MGcool Explorer Pro - Review 2022

The MGcool Explorer Pro ($79.99) promises an attractive feature prepare for a low toll. And while the prospect of getting an activeness camera that supports 4K capture at 30fps for well under $100 is an enticing one, the Explorer Pro falls brusque in terms of quality. Video is poor, with audio to match, and withal images are simply okay. You get a decent accompaniment packet, but that's also the case with better options in this price range, including the Aukey AC-LC2 and Wimius L1. Our Editors' Pick is a more expensive, simply the $160 Sjcam SJ6 Fable delivers superior video quality with stabilization and sports a touch interface.

Design

The Explorer Pro is a pocket-sized box, available in a black or argent end, with a slightly protruding lens. It measures 1.half dozen by ii.3 by 1.1 inches (HWD) and weighs merely i.ix ounces. Information technology's non waterproof on its ain, but it includes a case that'due south rated for 100 feet (30 meters), with a standard GoPro mounting human foot.

The camera features four command buttons. Ok/Record is on top, Fashion/Power is on the forepart, and Upward and Down buttons sit on the correct side. You lot'll need to use them to navigate through the menu system to configure the camera functions. The interface isn't likewise confusing, simply you lot'll definitely want to dive in and modify some settings to get started—fourth dimension stamps are enabled by default, for example, and non everyone wants the date and time permanently watermarked on video.

Pressing the Fashion button on front cycles through the various shooting options—video, nevertheless, and slow-motion—and as well takes you to playback manner and the settings menu. The menu (identical to the one used by the Kshioe Sports Cam) is clear, showing both the setting you're adjusting and its current condition on the same screen, so you know if you've successfully fabricated a change.

The Explorer Pro boasts a ii-inch rear display. Its resolution isn't published, but it's crisp to my eye, and viewing angles are strong. I had no problem seeing it on a vivid day, simply I can see glare being an issue if the sun hits it directly. It's really simply there to help y'all frame your shot, then it'south not a big deal to loving cup your hand over it to shield information technology from low-cal if glare is an issue. The brandish doesn't back up touch input.

You lot get a modest accessory bundle with the Explorer. In improver to the waterproof case in that location is a cage for mounting on a tripod (the photographic camera itself doesn't feature a tripod mount), a couple of adhesive mounts, and a handlebar mount. You get a lot more arms and adapters with some other upkeep models—both the same Aukey Ac-LC2 and Wimius L1 send with more adapters and mounting arms.

Connectivity

The Explorer Pro has the standard array of ports—micro HDMI for video output, micro USB for charging and data transfer, and a microSD retentiveness card slot. Yous get nearly 85 minutes of 4K recording on a fully charged battery.

In that location'southward also built-in Wi-Fi. You tin can plow information technology on by pressing the Up botton on the side of the camera. The photographic camera creates its own network and displays the SSID and password on its rear display—by default it's 12345678. You'll need to connect to it using your smartphone and utilize the free XDV app (for Android and iOS) in order to control the camera, adjust settings, and transfer images and video to your handheld device.

Video Quality and Features

The Explorer Pro promises 30fps 4K recording, simply its actual output is 28fps, which caused some problems with editing. Adobe Premiere Pro CC wasn't able consign a file at the appropriate frame rate at all. I used iMovie to edit the sample footage below, but it'due south never a expert sign when Premiere Pro tin can't handle video footage with ease.

Editing problems bated, the video quality isn't strong. There are compression artifacts visible in the 25Mbps footage and, since there'due south no stabilization, handheld footage is jittery and shaky. Audio quality is also poor; the microphone picks up voices poorly, making them sound hollow and deadened.

In improver to 4K capture, you can fix the camera to 2.7K at 30fps, 1080p at sixty or 30fps, and 720p at 120, sixty, or 30fps. Looping, which continues to record brusque clips until the memory card fills and then overwrites the oldest ones, is an selection, every bit is time-lapse capture.

You can shoot stills at up to 16MP resolution. The quality is not on the same level as a top-tier smartphone. But distant details are pretty crisp and at that place'south not besides much noise. I did detect colors to be on the muted side, but that's easy enough to ready with some very modest editing.

Conclusions

The MGcool Explorer Pro doesn't cost that much and promises a lot, only information technology doesn't deliver. Its 4K footage is underwhelming, and doesn't hitting the promised 30fps frame rate. I also ran into trouble working with information technology using Adobe software, and the audio quality isn't proficient. There are better inexpensive action cams out there—the Aukey Air conditioning-LC2 and Wimius L1 are both skilful options if you're on an extremely tight budget. Our favorite budget model, and Editors' Choice selection for the category, is the Sjcam SJ6 Legend. It's priced at $160, but gets you a lot more for your coin.

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/review/16709/mgcool-explorer-pro

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