Zero. Preface
For a lot of students, Garmin is almost synonymous with the sports category, but the company's product line spans a wide range of sports. Many might not realize that Garmin also offers sports cameras. They introduced the VIRB and VIRB Elite sports cameras back in 2013. The VIRB X and VIRB XE, released in 2015, set the tone for the entire VIRB series, but the most impressive one was probably last year’s VIRB Ultra 30. It was compact yet highly integrated. Recently, the VIRB 360 panoramic action camera was officially launched. Its front-and-rear dual-lens plus four-microphone setup is quite appealing. Although other companies have also released similar products, like Ricoh's Theta S from last year or Nikon's KeyMission 360, the former is more suited for indoor use, while the latter lacks an LCD screen, making it less convenient. By the way, GoPro also unveiled its own Fusion panoramic action camera, but according to various sources, its aerial capabilities are average and it requires significant post-production to create a polished film.
This time around, I got to try out the engineering model of the VIRB 360. It feels pretty solid. Here's a quick unboxing. If everything goes as planned, I’ll be heading to Lhasa at the start of next month, and I definitely want to bring something back with me.
I. Unboxing
The VIRB 360 I received is an engineering model, so it came in a simple white box.
Inside, there’s a base, the camera itself, the charging cable, and a handle tripod. The pedestal feels very sturdy and doesn’t budge easily. To remove it, press the release button—installation and disassembly are quick and easy.
In the top view, the VIRB 360 looks small, but it’s equipped with an LCD screen and four physical buttons. The top three are used to navigate the menu. There’s also a dial button on the side to switch to video mode.
On one side of the camera, there’s a side connector and a memory card slot. On the other side, next to the video button, you’ll find microphone ports.
One side of the camera is mostly filled with lenses, giving it an endearing look. It almost has a small yellow people vibe.
The other side of the camera. While the orientation of the LCD screen could be considered front, back, left, or right, I personally don’t think there’s a strict front-to-back or left-right orientation when using the VIRB 360. Deliberately ignoring this point means that when using the machine, you don’t need to control much.
From the three pictures above, you can see that there are microphone sound holes next to the two cameras, meaning the VIRB 360 has four-directional audio capabilities. There’s also an LED status indicator next to each camera.
Because it’s an engineering model, the bottom is covered with a lot of labels. Opening the lid reveals the battery compartment.
Like the previous VIRB Ultra 30, the VIRB 360 has a high level of integration. The battery takes up a large portion of the body’s space. From this perspective, it feels like the camera is more battery than camera, with a very compact design.
The battery capacity is 1250mAh, the same as the VIRB Ultra 30, but the voltage is slightly higher, and the appearance of the two batteries differs. Thus, they can't be used interchangeably. It’s recommended to buy a spare battery, as one isn’t enough. Garmin China’s official website has already started pre-orders for the VIRB 360, including a battery and charger, which is very practical.
The handle you saw earlier can unfold into a tripod. It feels very well-made, with non-slip textures that are comfortable to hold. The bottom of the tripod has rubber pads for anti-slip and anti-wear protection. It can even stand horizontally on a table without unfolding. If Garmin could launch its own three-axis stabilized PTZ gimbal, it would be perfect.
Holding it in hand feels just right—it’s very convenient.
When placed on the stand, it still looks pretty cute.
Let’s quickly check out the control interface.
Although it doesn’t have the Ultra 30’s color touchscreen, the monochrome screen is enough for adjusting settings and saving power.
There are plenty of adjustable parameters, such as camera and video modes. It can connect with Garmin heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, and other accessories. Controlling it via a smartwatch is also a standard feature. Remember that the Ultra 30 could be controlled by voice? The VIRB 360 can too, supporting multiple languages including Chinese. The activation phrase remains “OK Garmin.â€
II. Getting Started
You can preview the shooting content in real-time on the mobile app. Since the VIRB 360 can directly synthesize the panoramic effect within the camera, we’re most concerned about the stitching quality at the joints of the two shots.
The left image shows slight deformation in the splicing area; the middle image shows that the tripod under the camera is mostly hidden; the right image clearly shows the tripod being hidden, and the numerical keypad indicates that it took about 3.5 key presses to hide it completely.
This effect is quite good for real-time stitching with a dual-camera setup, though it does hide some parts. However, it’s actually a small portion compared to the overall panoramic video, and the splicing distortion isn’t very noticeable.
Taking the VIRB 360 above your head and capturing a panorama results in a decent effect, which is confirmed once the video is exported. In the app, you can use sensory or finger-sliding methods to preview the panorama. Due to the transmission speed limitations, the effect is great except for very low resolutions. For a clearer result, you can transfer the video to your computer and preview it with Garmin VIRB Edit.
In the panoramic preview mode, there’s no visible wide-angle distortion at the edges, and it looks very natural.
The VIRB 360 has built-in GPS, a barometer, an accelerometer, and other sensors, allowing for real-time overlay of motion data dashboards on the video. This makes it very professional.
The experience section is written here. Without beautiful scenery, I’ll wait for my travel opportunities to shoot something and upload it to Youku. Youku supports panoramic videos.
III. Summary
From a design perspective, the VIRB 360 has a rugged aesthetic reminiscent of Garmin’s Fenix sports watches. It’s not overly flashy but still tough-looking. While it doesn’t come with many random accessories, the handle is excellent and essential, especially since it lacks a lens like the VIRB Ultra 30, minimizing potential damage to the footage.
From a practical standpoint, the VIRB 360 offers a great user experience with direct panoramic video output. Unlike the Theta, it doesn’t rely on strong wide-angle distortion for visual impact but instead focuses on realistic panoramic stitching.
I remember when I was in college, I first bought a digital camcorder and later a digital camera. After borrowing a DV for a trip to Jiuzhaigou after graduation, I realized how much richer the information captured by a video camera could be compared to photos. A camera can gather much more detail through panning, something that’s impossible with a still camera. Although mobile phones now have built-in panoramic photo features, they don’t offer the same immersive experience. Shooting travel videos with the VIRB 360 allows viewers to explore the world more freely. This type of device is particularly suitable for those who aren’t familiar with traditional photography. You no longer need to worry about composing shots or finding the right angles. Even the direction of the lens and its placement don’t require much thought. This will undoubtedly be the future trend, but it doesn’t mean panoramic photography will replace traditional photography. The traditional approach is more akin to artistic creation, whereas panoramic photography is closer to everyday life.
Editor's Note: The author of this article, @Guangguang, is worth following. His personal media information is:
WeChat public account: Lightyear Chat Equipment, search for "lightyearTalk" on WeChat.
Supporting personal brand promotion is a new benefit for living families. For more details, see the Living Home announcement (http://news.smzdm.com/p/26967/). Everyone is welcome to apply for a living home, and outstanding users will have the opportunity to become "Celebrity Living Home" members. Valued friends with unique life experiences are welcome to join the family of life!
O.D127MM Hydraulic Dc Motors,O.D127MM Hydraulic Dc Motor,O.D127MM Dc Hydraulic Pump,O.D127MM Dc Hydraulic Pump Motor
Wuxi Jinle Automobile Motor Factory , https://www.wxjldj.com