I’d long planned to replace both my old GoPro and my Sony ZV1 camera with one action camera — and finally made the leap when the Insta360 Ace Pro was released December 2023.
My minimum gear for shooting video has never been lighter nor more compact.
I like HDR (high dynamic range) and shoot the same on my iPhone. Over-saturated video looks good to me on YouTube. Especially if watching on a phone.
4K30fps is the most I can shoot in HDR on the Ace Pro. (Better would be 60fps in HDR. That would be my #1 request for future upgrade.)
I export at 1080p30fps so can crop / zoom down without losing resolution.
Shooting in this setting I can quickly zoom 50% and yet still end up with 4K video whenever I want by double tapping the screen. How does 4K zoom to 4K? … Some sort of digital trickery in camera they call clarity zoom.
Their 8K is 4K with 4 small pixels replacing each normal 4K pixel. So far I haven’t been much impressed with 8K for video.
Ultrawide gives the widest possible perspective for outdoor scenery. I’ll use that mode when shooting BIG outdoor vistas.
Most of the time, I’ll use Dewarp (minimal distortion) as it most closely matches a normal camera with almost no curvature to the image.
iPhone App and Apple Watch App
I’ll be using the Apple Watch app quite a bit. It’s simple. Quick. And intuitive.
I might never use the phone app which is complicated. And really not needed for someone who plans to edit video later on laptop.
Voice Command on the Ace Pro works most of the time, even in noisy environments.
This camera has Gesture Control — but it works inconsistently, as it does on every other product I’ve tried with that feature.
Downsides of the Insta360 Ace Pro
The AcePro has no GPS. With iPhone photos and video, I sometimes look up the metadata to see exactly where and when I took the picture — very useful.
It’s possible to use the phone app — or even the watch app — to get the metadata, but that’s too much hassle for me.
The biggest problem now, however, is lack of much zoom on any of my cameras. I’d love to have something with 10x optical, as well.
Since I export at 30fps, in my normal shooting mode I won’t be able to slow down video. In reality, I don’t use much slow mo anyway, so it probably won’t be a problem. BUT I’ll need to remember to switch to slow motion if I ever want some of those captures.
I listen to more audio than anyone else you know. 😀
Mostly audio books and podcasts. Mostly when I am on the move or exercising.
I cursed Steve Jobs thousands of times for not promoting wireless headphones.
Steve died too young in 2011 (aged 56) — RIP.
AirPods were launched 2016 alongside the iPhone 7.
My entire life was instantly 13% 😀 improved.
I’ve used the least expensive 1st generation AirPods until 2023 and have been very happy. Amazingly, I’ve only lost two individual AirPods and kept using the rest, often syncing one AirPod at a time.
Finally I upgraded to AirPods Pro 2 in 2023. Expensive. But worth it for me.
I somewhat appreciate the improved sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities, and extended battery life — but the main reason I’m endorsing the product are the volume adjusting gestures and better Find My tracking.
The original AirPods had no physical volume adjustment.
The case has an external speaker so you can more easily located it when lost between pillow cushions.
Pausing audio by clicking is far better than the old double tap.
Maximum volume is quite a bit higher in the Pros.
Another plus is faster connection via Bluetooth.
I don’t like AirPods switching automatically. The default. But it’s easy to turn that off. AirPods stay connected to the device of your choice — unless you tell them to switch.
Of course I got the case engraved with my email address in case I leave it somewhere. 🙏
The sound has more base. Not super important for me, but it does seem to make female voices richer in podcasts.
My current touring bike is a Trek Checkpointcustomized for my good self. And I love it.
IF I was to upgrade, it would be to the somewhat more expensive Priority 600x.
In fact, my guru — Ryan Duzer — switched from a Checkpoint to the Priority. That’s Ryan in the photo.
One of the designers, some call this bike the Duzer Cruiser.
I think I’d prefer the no maintenance belt drive pinion system. And the nearly unbreakable Gates Carbon Drive. AND the suspension looks pretty good on this tough bike.
The supply chain problems of pandemic is over. You can get a 600x stock in the USA, as I post, within 5 days.
Atypicap Capsule Hostel is the first capsule establishment in the Canary Islands.
I’ve stayed in a few airport Capsule hotels — but this is the best hostel version I’ve ever seen. ALL hostels should offer these capsules. Singles and doubles.
Cost for my single in 2022 was $26.15 / night (25.24 EU).
Shared leisure areas, kitchen, bathrooms for individual use, and a Chill-Out Terrace on the roof with bar service.
Electronic door-opening and closing with card. Lockers.
Equipped with USB connections and Bluetooth, air ventilation, 26-inch screen with headphone connection where you can download the multimedia content on your device (mobile, tablet or laptop), wifi, a 15x12x12 cm safe, adjustable led lights for reading, luminous alarm clock, vanity mirror, digital thermometer, power outlet, cloth hangers, smoke detector, and ‘do not disturb’ option.
Rick McCharles 