The Velocity Clip is described by the company as, “the world’s only universal smartphone and digital camera action mount.” When I first saw it displayed at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, my immediate thought was that it allows you to turn your phone into a poor man’s GoPro. So the kind folks at Velocity Clip gave me a clip and a chest mount to go with it. But will anyone actually use their phone instead of a dedicated POV camera? Here are my thoughts:
I’ve been using a GoPro for years now, ever since they released the 2nd generation before it even shot in HD. Since then I’ve tested other similar products, but always return to the GoPro for its video quality, durability and plethora of mounts you can attach it to. So why would anyone want to use their smartphone to shoot POV video? Well, the quality of video has much improved over the years. Working in television, I have used video people shot with their phones on air, and although it’s far from perfect, it’s good enough to be “broadcast quality.” So why not use your phone to document that rad mountain bike ride you bombed down to the disbelief of your friends? That’s where the Velocity Clip comes in.
The Velocity Clip is a simple design, really. Two rubber jaws clamp down on your smartphone or digital camera and tightens with the turn of a knob. The unit then clips into an adhesive mount that’s exactly like the GoPro style mount. There are several mounts that Velocity Clip makes, including a handlebar mount, helmet mounts, pole monopod mount, suction cup mount and the chest mount.
During my testing, I’ve used the chest mount on mountain bike rides in Draper’s Corner Canyon. Overall, the Velocity Clip and chest mount keep the phone nice and secure, and the video that results is smooth. Although I’m not real impressed with the quality of video shot with my iPhone 4s, that’s not the fault of the Velocity Clip which worked as advertised.
Watch the video on Facebook below:
The design is of good quality and I really have no gripes with the product itself. But still, I’m hung up on the fact that I don’t see many people using their phones to capture POV action footage. GoPro cameras are so prevalent now, and more affordable then ever. Also, when I took my phone on a ride, I was constantly worried about crashing and ruining my phone (hence why the vid was shot on Ann’s Trail instead of, say, the Rush Trail.) Of course you can protect your precious phone in a massive, burly case, and the Velocity Clip with work with any phone, camera or case design. It’s very versatile in that respect.
The Good: Simple, quality product, works bomber, versatile enough for any smartphone or small digital camera, lots of mounting options.
The Bad: Smartphones as action POV cameras poses some issues in my opinion.
Final Word: The Velocity Clip really does turn your smartphone into an action POV camera. So if you don’t have a GoPro, but absolutely need to show off your badass adventures in video form, then whip out your phone, mount it into the clip, and wow the world.
For more information, or to purchase the Velocity Clip, check them out at www.velocityclip.com