I just came across this one:
https://magicshine.com/products/seemee-dv-camera-taillight
It looks like it might be a worthy competitor to the FLy6, though it’s only got a 30 lumen light, not the Fly’s 100.
I have a Magicshine Monteer 8000 light and it’s fantastic, so it gives me hope this doesn’t suck.
When my Fly6 dies, this one will be on the short list for sure, assuming we don’t discover it sucks before then.
The Fly12 replacement hunt continues …
-Tim
I’ll add that my local law enforcement will not pursue anything unless the video identifies/shows the drivers face. There are obvious challenges to this: direction of your lens, reflection of the glass, etc.
That said, if you have ridden long enough, you have had a motorist exit their vehicle in order to confront you or your group. You have also experienced an exchange with law enforcement in which they were misinformed about the content of the motor vehicle code. In those cases, the video is helpful.
Dammit!!! Why?! Why must all these companies do everything half-assed?!
I must admit, that after a bit more reading of the product page, and a look at the price, I had my suspicions.
So @gpl and @dcrainmaker : anything out there that is actually worth buying? Not looking for GoPro features, just video that’ll stand up in court, with integrated lights, and a decent run time (4+ hrs).
-Tim
So my Cycliq experience has been decent. 2 years in, I use the front camera/light on nearly all my outdoor rides (4-5/week so maybe ~500 total rides) and had no issues. Battery life isn’t fantastic in the cold, has run out on a few >4 hour rides but I don’t do that many really long rides in the cold anyway! Video is good enough quality to identify number plates and be used for submissible evidence. I own the rear light as well but haven’t used it so much as decided that I didn’t want two gadgets on the rear of the bike and given the choice I prefer having the Varia (non camera) as radar helps me reduce the chances of an incident whereas camera just records the incident if it does happen.
YMMV. Maybe the quality of the gadget has improved or maybe I just got lucky.
Once I got units that worked, they have been fine. It took 2 Fly 12’s and 3 Fly 6’s before that happened (in 2022, after a year of returns), and even then the mic on the 12 is was dead on arrival the level is so low.
I really don’t want to go through that again, especially since it seems their customer service has gone massively downhill since then. They didn’t put up much resistance to my returns, but that seems not to be the case anymore.
-Tim
I’m running a fly6 pro and is much better than the fly6 battery lasts a good 6-7 hours and the light is really good on it. Camera quality is very good too so no complaints on this one. I know there’s been a few issues with the standard 6 so hopefully they’ve improved on this
I’m running on my commute
AKASO V50 X Action Camera with 64GB microSDXC Memory Card - Native 4K Wifi Underwater 40M EIS Anti-Shake Cam with Touch Screen, Remote Control, Waterproof Case and Mounting Accessories Kit: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
The quality seems good but I haven’t had it long enough to need to pull out number plates.
That’s encouraging, and on paper both the Fly6 & Fly12 look good. It’s really a question of build quantity and customer service.
Judging by the general lack of alternatives, I’ll likely be going back to Cycliq, with my fingers crossed. And there will definitely be a rain test with the hose on day one.
-Tim
I’ve had a Cycliq Fly12 camera for about a year and it’s worked flawlessly so far.
The only downside is that the handlebar mounts that Cycliq sell are a bit pricey if you want to have mounts installed on several bikes. I’ve created a replica which can be 3D printed. It works well and only uses 16g of plastic filament. Free to download in case anybody has a 3D printer and wants to use it:
https://makerworld.com/en/models/1333580-cycliq-fly12-camera-handlebar-mount#profileId-1372448
Great thread everyone.
Daily cycle commuter and have done so for nearly 20 years (in Melbourne). Get hit by a car on average every 2-4 years so ride with a camera every trip.
Been with Cycliq since the original first Fly 6 and then did the Kickstarter test pilot thing for the introduction of the Fly 12. Have had roughly 10-15 various either Fly 6’s or Fly 12’s over the years.
My overwhelming impression of the camera/lights is great idea and overall when they work the Cycliq products are terrific. It is just when they stop working randomly due to battery issues/usb ports failing etc it is a real pain. But I see them as essential safety item which over the years with all the cars hitting you invariably have served me well……and a lack of decent alternatives causes me to continue shelling out for what I see is a pretty expensive unreliable/unrepairable product.
My Fly 12 CE just developed battery connection problems so due to experience whilst awaiting Cycliq’s response to solutions (which in the past has been really suboptimal) I did my usual search for other options (which I do every year). This week turned up a product called a “1000LM Kentfaith Bike dashcam” and at $179 it is less money emphasized textthan returning my CE to Cycliq for a “repair”/exchange let alone the 500 bucks for a new Fly 12 sport.
It sounds too good to be true but at that price I have one on the way so will let thread readers know how it goes. Fingers crossed.