Garmin has entered the 360-degree camera industry with reckless abandon – thanks to its all-new waterproof VIRB 360 action-cam. Capable of capturing footage at a resolution of 5.7k/30 fps, Garmin’s innovative camcorder automatically stitches together video at 4K/30 fps. With a full editing suite at your disposal by either opening the VIRB App or downloading the desktop software, users can seamlessly transform any adventure into an immersive 360-degree viewing experience.
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Technology
Equipped with four built-in microphones for capturing 360-audio and the ability to overlay a full arsenal of augmented reality data, the VIRB 360 is designed to bring your recorded content to an entirely new level. Garmin made sure its 360-degree action camera sets itself apart from the competition. From its one-click 4K spherical stabilization technology to its built-in voice recognition software, the VIRB 360 is the perfect camera for ripping down a mountain bike trail – where pressing record is not an option and editing out the shaky footage is a must.
Intelligent Design
Whether you want to shoot horizontally or vertically, Garmin’s spherical stabilization guarantees a steady shot regardless of movement. Waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet), the VIRB 360 is a highly portable, yet rugged camera strengthened by glass lenses that you can easily swap out. It’s really meant to capture outdoor adventure shots and since it comes with three stabilization modes (Stabilize, Lock, Follow), you can smooth out vibrations, pinpoint the orientation of the camera in the desired direction, and follow the pre-set GPS location.
Performance
Garmin ensured that its revolutionary 360-degree smart camera came equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology. Whether it’s capturing GPS coordinates, altitude, real-time speed info, or simply outside temperature, the built-in sensors enable users to overlay G-Metrix data in 360-degree augmented reality. Garmin has given the gift of premade templates enabling users to customize their data overlay – making the 4K footage stand out even more with cool stats integrated with the action.
If you’re an adventure sports athlete or simply love the outdoors, the VIRB 360 responds to voice commands – giving you a hands-free recording experience. In the midst of trailblazing down a remote path, simply say “Ok Garmin, start recording,” and you’ve activated the hands-free recording feature. Better yet, asking the VIRB 360 to “remember that” tags that exact moment – bookmarking the footage for later viewing.
Compatibility
The Garmin VIRB 360 camera comes with an iOS/Android compatible mobile app that lets you edit, stabilize, share and add data to your captured video/images. These features are also available on VIRB’s intuitive desktop software. Whether you want to turn your smartphone into a remote control, see a live 360-degree video, or connect to a VR headset for the full immersive experience, Garmin’s action camera play nice with other third-party devices. For the best viewing experience, Garmin recommends live streaming the action to either YouTube or Facebook.
Quick disclaimer: Interactive 360 YouTube videos on a desktop require Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.
Final Thoughts
The VIRB 360 can quickly jump on almost everyone’s Top 360-degree cameras of 2017 list. With its cutting-edge automatic resolution stitching, data overlays with G-Metrix, and third-party Virtual Reality integration, Garmin has developed an impressive camera that really takes all of the post-production headaches away from the user without compromising resolution.