Cyclops Gear is known for its camera-embedded sunglasses and goggles, but its newest product isn’t a wearable, but a typical action cam with an uncanny resemblance to a very popular POV camcorder. The CGX2 is the second model in the CGX lineup of Wi-Fi-enabled action cams, and it touts 4K video recording, a 2-inch LCD, lots of included accessories, and a lower price than a similarly spec GoPro.
The CGX2 has a similar boxy form factor to the GoPro’s Hero4 Silver, its direct competitor; in fact, if it wasn’t for the black exterior, repositioned buttons, and Cyclops Gear logo, you could easily mistaken it for a GoPro (heck, even the protective housing looks dead-on).
The camera shoots Full HD 1080 at 60, 50, 30, or 25 frames per second (fps), but it can also do 4K (3,840 x 2,160) at 15 or 12.5 fps, or 2K (2,074 x 1,520) at 30, 25, 24 fps. It takes photos at a max of 12MP, and built-in Wi-Fi lets you pair the camera with an iOS or Android smartphone. The camera has a number of modes such as burst shot, snapshot, high-speed recording, seamless loop, and slow motion.
But, performance wise, it’s not as strong as the Hero4 Silver, which has a variety of video resolutions and other advanced shooting features and custom settings to choose from. The Silver’s LCD also has touch capabilities, which the CGX2 lacks. And while the Silver can shoot 4K at 15 fps as well, GoPro doesn’t market this because 4K at 15 fps isn’t that great. But the upside for the CGX2 is that video downscaled from 4K/2K to Full HD should look better than those from cameras that only shoot Full HD — theoretically.
Cyclops Gear, however, includes several accessories, like a waterproof remote watch that’s handy for controlling the camera when you’re engaged in activity. Also bundled are a 32GB MicroSD card; waterproof case (up to 164 feet); and various mounts and mounting accessories (headband, bike, helmet – nine in total).
If you’re looking for a 4K action camera with many accessories included in the box, and you don’t care about having the advanced features that the Hero4 Silver offers, the CGX2 retails for $300, and it’s available at Bombardier Recreational Products’ (BRP) website and select BRP dealerships.
