Garmin VIRB XE Auto Racing Bundle
 

Anyone have any experience or opinions on the Garmin VIRB XE Auto Racing Bundle? Thinking about getting one, because GPSCity has it on sale for $399.95. Normally $499.99.

Garmin VIRB XE Auto Racing Bundle
HD Camera with OBD2 Data Relay
Garmin VIRB XE Auto Racing Bundle
Professional 1080p/60fps video & image stabilization
G-Metrix tracks movement in real time and displays it in gauges, graphs and more
Included OBD2 Data Relay captures RPM, torque, coolant temperature, throttle position, intake temperature, engine load, fuel rate, mass airflow sensor rate and more
Price Drop from $499.99
Only $399.95

Ok...........I bit the bullet and ordered one. :)

Nice been eyeing one for a while... give us a review when you can

One of the guys I autox with got one out at Solo nats last year. He couldn't say enough good things about it. The only negative he had was that the built in GPS didn't have a fast enough refresh for autox. Not sure if that's an issue for you track guys but something to look at.

That's one of the very few issues I've read about it.

I was using HLT with just the iPhone GPS, but I was not happy with the data resolution when exported to Google Earth. I picked up a DUAL XGPS 160 that provides 10 hz sampling and much cleaner looking data logs. You might be able to do something similar with this if it supports external GPS units.

10Hz refresh is a must. With 1Hz updates be it autocross or a track day it looks like your off roading at every turn.

Ok, got it. Did my first video today with my truck. The camera is easier to use then my GoPro 3+ Black. It uses the same mounts as a GoPro too. When paired with a phone. All the features are there. Still playing around with the settings. The editing is nice to use too.

You can see that it was an overcast day. Still have some snow on the ground. :shakes head: Had the radio playing in the video, and youtube cut it out. :( So no sound. :(

In for the review of this product, very interested

My use at Gingerman this last (bright and sunny) weekend's open track day. My codriver in OLOA is driving... The lap timer, for some reason, wasn't really working that well...



Tracy Ramsey

Got one for Xmas and now that the Z is out of storage, I can start to play with mine. What I've used of it so far, I am very happy with the features and ease of use.

Working on it. ;)

Ok, the review. :D

1st pic. This is what you get with the Auto Bundle. The camera, sticky mount, OBD2 doggle, and the computer cable. $399.99. Also bought a spare battery. Have to watch which batteries to get. As the Virb takes different batteries then the Virb X, and Virb XE.

2nd pic. This is the Rugged Cable Combo. $39.99. From the website.
"This 3-to-1 combo cable allows you to power your VIRB X or XE action camera, providing 3.5 mm stereo input for an external mic, RCA composite video output and mini-USB port. The cable is great for rugged environments, such as adventures on ATVs, motorcycles and more."
I'm having problems to get the external mike to work. :shakes head:

3rd pic. This is what the connection side looks like. There is no cover for it.

4th & 5th pic. This is what it looks like with the cable snapped into place.

Comparison between the Virb XE, and my GoPro Hero 3+ Black.

1st pic. The front. The Virb does not have the screen or the buttons on the front like the GoPro.

2nd pic.The bottom. The Virb has a mount on the bottom. GoPro, you have to use a case for mounting. What's nice about the Virb XE mounting. You can use the same mounting equipment as the GoPro. So you don't have to go out and buy new. :tup:

3rd pic. The top. The Virb has the screen and buttons on the top.

4th pic. The back. The GoPro. You remove the back to get to the battery. On the Virb XE. You release the catch on the side and swing the front cover open to get to the battery and card. Should have taken a picture of that. :icon14: It takes the same card as the GoPro. One plus is that the Virb can take a card up to 132, my GoPro only to 64.

The remotes.

The Virb remote doesn't need charging. It has a replaceable battery. Said to last for a year. We'll see. The remote has 3 buttons on it. A round button to strat the video record. A square button to stop the record. And a picture button for taking pictures. What's nice is that if you hit the button while recording video. It will take a picture.

My GoPro remote seems like it always needs recharging after an hour or so.

I'm using the same GoPro mounts in my Nismo for the Virb XE. :tup: The 1st picture shows the Rugged Cable attached with the external mike. Which I'm having problems with. :shakes head:

The 2nd pic shows where I mounted the remote with velcro. :tup:

The video is on one of my favorite roads when there is no traffic. :driving: It's the road I traveled back and forth for work before I retired. :tup:

The video was shot at 1800, lens set to Ultra Zoom. Like my GoPro. It needs a polarized lens filter for when it's sunny to reduce the glare. I'm going to try and mod one of mine for the GoPro to fit. The Virb XE is easy to use. Some features are easier then the GoPro. With the buttons and screen on top. You can see when you make a change. Under the OK/Camera button. Is a leveler switch that you can use to turn on and off the camera. When you use it. It starts a video record, and shuts it's off too. When you press the camera button, It will take a picture. Now when you are in the menu. It will not take a picture. You now use it as a OK button for the menu. To use an external mike. You have to go into the menu and switch the setting. GoPro, just plug it in. I had the external mike turned on with the same mike I use for my GoPro. In the video. It sounds like the internal mike is on. :shakes head:

I got the app for my cell phone. You can watch the video as it's being recorded. Plus the sound too. You can edit the video. Start/Stop the record.:tup: The app doesn't loose the signal as bad as the GoPro app. I had some issues sinking it to my phone. Took a couple of tries to get it. Same thing with my GoPro too. So.....

If using the Garmin editing software without overlaying the gauges. You get a Time/Date, Route Map, GPS speed reading, Elevation, Grade, and Distance. Everything you see on the right side of the video. The route map is not the best. It does not show every turn. :icon14: Still trying to figure out the Grade reading. I've gone down some steep hills and it will show 9%. Now going back up. It will show less then 3% sometimes. :icon14:

Using the Garmin editing software is easy. I like it better then some of the other stuff I've used. With the software. You can add sensor readings. BUT you are limited to Speedometer, Tach, Coolant Temp, Inlet Temp, Throttle Position, Engine Load, G Force, and Brake/Accel. I wish there was more. :shakes head: When you add the gauges to the video. You have a choice of different options as to use. :tup: Plus you can change the colors too. :tup:

Can't wait to do a trackday to see how it does. :driving: But that won't be until July. :shakes head: I will use the Virb more then the GoPro. I need more time with it though.

Hey, I noticed when you downshift you are barking the rear tires. Are you heel/Toeing yourself? If so, you need more throttle blip when you downshift/ let out the clutch.

I have revmatch on. On the one down hill right turn. I went from 6th to 3rd, then 2nd in about a heartbeat. That hill is about a 9% grade.

I didn't finish watching yours, but Tracy's video is the one I was talking about.

Oh, sorry. I didn't catch the quote tagged with your reply. That's what I get for speed reading. :driving:

You went to the Evelyn Woodhead sped redding course, too? Before, I couldn't spell "mechanic". Now I is one.

Anyone else old enough to remember this?

It was my codriver, and he forgot to put the revmatch on...and I yelled at him ;-)

Tracy Ramsey

Hey Rusty..just to give you another feature you may have missed. Download the Virb XE app on your cellphone. You turn on your wireless (on phone) and it hooks up to the camera. Let's you see the picture (live) for aiming and such...and also let's you turn the video on and off, or take pictures. Pretty slick.

Tracy Ramsey

Now that is funny....LOL:icon18:

You're late to the party. Look in post 17. :D

Think that's what I'm doing wrong. Turning the external mike on with the phone. The camera is getting the sound from the phone, not the mike. Have to dig deeper into this. Hmmm......


Got an e-mail the other day from GoPro for their new edit software. Started to download it and quite. Because it wants to install Apple's QuickTime program. I got an e-mail from the Dept of Homeland Security last week about the software. It has a bunch of holes in it that hackers can use. This is the real deal. Because of my job. I have contacts in the dept. and have to deal with them.

More than, more than, more than, more than, more than.... Great review but it's more than, not then...


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Damn spelling nazi. Why pick on me? There are other's out there a whole lot worst. :rofl2: Pick on them. Is this the best you can come up with. With your first post since you joined in 9/14? :rofl2:

I'm busted your chops. :rofl2:

The package is on sale at GPSCity for $299.95. :eek:

Garmin VIRB XE Auto Racing Bundle

Hey did you ever figure out how to use an external mic?

Yeah. Everytime I turn the camera on. I have to go through the menu and check the function to make sure it is on external mike. Easy to do.