Drift HD Ghost – My Review

First thing to note is that I’ve got no other device to compare this to. I’ve not used a GoPro, Contour, ReplayXD, etc.

I can only compare them across their specifications, and you can go find other reviews of other cameras. See here for the Ghost’s detailed technical specifications.

Samples videos captured from each of the possible modes (both raw and YouTube) are here.

My review is below, but I’ll start right now by answering the common question:

Q.Would I buy it again?
A. Absolutely, and in a heart-beat!

While I’m still playing, I know it’s exactly what I was after.

• price: ~$420 Aussie
• package contents
  • Comes with camera (duh!), remote control, 1 battery, mini (not micro) USB cord, universal mounting clip, 1 curved sticky mount, 1 flat sticky mount, 3.5mm jack for external mic, goggle mount, two back covers (1 weatherproof, 1 waterproof to 3m).
  • Does not come with memory (fleaBuy has 32GB class 10 cards for ~$20 – I bought 2).
• video quality
  • Very good. From what I’ve heard, it’s not as good as the GoPro, but more than adequate for what I want. As you’d expect, 1080p will give better results.
  • It has a digital zoom, but I’ve disabled it. It’s just like any other digital zoom – results in very horrible images. You’re far better off “zooming” using software on your PC to do this.
  • field of view – this camera offers selectable options of 170deg, 127deg, and 90deg. However, it’s all through the same optical lens. So, what they’re offering is essentially a pre-set digital zoom. As mentioned above, I don’t think anything other than 170deg produces a good video result.
  • resolution – like most others, this supports 1080p, 960p, 720p, and 480p (WVGA). The results are as you’d expect with respect to video quality.
  • frame rate – there are quite a few combinations. However, if you’re after a high-res image, then your frame rate options are limited. To get the ridiculously high rate of 120fps you have to be using 480p. So it depends on what you’re filming as to what you’ll be prepared to sacrifice. For me, since most of my filming will be while riding a (touring) motorcycle I don’t think I’ll be shifting from 1080p at 30fps often.
• audio quality
  • the built in mic is useless on the motorcycle. Anything more than walking pace is just too noisy. However, one of the reasons I like this was it supports an external mic. I have one coming form fleaBuy for $5. I’ll review that when it turns up.
  • the audio levels can be adjusted (3 settings), but I can’t offer any other comments at the moment.
• useability
  • screen – it’s a great idea, and I configure the camera using this rather than a phone (see below). It’s intuitive, responsive, and you won’t find yourself buried deep in menus. It’s not big, so the fonts are small. I’m OK with it, but if you need to wear reading glasses, I reckon you might struggle without them. You can adjust the brightness, but it can still be a little difficult – particularly in bright sunlight. If you have trouble, you might have to use the phone.
  • buttons – while you can use them with gloves on, I doubt you’ll be able to find the right one with confidence without being able to see it as they don’t rise much above the surface. ie. if it’s on the helmet you might be in trouble. However, the remote control solves that (see below).
• mounting (incl. lens rotation, mounts, positions)
  • the camera has a regular tripod screw mount – very handy. Into this you then insert the universal clip. This bracket then clips very easily into (and out of) either flat or curve mounts (stuck down with very sticky, almost permanent). I have 3 positions for mine on the bike: helmet (curved), under the headlight, and on top of the top box at the rear. All have the “opening” of the clip facing forward so that for the camera to “fall out” it has to fall forwards (my paranoia showing here).
  • I was concerned about additional wind noise on the helmet (Shoei TZX), but I honestly don’t notice any difference. Also, there’s no noticeable additional weight.
  • The lens can rotate through 300 degrees, so you can always ensure your frame is aligned with the horizon. A little liquid-paper helps me easily align it for the helmet.
• recording modes – it supports video, photos, burst (multiple frames), timelapse, etc. as most all do. I’ve only been playing with video so far, so reviews of the other modes will come later. However, one thing this camera does that no-one else does (yet, please correct me if I’m wrong) is what Drift call “tagging”. This is probably the single feature that made me buy this over others mentioned above. Essentially, it allows you to record the past. That is, it is constantly recording and overwriting. Whenever you press “record” it saves the previous period (configurable for 10s, 30s, 1min, 2mins, 5mins, and 10mins) and then the next 2 periods. eg: 10s past and 20s future (total 30s), through to 5mins past and 10mins future (total 15mins). This means you can have it continually recording (as long as you have charge) and not miss anything, yet not recording so much video that you’ll spend ages just scanning hours and hours of useless video from a full memory card.
• battery – still testing, but seems good for around 2-3 hours. On longer rides you’re going to want to charge it while using it. The camera doesn’t have a “standby” mode as such, or an “instant-on” like the Contour, but the tagging function will likely have the camera on all of the time for me, so a USB power rig will be essential me thinks in the long term.
• memory – the package doesn’t come with any. So, off to fleaBuy. They’re cheap – even Class10, so go for the largest. This is where I’m quite surprised. This, like most others I think, it can’t take anything bigger than 32GB. My Samsung S3 has a 64GB microSD in it and it’s a year old, and 128GB cards are now on the market. Given the size of high-quality video, I have no idea why the cameras can’t take the bigger formats. I’m sure it will change, but they’re late.
• remote control (two-way, leds, mode change) – a really cool out-of-the-box accessory. The big two multi-coloured 2-way LEDs give plenty indication as to what the camera is doing. It doesn’t just tell you what you think you pressed, but actually displays (via colours) what the camera is actually doing… very positive – there is never any doubt that you are recording. This is very important if the camera is stuck to the side of your head or some other location our of your field of view.
• phone connectivity – like most, you can use a phone to control and preview video – this one via WiFi. The Ghost has an app for the iPhone from the AppStore, but the Android app is still in beta and only available directly from Drift. I’ve used it and it’s fine in terms of its function and purpose. However, it’s very buggy at the moment. I will use it more when it improves, but I don’t find it a problem since the camera has the screen, and my mount points are set. I will soon try the iPhone app with my wife’s phone and report on that one later.
• accessories – galore, universal mount clips, packs of (5) flat and curved mounts, handlebar/surfboard/goggle mounts, waterproof case (60m), spare/replaceable outer lens, batteries, chargers, etc. Having a standard tripod mound on the camera also opens up other possibilities.
• other
  • I’m pessimistic and paranoid. The thought of a $400+ camera coming off and not being discovered for 100’s of KMs scares me. So, I want to tether it the bike/helmet, etc. Unfortunately, the camera body itself does not have a location for attaching a lanyard. You can attach one to the universal clip, but that’s made of plastic and relies on the tripod mount. I think some cable ties might be used to add some security until I develop some confidence. As it stands.
  • While you can buy a spare replaceable front lens (2 for bugger all), there’s no lens cap. I’m currently in the process of crafting something myself to help protect it when it’s not in use.

Bottom line – all cameras have pros and cons, but I don’t really think you can go wrong with this one. As I said earlier, I’d buy another one.