ACE HD Sports camera, accessories, and container

I have been looking for a good head cam that does HD quality video.  There are many on the market, we all see them, however I know little about them.  I have done a lot of research, comparing what DSF needs, to what is available on the market and prices.  We needed a good price of course, but  reliability and customer service are a must with DSF.  We are hard on gear in the “field”,  it happens)  especially yours truly on the beach in the surf.   After countless emails,  phone calls (many unanswered),  and research, I decided to try the   ACE HD Sports cam  from Spots Vue.  A very choice, wearable HD Sport camera system.  I Am Impressed!

Jason, at Sports Vue took my order and was very helpful.  This is a big plus in my book, customer service is a joke anymore.  I want to talk to a human, not a machine,  I can type to my machine.  People can answer questions much faster than a FAQ, and when you own your company, you expect to talk to a person.  Jason was very helpful and personable to deal with.   The camera was shipped ground, UPS.  I tracked it all the way with no problems.   The  camera was packed in styrofoam packing peanuts, which we recycled (could do better there).   Arrived safe and sound;  no dents, scratches, or bruises.  It is safe to say the delivery driver didn’t punt it over the fence.

The entire box is roughly 3.5 x 8 x 7 inches.  The camera is separated from the gear included, protected by a plastic cover, as are the lenses and screen.  This is all in one small box….  Camera, waterproof housing, and bracket for head mount strap, bracket for bicycle/motor bike handle bar, camera bracket (universal), USB cable (2),  Li-battery (2.5 hour), a USB car lighter adapter,  power adapter cable (w/110 adapter), helmet bracket, AV cable,  hand strap for camera, hand bag,  bands for brackets (3), and a user’s manual.  The chip required is a Micro SD Card, purchased separately.  Wintec filemate is the recommended chip they use, I ordered a 32 gig with the camera, the video time will match the battery time (2.5 hours). Lots of toys with my new toy, I like that.

First things first, this is one very small camera, 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches. Wow! A rubberized coating  makes it easy to grip and hold. That is important, when you hold cameras they are “slick” plastic and you can easily drop them.   This camera fits snug in its waterproof housing with no “play” or shifting in the case, again the rubberized coating helps.  There are rubber covers for the battery and all other access ports.   Ace HD Sport cam has a USB socket, AV out socket, HDMI interface and indicator lights for power and charge.  There is a built in microphone that picks sound up very well, I recently discovered.  No you can’t hear that video.  The screw thread on the bottom allows the camera to be mounted without the housing.  Great for the dashboard mount, I added to the Trooper.

The waterproof housing is comfortable enough to wear for short periods of time.  I would use a hat or helmet if I wanted to wear it all day.  This is true with any head cam, they just dig into your forehead, eventually.  This head cam is more comfortable then the others I have tried.  The whole system is very light.  In fact the camera is so light you can hardly tell your holding or wearing anything.  The housing has 2 buttons on the top, one for video and the other for still shots.  To use the waterproof housing the camera has to be on the entire time.  Not a big deal with a 2.5 hour battery, that can charge from a 110 source, USB, or  a car adapter for a USB.  The only downside to the housing is you cannot see the view screen.  You just use the light indicators on top to know if the camera is recording.  The microphone works a little when the camera is in the housing.  There is a removable lens for any future damage, to the housing lens, it is also water proof to 60 feet!

The view screen is probably the best feature of the ACE HD Sport cam.  You can see what you’re recording and even get a rough idea of quality.    The screen is small but efficient, the videos do look better on a computer, but that is a given.   The “not-so-hot” looking videos actually turned out well, you have to get used to the camera.  The microphone works great, even a little when in the housing.  Be wary of that fact when reviewing the video with people for the first time. I definitely like the ease of use and the versatility of this camera.  When I am downloading I do not remove the chip, I just use the USB connection.  SD Micro Chips are small, delicate, and easy to lose.  If you have to keep switching chips in the “field” take a water proof container for storage.

All in all  the ACE HD Head Cam is great video system.  DSF will be working with these cameras this summer.  I think the greatest  feature of this company along with customer service, is the guarantee, you break it they replace it.  I believe I am going to need that guarantee. I give the Sports Vue ACE HD Sport cam a serious 2 thumbs up!!

Fish On!!

Rich King