Akaso V50 Elite... Reviewed featuring Akaso Brave 7 LE!

Before I jump into this review... shout out to the ladies from the Akaso team for providing us these products for review. My opinions are my own.

This review of the Akaso V50 Elite aims to provide you with an understanding of this action camera's capabilities, and to provide you with visual comparisons alongside the Akaso Brave 7 LE. These products often stand as budget-friendly alternatives to the renowned GoPro series, but are they any good? Our key objective is to evaluate whether the Akaso V50 Elite delivers value for its price... especially for the average person (because everyone isn't strapping cameras onto dirt bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc). So... without further ado, let's dive into the details.

 Build Quality: The Akaso V50 Elite doesn't skimp on build quality at this price, with a sturdy feel courtesy of rubberized body, thicker plastics, but when compared to the feel of the Akaso Brave 7 LE... it feels like the lower tier option. The V50 Elite has a quality build, but the premium quality feel goes to the Brave 7 LE... in my opinion. Opinions may vary on that, but i'm talking about things like the button quality and the compartment covers.

I will say this though, you will greatly appreciate how easy it is to turn on the V50 Elite and operate it with the lighter clicky buttons, especially those of you who don't really have the finger strength to add a tad bit of oomph to your presses to turn on the Brave 7 LE.

V50 Elite is a lighter camera, which doesn't mean it provides lower quality results in terms of video. There are benefits to having a lighter option, which includes the ease of holding it (which is increased by the grip). Also, it's easier to mount and theres a decreased chance of it tilting or tipping when you make a jerking movement or anything of the sort. It's always good to have a solid mount regardless, but... you know what happens when something is top heavy.

A minus could be the lack of a protective cover for the ports + SD card slot on the V50 Elite, which could otherwise increase the overall aesthetics and offer protection from dust and debris. This would have been a suitable inclusion, but I don't mind when I can simply swap out SD cards... so this camera would be the one I would see being used by a family for a day out at one of the amusement parks in the area. 

A door still wouldn't hurt, but quickly swapping out the SD cards would keep the captures flowing. You have to open the battery slot to get the SD card out of the Brave 7 LE.

 Camera + Extras: As you see in the image above, the camera's package comes packed with plenty of accessories on deck without the need to run out and buy some of the same types (this applies to both cameras). Included with the Akaso V50 Elite package are the following items:

- AKASO V50 Elite Action Camera

- Remote Control

- Two 1050mAh Batteries

- Waterproof Housing

- Battery Charger

- Bicycle Stand

- Six Mount Adapters

- Two Double-Sided Adhesive Tapes

- Two Helmet Mounts

- Set of Bandages

- Five Tether Cords

- Protective Backdoor

- (Micro) USB Cable

- Lens Cleaning Cloth

- Quick Start Guide

A great addition is the camera mount - attached to the packaging. Though it may require some effort to detach, this little mount can serve well on any flat surface, such as your desk, and doubling as a webcam stand. This is not only convenient but also a clever way to reuse packaging materials if removing the base from the box wasn't the intent (beyond removing the waterproof case).

Technically these didn't come in the Akaso V50 Elite's package, but... the Akaso tripods and selfie sticks were sent by the team along with a SanDisk microSD card. I don't need to do a full review on these, but what I will say is that the tripods are a nice quality build + the SD card is meant for use with 4K UHD.

Camera Specs:

No external mic capabilities are currently available for this camera, it's only internal... allegedly (i'm going to figure this out for you before this review is up, because I have an Akaso external mic). The camera does have bluetooth, so it should totally be incapable of having bluetooth mic capability. I believe a firmware update could change this. Another downside (if an external mic test doesn't check out) is that there is no 60FPS image stabilization, but which action cameras provide this option? Use a gimbal and call it a day or turn on the EIC in 4K 30FPS. You also don't have a waterproof housing on this one (unlike the Brave 7 LE), so you have to rely on the case for water protection.

I don't advise recording video in low light conditions because the results are grainy. Get a light attachment and learn how to light up your scenes properly.

You can capture 20MP images, in addition to video in 4K 60FPS, 4K 30FPS, 2.7K 60FPS, 2.7K 30FPS, 1080P 120FPS, 720P 240FPS

Your photos and video will be stored on Micro SD. I use the SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card that works well with 4K cameras... in the Akaso Brave 7 LE.

I didn't get a chance to test how deep this waterproof camera can go in the case, but it did well in a bowl of water. The camera was nice and dry on the inside with no leaks or dew to report. As far as how deep you can go when diving with this camera, Akaso says the limit is 131 feet with the waterproof case.

Other stats include an 8X zoom, Slow motion, Time lapse, Touchscreen, CMOS photo sensor technology, and Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI + Bluetooth connectivity. While I don't like the fact that the SD card slot and other ports are open... it's really convenient to quickly access the SD card. No need to remove this camera from the tripod unless you need to... change the 1050 mAh battery.

V50 Elite voice control feature: This is useful because at times you don't want to use the cameras control and possibly shift the camera from a desired shot. And if you're positioned a certain way, you may not want to move from that pose or hold/show the remote in your shot, so you can use your voice to call out commands to either start the video ("Akaso Start Video") or take a photo ("Akaso Take Photo").

• To stop video, just say, "Akaso Stop Video".
• To order pizza, just say... nothing, i'm just kidding.

The presence of more expensive action cameras like the GoPro in the market... is also great for Akaso camera owners because it guarantees high-quality accessories. Akaso doesn't create a lot of first party accessories beyond the mic, tripod, and selfie stick. Yes, you do get the hard plastic accessories included, but... i'm talking about the accessories like a gimbal. I love the Akaso selfie stick and tripod, these are great quality, and the mic is no slouch either, but the other options have opened the door to sweet compatible options... and all in one action camera kits, etc.

By the way, one of the noticeable differences between the V50 Elite and the Brave 7 LE is the V50 has one screen. You can't see yourself on a front facing camera to ensure that a selfie is on point (unless you use the app), but... speaking of visual quality, let's move on to video + photo quality.

 Video + Photo Quality: Talking about this would be pointless, so... press play! 

So after seeing the video, you hear that the external mic works on the Akaso V50 Elite! By the way, content creators will enjoy the Akaso app that gives you access to control the camera (via it's wifi feature), as well as the ability to edit your photos and video. You can add covers, waters, and all that good stuff... plus the ability to share content with fellow Akaso camera owners in the app (and beyond).

You don't just get access to the cameras photos/video for editing, you also get access to the settings!

 Price: The Akaso V50 Elite is priced at $139.99 with a promotional discount of $25 available (add $10 to get a 64GB SD card included). The Akaso Brave 7 LE is normally $169.99 but it's $139.99 (at 18%) + a promotional discount of $25 is also available for this camera. We have unpacked the essentials; now you have a clearer picture to determine if the Akaso V50 Elite aligns with your action camera needs and budget. If you provide them with the proper lighting... the results get the job done. 

Quality 5

Camera + Extras 5

Video + Photo Quality 4

Price 5

4.75 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophima 

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2022 Wishmas Guide... for the Guys!

 

You don't think we would've forgotten about the guys do ya? We got you. There are quite a few guys that have said they're good on gifts, more than a few actually. They didn't exactly say they didn't want anything, some of them just said it in a way like... I wouldn't mind this or... it would be kinda cool if I had that. So don't take it as the guys in your life are Team Scrooge or something... no no no, just listen and capitalize.

There might even be some gifts that they didn't think they'd be interested in... just come from an angle that keeps their interests in mind, making the gift even more useful.

Let's start with hygiene

One that some of you may have been curious about, but never bit on is... Dr. Squatch. Dr. Squatch is a natural soap company with crazy commercials of guys showering (and sometimes bathing) outside to awesome spokesmanship, and there is still a number of curious people who would like to know how good the soap is for the guys in their lives... without a subscription. We have you covered!

A gift of a Dr. Squatch subscription certainly comes in handy, but... if you want to get a bar of soap or different types without subscribing to anything... you can grab the soap here.

To be honest, if you get the individual bars without the subscription, you actually save more (which would be great stocking stuffers that leave the guys in your life smelling fresh). Yes, you can get the soap on the main site without a subscription, but... there's a minimum order requirement for shipping and they cost a little more. This Wishmas guide isn't to break the bank, so... save where you can.

These are Dr. Squatch soap options that you can grab for less than $6 per bar:

Pine Tar
Wood Barrell Bourbon
Fresh Falls
Birchwood Breeze
Cedar Citrus

Nothing wrong with being fresh and clean know what I mean? You never want the guys in your lives to go around others smelling like... the Infamous Mr. Stinky. It can put a damper on the day... or night.

If you're eyeing this department regarding hygiene, you might as well bring it full circle. I'm not saying that you have to go off the deep end where they feel as if you're trying to send a message. Stocking stuffers will keep tension out of the air... so stick to the stocking unless you're going with a bundle, trust me. You don't want them opening gifts, and instead of a thank you, they want to know what exactly are you trying to say. But anyway... back to the circle. Don't forget about their dental health.

You might be wondering how can you possibly help them with that, but if you get them a Dr. Plotka's Mouth Watchers Toothbrush, they will thank you. Their dental game could be amazing right now, but if they're using a standard toothbrush, it's simply not the same. I've had the honor of reviewing one of these toothbrushes and it's the cleanest my grill has ever felt outside of the dentist's office. I still use this brand to this day, and you can even ask them how their teeth feel after the first brush. There are 2-packs + kids options as well.

If you're looking to gift fragrance this season, this could be a tad more complicated based on the guy. You may want to see what he has and re-up on the pleasant options. There are some heavier options where a little goes a long way, but if the guy bathes in the stuff (leaving other men, women, and younglings gasping for air, it might be a bit too much)... you may want to stick with a lighter fragrance. I prefer a lighter scent like a Cool Water, it's not a fruity-like scent but... but it's light like such scents can be. Even then I hit one wrist one or twice (based on intensity), share the love with the other wrist, and dab it all around from there.

I can't forget about tech

While a number of people will utilize their phones and even peripherals for their phones to take photos and video, there are some people with a passion for photography and videography. You may not have the budget to go to the top of your budget on one item, so consider some good options that help your wallet breathe.

The Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera w/ the 18-55mm Lens can certainly get the job done for hobbyists and professionals. Why not start off with gaming? Relax, we're saving the best for last, but... a number of people are looking for opportunities that don't consist of the traditional 9 to 5. So this could be a great gift for the guy with aspirations in this field. Pair it with a nice photo editing software, and consider gifting a photography course.

Another great gift... is a large mouse pad. Even if it's to replace another one that ran its course already. It goes across their desk (covering a nice area) and allows them to have room enough to shift their mouse, keyboard, etc. The more stationary items can chill on the bare desk, but the items that they shift and slide around... won't smear or potentially scratch the desk with a large mouse pad protecting it.

The Aukey XXL Gaming Mouse Pad/Mat is $8.99

I won't hate on consoles this holiday season, but... PC is the best route to go in my opinion. If they're more of a nomad or just constantly on the go for work, a gaming laptop would be a great gift. It's a gift that keeps on giving. There are many to choose from, just make sure the system specs are good: 

RAM between 8GB & 16GB

GPU between Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 to Core i7-4770K or AMD Radeon RX 470 to Radeon RX 580

CPU between Intel Core i5-3570 to Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X to Ryzen 7 1800X

DirectX Version 12

Try to avoid going below the minimum specs you see here.

The Lenovo Legion Slim 7i Gen 7 Intel (RTX 3050 Ti) has the following specs:

12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H (E-cores up to 3.5GHz, P-cores up to 4.7GHz)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU 4GB GDDR6

16GB DDR5-4800MHz

512GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC

16" WQXGA (2560 X 1600) HDR400 | 165Hz (Low Blue Light)

3 Months of Xbox Game Pass

The available ports are:

HDMI 2.1

3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (1 x always on)

Headphone / mic combo

SD card reader

Intel Thunderbolt 4

USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4, 135W power delivery)

This laptop also comes with 3 months of Xbox Game Pass (which again... not crapping on consoles), but they're getting access to PC games, multi-console releases (and even previous console exclusives), plus the benefits of PC. This particular system has a nice form, the power input is in the back along with HDMI, etc. The HDMI and power on the side aren't as aesthetically pleasing, so I appreciate the placement on this laptop.

The minimum specs also apply to desktop PCs, the same thing applies because the game specs don't change... they're just not going to be carrying around a desktop (if they do, get it on video).

Regardless of whether you get a desktop or a laptop, definitely add a game controller to the mix (duh of the day). If you'd like to gift a handheld game console... a Steam Deck is the way to go. They have access to PC games on the go, but for hobbyists, they can also play a variety of games that aren't even through the Steam store. Valve wants people to have fun and find creative ways to use their Steam Deck, so that's perfect for someone interested in STEM or simply wants to be a part of a game mod community. 

Overall, it's a handheld that keeps on giving... I believe it has more life than what the Nintendo Switch can deliver because the PC doesn't come out with the PC 2 or something like that (so no need to replace it because support is no longer there, you have access to Steam regardless). Make your budget work wonders, and I keep forgetting that you can connect the Steam Deck to the telly.

If you're researching smart watches, you may have come across the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro, in addition to the Apple Watch + the Galaxy Watch. This watch works on both the Android & iOS and delivers a lot of the features you expect like a heart rate monitor, GPS, 2-week battery life, and Water Resistance.

You also get the PAI Health Assessment System, along with stress level + sleep monitoring, and 60+ Sports Modes to access via the 1.69" display. If your heart is set to gift one of the more well-known brands, I can understand... but the quality isn't based on brands or price (hence some of the items in this Wishmas Guide). You can get the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro for less than $75, which... if someone isn't huge on smartwatches anyway, it's a safe investment that gives them useful features, and if they don't use every feature... there are still enough they'd likely use to keep the doc informed that would make it worth it.

If you have it like that... to buy the Apple Watch Ultra for $799, go for it, just... make an inventory of what he has versus what he doesn't have. You can gift the Apple Watch Series 8 for $349 and have $400 left for a Steam Deck or a number of other items. Play with the numbers, see what's what... and knock your gift out of the park (it's the thought that counts). 

The best advice I can give for this category is to seek what would be beneficial to the person, especially if they're up in age. If they like to go jogging and all that awesome athletic stuff... a watch like the Apple Watch Ultra has an 86 dB siren on it that Apple says can be heard up to 600 feet (or 180 meters away). That's not just a gift, that's another feature that can help you breathe a bit easier, and overall having the ability to make emergency calls with a smartwatch goes a long way. The Apple Watch Ultra also has crash detection + fall detection.

The battery life for the Apple Watch Ultra is 36 hours (on normal use) to 60 hours (low power setting). So there are certainly pluses you can get from these various watches, just aim for the perks that can help the recipient level up. It can even help with productivity if their phone is in their pocket and they can just check a caller ID via their watch, and control their phone from their watch seeing texts, to-do lists, etc.

I didn't forget the Galaxy Watch5 and its 5ATM IP68 waterproof body, sleep tracking, 410mAh, armor aluminum, etc. It's a nice option at $239.00, but keep some of the features in mind... just like with the Apple Watch, you can find some of the same features in the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro. The Amazfit Bip 3 Pro also has a 5ATM+IP68 waterproof body, meaning you can swim with the watch on without issues.

Overall, I hope this gift guide helps you in your mission to find some great gifts for the guys in your life. Stop, look, listen, and remember the things they may have mentioned. Take those hints and knock it out of the park. 

There are even a number of guys trying to get smaller means of transportation to get back and forth from work because doing the math, it beats... driving back and forth in some of the gas guzzlers out there. Not everyone wants to ride a bike to work, but there are bikes out there that can get them anywhere from 45 to 65 miles with battery power (i.e. long-range Lectric eBike). One of my neighbors has one of these actually, and he floats through the neighborhood. Again, not everyone wants a bike, but... you're paying a bit more in some cases if you decide to gift a gas-powered scooter. The electric scooters are cool, but... the miles aren't great for a number of them, so an eBike is a great alternative just in case they need to pedal. Happy gifting!

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Nooie Cam Pro... Reviewed!

Before we jump into this review... let's unbox!

The Nooie Cam Pro: 2K Security Camera with Spotlight was provided to us for review by the Nooie team, my opinions of this product are my own. No need to worry though, this product checks all the boxes for me. How so? Well, let's review!

Ease of setup: First things first, when it comes to setting up the Nooie Cam Pro... it's as easy as you being able to nail or screw something into the wall. That will be your biggest challenge, which isn't a challenge at all for most of us. The second challenge would be placement, but that's entirely up to you, but aim for a place that will get you maximum coverage (just keep it out of direct sunlight).

I'd recommend charging your cameras as soon as possible to get that step out of the way, and then jump into the mount plate installation.

I'm using the drill you see above, along with masonry drill bits. You can simply use the screws to drill if you desire, but if you don't have these items, no worries... grab a hammer + a nail:

Partially hammer the nail in > remove the nail from the hole > grab a mounting plate + a screw > partially insert the screw > grab the nail and place it into the other hole of the mounting plate to position it before you partially nail it in > remove the nail > add the screw in and twist it in all the way > after twisting the other screw in > just grab a full charged camera + a magnetic mount > place the mount in the back of the camera > slide the mount onto the mounting plate > mission complete.

Mounting took 3 minutes tops. By the way, you can even place the mounting plates while the cameras are charging so that you don't have to worry about doing that when its go time. Ahead of mounting the cameras, go to the Google Play Store or the App Store and get the Nooie app.

After downloading the app, follow the instructions in the app to connect the station to your home internet and connect the cameras to the base station. It's a very simple setup also because once the setup is done for the base station, press the button (the logo) on the base station which will begin to blink, and then push the little button on the back of the camera until the light begins to blink.

You will get a sound from the camera and the base station to confirm the connection. After that, just go put your cameras on the mounts and look at the camera feed through your phone app to get the desired angle and you're all set with that portion.

Quality: In terms of quality, these are some sturdy cameras. They're listed as fire resilient & weatherproof, but some of you might look at that like... "Sounds nice, but... what does that mean?", so let's jump into some definitions:

Fire Resiliency | According to Fire Protection Research Foundation

The term "resilience" means the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Resilience includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents. - National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) | Guidance Document for Incorporating Resiliency Concepts into NFPA Codes and Standards: Final Report | Page 4

The specific fireproof rating for the Nooie Cam Pro is... UL94 V-0. Very interesting, this is UL94 V-0 and the list shows that if this catches fire it's the one that doesn't burn long if it burns at all. There are plenty of people I know who work in IT and there are some who live in Cali where fires tend to pop up because of natural circumstances or those situations where someone did a bad bad thing, and this type of cam works for those who don't want to add to the flammable products in their location.

Weatherproof | According to Access Fixtures

A fixture with an IP rating of 65 is protected against multi-directional, low-pressure water jets. In order to pass testing and achieve an IP65 rating, fixtures must be able to withstand water projected by a 0.25-inch nozzle. To achieve satisfactory results, this test must be run for a minimum of fifteen minutes, with the water source placed three yards from the fixture. Additionally, the water pressure must be 30 kPa with a water volume of 3.3 gallons per minute. - IP Ratings

If you need an idea of what else is IP65 rated, think of the sports lights at some parks and stadiums or even those pole lights you might see (i.e. the commercial LED bollard lights).

So in terms of durability, you have a solid product (on paper) that I've had the pleasure of utilizing. I haven't set any cameras on fire, but there were some heavy rains, then it got cold, then it got hot again. One camera was fully covered, and the other camera was under light cover out of direct view of the sun and they're still ticking.

In terms of the video quality, the Nooie Cam Pro is 2K QHD resolution, but I'd rather show you the quality instead of telling you (I'm literally going out to show you right now):

Here's the night view, and take a look at the date... I haven't had to recharge the camera yet and it's still above 50%. I will get to the specifics regarding the battery in the next section.

Features: In terms of features of features, the Nooie Cam Pro has:

2K QHD Resolution (with 8X zoom)

Motion Detection (PIR Motion Sensor Range: Up to 20ft)

Integrated Spotlight (IR Night Vision + Spotlight Color Night Vision)

2.4 & 5G Wi-Fi Connection

Rechargeable Battery (5000 mAH)

Two-Way Audio & Live View

IP 65 Weatherproof

Power Plug or Solar Panel Options

Compatibility with Alexa & Google Home

2 Cameras

1 Base Station

Storage Cloud & Support SD card up to 128GB:

What's cool about the SD card support is the fact that you don't have to pay for cloud storage if you don't want to. The screenshots you see below are from the actual Nooie App, and the video above was also taken via the App. I didn't have to use the SD card to take that video and the pic I took above didn't require an SD card either, but having that option allows for an offline solution.

If you're interested in cloud storage, there are different options, but all come at a very affordable price.

Monthly fees:

7-Day EVENT PLAYBACK | $1.00/30day

• Videos saved up to 30 days 
• Event recording

14-Day EVENT PLAYBACK | $1.90/30day

• Videos saved up to 14 days
• Event recording

30-Day EVENT PLAYBACK | $3.00/30day

• Videos saved up to 30 days
• Event recording

Yearly fees:

7-Day EVENT PLAYBACK Yearly Plan | $10.00/12month

• Videos saved up to 7 days
• Event recording

14-Day EVENT PLAYBACK Yearly Plan | $20.00/12month

• Videos saved up to 14 days
• Event recording

30-Day EVENT PLAYBACK Yearly Plan | $30.00/12month

• Videos saved up to 30 days
• Event recording

Price: The price for the Nooie Cam Pro is $299.99, and it comes with 2 cams + base station. Cameras are normally $150, so it's about right + you get the base station, and... you aren't stuck to a cord. 

Overall, these are solid security cameras that work well. The batteries are still over 50% charge, there are multiple features like the two-way that allow you to speak to others even when you're away from home, you can record, there are different color options that allow for camo action (to a degree as well).

Speaking of the color options, let me clarify. The default color is clay, but there are pending color "Sleeve" options that include Mocha and Snow. 

So this will allow them to be hidden in a variety of environments unless you want the camera to be visible to send someone running for the hills.

Before Orlando because the permanent home for SDGT Entertainment, I was the victim of burglary. I'm pretty sure it was the maintenance guy because he knew that we were moving, and he got the security guard fired because he was upset that he wouldn't allow him access to the security camera room. 

Once he got access to the camera room, he would stay in there and I thought he just used it to sleep until I connected the dots and realized he used it to keep tabs on who was coming and going. A security camera system would've sent the criminal running for the hills because you're not only able to use an alarm on the camera, you can use voice to scare the crap out of them, you know someone's there in order to notify the police and with the evidence, they can get an accurate description, etc. You can even scare them by turning on the spotlight and maybe say something creative (gun sentry... activated).

 If it's in the cloud, they wouldn't have access to the video at all, but if you hide the base station, that would be out of sight out of mind.

One of the biggest features that you will not see on the package is... peace of mind. Security cameras are definitely a plus, and when you really really need them, they're a Godsend.

By the way, you get a 12-month limited warranty also. 

Ease of setup 5

Quality 5

Features 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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