Drift Ghost XL Pro Review & Thoughts
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 เม.ย. 2022
- This is my personal review of the brand new Drift Ghost XL Pro action camera from Drift Innovations. In this video I discuss what the Drift Ghost XL Pro is good at, and more importantly, a few of the things that let it down as an action camera. The camera is great, but TLDR, I don't think it is a great camera for motovlogging with. If you want a brilliant dashcam style camera that you can mount to your helmet however, the Drift Ghost XL Pro is pretty much perfect for the role, and is a good price too!
This is all my own personal opinion, others may have a very different opinion than myself, and that is absolutely fine. If your thoughts are different than mine, or you agree on points, please drop in a comment and let me know.
Thanks to @Motourev: Motorcycle Tours & Reviews for sorting out a discount for me on the camera
Thanks to @CaptainCranky & @Phil480 for their feedback on this and past Drift Ghost cameras.
If you have not done so already, do take a look over at my other social media, I am active on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram, & you'll get sneak peeks into possible upcoming videos that may interest you!
Facebook: / hippodrones
Instagram: / hippodrone247
Twitter: / hippo_drones
My bikes:
2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 with Doubletake mirrors & Evotech Performance satnav bar mount
2020 Beta 390 RR with 2" lowered suspension by HM Racing (www.hmracing.co.uk)
2017 Suzuki GSX-R 750 with Yoshimura Slip-On Exhaust & modified gearing
2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, aka "Lord Vader" which has been very customised
1984 Honda CB100N in original condition
My van:
Ford Transit Custom Limited 185 Auto
My previous bikes that have featured on the channel:
2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT with Zard Titanium Slip-On Silencer
2018 Triumph street Triple 765R [LRH]
2018 Beta Alp 4.0
2017 KTM 390 Duke
My kit:
Adventure Biking:
RST Pro Series Adventure-X jacket and jeans
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex boots
Rain/Winter:
Rukka textiles, Held Warm n' Dry gloves, Daytona Road Star GTX boots (all year round awesome)
Scratching/Trackdays:
Dainese 2-piece leathers, Forcefield back protector, RST supermoto gloves
Boots: Daytona Road Star GTX
Chilled rides:
Weise retro jacket, Levi's, work boots.
Oxford Super Hoody
Oxford Original Approved AA Jean Slim MS 3 Year
Forma Swift Dry boots
Green Laning:
Leatt GPX 5.5 jacket and pants, Leatt knee armour, Shot body armour, Fox Instinct X boots, Fox gloves.
My helmets:
Touring: Schuberth C4 Pro Carbon
Adventuring: Nishua Enduro Carbon
Green Laning: LS2 Subverter & Nishua Cross Carbon
Trackdays: Shoei NXR
Chilled rides with no camera: Davida Jet "8 Ball"
Cameras:
Insta360 One X2
Insta360 One X
Insta360 One R
GoPro Hero 10 Black
GoPro Hero 9 Black
GoPro Hero 8 Black with Media Mod audio
Drift Ghost XL Pro
My editing software:
filmora.wondershare.com/
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here are some affiliate links to a selection of the kit I use:
Here is the satnav mount I use for the Garmin Zumo on my Moto Guzzi V85TT: amzn.to/3tqBrPA
Rode Wireless Go: amzn.to/3dF2kXd
Tascam DR-05: amzn.to/2Nzy851
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Insta360 One R: www.insta360.com/sal/one_r?in...
GoPro Max: amzn.to/36f3UfR
GoPro Hero 10 Black: amzn.to/323xmIb
GoPro Hero 9 Black: amzn.to/2JE15OE
GoPro Hero 8 Black: amzn.to/2qWUOEt
Helmet Chin Mount for GoPro: amzn.to/35YjePr
1/4" to GoPro mount adapter: amzn.to/2JeRJo9
Quad Lock Motorcycle Mount: amzn.to/2CLsKHA
Quad Lock Universal Adaptor: amzn.to/2Ao5g9x
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#AdventureBike #DualSport #EnduroBike #HippoDrones #Motorcycle #Vlogger - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
These issue are the same issues they have had camera to camera since they made the stealth 2 and 4k. I highlighted all this to them directly in a phone call years ago. You would think making it wider would be an easy change but that's not how Drift do! Like the downward mic port on the 4k, the adaptor would bump in to my shoulder all the time, damaging the port. They just don't listen to feed back or make logical changes, they just give outdated specs and MORE BATTERY LIFE! haha. It's a shame as you say the form factor is great. Imagine if the Insta one r had a mod that had a rotating lens offset 90 degrees to the body!?! I have told them they should make it, they won't.
Oh lastly re getting it lined up right, I always found putting the helmet on a desk and looking down from above to make sure the camera is strait with the helmet worked.
Great work dude 😃
This being my first Drift, I couldn't compare it with my own experiences, but remember your videos discussing the 4k and all it's problems. Maybe they have realised that with their current set up, the video quality is already in the poor side of ok and using a wide angle lens would make it look even worse as it would need to spread the comparatively low bitrate over a larger area, would make it look like 720p
A rotating lens to go from side to tip view on an Insta360 One X2 or One R would be great, I'd possibly use my One R in single lens mode if I could attach the lens on the end rather than side, that could be an awesome camera, and being modular, it could be a lens you buy as a mod for it too!
Top-tip re aligning the camera, I'll have to give that a try if I ever use the camera again, I'll probably just sell it though.
Cheers for taking a look 🙂
Glad someone else noticed the marketing sham. Same sensor - same compression - 4k in name only - very blocky footage on the supposedly high bitrate setting. All they have done is changed the port access covers and integrated a different battery. Mounting form factor is great - why the hell can't they just put more modern technology in there and get close to GoPro quality image?
@@relativenormality It is a real shame as I very much wanted to love the camera.
my largest issue is the unreliability of recording, the camera just freezes a lot! It's really difficult to reading the menu as well, hard to tell of it's recording or what.
@@habanerooperations8432 aye, very small rear screen, I needed my reading glasses to see it properly
Thanks for the review. Spent ages reviewing different cms, but just bought a Drift, havnt used it yet, but this review has given me the confidence i bought the right cam. Thanks mate.
Am very glad it helped you make your decision 👍
That's a damn fine, good and fair review Pete, nicely done. I hadn't realised the difference in how speed looks!
It's a damn shame about the narrow FOV. If they'd sorted that they would have nailed it with this camera.
Yup, was it yourself who told me they used to have a 170' fov? That would have been ace.
I never imagined that I’d be watching Phil Collins reviewing action cameras someday…. Good review Phil 👍
"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn!" 😀
Great video that really demonstrates the difference between the gopro10 and the drift. I couldn’t believe the difference that would certainly make me not want to buy one. Thanks for the review. 👍🏻👍🏻
It is mad, both on 2.7k highest bitrate and widest FOV... the Drift footage almost looks like 720 in comparison sadly, GoPro really are top of the game for video quality.
Thanks for that. It answered all my questions on it and like you say it's not bad at all but for an exciting Motovlog vid the Go pro are sadly still a better option.
Thanks for your time making the vid👍🍻
Yup, I'm honestly quite gutted it isn't up to scratch for me as a motovlogger.
Thanks!! Saved me from buying something I wouldn’t like in the end!
Glad it was helpful Richard. The camera does have its place and use, I just don't think, in it's current state, that it is a good motovlogging camera.
Good review that Pete.
As you know I'm GoPro through abd through abd always have been. For me, there's good reason why they are the market leaders.
That said and as you highlight, they do come at a price, most quality things do though. 👍
Aye, I wish they were more reliable when new though, but the Hero 10 is an incredible camera
Good review, Pete! Glad I made the switch to the GH9.
Cheers Noob 🙂 Hopefully I'll be able to sell it on with no issues.
Top notch and thorough review good Sir. I love the form factor and rotating lens on these things and I have a Ghost X, but I couldn't get past the strange "phut-putting" in the audio (using a Sony mic I have to say, I never tried the Drift mic). So that will be relegated to non audio B roll.
The Sony X3000 has a similar form factor, and active stabilisation, and can be made "weatherproof" you might say with the remote mic, and I am trying to configure that up instead. I am certainly willing to watch these deep dive camera tech videos. Kind regards.
The Sony has awesome stabilisation, and if you can make it UK weatherproof, that'd be an ace camera if you want to side mount 🙂
Great video mate, I've considered them before, but I prefer the features from Gopro's that benefit us motovloggers, and like mine chin mounted too. The one thing I've never noticed before is the sense of speed difference, massive difference it is too, was amazing to see in a way (I was only doing 60 in my latest video, honest 🤣🤣). As you said, still a great dashcam for bikes or even cars if you can mount them easily.
Yup, it is a perfect motorcycle dash cam, but IMO not really useful to the motovlogging community sadly.
I'm jumping in with tips.
To set the camera view put ur drift life app on then put camera on crash helmet and move around until you get the view u want , mark where the clip is then stick mount to helmet👍no wasted clips🙂there is an arrow on the lens which should always be at the top, which keeps the view level👍also use the one touch record, it's awesome.
As for the pivot mount I have one.it makes the camera stick out a long way. My earlier videos use the pilot mount.
Brill tips ty mate. Yeah I set it to one touch recording, so much easier 🙂
Thanks for the review!
No probs, hope it was helpful?
An interesting video. I have a Drift camera which I used when I used to do track days. I found the swively lens arrangement very clever, you could always get a straight image, wherever you ended up mounting it. Since I stopped doing track days though I haven't been following their newer products.
I never considered Drift when I started motovlogging, the GoPro was pretty much the de facto standard by the time I started. Now the Instas are starting to make a name for themselves and it looks as though Drift still has some way to go before securing itself a slice of the motovlogging market. Apart from the narrow FOV the image stabilisation looks "minimal" shall we say. Not great at all.
Nice to see something different though, maybe they'll get there one day !
Thanks for this very detailed review H-D.
Cheers,
ER.
I def think there is a place for the new Drift Ghost XL Pro, but it doesn't seem to sit with us motovloggers sadly. The video quality has a way to go, but it was that FOV that was the deal breaker for me.
Thanks for the review, really interesting the comparison about how the different cameras show road speed. My biggest issue is I don't like the side or top of helmet mount positions. Do wish Gopro could get closer to Drift on battery life.
I'm probably one of the few choosing Insta over Gopro (mainly for reliability and battery reasons) but I do acknowledge the Gopro picture is probably the best out there still.
I'm def not a fan of the top view, and chin is also my preference, but I'm not anti the side view.... just the low FOV sadly 😥
we use insta rs as well.
i've got the xl and that is waterproof and very good build quality much better than the drift 4k i had from a reliability point of view i better order a XL pro now . You can link it to a remote as well and the phone app is great to use all the settings great review mate 👍
Yup, I think I mentioned briefly the remote. If you want to buy my XL Pro, you are welcome... have a few accessories for it too, be cheaper than new and only used a handful of times!
Fascinating to see just how the Ghost just completely removed any dynamism from the video. You really weren’t exaggerating.
Great info re the YT compression around different resolutions. Think I’ll have to try changes to my cameras. Just worried I’ll still be taking days to upload again 😂
On the editing software I use, if I record with my GoPro on best settings for 1080p and then upscale it on my PC to 2.7k or 4k, and as long as you use the native bitrate the GoPro records at, the file will be no larger than if you kept it at 1080, so it shouldn't affect how long it takes your computer to render it!
@@HippoDrones here in deepest darkest Snowdonia it’s the Broadband that’s a killer. Speedy 1Mb….and that’s the download speed😂
@@craigyllyn Oh wow, yeah that would be an issue, do you get 4g phone signal? Might be faster to upload it via your phone, or use the phone as a wifi hotspot!
I paid for the GoPro subscription because of the "One Free camera replacement No questions asked." But they lied. When I lost my GoPro they refused to replace it. You need to still own the camera for the replacement. I'll never own another GoPro again.
I paid for it because it meant I got loads of accessories free effectively and got the camera cheaper. I think with all these guarantees you need to read the small print before committing to know what you are paying for. I imagine you'd struggle to find anyone that would replace a £400 camera you lost for just £50
My fist adventure camera was a Drift camera.....A long story but it failed after a month, the replacement never worked so it push me to the go-pros. I did like the the way the lens rotated to suit the angle and how slim it is. I need to go back and try one again. I agree the go-pros make you look faster. Thanks for the review
I really wanted this camera to be good... sadly it falls short as a motovlogging camera... but is great as a Motorcycling dashcam
Thanks for this video, it's been really insightful and a great help to me. While I will be sticking to GoPro for a bit longer it has given me an idea for educating riders which could prove invaluable. We always tell riders, 'Keep your vision up, look as far forward as you can see.' And that's because the further up the road you look the slower (or longer it takes) if feels like you are riding - you have more time to think about what to do. Your conparison between the two cameras is almost the same (with the drift having that telescopic effect of looking further ahead) as the difference between looking at the horizon or the road 20 meters ahead of you. Mind if I nab a few seconds for our students?
As ever - great work and keep it up.
Ahh, that is awesome mate. Yeah, I think TH-cam even lets you take a snip of my videos as I haven't disabled that option, appreciate you asking though! 🙂
@@HippoDrones 👍 cheers but I've done it as a link - maybe you'll get more views and subscribers.
@@twistymountain ahh ok
ty
Great review 👌 Me and the wife both use Ghost xl cameras and we've never had one problem, 8 hours of battery, nice tidy helmet set up with no faff, rotating lens. I think for the price we paid they have been fantastic and we've done some great videos with them, but I think you're review is spot on, that mic adapter stops you mounting the camera where you want it, and the field of view could be a touch wider which means the stabilisation isn't much better than can be done during editing, three things I was hoping for but then again it's still a bargain but then again I would easily pay another £100 for these improvements, I may just take the plunge though for the higher picture quality as with the xl you are limited to 1080p 30fps. Thanks for the review 👍Ride safe 🏍🏍
I'm selling mine if of interest to you?
@@HippoDrones Still thinking about it but thanks for the offer 👍
@@2wheelbikers311 no probs 🙂
Great video mate. I had the Drift Ghost X and it went kaput after 2 years. It died never to start again. I had numerous email chains with them but all they suggested doing was to buy another one from them with a 20% discount.
I have a GoPro Hero 7 Black now. GoPro's are known for their problems too, and I wish GoPro would stop being mega greedy and making their customers buy lots of add ons to get to where it does what we need it to.
I've also got an Insta 360 One X2. Great camera, but it's got its problems too. The biggest one being the 360 editing before you actually add it into my editing software.
Not sure if you remember them or not, but Sena did a 10C. It was a camera and an intercom all in one. Imagine if they updated that with a mesh intercom and 4k upwards camera. They'd clean up, that's gotta be the holy grail for all motovloggers to be able to record dual comms and get decent footage..........I'll keep dreaming!
Thanks mate 🙂
Ahh, that sucks and quite cheeky for them to only offer you a discount on a replacement camera. I had a few issues with my Hero 7, the Hero 5 and 6 were quite reliable. The Hero 8 was my most reliable of the old shape cameras, and then the 9 was rubbish, my Hero 10 has been great... although I refuse to update the firmware on it as it will probably not be as reliable if I change it. I'm done with replacing cameras each time they bring a new one out though for now. The Hero 11 is not enough of an update over the 10 to be worth getting. Same with the new Insta360 X3, which is a great cameras, but not worth me upgrading to from my X2. With my 360 cameras, I don't do any fancy edits, I just generally pick an angle and render that, stops it taking too long to edit and then I can just throw that into my main video editor a lot faster.
Yes, I remember that, it didn't have a great battery for prolonged use with the camera recording, so would have needed to be powered externally, but yes, if that had stabilisation and a wide angled lens with decent bitrate, fps and resolution, it'd have been ace.
Great video Pete. As I've discussed with you I'm interested in getting a second hand camera to see if I can do my own vlogs. Both cameras look good for the job but I think I like the footage from the GoPro better from the chin mount.
I think I'd use the Drift for mounting from various points on the bike.
I'm going to keep looking for a good value 2nd hand GoPro & give vlogging a go.
On your computer do you use an editing suite on TH-cam or do you use something else?
🙂
I use an editor called Filmora Wondershare, it is quite simple to use, but is packed with features
I think your views are correct had 3 drift cameras the last one the 4k had so many glitches i gave up on it and decided to go the gopro way . Cheers
Sadly, they seem to shoot themselves in the foot with these cameras
спасибо за информацию ! я как раз сейчас выбираю себе камеру на шлем ! и все что ты сказал про Drift Ghost XL Pro мне очень интересно и я оставил выбор как раз на Drift Ghost XL Pro хотя у меня первая камера Drift Ghost XL которая устраивает полностью и думаю она в пару объединить и получить хороший комплект !!! ще раз спасибо за хороший рассказ
Спасибо за просмотр, и комментарий. Я думаю, что камера хороша, если вы просто хотите использовать ее как видеорегистратор, но, к сожалению, она даже близко не соответствует качеству видео GoPro Hero 10. Я думаю, что даже у Hero 5 качество видео лучше.
Мне нравится, что Drift водонепроницаем, а время автономной работы впечатляет.
Спасибо еще раз.
@@HippoDrones вам спасибо
@@MrPadchin нет проблем 🙂
Wow I was ready to press the button to buy the drift xl pro now because of this review I’m glad I didn’t…thanks so much
Don't get me wrong, it is an ok camera to use in case you have an accident etc, but is not the best for motovlogging. It is a real shame as Drift could have made a game changer for motovloggers and taken over from the likes of GoPro and DJI, but they let themselves down with this camera I feel.
Great review - I have the same issues with the dji osmo looking slow compared to superview on the GoPro, I want to hate on GoPro for a number of reasons but their footage is the best for motorcycle speeds imo
Yup, GoPro really need to test their cameras before launching them
Can't you just turn up the playback speed of you want it to look faster? I can't see how perceived speed matters.
Great honest vid, thanks v much for sharing your oversight, really appreciated. What might you recommend instead for around £200 ? Just wanting to record some of our touring no vlogging as such
For touring you are limited as battery life on all the other action cameras is pretty rubbish compared to this, so you'd need multiple batteries on other cameras.
Maybe try and grab a second hand GoPro Hero 8, I'd avoid the Hero 7 and Hero 9 though as they were pretty unstable and crashed a lot.
@@HippoDrones I'm really grateful thanks for taking the time 👍🏼
@@andyrowan6992 no probs Andy 🙂
Excellent video - I have a drift xl (not pro) just as a dashcam. At £115 does the job well. Battery life is amazing, internal mic crap but for a dashcam who cares. I totally get your frustration and the speed effect comparison is hugely revealing. I like the slower look of the drift cam as when my wife sees any footage she thinks I'm riding real slow 😁 Is the term "gimbal head" gonna become a derogatory descriptor for mc vloggers? 😉 Keep em coming, always a good watch. Cheers, Andy.
That sounds spot on, and half the price of the Pro. Hahaha... my aunt doesn't like me riding bikes so perhaps I should do it too! 🤣
Haha, "Oi, Gimbal Head!" 🤪🤣
Very helpful review. It looks like a decent setup actually, though clearly I'd need to rely on not stabilising any video.as it narrows the view too much. Which will be an excuse to upgrade the suspension on my bike, using the pennies saved from not buying a GoPro!
Thank you. Hahaha... with the price difference, that will be an Ohlins upgrade! 🤣🤪
Good sir your mitts aren't grubby! 7 hours of battery would be amazing to be fair, how much memory would it use over the 7 hours? Can it take a 256gb card do you know?
I think if they do nail a camera they'll take over the motovlogger stuff.
My question answered 😂😂 256 is doable :)
Haha the computer wants to be heard! Oh that's a very narrow FOV. Even 140 is narrow as you said. Superview is great.
Oh that comparison video is damning! It looks so slow! Plus with the 115 view you cant even see the bars etc.
What's the audio quality like off the drift? The same or better than GoPro?
That's why I think I'd always need to live more remote.....people 😂😂
It is such a pity isn't it. It'd be absolutely perfect, I'd switch them as well if they could get the FOV even close to the GoPro.
Absolutely brilliant review as always man! Not for me at the moment so, but also only due to that FOV!
😆
Yup, it was what convinced me to buy it TBH, but regretting doing so. I'll try sell it on FB Marketplace I guess.
Yup 256Gb. That is my new PC, but I don't use it very often, so think it was doing loads of updates.... cheeky scamp that it is! :D
Yeah, you can't see the bike at all, and the view ahead in comparison to the GoPro looks like it is 720p not 2.7k, quite maddening TBH.
The audio in the clips was from the Drift, I had the microphone gain setting dropped to it's lowest setting and it was still clipping my voice using the same mic and placement that I use with the GoPro, which doesn't do that, the GoPro Hero 10 has active gain control, and looks after things much better, if the Drift had the ability to drop the gain once more lower, it would probably have been ok. So frustrating as the mic setup on the Drift is brilliant, so neat and tidy... and waterproof!
I am honestly really quite gutted, as the cameras physical design and ergos is top notch other than the mic coming out the bottom, rather than the rear.
Hi, thanks for an excellent review. What are your thoughts on this camera for cycling in a handlebar-mounted capacity? Fit for purpose?
I think for that purpose, it would be ideal, one of the issues with it as a motovlogger is the narrow FOV, especially when on the side of a helmet, but on the steering of a bicycle, it will be much better!
Nice review mate. I find that GoPro image is hard to beat, but they lack in battery life.
Yup, the Hero 10 (& Hero 9) have the option of the GoPro Endurance battery, that is loads better than the one they come with, but it would take 3 of them to match the Drift's 7 hour battery stamina.... but the Drift is at best, half as good video quality.
I have a ghost s that's been pretty reliable and only the occasional fit,I now understand why it looks like I,m going slower then the reality of it.I also have a nexx xd1 which is a good lid, good field of view, comfy came with loads of extra bits ...haven't seen the latest version ,but on previous form I'd investigate futher
Ahh interesting about the Nexx, maybe I'll pop over to SportsbikeShop and see what they are like in the flesh. Ta 🙂
Nice review. I think the lower frame rate on higher resolution can result in blurring of the small details when a freeze frame is applied. So maybe it comes down to what the majority videographers are doing - freeze frame at key moment or slow motion?
Good points about image stabilization.
Is it waterproof under water with the mic adapter or water resistant?
Not sure what you are referring to about freezeframe mate?
The box says waterproof, but I've not seen it talked about with a mic fitted, I guess the camera still is, but I imagine the mic would not be from the other end of the connector?
@@HippoDrones Freeze frame as in when editing and you spot that really good looking person or item during edit and want pause the image for the audience to enjoy too.
@@RRatedCustoms ahh right. Yeah the footage from the Drift even in 2.7k would possibly not be the best for doing that
Thank you very much for pointing out how the sense of speed is so different based on the lens angle. I've had 2 drifts, last one being the Ghost X, but it just died last weekend. Drift have got the best form factor for motorcycle helmets, but terrible menu and operating options. All I really want is a video that is continuously running, and saving files, and when I want to keep something that has happened to press the button. My basic car dashcam does this! They have a tag mode that does half the job, but if I have an accident, I have to make sure I stay conscious, and quickly press the button to save the footage!!! That has already failed once. Shame because it could be good. I did write to them about this, but it was clear from the reply that they hadn't actually read what I said. :-(
It seems sad that they have such potential to make something great, but don't listen to their customers about what is needed/wanted from a helmet cam.
Damn...I had high hopes for this one. Looks like it might be a better B camera than a primary helmet cam.
Yup, me too, they had all the information from the feedback from their last camera... no excuse to get it wrong really.
I hoped to use it as a secondary camera too, but the only place it can be mounted is on a helmet if riding dirt if I am going to turn off the useless stabilisation. Am very disappointed with it TBH.
Good comparison, it is a surprisingly different picture to a GoPro. I've been using an old Ghost HD (not even a Ghost S) so I reckon it will be a step up for me. As you said it's budget friendly compared to a full GoPro vlogging set up, so that's another plus for me. I'll have to get out soon and try a few different settings and see how I get on with mine.
Yup, you will see improvements maybe if you turn off stabilisation, but I am not sure it will make you feel you have had value for money over your other camera sadly.
@@HippoDrones I never had stabilisation on the HD. But.....2.7K @ 60fps from the XL PRO Vs 720p @ 60fps from the HD...... I think (hope) it'll be better for me.
@@LordBilious if you don't like the footage, turn off stabilisation and it will look better
@@HippoDrones I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and shoot at different settings to test them out and see.
@@LordBilious 🙂
thx for your video!
Thanks for taking a look 🙂
I bought a drift a long time ago and concur with all the negative points you have raised. It's a shame, because like you say, it's pretty rugged.
You seem a lot more natural in front of the camera now mate. Stone cold tea, yuk, it sat their untouched, for the full 37 minutes...haha
Haha... yeah it was not pleasant hahaha... Will teach me to yabber on so much! 🤣
Hi Pete, many thanks for a very informative video, I have a ghost 4K only a couple of years old that has packed up because the charging cable won't connect internally to make the circuit. Could I ask you please where you were able to purchase the XL pro as Drift says arrival will be sometime in April, and all the outlets I have looked at aren't stocking it yet, so how did you get yours ? Thanks again Rob
Hi Rob, I pre-ordered it direct from Drift. Have you tried their website?
@@HippoDrones Hi Pete, thanks for responding so quickly, yes I did, and they are now saying they are sold out. I watched another unboxing video and the person had put a link to where he had got his. I clicked on, and the site owner had 9 units left. As I only want it for dash cam purposes on the bike, plus I have a flip front helmet, I have ordered one. Thank you again for such a informative video. Rob
@@robstamp2793 Ahh brill, am really glad you found one Rob, as it sounds like it will be the perfect camera for you. 🙂
Ahh Pete - yes you found Drift's Achilles heel - and it is now entirely the 140˚ Fov, since they really have made other improvements.
As you described well, stabilisation requires cropping the view and my god 115˚ is simply awful!!
Great compare, I always knew it, but to see it like you filmed is so obvious, and will help others make a decision. When I got the Sony, I had the Drift 4K mounted on the bike with stabilisation and had to speed up the footage to 130% to match the corresponding footage from the Sony!
I was always just horrified by Drift's decision to reduce the FoV - the first one I had, the Drift HD Ghost, was 170˚. I still have one, and it still works - it's the one I put on the bars looking back at me, or on the fairing looking forward at the front wheel. Then there was the Drift Ghost S - reduced to 160˚ - I still have one , it is my main rear camera. Then the Drift 4K - FoV reduced to 140˚ - which I still have one of, and it gets used as a static "ride by" camera as it looks crap on the bike and worse on the helmet!
Such a shame - they've always had the best mounting system and form, plus the rotating lens - perfect!
AND every model has actually survived all of my crashes!!
And now they've (almost) got the perfect mic port (yes, it should be at the rear).
Nicely done mate, very useful and thorough review.
The mic port being waterproof is ace, it could do with more gain adjustment though as even on 1 it was still clipping my voice in helmet. The 115 FOV it rubbish sadly.
@@HippoDrones Wow! That's surprising! Some of my drifts I've had the mic gain on 4, usually at least 2. Did it have Automatic Level maybe like the Sony?
@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger couldn't see any setting for AGC, but at 2 and 3 it was unusable... mic choice could be playing a part here though!
Morning mate, honest & good review. What you think about the camera after a year of use? Or you not using at all?
Thank again,
Ran
Hi Ran, thanks for taking a look and commenting 🙂 👍
Sadly I was so disappointed with the camera, I sold it straight after making this review. I need an action camera to look like action is happening, and this made all the footage seem very slow which along with the very poor quality of footage, made the camera useless to me as a motovlogger.
If I just wanted a camera to use as a helmet mounted "dashcam" then it would be fine, but is no good for making videos.
@@HippoDrones thank you!
@@RanMachlof no probs 🙂
Nice one mate i have the original XL And X I used the XL Has a dash cam on my RT Will getting the same on my GS Because of the long battery life. I Have the same problem with the Hero 10 Not being recognized on my P.C. But it only started to Happen after the last firm ware update before that it was working. Go Pro sort it lol .
damn GoPro firmware updates! :D
Great review! You can't USB the Hero10 and pull files off? Seems like you are right and it's a far better dash cam then a motovlogging cam. What, you can't run 60fps or 30fps at 2.7k on the 10? I always run 2.7k and generally 60fps cause I never know when I was to slow-mo something. I hate what youtube does, have you ever downloaded an old video cause you wanted to use a snippet, the file size is reduced many gig's in size and the resolution is almost unusable.
You can run 60fps, but not 30 fps at 2.7k on the Hero 10. They may have done an update to allow the camera to connect to a PC, but I'm not updating mine again as folk have had issues with some of the newer firmware for it.
I have taken old footage off YT, and yup it is crap, if you use it PIP it isn't so noticeable though.
Down side on this model you can’t replace the battery on the road once run out. I heard lots of complaints about these. Freezing etc there is a FB page for Drift. So mixed reviews. I use a Ghost and HD the older models which work well. I’d be interest in you doing a long term test. Also some are not getting the recording time expected.
Unfortunately I sold the camera once I had recorded this review as it really wasn't fit for my purpose as a motovlogger compared to the GoPro Hero 10 I was and still use.
there is a setting you can change on the GoPro so the computer recognised it as a memory stick, other then that fair review but I will 100% stick with the gopro.
On the 9 there is, but not on the 10
Surprised by those results.... Will be sticking to the Hero 4 after you answered all my questions. Don't know what the 4's field of view is on linear but it must be more than this because blimey does it look like you're going slow 😆
I use a 30 quid Gitup 2 Pro as my dash cam, mounted to the bike and hardwired in, that's how I prefer my dashcams, on the bike... not sure if the Drift can do an auto-on wired connection and still be waterproof 🤔
Thanks for the long review and forking out the cash to test it!
Yup it has auto on if wired up as a dash cam. In that use, either bike or person mounted it'll be great, just not as a vlogging camera
The 4 is still a great camera. I use the 3 and 4 and my quality isn't as good as some other vloggers but mehh.
@@EpicAdamMotovlogs same, I can't justify 500 quid for the latest and greatest, my dad uses the Gitup as his main motovlogging camera and there's no persuading him... good thing we make up for the lack of quality with our banter 😉
@@EpicAdamMotovlogs The GoPro Hero 4 is a great camera
The Go Pro 10 really is amazing.
Yup, you can see the difference in video quality in the clips
I suggest you turn stabilisation off, and use some external software to stabilise it afterwards. That will give you all the pixels, but allow stabilisation if you need it.
I sold it, not fit for my use, the GoPro Hero 5 Session was better, but I am plenty happy with the Hero 10, it has great image quality, a proper field of view suitable for motorcycles and has image stabilisation.
What is the point in it having image stabilisation if you have to turn it off to get decent video???
Can you view the footage on the app and delete it from the card? Do you have to have a pc to edit etc? Cheers
Hi Dan, the footage was so bad from the camera, I literally sold it as soon as I finished editing this video, so no idea, soz.
I'm watching this right now👍😁
🙂
That speed difference is amazing. THis is very useful in making a buying decision. The GoPro definitely makes the scene look more exciting but also overstimulated.
Yup, people often think an action camera is just a rugged camera, but they are all so very different
I understand that Event Protection will record if theres a punch or sudden stop. Can I manually trigger and save the event by pressing some buttons? On the Ghost XL
Hi Daniel, this video is about the Ghost XL Pro, I have never owned a Ghost XL, sorry.
@@HippoDrones thx for the reply however ;)
@@deDANIEL11609 sorry I wasn't able to help mate
Thank you mate, Brilliant video! You saved me 250.
If you can help me, I am looking for a camera that is similar to the old Garmin that was recording position on the map, braking, acceleration, etc. Info that we need for fast riding. 😊
I think you can do that on the GoPro Hero 7 onwards! :-)
the reason why the GoPro looks faster is because it's a wider angle so you get the sensation of the things on the edge moving rapidly, if you cropped in on the GoPro to give the same angle as the Drift the GoPro would probably feel the same
Yup, but why would you want to do that?
Not saying you would want to do that but the illusion is created because of the lens angle, I think you mentioned the image stabilisation was on & that would zoom in even more, I found your video interesting as I am looking for a camera but the quality compared to the GoPro has put me off the Drift camera @@HippoDrones
@@davealger5987 It is a real shame that Drift made this camera the way they did, it could have been an amazing camera for motovloggers.
Sorry, I wasn't meaning to sound defensive on my earlier reply, it was just meant to explain that it is the narrow FOV that is one of the Drifts main flaws, but I think if they were to fit a wider angled lens, the quality of the footage would be greatly reduced too as it would lose bitrate ratio meaning that there would be less allocated per inch of screen.
Gah dang, yea, they gota fix that viewing angle issue on the drift, I was sold on the drift till I seen the footage 😅
It all depends on the use you have it for, it is a good camera, it just isn't a great motovlogging camera, when it really should be the best at it!
I just got the Ghost XL Pro--now you've ruined it for me!
Kidding, but I'm as disappointed as you that it's not the GoPro beater we were all hoping it might have been. Still, as you say, it's perfectly serviceable as a DashCam and I have a very particular need for that function as well. In the meantime, we'll both wait patiently for the Ghost XL Pro X or the GoPro Black-ish 20 (whichever comes first)!
Ahh soz 😀
Yeah, it is a shame that they went the way they did and failed to make a ground breaking camera.... I think all motovloggers are sitting still waiting for that elusive, perfect helmet camera! 😀
Here's hoping that at least one of the action camera companies makes us that camera that we are all waiting for! 🙂
Such a shame after the debacle of the 4K you would of thought they would of learned. Good points I see is they fixed the USB and added the mic port. Bar that it has the same issues.
The Ghost-S is still the best cam they made. Turn that into a 4k.
It is mad that the issues they needed to address were not all swept up in this camera. I love the watertight mic port, love how ergonomic the camera is, but they missed a trick here I think.
Shame the view screen at the back is so small, the old version had it on the side and was bigger. I have a Ness helmet (s) and the camera mount is a good idea but not needed. The helmets are a good piece of kit for the price.
I gave a Nexx helmet too. I prefer a chin mounted camera
Very interesting I have just bought one of these and would not recommend it, mine will not take a charge at all ,I have sent a message to drift cos that's the only way to contact them. They said what SD are you using ( why !! ) and how are you charging the camera ,they recommended using a 64GB card only and not charging via laptop because it's not powerful enough . Now ! I have seen nothing that says you need a" proper "charger and what the SD card has to do with charging I know not. So I basically have a camera that is useless . And am out of pocket over £200 quid (nice drift ) I can only say don't buy it it's rubbish. And they hide behind this strange messaging service which isn't a service so you can't even send the stuff back . great watch very informative and I wished I had seen this one first now a I am subbed to you : D cheers
Mine took a 256gb card no problem. As for charging, mine was very very slow from my PC USB port, I used a spare phone charger and left it on overnight which worked, but not the most convenient of ways... it is the price to pay for a huge battery I guess. Even the Insta360 cameras are easier to charge from the mains though, so that isn't unique to Drift.
@@HippoDrones Interesting thanks I will try that ,I have a 128 gb so can you let me know which charger you used. I will try my apple charger to see what happens . : )
@@crumblymal8479 it was just a random phone charger I had kicking about that had a USB port for the cable.
Until I got the Insta360 I only had Drift. 1st the Ghost S HD then the 4K and the FOV dropped from 170° to 140° and it always is looking like you're on a bicycle. So everybody is thinking I'm riding really slowly 😂.
The cable connections should all be at the back side and allowing mic and power separately as it was on the Ghost S HD. I don't use the small screen at the back, I just use the drift-app to setting up the camera and the SD card. On the 4K I'm recording in 2.7k and 60fps, then upscaling to 4K when rendering.
I don't see a real upgrade from the 4K and won't get another Drift as long as they don't tackle the low FOV, the stabilization just up to 2.7 and 50 fps and the SloMo feeling.
Thanks for the test and ride save 👋
If you make a hole in the door, you can power it via the USB-C and run a mic, but that takes away its waterproofing. The FOV is a real shame, and giving it a different lens really wouldn't be crazy expensive for them. Is a shame as it is a cracking design of an action camera
@@HippoDrones Indeed it is a cracking concept and a real shame is, they already had a 170° FOV camera with the Ghost S HD. Drift claims for themselves that they are producing cameras for motovlogers, I seriously ask, whom they asked for advice. The sad thing is, Drift was well known to motovlogers for it's cracking concept, then they managed to do strange decisions and a lot of motovlogers switched to other brands like Sony or GoPro.
But it's the decision of Drift Innovation.
@@RidingTheAlps15 yup, I can't comprehend why they ditched the 170' lens
Well you’ve saved me £250, was looking at getting one! So looks like a go-pro, cheers more expense…lol..
Drop me a DM if you want to buy a secondhand GoPro Hero 8 with Media Mod, I have stopped using it now my Hero 10 is reliable! 🙂
Hi Pete its been a long time since the last I comment I would stick with gopro and every cameras got there gremlins if there short them out there be no problem hopefully anyway you take care and ride safe TTFN
Hi Thumper, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Yeah, I will carry on with my GoPro Hero 10, it has such good video quality, and with the Endurance batteries, they last long enough mostly too.
This goes along with some of the other reviews I've seen. That video footage bugs me out, I can't believe how slow it is.
Is mad isn't it compared to the GoPro
hi lad.. i would like to point out that go pro image sensors are from a small private company and are at the moment the best available and ARE 10 BIT which gives 1 billion a colour grades .. What this means is that when editing 80% of the work is done for you.. just cut and small exposure changes.. The Drifts xl pro and 4k use the 8 bit Sony sensors with only 16 million colour grades . These are the best available from a global company and used on most top end phone cameras which speaks for their pedigree. The philosophy for the Drifts is plug in and go .. Like you state they can be linked for multi camera vlogging and are easily the best cameras to fine tune for viewing angles without need for massive scaffolding. Plus the battery life which is phenomenal .. The down side of this is that the camera only does about 60% of the image quality.. All of which can be recovered in post production.. My point is. Save on the double the price of the go pro and its scaffolding and the extra batteries and the mic array needed plus waterproof housing ( about £300 on top of the £500 purchase price) and upgrade your pc graphic card. This will also mean you having to really learn the art of colour management. But in my book learning how to use colour wheels and gama wheels in a good editing suite like davinci resolve , a free editing software . Is well worth the convenience of the drifts and the monies in my pocket .. I learned the hard way when i first started recording my trips.. I had to really sit down at my editing suite and learn THE EYE. :)) Keep happy my friend and stay safe .. 🏍😎
If that works for you, then it works for you :-)
I don't have a problem with the camera as a dash cam, but for me and my use on a motorcycle, the GoPro Hero 10 far exceeds what the Drift can do, and personally, I don't want to mess with colour correction and the very narrow FOV of the Drift is just unusable for me, especially with how much it slows down the feeling of speed and action compared to the GoPro. Even my Hero 5 Session had better video quality and a wider FOV. But we all want different things from our cameras, so my point of view on the camera will be different from other people's opinions, which is all good.
Also I do like a screen to see what you’re recording. But I realise you can view on the app
Aye, a screen would be useful... I love having one on my GoPro Hero 10 (and the previous GoPro cameras I've owned... but when running as a helmet camera, once it is set up, I never need to use the screen other than to check it is still recording and has battery left, which an flashing LED indicates well.
The in-built batteries always worry me a little because of the reduction in life over time. I'll never trust a Drift as a dashcam again. I'm over three years into a legal action after being punted off the Honda because the Drift corrupted everything, presumably on impact. With that footage, it would have been so much easier! I do like the Drift design though, especially with the rotatable lens.
The GoPro footage looks better to me. Hopefully not that I'm biased because I just bought one :-D
The apparent speed difference is remarkable. Something I mentioned to you previously when comparing your GoPro and my old Drift Ghost S. Is that just the superview setting or is there more magic you are doing?
Yup, but I imagine you can actually replace the batteries, you just need to pull it apart to do so. So not something you'd want to do regular, but once it starts to lose life.
I hope you can get the insurance claim sorted, so annoying to have lost the footage.
Yup, the later GoPro cameras knock the socks off the Drift on video quality sadly.... I really wish I'd never bothered buying it now, as it just frustrates me that it has such a nice design and feel, but the footage is so bad at showing action, it just isn't any use for me. I think it is just the Superview setting, it helps the footage come to life and feel more energetic, if that is the right word???
@@HippoDrones I never thought I would switch to GoPro because of the form factor and battery life but definitely pleased that I have. I've done one super view video. Was comparing to the narrower angle that I have used too and can't decide which is better. Maybe I will record a few clips and ask TH-cam for an answer!
@@CalmBiker def worth experimenting until you decide which you prefer. I do switch to Linear for most of the off bike footage
Had to watch this considering I am thinking of buying the Ghost XL Pro. It's so annoying as I've only ever used Drift for the simplicity of it, not having to buy a bunch of extras for the audio like you do for the GoPro.
For years all I've wanted is a 4k/2.7k capable camera preferable with image stabilisation, but after seeing just how far Drift reduce the FOV for stabilisation it now just seems a useless feature and one I probably wouldn't use.
The only thing that might still sell the camera to me is 2.7k at 60fps is far better than the 1080p 30fps I currently get from my Drift Ghost XL, but part of me can't help but feel perhaps it's worth waiting to see what Drift's next camera will be like, might they perhaps improve their FOV and not reduced it to tunnel vision when the rider wants image stabilisation.
Your review has been so helpful, despite technically leaving me even more baffled by Drift and undecided on whether or not I should buy this camera just for the image quality alone😂
Ahh, glad you found it mate... there are so many other little niggles with the camera that I forgot to mention in the video too, like the mic port digging into your shoulder which puts a stress point on the wiring and mic jack, other stuff that I can't remember too.
It took Drift so long to launch this camera, I'd not hold your breath on them getting a new one out soon... which is such a shame, as their "vision" of an action camera, is so much closer to what motovloggers want, it just isn't implimented in a way that is useable IMO to a modern TH-cam creator.
I don't want to put people off buying one, just want them to go in eyes open... as the video quality is just not up to the task IMO. I feel the same about Insta360 too, although their cameras are amazing and I think best out there of the 360 cameras, the windowed video quality is jst not quite there yet... with Insta360, it is close, and is also forgivable due to being a 360 camera.
@@HippoDrones The drift ghost XL has the same wiring for the mic set up, I’ve managed to find a solution to solve that though with Velcro that has proved to work over the past year.
It’s so annoying really, personally I love the GoPro video quality, but they are really out of my price range, plus I need something that will record a whole days riding, not just a few hours, plus having borrowed Red’s a few times I’m useless with them, I always end up calling him for help 🤦♂️
It’s bothering me so much because I agree with what you said about motovloggers should be using 4K/2.7k, I feel so behind the times sometimes when I upload my videos in 1080p, hence why I fear I still might have to buy the Ghost XL Pro simply for the better quality than what I currently have.
Sorry to rant at you mate, this is a topic I think motovloggers could talk about for hours around a table together 😅
@@TheRhythmicBiker I'd not stress mate, what you have is fine and does the job... if it breaks then maybe replace it, but no need until it does. I know many many large channels who don't record at higher than 1080... I record at 1080, 1080 is fine, you just need to manipulate TH-cam by upscaling that 1080 footage to 2.7k when editing, that will not make your video look any better when you watch your edited film direct on PC, but when watched on TH-cam it will look better than it does currently on TH-cam due to the better codec.
No need to worry about ranting either mate, like you say, it is our bread and butter, so we all can get frustrated with how TH-cam nerfs our footage.
@@HippoDrones Thank you mate, I really appreciate all your help 👍
I will have a play around with how I render the videos to a higher quality so that TH-cam doesn’t try to ruin my footage anymore 😂
@@TheRhythmicBiker worth giving it a go
Didn't realize you were such a clever fellow. I'll have to be careful with my comments now. 😄😄
Haha... not sure about clever? 🤣
I did notice on the video that you show the speed on the GoPro but not on the ghost ? Just wondering are you sure you're not being a bit biased
They were both attached to my helmet at the same time, the same ride, simultaneously. So no, I don't think I am being bias lol
Sorry didn't mean that to come across just noticed that in the one video you could see the speed and against the other camera couldn't see the speed against ghost drift XL Pro
@@ant5220 that is one of the problems with side mounted cameras, they lose a lot of the view, especially when the have such a narrow fov like the Drift has. 👍
Great review. Very informative and thorough. It’s a shame to hear about the stabilization. I want to say it’s a flaw, but maybe it’s more of an over compensation on Drift’s part.
I’ve been use a Drift Ghost S as my main camera on my helmet since I began motovlogging. It’s a great camera that can run at 1080p 60fps. It doesn’t have stabilization, but since it’s on my helmet it never really needed it. I’ve ridden up to 85 + mph, without any jelly effects on the footage, but I’m also not doing any off roading, so that can be a deal breaker for other motovloggers.
I’m definitely going to get the XL Pro, as the image and resolution quality is better than my Ghost S (which Drift doesn’t make any more). Being familiar with the sound set up it shouldn’t be any trouble to use it with my Purple Panda mic that I thread under my helmet, coiled under the cheek pads with the mic end clip to the chin curtain.
My only regret is the XL Pro doesn’t have a view screen that my Ghost S does, or a wrist mounted remote control (but, to be honest, I never used it anyway). It seems the have gotten rid of the accessory view screen you could add to the camera that was available with the Ghost 4K model. I have a feeling they needed more space to improve the image resolution at the cost of a view screen, but from what I’ve seen the user may be able to use a Bluetooth connection to allow the user to view the lens’ composition and watch any footage.
It is a shame you are not in the UK, else I'd sell you my XL Pro. I think with the phone app you may be able to view the screen, but not sure, didn't want it on my phone.
The remote for the XL works on the XL PRO, I bought one. And the app on a phone let's you view what the camera sees and is easier to see and change settings quickly.
@@LordBilious ty LB 🙂
If they are overcompensating with the stabilization, then they are not doing a very good job still. The narrower field of view brings out movement much more. The Gopro definitely appeared to be more stable.
@@theodorstravels When they only have a narrow FOV, it gives them a lot less to play with.
Strange that your GP10 won't let you transfer files over the USBC, mine does even through the media mod. If it didn't I don't think I'd use the fuckin thing to be honest 😬 Great review Pete that's some crazy battery life, but yeah the stabe looked glitchy at times and I was shocked what difference the view angle could make to perceived speed 😲 How did the audio perform was it on par with the GoPro? Not that I'll be rushing out for a drift anytime soon but curiosity and all that 😎 Still no such thing as a perfect camera eh 😭 Cheers ✌️
Maybe they added it on a firmware update, or removed it on the firmware I am running.... I'm not going to update mine now it works properly though. On the Hero 9 there is a setting to allow it to do it, but that is not available on my 10.
Cheers Josh, yeah the battery life is what sold it to me as I could use it and know it would last all day out on the lanes, some of the group rides we go on, they don't like stopping to faff with batteries etc, not that I have been on one of them for a while!
Yup, the stabilisation was not great, and with how much it has zoomed in, it makes the so called 2.7k look more like 720 at times, really quite a disappointment.
The audio, even on it's lowest gain setting was still clipping a bit, you could hear it in the on bike bit of this video, so sub par compared to GoPro... but GoPro has AGC so adjusts to avoid clipping unless it gets taken by surprise! :D
Sadly, that legendary creature has yet to be released!
@@HippoDrones hmm yeah not sure mate I'm on firmware 1.20 still, have tried both 1.30 & 1.40 and had issues running off external power with both, so 1.20 it is 👌 What computer are you connecting it to? It doesn't show up like a regular storage device on my windows 10 PC, shows up as GoPro 10 but I can still copy files off it and format the SD etc 🤷♂️
@@MVDBR I'm on Windows 10 too, and because of you saying you could, I also tried again earlier... and it still doesn't recognise the camera.... maybe I need to update GoPro Quick on my PC???
@@HippoDrones mate I don't have any GoPro software on my PC I just use windows file explorer 🤷♂️
Great review. You never drank that tea, did you? 🤣
Thanks 🙂
Aha haha... it was stone cold, yuk! 🤣
What is TLDR? I'm not sure what your gipe is about this camera, it wasn't clearly stated?
I just bought this to use on our big rides. I was hoping to livestream to facebook or youtube but the tutorials out there don't seem to give the same options my software shows.
Hi Victor, sorry... TLDR - Too Long, Didn't Read... basically for people not wanting to watch the whole video.
My main gripe is the lens field of view, primarily when using image stabilisation. But also the video quality is very poor compared to other cameras, mainly the GoPro Hero 10 which is my go to camera. There are other niggles, like the microphone socket being underneath rather than behind, this means it digs into your shoulder and I have heard anecdotally that it has caused the microphone adaptor cable to get damaged.
Like I said in the video, if people just want it to use as a "dashcam" type camera to record every ride in case of incident for insurance purposes, it is absolutely fine for that use... but then so are most of their lower spec cameras, so people wanting that can buy cheaper from Drift even. For those wanting great quality video, I do suggest that they look elsewhere, especially if wanting to share the footage with others on platforms like TH-cam and Facebook. This is because those platforms nerf the quality of the uploaded footage, so you really need to have the best quality footage you can before they render them. My GoPro Hero 10 has better quality footage at 1080 than this camera does at higher resolutions, that is due to a better lens, better sensor and better software.
It is a lot cheaper though, and is all in one... no mic adaptor needed, and is waterproof with a mic fitted and has great battery life. So get the camera that works best for you and your use, for me... I sold this camera as soon as I had made this review as it wasn't good enough for my channels needs.
@@HippoDrones dash cams made specifically for that purposes are much better for that purpose. I bought this as a good idea for helmet mounting and being smaller and the video quality many people post seems decent.
I jnow it doesn't have gopro security location reporting features if cam is lost or stolen and not as easy to setup for live streaming to social media via your cell phone when riding but I think its possible and i was hoping to figure out how.
@@vickaminski Aye, although those are generally bike mounted, so having a helmet mounted "dashcam" can be beneficial for capturing what is said after an accident and seeing the scene, which you can't do so well with bike mounted cameras.
I don't use any of the GPS functions on my cameras, as I use them to motovlog, so not really needed, and I really don't think the tech is good enough, even on more expensive cameras to do live streaming while riding as data/network issues will lower the quality a lot for viewers, although it is constantly improving. Out of interest, do you plan on live streaming whole rides? or just points of interest?
good review, I am looking to get rid of gopro and looking for an alternative
There is a lot of choice these days. Why are you wanting to change from your GoPro? Which one are you using currently?
@@HippoDrones i use the 8, the battery life sucks
@@VeteranBiker aye it is not brilliant. As long as you have a few spares it is OK, just need to remember to swap them when you take a break.
The new GoPro Hero 10 has an endurance battery available for it which gives a lot more stamina, but no way near as much as this Drift Ghost XL Pro, but the video quality is leaps and bounds better with the GoPro.
So there is an advantage to having a Mac and the Hero9 and 10, I can rip images right off the camera without taking out the memory card!
I had so many people tell me they could do so, I tried a different USB-C cable, and now I can do so, it just doesn't work with the GoPro Quik app thing
Can’t get my want to connect to my android from the day I bought it open till today. The company has refused to replace it. The rep won’t even speak to me about it. I was told us an update coming still waiting
I've heard that their customer service is not very helpful, not a good way to do things.
I just returned a Ghost X, which was a peice of junk (review on Amazon). Does this turn off intermittently and skip segments during recording. Also, customer support is nonexistent. Any problems there ?
I sold the camera as soon as I finished the review. It seemed very stable and reliable in the short time I had it though. But the camera just doesn't do what I need it to do sadly.
I gonna to buy Pro anyway ,the main reason its the shape !There is only one camera on the market designed for the helmet , even the GoPro still have not !The square boxes on helmet looks ridiculous in my opinion.
Fair enough if looks are more important to you than the quality of the footage! 🙂
Be careful with the screw in mic adapter as drift won't supply a replacement. I have the XL which has the same cable which broke, I have contacted drift who said they can't supply them but they could sell me a drift mic which I pointed out doesn't have the screw in thread so it's useless fir the XL.
Oh, that is good info, ta... That is really bad... make a camera, but don't supply consumable spares is a really awful idea, hopefully, now they are offering that service!
Looking from the price point it is quite good device and you just cannot expect more or to be on par with GoPro as it is next level and price is way above
Although you could buy a second hand GoPro Hero 8 or even a 5 and have better quality video sadly.
@@HippoDrones the biggest draw bag for me with go pro is battery life, I do not do vlogging, just dash cam for safety reasons
@@Dzinbhudist ahh as a dashcam, the Drift is perfect, stick it in 1080/30 and the battery will last ages! 🙂
@@HippoDrones then for me is no point to go with pro, regular XL will suite my needs and save some money, almost twice.
@@Dzinbhudist 🙂
Great piece of kit
Very nice piece
@@luke6645 although it isn't really in reality though as a motovlogging camera
@@HippoDrones yes Mr hippo you are right, not good as a vlogging cam but phenomenal in other instances.
I bet you that they've used the Drift in the movie driving miss daisy. 🤣
What a difference and in my opinion not suitable for motor vlogging.
Great review Pete 👍
Haha 😁
Aye, is sad as it looks to be a super tough camera otherwise
@@HippoDrones ow yeah, it surely looks rugged but missing the sensation of riding a motorcycle is mind boggling tbh.
@@christopherdevries1969 100%
It just suddenly dawned on me why Drift don't offer a wider FOV I think. With it mounted close in on the side of your helmet if it had say150 or 170 degree FOV most of the left hand side of your image would be your helmet unless you had it mounted at a completely weird angle pointing off to the right. I think that unless they change the body style of the Drift they won't ever be able to go super wide sadly.
Possibly, although you could mount it further forward to counter that, I used to mount my GoPro cameras on the side of my helmet and I use Superview!
@@HippoDrones the go pro on the side is much further out so probably counters that. You could mount the ghost further forward but then you have the angle issue again because the angle gets steeper toward the chin bar. I think they have deliberately chosen to compromise the lens for the slim fit look. I guess it depends where you want your compromise to be. Do you value battery life and cost over FOV and a bit better image quality.
@@Grumpy-Goblin Possibly, although I was running a Hero 5 Session back in those days, so smaller than the Drifts.
Absolutely, and that is why I don't discount the Drift in this review for a dashcam type use on the helmet although I don't feel it as suitable for a motovlogging helmet camera, as the GoPro cameras from the Hero 5 effectively offer better image quality, have a better FOV but the battery life is not so great.... although a second hand Hero 8 can be had with a load of spare batteries for less than the Drift, and that is a cracking camera.
@@HippoDrones Fair comment, I'm thinking of getting one just to document some of my rides but I really don't know what to get and don't want to waste a load of money trying it out.
@@Grumpy-Goblin the Drift is a solid camera
Does anyone know why my XL pro doesn't record past about 15 mins? I bought a class 10 SanDisk 64 SD card.
Is it a genuine SanDisk card? There are loads of fakes on the Internet
@@HippoDrones I hope so. Bought it off Amazon. It's a SanDisk ultra, I haven't changed the settings on the camera. 10.80p. 30fps. I formatted card inside camera. Full battery life. Not sure if I'm doing something stupid. It's definitely recording to start with, but only 15 mins a time before stopping
@@andrewtaylor2785 I'd get in touch with the shop you got the camera from.
@@HippoDrones ha ha. Worked where they distribute them from up until Friday so at least they will know me
@@andrewtaylor2785 ahh that is handy
Has the Drift XL Pro is not suitable for your needs, I am happy to purchase it off you, looking for a decent camera just for insurance purposes
Thanks, but sold it on as soon as I finished this review.
Can you recommend a good helmet cam just for insurance purposes, had a car driver run into the side of me last week. I managed to save bike and surprisingly no damage to bike, at all. His car however had front and rear bumper hanging off and scratches down side. Only thing with my bike is scuffed n/s mirror.
@@paulquinn4238 glad you are ok after that.
As an actioncam the Drift cameras are fine. I'd probs suggest the cheaper Ghost S at £130 for a dashcam, you don't need more than 1080p
wow, I can't believe the difference in that footage Pete, jesus, that was just ridiculous!..It literally looked like you were barely moving in the drift clips and just kinda no depth, you don't feel like you're there riding along..why don't these companies speak to the people that use their products..that's basic common sense surely, at least of you want to make a product that people will buy!..madness!..great well thought out review mate 👍
I think one of their older cameras had a 170' FOV which was fantastic, but they binned it sadly.
Thank you mate 🙂
@@HippoDrones that's just plain daft then. Like you said, you'd probably be better buying a second hand GoPro...did you say a GoPro 4 was the best second hand option?..I think I'll be looking to one of those of you rate them...I had been thinking about the drift too, but not a chance after seeing the footage, so thanks again for making this video 👏...I completely trust your opinion, I doubt anyone has put as much work into their video and audio as you over the years!
@@SmallBikeADV the Hero 4 is now a little dated as it doesn't have any stabilisation, but it is easier (cheaper) to connect an external microphone to than any of the later GoPro cameras. The video footage is not as good as the 7, 8, 9 or 10 but it is OK.
If I were buying a camera for motovlogging on a budget, but wanted stabilisation and great video footage, I'd probably look to get a Hero 8 and the Media Mod second hand.
I'd offer you my old 8, but I've literally just now agreed to sell it to someone.
@@HippoDrones ha ha, ah bless you, you are a legend mate..that's great advice thanks Pete, and that's good enough for me!..thanks kidda 😃
@@SmallBikeADV no probs mate
Nice video honest
Thank you, I see you are a local, where in Sussex are you based?
Not sure why perceived speed would matter. If you want it to look faster, just turn up the playback speed.
When the audio is recorded on to the camera in a vlog format, so voice audio mixed with bike audio, that would not work... if you just record rides and don't care about audio... dig out... go for it, but for most motovloggers, that is not what they do!
@@HippoDrones seems motovloggers would be an extremely small group. Virtually everyone using these would be for liability reasons.
@@TimEckel which is why I stated this is a great camera if you want a dashcam, but is rubbish if you want a good quality motovlogging setup! 🙂👍
Sir - a well put together review, however something is really puzzling me. I have a Drift Ghost S HD which I bought in 2015 and still use. I have dozens and dozens of examples of footage which look much sharper than your XL Pro footage, by a long way. So..... I'm tempted to think that some of the many combinations of settings you have selected have caused this issue. I shoot 1080p at 30fps and ALL my footage even from several years ago looks crisper than yours. I can send you some examples if you or anyone else doubts me. I would agree - your Drift footage is sub par, but I repeat - there's something amiss here. I viewed your footage side by side on the same screen with some of mine from my ancient camera and mine looks much better. Something not right here I contend.
I think it is due to the stabilisation cropping the viewed footage. If you turn the stabilisation off the quality improves, but I need a camera with stabilisation and a wide field of view.
I was really sad about this. I was super excited until I read 140 fov... the dream ended right there.
Aye me too...and then just 115° fov if you run stabilisation
@@HippoDrones Yeah, even more horrifying!
My only remaining dream is that Sony makes an updated action camera.... but over a year now since the FDRX3000 was discontinued... so I guess that wont happen either?
@@Nerb1 it'd be ace if a company made a motovlogging camera that actually works how we want/need it to.
That speed compression is crazy. In my latest video I mention that I was riding at 60mph but I cut it out because it didn't look like it and that's on my gopro.
I'll stick with my gopro for now and possibly get the insta360 go 2 for some interesting shots
the 360 Go is an interesting camera, terrible battery life and storage capacity though
@@HippoDrones the insta360 go 2 is a massive improvement and it has a 64gb version now so that's around 4 hours of HD filming. The battery lasts about 1.5 hours but you can always take a powerbank with you
@@EpicAdamMotovlogs yeah, it was the Go2 I was on about. I guess it isn't a camera for me, but am sure it is fantastic for those that have a use for it 🙂
wow, they have to come up with some software update. Footage speed looks ridiculous. Thanks for review.
It'll sadly take more than a software patch, it is the lens that is the main issue. Thank you for checking it out! :-)
Ok, so i have just finished watching the whole video.
It's a shame it's not for you but i can clearly see the difference of speed in your video clip. I hope you don't mind but may i add my two pence worth? :o)
i was going to buy this to replace my XL for the better quality ie 2.7k @ 60fps. I'd even probably be happy to forgo the stabilisation for this as most of my videos are off road and only about 30 people watch them anyway lol.
The XL only has a 140 FOV too and i believe the view on my footage is ok. i have mine mounted on top of the peak when off roading and when i'm on one of my road bikes i have it mounted on the side of the helmet like yours.
I like the drift because obviously you don't have to keep swapping out batteries, the price, and you don't have to have that monstrosity of an added box stuck on your crash helmet for the mic :o/
As for drift listening i doubt they will. Since the xl many people have asked for the mic port to be moved but obviously not. people have said give us hd and the battery life and move/change the mic socket. The xl pro is what they delivered.
Thanks for the review, nice to see some footage. now i'll have to sit and decide.
PS.......Give you £50 for your camera LOL :o)
I bet if you used a GoPro, your videos would look like you are riding faster
@@HippoDrones i do have a Gopro Hero 3+ Silver Addition which i sometimes use on the bars or facing the rear for different views. Got it off ebay very cheap refurbed. I just can't be doing with the battery swapping and will never use as main camera for the reason of that extra box for the mic :o)
@@mellowr1 you don't need a box with the 3 or 4, I think it is a cable like the Drift has
@@HippoDrones yes you are correct :o) still only a 1080p @ 30fps though :o(
@@mellowr1 on the green lanes 30fps is fine, in fact it is better than 60 as it lets more light get to the sensor in the darker bits under tress etc 🙂
Well, even if the battery would last one year... it's still pretty useless ;) As you said - it's only good as insurance cam or something like that, but in this case I would rather prefer something wired.
Yup, sadly way off point as a motovlogging camera.
Well, you just saved me wasting £250. That speed effect on the drift is terrible. The result would be very dull videos. Just wish the Go Pro had the same battery life.
Thanks for the review
Aye, if only they could join forces.... no doubt, they would mess it up and get GoPro battery life with Drift image quality though! 😀 Hahaha 😀
I've bought the drift X camera for my helmet for 130 euros new, and honestly, get that. It's great image , you can connect your microphone to it, and lasts about 5 hours. For the price, you can't beat it. It's also very slim looking, which the GoPro is not.
Sadly the Drift X doesn't have stabilisation or the video quality that viewers want these days on the TH-cams but it is a great value camera for sure! 🙂
@@HippoDrones true, bot to be honest, I don't really see a large difference. if you go off-road a lot, that's another story.
@@henrietn Aye, half my on bike videos are off road.
So in essence are we saying that a £250 camera isn't as good as a £500 camera??
If that is what you got from the video, then yes, sure. But that is to simplify things too much IMO... It all really depends on what you want from a camera. To some, the price and battery life are more important than the audio and video quality, so to them, the £250 camera is far better than the £500 camera... although the GoPro is not actually £500.
Interesting the footage is quite underwhelming. Almost blurry in comparison to the go pro. Don’t think it’s as crisp as the ghost s even.
Yup, I think if I had not used the stabilisation, so the FOV was at 140' instead of cropped down to 115' and stretched, the video quality would have been much nicer, but it is a world apart from what GoPro are able to do with the Hero 10 and probably the same for the 7, 8 and 9.