REVIEW: Drift X170

POV cameras are becoming more and more popular for filming various activities from a first-person perspective. Today we want to introduce you to one that is already a bit older: Drift X170.

The 170 stands for the lens angle, so a 170° field of view with a slight fisheye effect. This model is the non-HD version. The advantage over other cameras is the integrated 1.5" color screen. This allows you to see on the spot what you have recorded - and you can also delete it right away to save storage space. The weight of the camera is 128g and it is powered by regular AA batteries. It is also possible to power the camera with an external power source.

Another great advantage over others is the remote control. With it, you don't have to reach for the camera to start or stop recording. The remote control has a range of about 5 meters and weighs 19g.

There are 3 modes available for recording. Video with a resolution of 720x480 pixels, single photo, and photo every 4 seconds with 5 MP each. As mentioned, it's an older model without HD. Recording start is signaled by a beep, the volume of which can be adjusted. The lens can be rotated to always capture a straight image, even if the camera is mounted at an angle. The camera is waterproof up to 0.5m, so no need to worry about rain or crossing streams.

The mounting of the camera is very versatile, as it has a standard camera thread. It can be attached to all kinds of tripods or custom mounts.

On the back, there is a flap under which the battery compartment, SD slot, AV-out port, and mini USB port are hidden. The camera can also be powered through the mini-USB port.

Unfortunately, the noticeable orange color is a drawback. This flaw can be quickly fixed with some Camoform or tape. Spray paints are not suitable due to the rubberized surface. The microphone is also not the best, but sufficient for action videos.

CONCLUSION: Thanks to the remote control, this is a really good outdoor camera that records videos and photos in sufficient quality. The small screen and mounting point are also significant advantages over other cameras available on the market. Unfortunately, the color is far from inconspicuous, but there are ways to address this. So far, this camera has faithfully accompanied us through numerous mud runs and other outdoor activities.

Available online, e.g. Ebay, starting at 100€

This camera is no longer shown on the manufacturer's website, but the newer, smaller, black HD versions are now available.