Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 Review: The Ultimate Competitor to GoPro Hero5

Outdoor enthusiasts are waiting for you here

If you are expecting the upcoming (possibly) GoPro Hero 5, or planning to buy the already discounted GoPro Hero 4 action camera, or looking for a practical product that can meet your filming needs during outdoor sports, then this review of the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 action camera is worth your attention. It’s important to spend your money wisely and choose a product that suits you.

To Begin With

The Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30, quietly released in early September 2016, is arguably the most complete product I have used among similar devices. Its excellence comes not only from its 4K high-resolution shooting capability but also from practical and highly recognizable voice control features; professional adjustable parameters; touchscreen operation and playback; built-in GPS to record sports data and display graphs directly on the video. It can be said to represent the most high-end action camera product currently on the market.

Moreover, we can almost (high frame rate slow-motion playback segments, mobile editing is not directly possible) edit a visually appealing video on our phones without relying on a computer. Imagine this: after outdoor sports, on the way back, you can start creating a film on your phone. This scenario is no longer just a “good” product imagined; it is something that the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 can deliver right now. However, it is somewhat unfortunate that currently, only single segments can be edited, and it is not possible to directly merge multiple materials, but this can be done using third-party editing software.

Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 Product InformationProduct Price: 3880 yuan, now officially on sale

Due to some bugs in the APP after the new product launch, I have not yet obtained the latest version, and we will experience the editing part separately later. The content material in this article is all original material, and there may be issues with quality compression when uploading to video websites.

The Product Design Approaches GoPro with Improved Unique Qualities

The Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 has a significantly different appearance design compared to the previous VIRB XE. On one hand, it abandons the previous sportier design, significantly reducing the product size, making it closer to GoPro in appearance. On the other hand, it has improved some issues that GoPro products have not resolved well. For example, the dial and shutter we see below.

The Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 has reserved a dial and shutter similar to a digital camera on the upper left side of the product, but unlike our usual usage habits, this dial is not the product’s power switch (power switch: long press the left arrow key), it is responsible for quickly starting the recording function when in the “power on/off state“; the shutter button is not a two-stage focus shutter, but a button that can quickly take photos when in the “power on state“.

Some may say that GoPro also has similar buttons. But everyone should know that on GoPro, you need to switch modes to operate the photography/photo functions separately, so in actual use, you will find that this quick-start function button is particularly enjoyable to operate. You can even start recording quickly while powered off, without needing to power on. Forget about functions like “Bluetooth standby.” (In the waterproof case, the dial section is activated through a strong magnet, so it won’t cause the internal and external positions to be inconsistent due to turning the external dial, which would make it impossible to insert the camera. This design is very thoughtful.)

The waterproof case’s internal and external dials use magnetic activation, so there won’t be any issues with inconsistent internal and external positions that would prevent insertion.

The rest of the parts do not have anything particularly noteworthy to introduce. Next to the dial are the “left and right” buttons, responsible for the power/WiFi functions, and the shutter button serves as the confirmation button during menu operations. All operations can be completed using the touchscreen on the back, and physical buttons can also be used, even through the waterproof case, the touchscreen still responds, although it may be a bit sluggish.

The bottom of the product still has the battery compartment and storage card location, with one side used for charging via MiniUSB and for quick playback via HDMI.

The Product Interface Fully Adopts Industry Standards to Reduce Future Accessory Costs

The entire product uses industry-standard mounting interfaces. Therefore, in terms of accessories, Garmin gives everyone a lot of freedom of choice, no longer having to worry about expensive accessories that are hard to choose from.

The product also features a quick-release buckle design, and has a very easy-to-operate “wrench” style buckle, which is somewhat similar to the design style of the rotating base on Garmin bicycle speedometers, making it very convenient for fixing and removing.

Base for a regular camera gimbal and a quick-release base on the right

Since we did not have a good motion scene during the testing process, we did not showcase the usage of the base. However, through the pictures, you should be able to see that this adhesive base is similar to most products on the market, and the biggest difference lies in the locking activity lever part, which greatly increases the convenience of removing the machine.

And the included mounts for the product are currently designed to be universal for action cameras on the market, which means if you have a lot of GoPro accessories, they are completely compatible; or if you choose some domestic accessories, it can greatly reduce the investment cost of the product. Garmin has not designed a special interface but has focused more energy on the product’s functionality, which is commendable. After all, relying on proprietary accessories to make money has always been a criticism of similar products.

Compact Dial Design with Highly Recognizable Voice Control for Excellent Usability

The product has made very thorough considerations regarding usability. In addition to the quick shutter and quick photography lever mentioned earlier, the product also features a touchscreen, allowing users to operate directly on the device. Even without a phone, you can not only see playback but also conveniently view many parameter options.

The benefit of using a touchscreen is that seemingly complex parameters can be adjusted very quickly.

In addition to the standard features of action cameras, the VIRB ULTRA 30 also retains a considerable number of adjustable parameters, significantly reducing post-processing time.

Due to the large number of adjustable parameters, Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 has also specially reserved a preset function, allowing users to set presets based on their usage habits after using it for a while. Here are a few examples:

Power-saving mode: WiFi off / GPS off / remote control function off / other settings optional

HD sports mode: 4K / GPS on / other settings optional

High-speed sports mode: 1080P 60fps (or lower resolution with higher frame rate) / GPS on / other settings optional

Video: (please click the end of the article Read Original)Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 high-speed shooting segment 1080P 120fps normal speed playback (in low light environment)

So during use, we just need to select the preset mode to quickly switch without having to set each option separately, making it very convenient.

4K Recording, Time-Lapse/Slow-Motion Photography, Sports Data Presentation – The VIRB ULTRA 30 Does It All

In addition to the built-in 4K video recording function, the product also includes many features that users will find useful.

First, it has a touchscreen and can be operated through the waterproof case.

If underwater, you can use the left and right buttons on the top of the machine and the shutter button (confirmation button) to perform all operations.

In any state, using the dial below the shutter button allows for quick activation of the photography function, and the camera parameters used will be the last settings used.

In addition to high-quality audio recording capabilities, the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 also includes voice recognition features. Since the product we received did not come with a standard manual, we roughly tried:

“OK GARMIN, start recording” “OK GARMIN, stop recording” “OK GARMIN, take a picture”

The voice recognition rate is very high; except when the water blocks the microphone during water sports, causing poor recognition, it performs extremely well in other situations. (No exaggeration)

If the water blocks this microphone, it will affect the voice control recognition; otherwise, voice recognition is very stable and easy to use.

For those using selfie sticks or taking group photos, there’s no need to use a phone remote anymore; a single voice command can achieve the photo function. This design is very thoughtful and the stability greatly exceeds our expectations.

Of course, the product can also achieve waterproofing down to a depth of 40 meters with the waterproof case.

Replaceable waterproof rubber rings greatly extend the life of the waterproof case, but the product itself does not provide replacement rubber rings.

The product has built-in WiFi for remote control operation and later editing.

It also has built-in Bluetooth functionality for remote control, such as using the Fenix 3 smartwatch for remote control.

It supports ANT+ communication protocol, allowing it to connect to related devices to record data while shooting, and when editing the video, different “panel styles” can be selected to display relevant data.

The built-in GPS positioning function serves to record sports data and can also achieve timed shooting at intervals. For example, “shoot one frame every 10 meters,” which will output a sped-up driving travel image.

Therefore, whether from the actual experience of the product or the built-in features, it indicates that the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 is a highly mature product. Even when placed among the highest-end similar products currently on the market, it still has its unique design and expresses to consumers that this is indeed a very “sporty” action camera. Aside from the current price of 3880 yuan seeming a bit high, we have no other doubts at this time.

The actual battery life of the product will be tested separately later, but from our use over the past few days, the official claimed data should not be too far off, achieving 90 minutes of working time is not a problem.

Actual Use

In actual use, the best feature of the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 should be the aforementioned dial function, allowing for quick shooting whenever it is taken out of the bag.

At the same time, the product settings can preset different parameter settings, for example, we can save more complex parameter configurations for night shooting slow motion directly here, and later just need to quickly call them up. This should be because the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 has a relatively large number of adjustable parameters, which allows for such a function to be reserved.

Video: (please click the end of the article Read Original)Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 high-speed photography (2) (note that Youku playback clarity may affect the original quality)

Filming video at the same location while using Sony’s RX100 in automatic mode for reference on video shooting quality

（Video: please click the end of the article Read Original）

Of course, compact action cameras, due to their inherent “disadvantages,” cannot compare in imaging quality with professional digital cameras or DSLRs. Previously, we also provided comparison images taken at the same location/time, showing that in terms of imaging “tolerance,” the VIRB ULTRA 30 still has a certain gap with cameras. Its greatest advantage lies in its convenience for users to wear and record those exciting sports scenes in various sporting scenarios, and under good lighting conditions, the VIRB ULTRA 30’s quality is quite good.

This image is an original shot by the VIRB ULTRA 30. To avoid overexposure from cloud cover, we adjusted to a relatively low ISO parameter.

This is a photo taken with Sony’s RX100 at the same location and time in automatic mode. It obviously captures less of the scene than the wide-angle lens, but its imaging quality is much better, especially in terms of image tolerance (bright and dark areas).

Given that the GoPro content ecosystem in China is not yet fully established and that users have high demands for product hardware quality, the Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30 is a product that accurately hits the market. The domestic running consumer market is advancing rapidly, and Garmin has a natural advantage in this consumer group. If it can accelerate the pace of establishing a content ecosystem, it is believed that it can achieve a leapfrog advantage with the VIRB ULTRA 30.

Advantages of Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30

Rich adjustable parameters, convenient mobile post-editing, excellent voice control functionality, outstanding shooting quality, touchscreen for playback and control, quick-start photo and video capabilities.

Areas for Improvement in Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30

Mobile editing of high frame rate slow-motion clips is currently not possible; the reason is unknown. The audio files in the app do not display waveforms, making it difficult to accurately judge the rhythm of music and video. The app on the phone supports rough editing of single clips but cannot integrate multiple clips. The app cannot directly operate on materials stored on the phone. If water blocks the waterproof case’s microphone, it will reduce voice control recognition rate.