Garmin Takes On GoPro With the VIRB Waterproof Action Camera

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  The Action Cam, Reborn

  The Garmin VIRB is a GoPro-like action camera that can capture 1080p video for up to three hours. The basic version costs $299.99 and the Wi-Fi-equipped VIRB Elite costs $399.99. Both versions can communicate with other Garmin products.

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  Head Harness

  Garmin sells a number of optional harnesses, including this one for a head mount.

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  Garmin Compatible

  You can control the VIRB from other Garmin products with ANT+ tech, such as a GPS watch.

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  Wrist Mount

  You can mount the VIRB on your wrist.

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  Illuminated Screen

  The screen on the VIRB uses ambient light to illuminate it, saving on battery life.

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  Front View

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  Bottom View

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  Switch

  The big switch activates recording and is easy to check by feel alone.

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  Side View

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  Angle View

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  Packaging

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  Head Mount, Close Up

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  Body Harness

  
  

  
  

  If you think "action sports camera," the first brand that probably comes to mind is GoPro. ButGarmin is looking to change that. The company, synonymous with GPS navigation and technology that takes advantage of it, is launching its first action cam, the VIRB.

  Like the GoPro, the VIRB can record 1080p video for up to three hours on a single charge. It's also durable, able to endure shock, extreme temperatures and getting dunked in water (up to 30 minutes). The ruggedized design is more like a camcorder than the GoPro, looking more like a spyglass than a DSLR.

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  The VIRB also happens to include Garmin's proprietary wireless tech, ANT+. This allows the company's products to communicate with each other while consuming very low power (similar to Bluetooth Smart tech, although ANT+ predates it). So if you have a Garmin GPS product, such as the fenix watch, you'll be able to control the camera with it.

  Garmin will also offer a remote control specific for the VIRB, although that's not expected until 2014.

  I got hands-on time with the VIRB when Garmin brought one by our offices, and I thought the form factor was even better than the GoPro. I liked the big Record switch on the side that lets you easily check if you're recording just by touch (handy if you're using the optional head harness). The small screen uses ambient light for illumination (negating the need for a battery-draining backlight), but it was still passable for quick review of what you just shot.

  I didn't really get a chance to try out the camera's video stabilization, but Garmin says it'll correct for excessive Bourne Identity-esque shakiness, and it can even correct for the fish-eye effect that the camera's lens creates for more "natural-looking" footage. There's a microSD card slot for storage and an microHDMI port for direct output to a TV.

  Your basic VIRB costs $299.99. If you don't have a Garmin product, though, you'll probably want the VIRB Elite ($399.99), which includes Wi-Fi and can connect to your smartphone via Garmin's apps for iPhone and Android. The Elite version has a couple of other bells and whistles, such as the ability to track your speed, elevation and more — overlaying them on the video if you so choose. It also has a Ski Mode that will detect when you're on a chairlift and automatically pause recording.