specifications & package contents
This product is based on a unique design. The camera feeds a 1080p 5-inch display. Powering the display is an internal battery, 10,000 mah. The battery is the biggest selling point. The 10,000 mah battery lasts an entire day of riding, but doesn't have to be connected to the power source of your motorcycle. In this case, you don't need to spend hours installing your product. Simply attach the camera mount, snap the product onto the mount, adjust the camera to your desired viewing angle and plug it into your computer via a USB cable. The whole process takes approximately 10 minutes and there are no cables to run. The Fitense fits just as well on a motorcycle as it would on a scooter or bicycle. However, it creates additional distractions since you now have an additional product to charge, plus the distraction of having a larger screen visible during operation. Therefore, users will likely use settings and positioning to limit this distraction.
Using the Fitense is as easy as charging it and turning it on. The screen acts as a rearview style monitor when you flip the camera toward the back, providing a poor man's camera mirror in heavy traffic.
what do customers say about the product on amazon
The reviewers say the product meets their expectations regarding battery life for extended rides (since you do not have to worry about running out of power), and the lack of wiring provides great versatility in terms of where you can place the camera. Reviewer complaints fall into categories that are predictable: they complain about the screen being too distracting for drivers (and how difficult it may be to keep focused), how easily the camera can come loose while riding on rough terrain, and as always, there is some variation in the build quality of individual units due to mass production. What is impressive however is that there was no indication of a reliability problem with the Fitense in customer reviews. While this is certainly true of all products in this category, there were only 6 other products listed in our table that had enough reviews for us to analyze statistically, so this represents a much stronger statistical validation than those products could offer.
who should buy this product
If you do not want to risk damaging your motorcycle by wiring into it, if you plan to use the camera on more than one motorcycle, if you need to record video continuously for longer than half of a day for either business reasons (such as deliveries) or recreational reasons (such as tours), or if you simply prefer to ride with an extra display unit mounted on your bars, then this is the product for you. If you also happen to ride a bicycle and want a portable display unit that captures video footage as you ride, then this is still the right product for you. Finally, if you're looking for something lightweight that won't distract you from driving, then you should probably look elsewhere, such as our review of the mio mivue 662. For those that want to know what else is available to compare against in the wireless category, please refer to our review of all of the dash cams available today.
comparison with other products available today
The primary benefit of the Fitense is that it requires no wiring into your motorcycle whatsoever. All other options assume access to your motorcycle's electrical system. So we'll evaluate this product against all of the dual-channel wired options below, primarily in terms of how closely aligned their features match up. While wired products win in terms of permanence, weather resistance, and never having to think about charging them again, the Fitense wins in terms of ease-of-installation and multi-bike flexibility. Plus, the built-in display offered by the Fitense is something that none of the wireless products can replicate. We've included links to our review of all of the other products listed on this chart below. The 329 customer reviews at 4.1 stars represent the largest body of evidence available today validating any wireless product in this category. By definition, therefore, this product represents the best validated wireless product currently available. And conversely, since there are six very good products available in the wired category that are each highly rated by customers (i.e., more than four stars), this product represents the second-best validated category in total. And finally, when evaluating this product against single-camera budget options, there are only two areas where it loses: price and simplicity. On virtually every other measure -- including size of sensor package, size of screen display, length of battery autonomy and flexibility provided by rotating camera mount -- this product represents a superior option to its single-camera competition. Finally, when we consider bicycle-commuters or those who enjoy long-distance biking tours on their bicycles and wish to capture video along the route, we believe that the benefits represented by this unit -- namely large screen and large battery -- outweigh the added bulk associated with this unit relative to single-camera models designed specifically for bicycles.
longer term considerations
In terms of long-term considerations for this unit, the most important aspect will undoubtedly be battery longevity. As outlined above in terms of lithium-ion characteristics, batteries age according to defined rules: do not allow lithium-ion batteries to fully charge in extreme heat; do not store lithium-ion batteries at 100% charge level; and do not expect significant degradation in capacity until after thousands of charge/discharge cycles under reasonable conditions. Since the Fitense battery contains 10,000 milliampere-hours of capacity, we believe that this battery will continue to support a full-day's worth of video capture for years before it becomes necessary to replace it due solely to diminished capacity. Another long term consideration will be maintenance requirements for the clamp-mounted unit. Specifically, users will need to inspect the unit periodically for signs of loosening and tighten as required. Unlike wired units whose mounting hardware is secured within a rigid frame and thus less susceptible to looseness caused by vibration, users will experience increased looseness resulting from vibration due to greater mass of the unit. Some users have reported success using threadlocker when tightening clamps and/or attaching components. Users who fail to perform periodic inspections will ultimately be forced to film nothing but blue skies. We believe that long term use will lead to a natural evolution in how users utilize the screen portion of this unit. Many initial users tend to use it frequently while operating the motorcycle. Eventually users begin to review video footage while parked and supplement their mirrors in traffic situations. Regardless of user preference, this unit accommodates all three usage scenarios.
our verdict
Currently available for purchase with no wire installation required anywhere on the market, and with an excellent rating among reviewers (a four-star average among 329 reviewers), and an ideal combination of a large battery with large display screen and flexible rotating camera head, we feel confident recommending this product as the "best" solution available in its architecture type.
best practices when using your camera to preserve its long-term capacity
Firstly, storing your camera indoors when not in use helps prevent damage from heat exposure; secondly, avoiding full-charging (in extreme temperatures) will help preserve capacity; thirdly, avoiding storage with zero percent remaining capacity will help maintain capacity; fourthly, although battery life is expected to degrade significantly after thousands of cycle charges/discharges, maintaining reasonably consistent habits related to charging (e.g., plugging it into your computer immediately upon removing your helmet) minimizes inconvenience; fifthly, when switching between vehicles regularly (as many multi-bike owners do), users quickly become accustomed to performing rapid "clamp-and-go" operations for attaching/removing devices; sixthly, reviewing customer comments reveals many cases where users report preserving battery health through regular charging practices; seventhly, owners typically report no negative impact from using the camera outdoors during periods of extreme temperatures when properly stored afterward; eighthly, similar results exist for owners who store their cameras outdoors during rainy conditions. It appears that storing lithium-ion batteries in extreme temperatures and allowing them to sit at either end of their charge spectrum reduces lifespan considerably. Owners who follow established guidelines for maintaining healthy battery life report preserved performance over extended periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the 10000mAh battery actually last?
With normal riding behavior and moderate use of your screen (not staring at it for an hour straight), we estimate that your battery will last throughout a full day of riding. Staring at your screen will greatly reduce battery life, especially if you leave it on for long periods.
will i be able to safely operate my motorcycle with the large screen in my line-of-sight?
Unfortunately, laws regulating screens in cars/motorcycles vary by state/province. More importantly however, most Riders agree that a large screen will attract unnecessary visual attention while operating your motorcycle - and will generally serve as a distraction. We recommend placing your screen as low as possible and adjusting brightness accordingly.
can i use this as a rearview mirror?
Some Riders report using it successfully as an auxiliary rearview camera mirror when backing out slowly in traffic situations. It definitely serves this purpose, but it's definitely not a certified mirror replacement and it will lag behind actual rearview mirrors slightly.
will it still work in rainy conditions?
Yes! While waterproof housings protect against water spray or light rain, we strongly encourage keeping sensitive electronics (like ports used for charging) dry and protected under adverse weather conditions.
where do i mount my Fitense on my various vehicles?
Standard clamp attachments allow users to mount their Fitense on most motorcycles/scooters/bicycles. Additionally, adjustable stems allow users to orient their camera heads freely in relation to any handlebars/mirrors.