Innovv C3 Action Snake/Bullet Dashcam Review and Test (Gearbest.com)

[Sunny]

Finally, I got my hands on one of these from Gearbest.
Here is the product link at gearbest.com:
http://www.gearbest.com/action-cameras/pp_143150.html
This is the first camera that is completely different design than I'm used and needs to configure using a PC configuration utility.

Here's a unboxing video:

Few Pictures of the Innovv C3 and accessories:





Looks like included accessories is different than what's on innovv's site.
[Note: check my post below to clarify on included accessories.]
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/innovv-c3-action-snake-bullet-dashcam-review-and-test-gearbest-com.11859/#post-153246

Image from Innovv site:

Printed Manual:



Configuration utility is can be downloaded from here:
http://www.innovv.com/#!the-c3/ckmf


Unzip and open configuration utility:


Adjust settings and save to camera by browsing to the mass storage drive:

Turn of the camera while still plugged in and start back on for settings to take effect.

Folder structure is pretty simple.
It creates a DCIM folder and a 103MEDIA subfolder similar to digital cameras:



----------------------------------**************----------------------------------
Video tests to follow...
----------------------------------**************----------------------------------

 

[Sunny]

Basic operation:
Press power button 3 seconds to turn the camera on or off.
Shutter button stops and starts recording. When recording at 1080p mode, the LED indicator blinks red.

On the side, there is a small slide button to select video recording loop mode.
For use as a dashcam, I have it in the middle for loop video recording and configuration utility has it set at 3 minutes and to record when power is on.

Status of LED indicator: It's different for different mode but I guess one gets used to them plus not all modes are used often so won't be too confusing.

When connected to computer, the LED indicator is solid orange if battery is charging.
If power is turned on, it becomes solid red as in standby mode.

 

[parklawn]

Am I missing something here? I didn't see a review and test, just a video of what's in the box. Perhaps you are planning a follow-up?

 

[CheckYourLights]

I'm looking forward to a car based review from Sunny. I really like both my C3 and C4, and I use them for everything except a behind the mirror camera. I loved being able to mount them in places cameras don't belong, but because there is no HDR I feel like they fall just a little short of being a great stand alone DashCam.

However don't get me wrong if you want a camera for a motorcycle or have an application where a camera does not belong like a roof, hood, bumper, mirror, trunk the C3 makes a great camera to use and as mentioned and I am sure most of you have seen I have put my C3 on bumpers,hoods, roofs, bikes, and even a family member's mobility scooter.

You should value your protection on foot or on a bike just as you would in a car, and the C3/C4 helps you do that rather well.

 

[Sunny]

Am I missing something here? I didn't see a review and test, just a video of what's in the box. Perhaps you are planning a follow-up?

Yes, that was only 'unboxing' video and named the same.
I wrote this in my 1st post:

----------------------------------**************----------------------------------
Video tests to follow...
----------------------------------**************----------------------------------

I'm looking forward to a car based review from Sunny.
...
You should value your protection on foot or on a bike just as you would in a car, and the C3/C4 helps you do that rather well.

Will have enough samples this weekend.

On bike, it makes sense but it'll look funny walking around.

 

[CheckYourLights]

but it'll look funny walking around.

Ha. It does a little. I almost always have my C4 on my hat while I am out and around though. You never know what you might catch.

 

[parklawn]

Sorry I missed the "video tests to follow" that's why I asked if there was going to be a follow-up. I was going by the title

 

[Sunny]

The lens holder came attached to the handle bar mount attachment so I unscrewed it and put it on the windshield mount:



Due to the long tube like shape, it needs some space on the back so left of Rexing V1 didn't have much room.
After trying few places, I put it on the passenger side, still almost behind rear view mirror.





Filesize is around 287mb per 3 minute clip and overall bit rate is 13.1 mbps; video 11.9 mbps and audio 512kbps.
File properties from mediainfo below:

General
Complete name               : C:\Users\Sunny.Sunny-Laptop\Desktop\Dashcam Temp\Innovv C3\InnovvC3 Videos Screenshots\HT000006.MOV
Format                      : MPEG-4
Format profile              : QuickTime
Codec ID                    : qt 
File size                   : 280 MiB
Duration                    : 3mn 0s
Overall bit rate            : 13.1 Mbps
Movie name/More             : CarDV-TURNKEY
Encoded date                : UTC 2015-01-27 08:41:03
Tagged date                 : UTC 2015-01-27 08:41:03
Origin                      : NVT-IM

Video
ID                          : 1
Format                      : AVC
Format/Info                 : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile              : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC      : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames   : 1 frame
Format settings, GOP        : M=1, N=15
Codec ID                    : avc1
Codec ID/Info               : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                    : 3mn 0s
Bit rate                    : 11.9 Mbps
Width                       : 1 920 pixels
Height                      : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio        : 16:9
Frame rate mode             : Constant
Frame rate                  : 30.000 fps
Color space                 : YUV
Chroma subsampling          : 4:2:0
Bit depth                   : 8 bits
Scan type                   : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)          : 0.191
Stream size                 : 255 MiB (91%)
Language                    : English
Encoded date                : UTC 2015-01-27 08:41:03
Tagged date                 : UTC 2015-01-27 08:41:03

Audio
ID                          : 2
Format                      : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign       : Signed
Codec ID                    : sowt
Duration                    : 3mn 0s
Bit rate mode               : Constant
Bit rate                    : 512 Kbps
Channel(s)                  : 1 channel
Sampling rate               : 32.0 KHz
Bit depth                   : 16 bits
Stream size                 : 11.0 MiB (4%)
Language                    : English
Encoded date                : UTC 2015-01-27 08:41:03
Tagged date                 : UTC 2015-01-27 08:41:03

**************************************************************************
Few nuisances.
Filenames are weird, some start with L while others start from H so sorting by filename won't list videos in sequence.
It looks like it's not by AM/PM as files in AM files start with both H and L.

Note: Files' datetime is not correct. (I thought I had corrected datetime in the configuration utility but maybe not).



Another nuisance is that the notch on the lens is not perfectly aligned.
When I had it on top exactly leveled with the mount, this is how it looked.



So I had to try few times to get the level correct but looks like it's still slightly tilted to left so needs further rotating the notch to the right facing front.
**********************************************************
Screenshots and video coming soon...

 

[parklawn]

In regards to the HT and L file prefixes and the dates being misarranged, these problems were brought to the attention of @RockThinking in December 2014. They have been corrected with a firmware update dated March 3, 2015. Perhaps you are due for a f/w update.

 

[Sunny]

In regards to the HT and L file prefixes and the dates being misarranged, these problems were brought to the attention of @RockThinking in December 2014. They have been corrected with a firmware update dated March 3, 2015. Perhaps you are due for a f/w update.

Ah I see.
I've downloaded latest FW but haven't upgraded yet.

Also, on the hardware side, internal housing is flimsy.
I'll elaborate later on that as it's not a road block in my testing yet.
Just have to be little careful.

 

[Sunny]

Lens' quality is great. It feels solid and well built.
Camera body looks well built and feels good but has a major design/material issue.
*************************************************
As for video quality, it's very good.
All areas of FOV are in focus.
License plates and street signs in the corners are easily readable even though dash reflection is pretty bad in my vehicle.

Datetime stamp is on the lower right hand corner of video.

Daytime screenshots:
Very good focus and sharpness:

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-08-48-0-01-25-558-jpg.14012/

Corner signs are easily readable:

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-08-56-0-01-33-787-jpg.14013/



So who's the pretty girl? Pretty clear to know the person.

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-10-17-0-02-54-658-jpg.14014/

Clouds and sky have good exposure:

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-13-36-0-06-13-025-jpg.14015/

Gas prices on the left and highway signs on the right all are sharp:

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-16-41-0-09-18-658-jpg.14016/

Cop going after someone on the bicycle trail:

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-18-14-0-10-51-886-jpg.14017/

Very clear:

Rexing V1 comparison screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-13-18-55-0-11-32-192-jpg.14018/

@Gibson99 your favorite kind of shop is on the left.

 

[Sunny]

Daytime screenshots continued...




Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-19-47-0-04-52-558-jpg.14019/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-21-35-0-06-40-236-jpg.14020/

Few rain drops on the windshield:

Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-24-03-0-09-08-630-jpg.14021/

Few rain drops on the windshield:

Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-24-49-0-09-54-410-jpg.14023/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-25-23-0-10-28-737-jpg.14024/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-26-46-0-11-51-905-jpg.14025/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-28-36-0-13-41-732-jpg.14026/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-15-29-39-0-14-44-831-jpg.14027/

 

[Sunny]

Daytime videos:
You'll hear some crackling noises every now and then.
It's because the camera body is in my center console and moves around sometimes.

Also, you may have noticed, videos are slightly tilted on left so need to rotate the lens little bit more.
1. Great color saturation and exposure. Everything looks natural.

2. Audio quality is very good as well. The noise is from the camera moving around.

**************************----------------------------**************************
Night videos coming soon...
**************************----------------------------**************************

 

[Sunny]

There is some confusion in the provided accessories:
Innovv C3 site mentions this:

But the printed manual that came with Innovv C3 has more accessories in the list, so I guess all the accessories I have in unboxing video are included except the OTG cable that's not listed in the manual:

 

[Chris Hunt]

Yes, that was only 'unboxing' video and named the same.
I wrote this in my 1st post:


Will have enough samples this weekend.

On bike, it makes sense but it'll look funny walking around.

I mounted mine on my head using the headset and just took it out to "VIVID SYDNEY" where the famous Sydney land marks are lit up at night with some pretty cool light shows, I have gone travelling for the Aussie long weekend so haven't reviewed the footage yet, but I will post some in a few days when i get back. If i have manged to capture anything worth sharing.

 

[Sunny]

Night screenshots:
Night quality is very good among the best compared to other NT96650 dashcams.
Pitch black road:

Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-06-10-0-02-19-530-jpg.14028/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-06-20-0-02-29-050-jpg.14029/

Traffic light: Pretty good visibility:

Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-06-46-0-02-55-603-jpg.14030/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-06-57-0-03-06-925-jpg.14031/

Windshield has some condensation so lights look little blown up:

Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-07-45-0-03-54-330-jpg.14032/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-08-22-0-04-31-029-jpg.14033/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-08-38-0-04-47-512-jpg.14034/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-09-25-0-05-34-958-jpg.14035/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-10-12-0-06-21-534-jpg.14036/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-10-31-0-06-40-905-jpg.14037/

 

[Sunny]

Night screenshots continued...


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-10-52-0-07-01-025-jpg.14038/


Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-11-25-0-07-34-112-jpg.14039/

Windshield has some condensation so lights look little blown up:

Rexing V1 Comparison Screenshot: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/attachments/frame-2015-06-06-22-14-16-0-10-25-025-jpg.14040/

 

[Sunny]

Night Videos:
1. From pitch black street to some street light to traffic intersection:

2. Under street lights and strip mall lighting:

3. Strip mall to intersection to no light roads:

**************************----------------------------**************************
Overall, great daytime videos and probably as best night quality as you can get among NT96650 based cameras.
**************************----------------------------**************************

 

[Sunny]

I have posted matching screenshots of Rexing V1 to compare against the innovv c3 here:
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/rexing-v1-2-7-lcd-1080p-slanted-angled-wedge-dashcam-car-dvr-blackbox-review.11673/#post-153456

Obviously, the FOV is much wider in Rexing V1 compared to 90 degrees in Innovv C3 but quality is similar.

 

[RockThinking]

@Sunny, thank you for great review, you spent your time and effort on that.