ended up leveling the digital camera on my Shoei Hornet X2 by butting a number of layers of double-stick Gorilla tape on the underside edges of the mount. To maintain as a lot of the tape as potential involved with the helmet shell, I began with a layer that went to the midpoint of the mount and made every further layer narrower as I moved in the direction of the underside edge. Finally, I used to be in a position to get a reasonably degree horizon. Two days of off-road driving has me satisfied that the digital camera mount will keep caught in place over the long run.
You possibly can see how I adjusted the angle with a number of layers of double stick tape. This association feels fairly strong. Notice how the ball mount is on the high of its adjustment vary.
Arrange and use
Earlier than you employ the H5 within the wild, I recommend ensuring that it has the newest firmware put in, which is completed by copying a file to the MicroSD card’s root listing. This isn’t terribly troublesome, however over-the-air updates can be nicer. The entire digital camera settings are dealt with with a smartphone app that you just join by way of WiFi. The method is straightforward and principally self-explanatory. You additionally use the app to get a stay view of the digital camera for setting its orientation. Because the digital camera units its inside clock out of your cellphone and that clock is used within the naming of the video recordsdata, I like to recommend connecting your cellphone to the H5 any time the battery has been eliminated for charging as a result of the inner clock doesn’t maintain the time with out the battery. Needing to take away the battery from the digital camera physique to cost looks as if an oversight, notably when you think about that the clock loses its settings, however I think it has one thing to do with the IP65 ranking.
The charging port is hidden contained in the battery’s sealed space subsequent to the digital camera.
As soon as the digital camera is about up, all it’s important to do is press the ability button till you are feeling the 2 haptic pulses signaling startup. The digital camera instantly begins recording. To cease the digital camera and energy it down, you press the button till you are feeling a protracted pulse. Tremendous simple!
The outcomes
As a substitute of simply posting a couple of clips right here within the evaluate to point out the standard of the recording, I made a decision to make use of the H5 to shoot a video to be used on the MO YouTube channel. The entire driving footage shot on the LA-Barstow to Vegas Twin-Sport Journey was from the INNOVV H5. (For ease of transport, the stand ups have been shot with an iPhone 14 Professional.) You possibly can see for your self how the H5 did. Personally, I used to be impressed by the standard of the 4K, which I felt is akin to the GoPro business normal. The colours might not be as punchy, however that may be mounted in any video editor. For essentially the most half, the picture stabilization smooths out the roughness of the off-road atmosphere, however often, it encountered bumps that have been too massive to counteract. In these circumstances, very like with my Canon R5 nonetheless digital camera, you possibly can see the video soar because the picture stabilizer {hardware} reaches its limits.
In the case of recording sound at pace, there may be a variety of wind noise, and sooner or later, I plan to attempt taping some foam over the built-in microphone to imitate the froth circumstances which can be bought for GoPros. Though I did have entry to the accent growth microphone that mounts contained in the helmet, I opted to not use it as a result of it requires utilizing an exterior battery by way of a USB cable, and I didn’t wish to need to take care of that whereas driving within the LAB2V.
One last be aware concerning the H5 sound. My check unit is a pre-production mannequin, and it has a sound challenge that INNOVV says has been addressed within the manufacturing model. When first recording, the audio has a whine brought on by the WiFi system. As soon as the WiFi shuts off after a minute, the noise goes away, however I might be negligent if I didn’t be aware this in my check. Once more, this challenge is meant to be moot within the models being shipped to clients.
The H5 mounted and being powered by a USB energy financial institution.
In my time with the INNOVV H5 Helmet Digicam, I’ve been impressed with the recording high quality and size of recording it’s able to. It’s versatile sufficient for use as a looping sprint cam throughout the week for commuting after which, by way of a fast change of settings, as a digital camera to file your driving exploits on the weekend. With a retail value of $268, the H5 is reasonably priced in comparison with different motion cameras usually utilized by motorcyclists. The shortage of a display screen helps to maintain the value down and the battery life lengthy. Nevertheless, the commerce off is that it will possibly actually solely be successfully used mounted to a helmet or a motorbike and never as a multi-purpose video digital camera. Nonetheless, as an motion digital camera, the video high quality and retail value make the INNOVV H5 a powerful participant in a mature market.
Store for the INNOVV H5 right here
FAQ
Are you able to connect a digital camera to a motorbike helmet?
Sure, you possibly can, however it is advisable to contemplate a couple of issues. First, by no means drill any sort of gap in your helmet to mount a digital camera or wiring. It will compromise your security. Second, bear in mind that protrusions out of your helmet can catch in a slide, inflicting hurt. Third, by no means mount a digital camera in such a approach that it impairs your field of regard.
How do you file your self driving a motorbike?
Two of the most well-liked strategies of recording your self driving a motorbike are to mount a digital camera to your helmet/physique or mount a digital camera to the motorbike itself. These all provide totally different views and benefits/disadvantages. A helmet mount is probably the most typical, however they could reduce your helmet’s safety in an accident. Mounting a digital camera on the motorbike is one other method to get both the view in entrance of the bike or circled in the direction of the rider. A chest-mounted digital camera may also present extra of the motorbike’s cockpit, which might be both a constructive or destructive.
Further Assets
The Finest Bike Cameras To Doc Your Rides
MO Examined: Innovv K1 Bike Digicam Overview
MO Examined: Innovv C5 Bike Digicam System Overview
MO Examined: INNOVV K2 Bike Digicam System Overview
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