Bodycam BOBLOV KJ21 after a few days

[justpix]

Hi, trying to be systematic ...

Context : The Sonnenhof is a an upper middle-class residential area in Nieder-Olm, belonging to an administrative group of villages around Mainz/D.
Mainz is a medium low crime area, our national champion being the crime-capital Berlin. Medium low crime area means burglaries, theft of, and from vehicles.

Reason for buying: The other day I took my dog for a walk. Around 15 meters ahead of me I saw an elderly woman with an aggressive, medium size dog, bending down, tying her shoe-laces.

I stopped. The dog tore himself free, the woman falling down, and the dog attacked my dog (on a leash). The woman started screaming. After a while, people came out of their surrounding houses.

They saw and heard the woman screaming, my dog defending herself and me, and me holding my dog.

I got scared at what people said, especially those who came later, and who could not have seen anything... ---

So I bought the BOBLOV for securing evidence in the future.

In use; I used it on several dog-walks, pictures and videos (with audio) were adequate for documentary purposes, and could be downloaded.

How to wear: Fixed to the belt can make operating difficult, the "equator" obstructing the view. Fixed to the shirt pocket or a trouser pocket are better.

Handling: It is small, and so are the buttons. This means, one must practice handling, for stressful situations.

Criticism : The "manual" is a practical Chinese joke. It mentions features (explaining not all of them) that exist and some that do not exist. And the in-camera menue
contains items not explained in the "manual". E.g. LCD brightness can be set in minutes ... But don't worry, it has no effects!

So, these were just a few items that came to my attention.

My recommendation: It is a nice toy, perhaps to be used as an entry bodycam. I shall try to find out which bodycams are used by German police forces. -

One could also use an older digicam with video, such as a SONY NEX-3. However, the main advantage of a bodycam is - I think - that you have your hands free after having started it,
which requires a set-up for one-hand activation, of course.

Verdict : I would not recommend it to a friend now.







Pics (video footage is too large) :

 

[gramps]

Sorry for your worrying encounter.

 

[justpix]

Sorry for your worrying encounter.

Hi, I see this as personal education. - I got to know a few people in my neighbourhood better.

And so I have fewer people to say hello to.

I have used the BOBLOV bodycam daily. In a week or so I shall share my somewhat fuller experiences.

Stay tuned ...

 

[swanseamale47]

Check out the Axon body3 it's popular with many US police forces (not cheap) but good quality and can upload to the web as it goes or so I'm told
Also take a look at the JSCAM A20 a lot cheaper and I'm told good quality (not used one)

 

[justpix]

Check out the Axon body3 it's popular with many US police forces (not cheap) but good quality and can upload to the web as it goes or so I'm told
Also take a look at the JSCAM A20 a lot cheaper and I'm told good quality (not used one)

Hi, I just want to give the BOBLOV a fair chance. Let's see if it remains my first (and only) bodycam.

 

[gramps]

(not cheap)

Wow, that's certainly the case, $699 ... not for the feint-hearted!

 

[justpix]

Wow, that's certainly the case, $699 ... not for the feint-hearted!

Well, these cams are for police forces satisfying requirements a private citizen may not have. Securing evidence is paramount here, including geo-data
and tamper-proof storing and uploads.

Police forces are expected to keep all pertinent evidence, not just pleasing or entertaining footage ... ---

Another thing is the size. Police cams are bigger, being seen and used as de-escalatory tools. But the police has other tools should de-escalation fail.

AXON also offers tasers.

For private use, big cams might not only raise suspicion, but might also increase tension in a situation.

And there could be over-protective mothers who might raise hell when they think their kids are filmed.

So, small size and stealth mode operation is useful, I think.

I shall keep using my entry-level bodycam and gain experience.

 

[swanseamale47]

Courious what the night vision of the boblov is like, how far can you actually see in the dark with it?

 

[justpix]

Courious what the night vision of the boblov is like, how far can you actually see in the dark with it?

Hi, I have not tried it so far.

Thank you for reminding me of this. It must be covered, and it will.

This could show major differences between amateur and professional kit.

 

[justpix]

Curious what the night vision of the boblov is like, how far can you actually see in the dark with it?

Hi, you made me curious, too.

So, I went into a dark room in my cellar, and 1) set IR to auto, and STEALTH MODE on :






2) IR activated by long pressing button on body (not setting IR in menue, as above), and STEALTH MODE off :





Pic 2 looks much better. However: With STEALTH MODE off, a bright green LED and 6 bright red LEDs on the body front are on.

And when you start recording video, you get a loud signal.

I always use STEALTH MODE on during the day.

STEALTH MODE off calls attention to the bodycam and you.

What remains to be tried, I think, is using setting 1) above in the street at night. Street lighting might be sufficient.

We shall see what we can see ...

 

[ancient_mariner]

Could you put tape over the LEDs, or could they be working as the light source in the lwer pic?

 

[justpix]

Could you put tape over the LEDs, or could they be working as the light source in the lwer pic?

Hi, the red LEDs work as a light source. The green on-LED I could tape over, but this would not help much.

In STEALTH MODE off the cam screams for attention ... ---

 

[swanseamale47]

Thanks for that, the first pic considering the distance seems way too dark, the second looks about right but it's odd you can see the IR leds, these normally cant be seen with the naked eye although a mobile phone will often see them. Not sure whats going on there.

 

[justpix]

Thanks for that, the first pic considering the distance seems way too dark, the second looks about right but it's odd you can see the IR leds, these normally cant be seen with the naked eye although a mobile phone will often see them. Not sure whats going on there.

Hi, I will show pics from last night this afternoon. Until then ....

 

[swanseamale47]

Hi, I will show pics from last night this afternoon. Until then ....

Cheers mate.

 

[gramps]

Thanks for that, the first pic considering the distance seems way too dark, the second looks about right but it's odd you can see the IR leds, these normally cant be seen with the naked eye although a mobile phone will often see them. Not sure whats going on there.

There are two types of IR illumination for these type of units, 'glow' and 'non-glow' ... all cheap(er) units will have 'glow' and will always be visible when active.

 

[justpix]

There are two types of IR illumination for these type of units, 'glow' and 'non-glow' ... all cheap(er) units will have 'glow' and will always be visible when active.

Hi, the BOBLOV T5, one step up from my KJ21, also has glowing lights.

 

[justpix]

Hi, carrying on with my trials, as promised ...

With STEALTH MODE off, a bright green LED and 6 bright red LEDs on the body front are on.





I would not use the cam set up like this!

Now: IR to auto, and STEALTH MODE on

Across the street :





Up the street :





Down the street :





The back of the room :




One can use the cam in streets with lighting at night in stealth mode. In areas without light this will not work.

There is audio too. But not all robbers might say "I am going to steal your wallet" to help the police ...

So, I do not see the cam as a protective device for walks in parks or slum areas at night.

 

[justpix]

Hi, a few more samples ...

A woman in the street, 30 metres away :






A woman in the street, 15 metres away :





Crop :





The cam only delivers close range pics for evidence.



At ALDI's (inside performance, artificial light) :









ALDI parking lot :

 

[justpix]

Hi, after 11 days of daily usage, summing up.

Changing the default settings :

Super storage : ON

Cyclic Record : ON

Auto Power Off : OFF

Stealth Mode : ON

Tag : ON

Wearing : Around the neck, using an old shoe-string. Less shaking than when attached to shirt or trouser pocket. And it may be covered under the jacket :






Storage : SAMSUNG EVO 128 GB used. For 20 min video recording, ca. 2 GB used (per day).

Storing : One can either overwrite, when card is full (my choice) or download to drive.

General experience : The BOBLOV can be used in daylight or at night in streets with lighting. It is not made for walks in the dark in stealth mode.

It resolves well at close range. No good resolution for people or objects beyond 10 meters.

General advice : It is a protective tool, not a defensive weapon. So, stay away from trouble, and walk away when something nasty develops.

Switch it on well in advance. You may not be able to operate it under duress with shaky fingers. You can always delete files later.

Advice to a friend : Iff you are willing to follow my advice, and iff you are willing to carry a small fiddly device with you, buy it.

But the T5 costing only a little more, being somewhat bigger and having bigger buttons might be a better buy.

 

[swanseamale47]

Funnily enough I was given an M5 last night, I've only had time for a quick play so far but it seems fairly sturdy. I'm wondering what the difference between the T5 and M5 is?

 

[justpix]

Funnily enough I was given an M5 last night, I've only had time for a quick play so far but it seems fairly sturdy. I'm wondering what the difference between the T5 and M5 is?

Sorry, I do not know. I only write about my toys, which keeps me busy ...

 

[justpix]

Hi, I tried something else. Why not use my iphone 6S as a bodycam?

I bought a case with a string:





Wearing on the string, stabilized by the belt ... :





... in the fly zone :





FoV of the 28mm iphone lens, held vertically :












Actually, the IQ is very good (I took pics of the phone pics with a low-res cam). So is the sound.

So, is an iphone the better entry bodycam ?

It depends on the phone. Newer phones have several lenses, including WAs. Wearing can be managed.

The only difficulty I see is power consumption for video. A typical use case might be a night out, and you want to use the phone as a bodycam.

This means making sure you have enough power (and storage) for a 3o minute walk. A dedicated device you have fully charged in your pocket,
and take out for your way home.

But modern phones may have more powerful batteries ...

Generally, phones have integrated the functionality of entry level cameras, sat-navs and perhaps bodycams.

So, advice to a friend: Have you tried to use your phone as a bodycam ?

 

[justpix]

Funnily enough I was given an M5 last night, I've only had time for a quick play so far but it seems fairly sturdy. I'm wondering what the difference between the T5 and M5 is?

Hi, again, I have checked the M5 manual here :

Download

Welcome to download BOBLOV User Manuals here. BOBLOV Body Camera Manuals, APP, Player Provided ðKJ25 Body Camera User Manual Download  ð·F4 GPS Player Download   F4 Body Worn Camera 2.5K  ðA27Body Camera User Manual Download  ð·M6 Body Camera User Manual Download  ð B4K5Â...

boblov.com

and could not find out whether the IR lights are visible when on.

Wavelength should be 940 nm to be invisible.

So, please try ...

 

[swanseamale47]

Hi, again, I have checked the M5 manual here :

Download

Welcome to download BOBLOV User Manuals here. BOBLOV Body Camera Manuals, APP, Player Provided ðKJ25 Body Camera User Manual Download  ð·F4 GPS Player Download   F4 Body Worn Camera 2.5K  ðA27Body Camera User Manual Download  ð·M6 Body Camera User Manual Download  ð B4K5Â...

boblov.com

and could not find out whether the IR lights are visible when on.

Wavelength should be 940 nm to be invisible.

So, please try ...

The IR lights are visible but very dim to the naked eye, in use the IR seems very impressive at least on camera playback (I haven't donwloaded any yet) my poorly lit street at night looked more or less daylight in IR, not tried it with no street lighting at all yet, I've got a woods a 100 mt away tonight I'll give it a go there.

 

[justpix]

The IR lights are visible but very dim to the naked eye, in use the IR seems very impressive at least on camera playback (I haven't donwloaded any yet) my poorly lit street at night looked more or less daylight in IR, not tried it with no street lighting at all yet, I've got a woods a 100 mt away tonight I'll give it a go there.

Hi, I used my KJ21 late yesterday evening for a walk in the fields, and later the street lights were on. I was satisfied with the performance with IR off.

I want maximal performance with maximal stealthiness ...

 

[justpix]

Hi, amazon did not publish my BOBLOV Kj21 review :

"Compact and powerful - difficult to handle
Hi, I have used the KJ 21 for 14 days, and will keep using it. It is fiddly, and not for the average user."

I shall not write any more amazon reviews, which saves me time ... ---

 

[swanseamale47]

Tried it in the woods in total darkness range of IR seems about 15mt for good visibility but you can see a good bit further.
The red flashing "on" light is very noticable, so I think a bit of tape over that is in order.
I've got another bodycam (again a free one) Theres no makers name I can find and no screen. The IR lights are invisible to the naked eye, indeed I have to view them through my phone to even tell if they are on. Trouble is the field of view is narrow (maybe similar to an 80mm lens on full frame?) and the IR is only good to about 5mt, so hopeless really.

 

[justpix]

Tried it in the woods in total darkness range of IR seems about 15mt for good visibility but you can see a good bit further.
The red flashing "on" light is very noticable, so I think a bit of tape over that is in order. ...

Hi, there seems to be a difference between private use of bodycams and the use by police forces.

The "on" light might deescalate (and might be legally required) when police forces use bodycams, for others it may raise attention and tension ...

I shall keep using my entry-BOBLOV until I need a new phone. Then I shall buy one with bodycam functionalities.

 

[swanseamale47]

Hi, there seems to be a difference between private use of bodycams and the use by police forces.

The "on" light might deescalate (and might be legally required) when police forces use bodycams, for others it may raise attention and tension ...

I shall keep using my entry-BOBLOV until I need a new phone. Then I shall buy one with bodycam functionalities.

A good point mate.

 

[justpix]

Hi, a summary after 4 weeks:

I use(d) the BOBLOV twice daily, in the morning and in the afternoon on my dog walks.

It worked faultlessly.

Once I forgot to shut it down properly - not just stopping video recording - and it drained the battery over night.

My fault.

So, one can live with the BOBLOV, after some getting used to it.

Of course, it can still be debated, how low an entry point into bodycams one should choose.

What you pay is what you get ... ---

And if one is willing to pay more, there is still the option of buying a mobile phone with a WA lens with IS.

I shall leave it at that, and I am very curious to read your experiences with bodycams and phones used as bodycams.

 

[justpix]

Hi, after 2 years.

In a pedestrian zone where all vehicles must drive at walking speed 2 cyclists speaking German with a Russian accent raced by, frightening my dog, who barked:






The Russian lady was frightened and screamed. The Russian man came back, threatened ...






... and insulted me :






I could have pressed charges, which would have meant a lot of paper-work and a fine of €100 for the Russian cyclists. I simply kept the evidence, and did nothing,
because they might have damaged my cars some time at night or thrown poison over the fence for my dog, otherwise ...

I use my BOBLOV on my daily dog walks, just in case. When I am walking alone, it is helpful to record evidence in case 2 criminals act as witnesses for their joint deeds ... ---