Leastbest

Couple weeks ago I got a Sony Action Cam for the bike. I got to use it on our club ride for the first time last Saturday, our Chili Wiener Ride. It is very small and I can record ten hours or more. Has anti-shake built into it. Here is a the video I took.

JonnyHK 

What software did you use for the dashboard? It is the Sony software?

johnny99

10 hours of battery life? Really? I see other reviews saying less than 2 hours of battery life in full HD mode. Battery life is, of course, a huge issue with cameras on road bikes.

WheresWaldo

Yeah I am doubting those battery life claims also. I have two Sony AZ1's the battery is slightly smaller than the AS200 but it is about the same capacity. I have to carry extra batteries with me if I plan on recording anything in HD and want more than about 1:45:00 of recording.

The anti-shake is a great feature and works very well. I also like the fact that, at least in my opinion the Sony's have much better image quality and definitely have better low light performance than any GoPro (I also have a GoPro Hero3+Silver).

Leastbest

The software is what comes with it. The battery life is supposedly 2 and a half hours. I have extra batteries. I meant ten hours on my card.

WheresWaldo

[MENTION=227486]Leastbest[/MENTION], just be forewarned 2.5 hours is best case. You will routinely see 2 hours or less, so be prepared with extra batteries. Did you get the remote also?

Leastbest

I have two extra batteries. Is the remote worthwhile?

WheresWaldo

Depends on where you mount your AS200 or if you have more than one mounted. The LiveView remote will control multiple cams at the same time and if your AS200 is rear facing it makes controlling it easier. I mount mine to a Garmin Quarter-turn mount. as pictured here:




I haven't looked at Sony's Android app in a very long time, but they did promise multi-camera synced control with it, so the remote might be unnecessary now. Not sure what features it supports on the AS200V. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...g.actioncamapp

They also have an app for AndroidWear watches here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...liveviewremote

Leastbest

That is a very nice set-up. I hadn't considered attaching it to the bike. It is something to consider. Also getting a second camera is a great idea too. Thanks for your time with this.

rifraf

Shame the Sony mounting stops you charging on the fly as it were.
Hiding the usb charge plug in that way was what determined me look elsewhere than Sony.
It removes the ability to either charge from a dynohub or utilise a cache battery.

canklecat

Looks good, much more stable than my various video cams mounted on the handlebar or head tube.

What are you using to coordinate speed and trip data with the video?

WheresWaldo

Yep, that part of the AS200v is kinda dumb. The AZ1 has it's charge port/USB on the back and is not affected by the mount.

rifraf

Thanks for the tip.
I'll check it out

Leastbest

The software that comes with it overlays the data.

rifraf

How does the AZ1 compare feature wise to the AS200v?

WheresWaldo

Here is a little chart from BH - Compare Sony HDR-AS200V Full HD Action Cam vs Sony HDR-AZ1 Action Cam Mini vs GoPro HERO4 Black

Mark Hawk has done a lot of Actioncam video comparisons and this one is specifically AS200 v AZ1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbdGNUkPGJA

This is Sony's official page for Action Camera products - Action Cameras | Action Cam Sports Cameras | Sony US

What made me choose the AZ1 over the AS200V was mostly the size and I got a deal with the LiveView Remote as a package. I also own a Contour 2 and two Contour HD and a GoPro Hero3 Black. The Sony gets the most use.

rifraf

Thanks heaps for the links

johnny99

Sony AZ1 has a much smaller battery than the Sony 100 and 200. Estimate 1 hour battery life on the AZ1 compared to 2 hours for the bigger Sonys.

WheresWaldo

I get about 1:20 on a battery, but they are small and I have six of them charged at any given time, so I can take a few along with me in a little plastic ziplock snack bag that is in my saddle bag. The AS200v should be just over 2 hours of battery time on a fully charged set.

rifraf

Hi WheresWaldo, how have you mounted yours (cam)?
Do you have a pic of it in situ?

Any idea if it can be charged via an external battery? i.e. USB? Whilst being used?


I spotted your remote mounting and I guess I can do that as I currently have two Garmins mounted whilst I begin to learn my new Edge unit after having an 800 for a few years now.

I've found locally a half price sale and am kind of tempted.

Edit: I couldn't wait for your reply and bit the bullet and ordered. Like yours it comes with the remote.
It mentions a spare battery but doesn't make it clear if thats for the remote or the cam.

I'm interested in the options to mount this to my handlebars or do you think a chest strap is the way to go?.

WheresWaldo

[MENTION=227093]rifraf[/MENTION],

Are you sure you want to know?

I have created a bunch of 3D printed mount adapters direct for the AZ1 so I can mount it on GoPro mounts without stringing multiple adapters together. On the front I use a K-Edge Combo mount for my Edge 810/AZ1 (GoPro) combo, on the back I use a size specific 3D printed seatpost mount as well as a clip in mount for the Sony LiveView remote. Since the Sony is Splashproof I ride without the waterproof housing. Here are a few older images:



I posted a 1 minute video with the camera mounted as pictured above in this post.

There are a few people on here that either use my mounts, or have contacted [MENTION=141062]JonnyHK[/MENTION] to use his mounts. There are also a few others that print their own stuff like [MENTION=40124]ItsJustMe[/MENTION]. I don't ride Fizik saddles but I did model a GoPro mount for their Integrated Clip System (I.C.S.) so that is always an option. Most of the stuff we posted and a nice ongoing discussion is in this thread.

rifraf

Thanks heaps for the very impressive picks and yet to be followed links.
I'll take a couple of days to look and absorb and will surely have more questions.

I appreciate the speedy response.

Thank you

Pug

I have one and generally get about 1 hour 50 minutes on a charge. I carry an extra battery. I haven't looked into it, but there might be something I can change with how I'm recording that would use less energy - and prolong battery life a little, but 1:50 seems pretty decent given the quality of the video I'm getting and the size of the battery.