What are the best non GoPro action cameras?

[Bruce]

I am considering upgrading action cameras and am curious what others are using. I see there are a lot of lesser known products with similar or better features for a fraction of the cost and there are well known name brand products that are competing with GoPro. So who has tried the competition and how did you like them?

 

[jameskeller76]

Following

 

[KXCam22]

There are lots of clones on chinabay that look just like gopros. Cam.

 

[Bedlamfirm]

So I am curious too. Have a GoPro 3 and curious on getting a couple backups because my 8 year old is interested in making his own movies. Friend of mine Recommended Thieye T5e which has lots of reviews on you tube. 4K I believe. When checking the reviews on that came across another called Yi 4K. GoPro killers? They look really affordable. Anyone have experience?

 

[Wayloncle]

I have an action camera 4K, I really like it. Looks like a GoPro, uses all the same mounts as a GoPro. Has wifi so I can see it on my phone and turn it on/off and such with the app. I've only used iMovie to make videos with it, and I think the video quality is just fine for what I want it for.
Think I paid $50ish, and it came with the waterproof case and a whole bunch of attachments.

I did this video with it, I don't remember what quality I uploaded it to youtube as, but I think it's worth the little $ I paid for it.

 

[Neutron]

I have always used Contour cameras. Since i use it for a side mount on my motorcycle helmet and it is narrow it i use it everywhere. Boat, jetski, kayak etc...
Great 720degree video. Gps.

 

[jpass]

One of many such articles out there:

http://www.techradar.com/news/photo...-the-ultimate-guide-to-action-cameras-1274790

 

[LeeFlan7]

@Wayloncle, if you don't mind me asking, where did you buy that? $400 for a go pro is hard to swallow!

 

[MrWizard]

@Wayloncle, if you don't mind me asking, where did you buy that? $400 for a go pro is hard to swallow!

I'll second that.
Pic/vid quality (to me, at least) is beyond decent

 

[Benny Sibbitt]

Ask @Vongbeats about his camera, he posted a video and quality look pretty comparable to the gopro
akaso ek7000 4k wifi

https://www.amazon.com/AKASO-EK7000-Sports-Waterproof-Camcorder/dp/B01HGM33HG

 

[GMAN2015]

We just bought a MUVI K2 Pro 4K. New to action cameras and I paid half the cost of a new GoPro. Has an app to control the camera remotely, wifi signal from the camera is strong and came with a hard storage case and all the bells and whistles regarding mounting attachments. I bought the underwater camera case which appears to be a good design. Battery life is a little longer than the GoPro. Picture quality is par with GoPro too. It's worth a look.

 

[OCMD]

So many sub 80 dollar ones available on aliexpress...here's one...and of course, the accesory packages they sell here fit perfect with gopros (I have one) for a fraction of the cost of "gopro" accesories...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/gop...lgo_pvid=04bace4d-3e99-40c1-beef-25802a0ff6a8

 

[robert843]

Great stuff guys! I'm looking to buy 3 more this year and was dreading the cost of the GoPro 5's def gives me some options now.

 

[subysti]

I've always used the contour roam cameras. Work great, great vid quality and nicer mounting in my opinion. The us military uses them on their helmet cams so they must be durable.

 

[captainhook]

Xiaomi Yi

 

[Wayloncle]

@Wayloncle, if you don't mind me asking, where did you buy that? $400 for a go pro is hard to swallow!

I got it from Nationalparksdepot.com
But they, or looks to be the same, are on Amazon as well.
It really is just what I wanted, screen on the back, wifi so I can control it with my phone and easily download the videos to my phone wirelessly, good video quality and seems to be just as tough and waterproof (case) as GoPro...and it can use all the GoPro type attachments....all that for a whole lot less than a GoPro.

I'm not knocking GoPro at all, I'm sure the video quality may be better or whatever, but this one is plenty good for what I want!

 

[haknslash]

Considering the audio issue @OUT ON THE REEF has with his Hero 5 black, I would pass until they get it resolved. Thankfully my Hero 4 Silver doesn't have this issue or the camera would be a paper weight.

 

[LeeFlan7]

some great feedback here....what mounts do you all use for the boat and ski??

 

[Wayloncle]

some great feedback here....what mounts do you all use for the boat and ski??

[Upgraded Version] Sametop Jaws Flex Clamp Mount with Adjustable Gooseneck for GoPro Hero4 Session, Hero4, Hero3+, Hero3, Hero2, Hero Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CQ6PWSA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_c2nUybP7PZNYF
This clamp right here is great! The video I posted above was with this clamp without the arm clamped on the tower, it also clamps to the windshield very sturdy.
Luxebell Waterproof Camera Float Floating Handle Grip for Gopro Hero 4 Black Silver Session Hero+ Lcd 3+ 3 2 Camera and Sjcam Sj4000 Sj5000 - Save Your Camera From Sinking https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MGKYD8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_A5nUybGT91EPF

This floaty handle is attached to my camera when it's not on that clamp. It works great as well.

 

[robert843]

I've always used the contour roam cameras. Work great, great vid quality and nicer mounting in my opinion. The us military uses them on their helmet cams so they must be durable.

For only $98 I went ahead and ordered one of the Roam3 it looks simple which is perfect for the stuff I do if I like it I will pick up another. For that price it could last a year and die and I wouldn't care.

https://www.amazon.com/Contour-ROAM3-Waterproof-Video-Camera/dp/B00METYIQ2