Garmin's VIRB HD Camera Wants In On GoPro's Action

Adventurers, take note: There’s another option for a mounted or handheld HD video camera, and this one’s from Garmin. The company announced the Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite, a pair of cameras that are waterproof, rugged, and can shoot in 1080p HD.

The cameras boast a 16MP CMOS image processor, 1.4-inch Chroma color display, a 3-hour 2000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and the ability to capture photo bursts and time lapse shots in addition to video. You can control them with another Garmin device thanks to ANT+ wireless connectivity, and both cameras come with free VIRB Edit desktop software.

Garmin VIRB Elite

The VIRB Elite adds a GPS accelerometer and altimeter as well as WiFi connectivity for use with an iPhone or Android smartphone app.



Digital stabilization helps keep video cleaner, as does Lens Distortion Correction (LDC), and you can snap still photos while you’re shooting video. There’s an optional Dive Case for shooting deep, up to 50 meters, and Garmin offers a variety of mounts so you can stick the VIRB on anything from “curved and flat deck and dash mounts to handlebar, helmet, shoulder and multi-use strap mounts”, and more using interlocking joints that grip.

Garmin VIRB Elite

The VIRB lists at $299.99, and the VIRB Elite will run you $399.99.