Cambox MKV3 helmet camera test

Menus

• A miniature action camera that can be installed in the helmet
• FullHD 1080p at 30 fps, 40 grams, 1h15 of autonomy, 12 MP photo, WiFi, 35 ° tilt, vibrating motor
• Discovery
• Two buttons and an app
• Correct images, but sound disturbed by the wind
• The rates
• Cambox compared to other action cameras
• Conclusion
• Cambox MKV3 technical characteristics
• Availability / price

A miniature action camera that can be installed in the helmet

FullHD 1080p at 30 fps, 40 grams, 1h15 of autonomy, 12 MP photo, WiFi, 35 ° tilt, vibrating motor

Everyone knows action cameras, since the launch of the first GoPro, widely copied since, with models often cheaper but also sometimes better from Yi to Sony, through formerly TomTom or Garmin to Sena in particular with sa 10C (under test). And the competition continues today with DJI which offers impressive alternatives to the GoPro7 and its excellent stabilization with the Osmo pocket and then the Osmo Action. And there is always the possibility of using your smartphone as a sports camera. But all "action cams" still have one major flaw for many bikers: their weight and size. This is where Cambox released a new kind of sports camera since it is installed IN the helmet and no longer outside. Maximum miniaturization therefore, but what is it really worth ?

Designed and manufactured in the Nantes region, this tiny on-board camera indeed finds its place on or rather in your helmet. Despite its small size, it wants to offer beautiful images while presenting great ease of use. We were able to test it in particular during a test on the track. Discovery of an on-board camera that does not lack tips.

"Stick a piece of Velcro in your helmet, put the camera down, press the button and the recording has started, you can roll!" »The summary is simplistic, but in fact, the instructions for use are too.

Cambox MKV3 dash camera test

Discovery

Delivered in a superb packaging with its accessories, the Cambox MKV3 amazes by its small size: 15 mm thick, 168 mm wide and its very reduced weight…. 40 grams (2 less for the MKV2 version). It comes with a 16 GB memory card and accepts cards up to 64 GB.

Made in 3D printing, with finishes of several colors, it offers 1h15 min of battery life and is charged with a USB cord, supplied.

It sticks to a velcro, also provided, that you apply wherever you want. This can be in your helmet, behind your screen thanks to the Cambox Shape, a specific external mounting bracket that allows easy attachment with different brackets.

The Cambox MKV3 is fixed by means of a Velcro system

The great interest of this camera lies above all in the possibility of fixing it inside the helmet, that is to say above your eyes, which gives an immersive angle of view identical to that of the pilot.

In addition, unlike the attachment of accessories which is not always allowed on all circuits and which is subject to potential loss with speed, the camera does not risk anything when shooting in the helmet. This is his big strong point.

The resolution goes from 720p for the MKV2 to Full HD (1080p), for the MKV3 which on the other hand is not extraordinary. 1080p is indeed the resolution of the GoPro2 released at the end of 2011, while a large number of cameras now offer 4K.

The Velco affixed to the camera

Two buttons and an app

The first button is used to turn on and off (long presses) as well as to start and stop recording (short presses). As soon as it is switched on, the recording begins. The second button is used for wifi which allows you to communicate with your smartphone, via a free application (Cambox Capture and Share) downloadable from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store. Thanks to this second button, you can also choose the desired definition of HD 720 or Full HD 1080 (MKV3) images. Each button action corresponds to a vibration which confirms that you have actually pressed. So when you can’t see the buttons blinking, you know recording is starting or stopping..

The lens can be rotated through 35 °

The lens, which can be rotated through 35 ° by simple manual action, can be adjusted thanks to the visualization provided by the application on the screen of your smartphone. The images are recorded on a maximum 64 GB micro SD card (32 for the MKV2 version). To see them, you can again watch them on your smartphone or any other device, via the wifi connection, or by removing the card, which requires a bit of fairy fingers.

Access to the card and the USB socket are made behind a small rubber tab which requires care and application to be repositioned correctly. Cambox Meca assures us that its camera is "ShowerProof", ie waterproof against splashing water. It will therefore not go underwater. Fortunately, most of the time the Cambox is located behind your visor, sheltered from the elements..

The USB port and the card are housed on the side of the Cambox

Correct images, but sound disturbed by the wind

Well sheltered from the rain under your helmet, the Cambox achieves high quality images up to 1080p. Regarding image stabilization, the cambox does quite well when it is in your helmet, because it takes full advantage of the natural stabilization … of your head !

On the other hand, the sound environment under the helmet suffers greatly from aerodynamic noise. In fact at very low speed, we hear the motor and we can comment on the images, but at high speed, the sound becomes inaudible. Pity ! We cannot therefore comment live on his journey. Of course, this varies depending on the type of helmet, the adjustment of the visor and the position of the air vents..

On track, the camera does not obstruct the field of vision

Rather than a long speech, we invite you to watch an on-board video taken in Jerez during the test of the Bridgestone S 22. Apart from the sound in this app, the images are good and the use very easy. Note that thanks to its very low thickness, the Cambox does not disturb the pilot’s field of vision, at least not on the Shark Race-R Pro Carbon helmet that we were also testing for this test. Some helmets do not offer as good a vertical field of vision, a point to check since the camera uses 12 mm in height and therefore reduces part of the field of vision..

The rates

The MKV2 model is offered in promotion from 229 € with a simple USB cord and a Velcro fastener (no card or case) and the MKV3 model is exchanged for 319 € which puts it about 60 € less expensive than a GoPro Hero 7 Black (on sale at 379 euros, which is also waterproof and offers better image quality).

With the MKV3 model, you have several optional accessory packs (holder, external battery, cap, 32 or 64 GB card, etc.). You can benefit from an additional 5% discount on both models by indicating the promo code "EVENT" when ordering…. It is always good to know !

The Cambox MKV3 pack

Cambox compared to other action cameras

The real strong point of the Cambox lies in the possibility of simply attaching it to the inside of all types of helmets (jet, cross, full, etc.) at the level of the visor. The camera is thus forgotten during the race or the trips and the pilot has no risk of loss or breakage of the camera. In addition, the angle of view is ideal for bringing the moment and immersion to the viewer. On the other hand, in terms of image quality and possibilities, the Cambox is clearly below the performance of a GoPro which can shoot in 4K and with impressive stabilization..

The Cambox MKV3 fits perfectly into the helmet

Conclusion

Super practical, the Cambox won us over with its ease of installation, compactness, ease of use and decent optical performance. With it you can film your daily journeys, your track trips, or whatever you want, as long as you do not exceed 1h15 at one time (except external battery). This camera is ideal for competitors in motor sports because it will be authorized on the circuits and will allow to share his passion in the videos..

Strong points

• Weight
• Ease of installation
• Ease of use
• Immersive viewing angle

Weak points

• Limited image resolution (max 1080)
• Stabilization
• Not waterproof
• Less multi-tasking than a GoPro

Cambox MKV3 technical characteristics

• Wing thickness: 12.5 mm
• Lens thickness: 16.5 mm
• Width: 160mm
• Depth: 25mm
• Weight: 40 grams
• Video resolution: 1080p 30fps / 720p 60fps
• Photo resolution: 12 MP
• Wi-Fi: 802.11n 2.4GHz
• Audio: AAC2 – 2 HD Microphones
• Lens tilt: 35 °
• Memory capacity: up to 64 GB with card
• Fastening: Velcro fastening system
• Battery: Lithium
• Autonomy: 75 minutes
• Charging time: 2 hours
• Status indicator: LED, sound and vibrating motor
• Cambox Capture & Share mobile app

Availability / price

• Colors: Black, gray, brown, blue, turquoise, pink, red, yellow, green, orange, tricolor
• Price: from 319 euros
• Site: store.camboxmeca.com

Related articles

• Shoei Hornet ADV full face helmet test

  4 shell sizes, 8 colors, around € 590 A top-of-the-range adventure style helmet, but comfortable and versatile The Shoei Hornet ADV is an adventure…

• Schuberth C2 modular helmet test

  7,000 kilometers with the C2 The Schuberth C2 is the top of the range modular that appeared in 2005, replacing the Concept, which it has significantly…

• Shoei Neotec II modular helmet test

  7 years ! It has been seven years since Shoei presented its Neotec, to finally compete with the Schuberth C3. After 30,000 km of Neotec testing, the…

• Arai QV-Pro full face helmet test

  18 colors, observed price from 639 to 759 € depending on the decoration A high-end sport-GT full-face helmet with external sunscreen In the family of…

• Nexx X60 motorcycle helmet test

  2000 km test Nexx is a Portuguese company that manufactures full face helmets (XR1 and X10), cross (X20), maxi-jet (X30) and jet Open Face (X60). The…

• Modular motorcycle helmet test: Shark Evoline

  The first helmet approved for both Integral and Jet 6,000 kilometers with the Shark Evoline The Shark EvoLine helmet is not a traditional modular. At…

• AGV AX9 Carbon full face helmet test

  I am your helmet 5,000 km test Before, there were road helmets, sports helmets and cross country helmets. There are now enduro touring helmets, to…

• Full face helmet test Nolan N87

  34 colors and liveries available, from 209 euros, available from XXS to XXXL A well-built, well-finished, fairly efficient mid-range integral Things,…

• HJC RPHA Jet helmet test

  A high-end jet with a sporty look, available in 7 different liveries Sizes from XS to XXL, 3 shell sizes, from € 329.90 to € 349.90 Some rumors suggest…

• Shark RSI Carbon sport / road helmet test

  Haute couture headwear 10,000 km test The Shark RSI Carbon helmet with a composition of carbon fiber (35%), multi-axial fiber (15%), aramid fiber (15%)…