it boils down to what you really want.. But do bare this in mind that I notice lots of us get suck into the marketing and branding game.

1. If you expect the image to be magic then better off you get a proper camera or a good mobile phone.

2. These equipment Action Camera are design to be used in situation that you will not normally want to take your expensive equipment out - either in the wet or be abused by environment or the situation you are in or getting it lost or chew up during your stunts.... why else call it ACTION CAMERA

3. You don't mind getting this hardware damage or broken in the process of using it. If money is not the issue then go get an Arri Alexia 65 I am very sure you will not be disappointed in any way.

the YI is fair game for those that want to have some fun and good value for money.. but dont expect it to give you magic results under every known lighting condition.. The GoPro will likewise be the more or less the same.. but comes with the wow factor, bells and whistles plus bragging rights. The YI is an outside bet.. you cant even purchase it from any Xiaomi retail shops in CHINA !!!! You have to mail order it - that I found out the hard way after roaming Beijing for a couple of days looking or it..

For the price to make an entry level attempt into Action Camera. I will not complain or hesitate.. If I want better results.. my Sony A6k will do a much better job. and if I am really that rich then a Arri will be a lot nicer to have ...

I got the Kingma with dual charger.. works great no complain apart from the back cover.. I think it will be same issue with Maxgear too.

Try not to charge via camera.. best to get a charger.. it is tiny and you can charge it using powerbank on the go..

Best set to 16 MB - unless you are really hard press with memory space..

Personally - if you are using it with purpose as ultra wide alternative over your phone ability - I belief you will be disappointed. I may be a bit picky here . You will find the startup way too slow to start with..

If I am in your position and just living along with a point and shoot camera.. first I will upgrade to a better phone and be able to use it every day as well. second I will consider clip on wide angle lens to the phone.. Get the good ones and you will be fine but good ones are also very very expensive (eg iPro Lens by Schneider Optics) .. so you will have to shop around.. Total solution may cost more but you get better results in the end..

If you want an ACTION CAMERA then it is a different story to tell.. ie you will not want to see your iPhone 6s + taking a free fall down the cliff while you trapeze across the hills..

This post has been edited by ChinWY: Nov 4 2015, 08:22 PM

Not all camera need adjustment.. I tried to fiddle with mine and reverted eventually.. Just remember to put some marking or you will be at a lost if things dont work out right.

Sale is also on in Aliexpress for Xiaomi Yi but only 1 day ... it ends tomorrow late afternoon.. lots of goodies going cheap..

I am from old school too.. NO it is not needed.. Frankly.. it is redundant .. remember this is an action camera and not SLR or equivalent where you want to perfectly frame your composition. Your are suppose to be too busy doing your stunts to be concern about perfect framing.. this camera is for you to not have a heartache if it gets total destroyed; while you photo your stunts.. apart from being able to salvage the memory card

The angle of view needs getting use to.. you will be ok after some test shots and a couple of mistakes along the way .. anyone important just make sure stand in the middle and can see at least 30% of the lens surface (landscape mode) ... if you can hardly see the lens surface.. chance are you will be outside the frame.. Do some test shots and you will know what is going to be in or out or super distorted face !

my Kingma battery is 1100 so that gives it a bit more run time.. but have to use supplied oem back cover and some will not like it..

sorry.. bout it from JD.COM online - Beijing so it is not sold to outsiders. Perhaps you can try Aliexpress. I did not realize it was a much higher capacity until I start comparing.. Kind of piss me off then because i had to modify the original battery to use the same back cover..

I got mine from Beijing when I was there.. No setting needed.. Just make sure you can get it there as you cannot get it off the shops or its retail outlet! You have to order it online and that requires a couple of days delivery and local credit card and account.

Looks good enough.. the backgound and fore ground seems ok.. if you are really fineky then PP it with sharpness function .. but dont over do it or your pix will look funny and loose detail.

original allow you to clip on the remote commander.. but the lock is flaky.. mine broke when I flip it the first time but it is not an issue.. it will not and has not fallen off yet even under abused condition.

BUT - the 3 piece folding one will allow you to avoid framing in the selfie stick - ie GOPRO selfie stick. But that cost a lot more.

Lots of variable issue with waterproof case.. mine is original but have not taken it for a swim yet.. so cannot comment.

the front big button is blue when there is sufficient power and goes to magenta when down 75% and red when almost flat.

Best learn to be observant with the hardware and you will not be caught in a flap.. when you are new to the hardware best to use more of it in non critical conditions so that you will not end up going home disappointed with its performance.

easily done DIY.. wont cry over it.. just make sure you take out the battery when you do it and most important - MARK the original position.. otherwise you will not be able to know how to reverse it if you get too carried away. AND you do not need to really turn more than one full circle (either directions).

one option is to use a metal bumper shell to help out.. not perfect but helps..

it will fit on base system. but not sure if the remote can .


any trypod that use 1/4 screw and thread will do the job - that is international standard but having said that the issue you will have to look out for is base platform size.. this camera is tiny and you have to make sure the platform is small too (say 2-3 cm and no more will be fine) .. or your ultra wide angle lens will include your tripod in its view..

This post has been edited by ChinWY: Jan 12 2016, 09:55 AM

the original remote require you to pair it with the camera.. there is a procedure you need to follow after that is will run sweet..

Dont have non Yi remote to play so cannot comment..

likely you need to charge up your battery.. try that and see first

can change the lens. cost less than US20 or even lesser depending on where you get it.. No big issue replacing.

have you tired with another phone? That will help eliminate one off the 2. Best is if you can get a set that is tested working fine.

My unit is Version 1 and works and focus fine..

if it works great via your friend phone then the issue is on your phone and not camera.. Look at the version of phone OS in both camera and work backwords.. If need to delete and reinstall the APS.. There could be a problem your phone hardware too. If possible get similar phone or goto the phone shop and see if they can let you load aps on a test phone to eliminate phone hardware issue.

since it is Bluetooth related.. look at its apps version too.

Hope that help..

This post has been edited by ChinWY: Jan 18 2016, 09:44 AM

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