Action Cameras

There are a lot of options out there with the GoPro series seeming to be the default but I'm looking at several other brands also including the Garmin Virb XE, Polaroid XS100, and the Sony AS series. What I want is an action camera that will give me a wide angle view (Most do) and the ability to see what the camera will see. I also want the camera to charge while it's running if plugged into a car charger. Having to swap batteries or use some proprietary cord/voltage will not work. That ability to seamlessly overwrite memory when full is a big plus (a lot of dash cams do this).

I want to use the camera as a daily dash cam but have action cam type features when using for autocross or track days. Reading specs and reviews is making my head hurt. If anyone has any suggestions please chime in. I thought about one of the cheaper units just to try it out but in reality I would like to get it right the first time. I will pay the price for a quality unit. I just don't want to pay the money for the wrong one.

I'd choose the good old GoPro, it ticks all the boxes. I use it for years and wouldn't really trade it to something else. Not sure weather it would be appropriate for a daily dash cam usage though. Alternatively you can look at this WASP action camera.

A dash cam and an action cam are two very different things.

For an action cam I'd recommend an SJCAM over a GoPro. They use the GoPro mounts, have similar specs and are a fraction of the price. After I had a GoPro die on me for no apparent reason I'm not buying the durability argument.

Funny you mention this......look for a story soon in GRM!

FWIW--- I've been using a Replay XD-Prime-X camera, and have been blown away by the video quality.

http://www.replayxd.com/product/prime-x/

Heres a short video I made last Summer--- before I really learned how to use the different settings, or deal with the sound, or mount the camera properly. You get an idea of the image quality though. Language is probably NSFW.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcYQuMS-WAM

At $80 on banggood.com the Xiaomi Yi looks worth trying. Most reviewers place it between the second best and top of the line in GoPro's lineup in terms of video quality, and there's no screen on the cam itself, so everything is done from your phone.

I haven't actually used one, as I still have my 720p Vivitar action cam virtually unused in my camera bag..

seeing forward and backward is better than just seeing forward

Gameboy, I agree though I am leaning towards an action cam that can serve reasonably well as a daily dash cam if I want.

Joe, looking forward to the article. My site search led me to an old post where you mentioned the Replay. It's on my list as well.

I've used my iPhone as a dash cam with an app called Vidometer and it works pretty well though a phone is not really suited to what I want. The speed overlay is pretty nice if I ever need to contest something from a ticket or accident but not essential to my needs. The phone image quality is definitely not up to environment of a moving car and the rapid light changes.