RoadHawk Bullet R+ Moto Edition

I have the earlier version of this camera called the Ride and due to battery life getting short on that one I thought time to upgrade to this R+ version meaning I would also get 1080p resolution and some other neat stuff - read on. First off let's tell you that the picture quality is excellent and more than good enough to record "on the road incidents" which was my main reason for buying. The picture quality on 1080p is very clear and even with rough UK roads, I could easily make out the registration plates of passing vehicles. I switched to the 720p setting and even that was good. I tried both the helmet and bar mounts and the picture is more stable when mounted on my helmet in one sense, but only if I kept my head still. The bar mount, of course, is very stable but will pick up on the bike vibrations more. RoadHawk has greatly helped stop this by the design of the rubber insert on the bar mount. Regardless of how you mount the camera, you get clear video and pictures (with the remote). True the video may not be as clear when moving, as the motion stabilised cameras but they are bigger and typically twice the price. With RoadHawk R+ you get a really neat and light camera. If you want to take still pictures then you need the remote which uses a short screw on extra module. With this fitted, you can power on / off and take stills and video all controlled from the remote. The stills feature is really neat for capturing something you want without having to make a note of the time so you can later find it on the video recording. If you have date/time stamp on then both still and video will have the information, if you don't this stamping turned on then you could use the file create date/time stamp. So if there is something you want to look at on the video use the remote to capture a still and you have a simple way to find the right recording. Depending on your settings the camera will vibrate as it switches on and off. This means when helmet mounted it's easy to know what is happening without needing to see the lights. Such a cool feature, no more having to remove my helmet just to see if the camera is on or off. You can also configure the laser, this comes on for a short period and clearly shows where the centre of the camera is pointing. While it is a "safe" class 2 laser so if you have this enabled you should look way from people as you switch on. Class 2 means it won't do any lasting damage, it's the same class as they use in barcode readers, but most people don't know that and get very concerned it pointed in their direction. Update: I have found that if you just give the camera button a short push while recording the laser will activate for a short period, ideal if you want to check if it's recording or not. A longer push is needed to either switch it on or off. To access the recording either plug in the USB cable or remove the SD card. They don't supply and nor do you need any software to manage the recordings, they are the industry standard so Windows/ Mac computers have no problems. They do supply software which has the manual and a settings tool combined in one package. A good idea to combine the two much more likely you will read the manual. Even if you don't as you select a setting extra information relating to that setting is supplied, making the whole process very easy. Tip: If the software doesn't install in Win 10 its because you don't have the Adobe Air (free) software, install this and then install the RoadHawk software. The product is very robustly built, I don't intend to crash but if I did short of a road roller driving over it I believe it would survive any impact you could give it while riding a bike. The IP rated sealed metal case will handle anything the weather can throw at it too. There is a single button to control the camera, i.e. so simple even I can use it. The connection to it is via USB Mini connector and not the more common USB micro cable. The only advantage that the large mini cable has is it's easier to insert the correct way the first time. Tip: I always mark the top of any USB cable with white Tippx. The older USB mini not a big deal but it does mean having either an adapter StarTech.com Micro USB to Mini USB 2.0 Adapter F/M or carry the actual cable with you to charge. It would have been nice if it was the same USB micro connector as my phone and Garmin kit etc. The internal battery will last for about 90min. fine for shorter rides. They offer a neat extra battery pack which in use will mean about 4.5 hours use and once that is used you can then use the internal battery, so about 6 hours in total. In the box are various mounts, why they didn't have photos of them on this page like their other version motorbike version RoadHawk Bullet R+ Moto Edition I don't know, so I suggest you visit their website where you can see all the various mounting options. I have a cage helmet and for me the best mount is this one Roadhawk Tripod Tray Mount which can be used with zip ties, sadly this mount is not included in the box so you need to order it in addition if you want it as I think it gives the most secure mount on a cage helmet.TIP: Much better an zip ties are these reusable cable straps Pasow 50pcs 6-Inch Reusable Fastening Cable Ties Adjustable Strap Wire Management - Multicolour . Update: After watching back a few rides to get the angle and looking a the mount the camera was in perfect alignment with the grooves of my Kask helmet so I tried just the camera held in the grooves, perfect except it would slide forwards or backwards. I fixed this with some silicon tubing ULTNICE 5 Pairs of Bunion Protector Toe Sleeves Gel Protector which stopped the camera moving and made strapping easier too. The mounts they supply are 1 x curved and 1 x flat like these Roadhawk Flat Surface Mount (Pack of 3) and one handlebar mount. I did try and find an area on my helmet where I could stick either of the two supplied mounts, but my Kask helmet doesn't have a suitable area. All of the mounts can use the excellent RoadHawk Pro Adjustable Cradle Mount . There is also a fixed version included but this would need the mount in the perfect place., I suggest you search here for Roadhawk Mount to see the other options or visit their website. Personally, I think it would have been better if they had camera + remote for less money with say one discounted mount of your choice. What else do you get in the box, the remote + remote wrist controller and a lanyard end caps, one fully sealed and the other with small holes for better sound quality. For reason best known to RoadHawk the lanyard cap doesn't fit on the end of the remote module. The remote is on a wrist strap which I think wearing on my wrist is pointless, trying to ride and operate it not ideal. Much better to use the strap to fit it to your bike, the only problem with this is getting it tight enough on the hard tubing. Not a problem, remove the strap and remember those cable ties, perfect for the remote too. So whatever type of bike you ride with this camera you are going to get great video in what seems to me to be the smallest, lightest most robust camera with really useful features on the market.

I bought the Roadhawk to replace a Chinese equivalent (Campark) that had failed after just 5 months use. The Roadhawk was nearly 5 times the price, but offered a 2 year guarantee. My requirement is simply for a cycle safety/evidence camera. So far I’ve used the Roadhawk on several rides between 90 minutes and 2 hours in length and on one longer ride of about 5 hours. The Roadhawk is robust and feels as though it would survive a knock or two. My preference is for bar mounting – I know others have grumbled about the extra fittings needed for vented helmet mounting – but I’m pleased with the supplied fittings for handlebar use. There’s one bar clamp that accepts a slide in holder for the camera. 2 slide in holders are supplied – one fixed, the other on a rotating ball mount. Both work well, and bar mounting gives a perfectly acceptable and steady picture. On the 1080p setting (you can choose between 1080p and 720p), number plates are easily readable in daylight. (I tend to ride only in daylight, and the only time picture quality has been iffy was riding down a tree lined avenue on a sunny day – the lighting contrasts and dappling effect caused the camera to struggle a little, but, overall, no complaints). I’ve swapped out the supplied 8GB SD card for a 32GB one, and this will give just short of 5 hours recording time at 1080p quality before overwriting the first recordings (assuming that you set loop recording to “on”). The onboard battery is consistently delivering about 1 hour 40 minutes or so on a full charge. Extending the range is very easy, and connecting a 3350mAh external battery gives more recording capacity than I am likely to need in a day. (As others have mentioned, it’s either external or internal battery power, and switching must be done manually. On my longest ride so far of 5 hours, it was entirely on the external 3350mAh battery. There was some juice left in the external battery and a full charge in the camera battery when I got home). Roadhawk supply a weatherproof external battery pack and weatherproof connector cable at extra cost. Being a Yorkshireman, I’m using a much cheaper Anker battery and I’ve made my own cable. (There is a spare end cap in the box, vented so that the microphone can be used. In best Blue Peter fashion, using some sticky back plastic, glue, blunt end scissors and old washing up liquid bottles, I’ve mated this to a USB lead that is now weatherproof at the camera end. The battery is in a plastic bag inside a top tube bag on the bike that keeps it dry at that side of things). I hit the software install problem that others have mentioned. Rather than a Win 10 issue, I think it might be a 32 bit software/64 bit computer issue. I tried the install on a 64 bit Win 10 PC. On running the Roadhawk .exe file, it tried to install 32 bit Adobe Air and just hung at that point. If you seek out the Adobe Air web page first and install the 64 bit version (if appropriate) and then run the Roadhawk installer, it will successfully install the camera interface software. Early days, but I’m pleased with the Roadhawk so far. It does all that I want and, assuming it continues to function for 2 years or is fixed/replaced under warranty if it doesn’t, I will be happy with my purchase.

I bought this a little while ago and will be updating this review as I use the product. I bike quite a lot and in pretty much all weathers, so I figured I could be thorough. I have been looking for a helmet camera for a while now and really wanted a bullet style as I think they look better, are more streamlined and don't make you look like a pillock with a GoPro strapped to your face. It was this or the Sena Prism Tube, so let's see what happens... First Day: - The box arrived and I was immediately pleased with my choice. It was sleek, black and well made. It might be petty, but I think it says a lot about manufactures when they package things well. I opened the box and took everything out. There are a lot of toys to play with. However, there were two absent bits that were slightly disappointing. First off, no manual - I had a card telling me to insert the device to my computer, download the software and then follow the instructions. Not a huge problem, but I am at work so can't do that yet. Secondly, the thing I knew was missing from the package - no helmet clamp mount! I have the sticky pads that should work fine, but I really, really wanted a clamp mount (that was the biggest pro I had for the Sena). I checked and you can't even buy one separately (RoadHawk - go make this!) - Plugged it in and installed everything. The software was intuitive and did everything I needed it to do, so can't really fault that. I took it for a run and viewed some of the pictures in WMP. The quality looks good and the files play without issue. The hated helmet sticky pad is holding up, so that's one thing at least. The only thing I did notice is that there are no instructions on how to install the road pack - but it's two battery connectors and a blue wire, so it shouldn't be that hard. I also put the camera on my helmet, which involved putting my helmet on, turning the camera on, lining the laser up with my eye line and then sticking the pad on; yes, you can't view the actual picture, but there's a laser shining out of it, so it isn't that hard. It also looks awesome! If the SAS ever need a fat guy on a motorbike I am totally in. First weekend: - That blue wire was important. Don't ask. First month: - I just road through a very wet morning and I have been vindicated - the sticky pad came away. Fortunately I brought one of the spaces, but that's one of the three gone. On the plus side, I can't fault the camera at all. It's waterproof and held up well, even with the perforated cover in the back. I'll see what the video looks and sounds like tonight and let you know how it worked.

Had to return for refund due to mounts can’t take the cameras weight. Very disappointing. Followed exact instructions for fitting mounts, tried two different helmets. On all 3 occasions, the sticky pad starts to peel away under the cameras weight if out and about for any length of time over 40 minutes. The manufacturer obviously doesn’t have confidence in its own product either as in the manual it advises to use the wrist strap to secure camera to wherever you have it in case of mount failure! You don’t see other major action camera producers giving out that advice. It’s a serious design flaw which is a shame as the actual camera quality for recording is good and it’s a neatly designed product. Save some extra money and buy a better quality product.

If you just want it for commuting and you cycle for no longer than 90 mins then it does the job. However, if you want to mount it on your helmet you will need to fork out another £12.99 for the Vented Helmet Mount which is expensive for what you get. The mounts supplied with the camera are pretty useless unless you want to mount it on the bike. For serious cyclists who cycle more than 90 minutes you will need the battery pack add on at £39.95 plus another Vented Helmet Mount bringing the total cost up to £205.38. Oh I forgot another £11.50 for a 32 gig memory card. An annoying factor with the battery pack is that it cuts out the battery in the camera once its plugged in, so the battery power in the camera is somewhat redundant. You get four hours with the battery pack or one and a half just with the camera, not five and a half continuous power usage. Another redundant feature if you use the battery pack is the remote control - you cant use it with the battery pack. So far the camera has performed as expected, the software is easy to use, although you do need to install Adobe Air if you use Windows 10. This information is not in the instructions, or on the web site, I had to phone them up.

I purchased this item to make sure I was protected when riding my cycle. The picture quality is easily good enough to pick out number plates on cars. It comes with a handy hoop at the end of it so you can tie a thin bit of rope around it so create a safety leash in case it comes loose from the mountings. I attached mine to my helmet using zip ties. This took a lot of trial and error to get the correct perspective so next time I would certainly buy the helmet mounting. When plugged into a pc the camera comes with a handy editable file which can be used to change settings. exposure, mic, on/off etc. The stand out feature for me was that when turned on it shows a red laser in front of you for about 10 seconds which confirms that the camera is recording. This is great as sometimes I ride off forgetting to turn it on and don't want to take my helmet off to check that it did actually turn on. The camera can be charged by unscrewing the back cap. I hope this review is helpful

Camera itself works very well but if you want to attach it to your motorcycle helmet don't bother. The supplied mounts do not sit flush with the helmet, the 3M pads provided are not strong enough to hold the camera on and there is no fail-safe to rescue the camera should it fall off whilst out riding. I tried twice to stick the camera to my motorcycle helmet (following fitting instructions) and on both occasions the camera and mount fell off overnight. Considered hard wiring it to my motorcycle but the view of the road on a bike mounted camera is limited therefore defeating the point. Disappointing as the camera itself is very good but is seriously let down by the accessories it comes with. Regret not forking out the extra for a GoPro as they have decent secure mounts.

Great product does everything needed. Very light and almost not noticeable when helmet mounted. The waterproof seal for the charging cover is robust but hard to unscrew so its a little less easy to use than I would like. The helmet mounting clip could be easier to use - especially when wearing gloves. It does record sound - but you need to compromise the waterproofing to do that by switching covers. The repeat function is great for recording everyday without having to delete files. As mentioned elsewhere it is a little tricky to know when it is off and when it is on - a simpler on/off switch or protocol would help this, though in practice I have only left it on by mistake a couple of times. If you want to record longer films you will need the external battery and a larger memory card than supplied.