Pros & Cons
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- Dual-lens 360-degree video.
- Solid battery life.
- Mac and Windows desktop software.
- Wi-Fi remote control.
- Includes accessory bundle.
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- Expensive.
- Video must be converted for editing and sharing.
- Requires optional case for underwater use.
- 1080p 360-degree footage is poor quality.
- Low-resolution still images.
- Visible seam lines.
Monster Vision VR Specs
| Dimensions | 2.3 by 1.9 by 1.2 inches |
| Optical Stabilization | None |
| Weight | 3.7 |
The $160 Gigabyte Jolt Duo underwhelmed us with its 360-degree video and image quality, even at its low price point. The Monster Vision VR ($379.99) is more than twice the price, and for the money you get an accessory bundle. That makes it even less of a smart purchase in our eyes, as the bundled accessories are of questionable quality.
Accessory Bundle
If you're interested in seeing how the Monster Vision VR ($99.90 at Amazon) is going to perform as a 360-degree camera, refer to our review of the Jolt Duo . The cameras are exactly the same, as is the downloadable software. Whoever is manufacturing the hardware is providing vendors with a white label, turnkey solution for video editing and camera control.
The Monster Vision VR ships with some accessories that you don't get with the Jolt. There's a small, tabletop tripod with foam-covered legs and a ball head. The legs can fold in many directions, like a GorillaPod. It feels very cheap.
There's also a few different mounts. These include a round base, with adhesive, and a few different mounting arms. The mounts are compatible with GoPro accessories. A suction cup mount connects via a standard tripod connection, and adhered sturdily to my desk. You get a handlebar mount, so you can record 360-degree footage from your bike or anything else with a bar in its design.
The most useful accessory is a remote control watch. It has a rubber band and only three buttons—power, video, and still capture. It's a convenient alternative to using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi remote.
Finally, you get a 16GB microSD memory card, a full-size SD card adapter, and a USB microSD card reader.
Conclusions
Are these accessories worth $220? Not in any way, shape, or form. Don't buy the Monster Vision VR at its full $379.99 retail price, it's just not worth it. If you come across it for a price that's more competitive with the Jolt Duo, you may find it to be a better overall value. But at the end of the day, the camera just isn't that good. You need more resolution for 360-degree video, so look to 4K models instead. The Nikon KeyMission 360 is $500, which is not a great stretch from the Monster Vision VR's price point, and a much better choice for spherical imaging.
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Further Reading
- How to Use Your Canon DSLR as a Webcam
- How to Turn Your Smartphone Into a Wireless Webcam
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