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Introduction
With the huge success of the GoPro Hero action cameras, many companies have now come out with their own products that attempt to emulate the durable little cameras, but none have been able to topple the action camera kings. Over time companies have realized that a better strategy would be not to just copy the GoPro, but to offer features that the GoPro just can’t compete with.
Today we are taking a look at the Liquid Image Torque HD video goggles, which shares close to the same specs as the GoPro, but packaged up in a set of off road goggles. By putting the camera in the goggles, there is very little added bulk and weight, and you get as close to true first person footage as you can. Read on to find out if these goggles can put up a real fight, or if they will fall flat along with the other GoPro competitors.
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See our video comparison below:
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Features
- Video camera embedded into an off-road goggle for easy “Hands Free” photography while riding motocross, ATV, UTV, Mountain Bike or Jet Ski.
- Video Mode records HD 1080P Video up to 30 fps and HD 720P up to 60 fps Photo Mode records 12.0 MP images through a 135 degree lens.
- Includes a 4GB micro SDHC card and expands up to 32 GB (sold separately). A 4GB card records approximately 2 hours of video. Camera records approximately 1,000 or more images or 30 minutes of video per 1GB of memory added.
- Rechargeable Lithium Battery (included) lasts for approximately 1.5-2 hours in the HD Video Mode.
- Includes an interchangeable Clear Lenses, and 7 Tear Off Sheets. Only use Torque Specified Lenses in this goggle.
- Water Resistant to withstand rain, sleet, and snow or a brief, accidental submersion in water
- Able to Adjust Camera Angle within 30 degrees
Specifications
| Image Sensor | 1/2.5″ 5.0 MP Sensor |
| Photo Resolution | 12MP (Interpolated), 3000×4000 Pixels |
| Modes | 720P@60fps, 1080P @30fps Photo 12MP, Continuous Shot |
| Video Resolution | 1920x 1080@30fps, 1280×720@60fps |
| Video Bitrate | up to 13Mbps for both 1080P@30fps and 720P@60fps |
| Storage Medium | up to 32GB Micro SDHC Class 4+ |
| Lens | 8 elements 7G + 1IRF 135 degree lens |
| Lens Aperture | F/3.2 |
| Lens Focus | 0.4M to infinity |
| Shutter Speed | Stills: 1/2 to 1/8000 Seconds |
| Wi-Fi Capable | No |
| Audio | Microphone with wind guard technology |
| Display | Segment LCD |
| Storage Capacity w/32GB SDHC Card | Photo 20000, Video 354 Mins |
| Data Format | Picture JPEG, Video:H.264 MOV |
| Interface | USB2.0 High Speed, Micro HDMI |
| Support System | Windows XP,Vista, 7, Windows MAC 9.x or above |
| Power Supply | 1150 mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery |
| Battery Performance | 2 Hours |
| Weight | 250g |
| Dimensions (L x W x H Inches) | 8.4 x 3.7 x 3.6 |
| Shock Proof | 2 M |
Packaging
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The Torque HD came in pretty flashy box with large pictures of the goggles and its key features as well as some cool pictures of its potential uses. Aside from the goggles themselves, Liquid Image included a micro fiber carrying bag (which doubles as a lens cleaner), USB cable, tear sheets, 4GB micro SDHC card, user manual, hex wrench, accessory sheet, and warranty card.
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Closer Look
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From a glance the Torque HD goggles look about the same as a standard set of offroad goggles. You have the plastic frame, lens, noseguard, face padding, and rubberized strap. But if you look a little closer you notice the small lens between the eyes and the small bricks built in to each side of the strap.
Overall they feel sturdy and well made. The frame, lens, and strap feel and look just as high quality as a name brand standard goggle.
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On each side of your head you have a small brick which are secured in pockets built in to the strap. On the left side is your camera controls to turn it on and off, start/stop recording, and switch modes, as well as a small LCD screen that tells you statuses such as battery life, recording mode, and how many files are on the SD card. Also on the left side is the SD card slot and USB port.
The Torque HD’s buttons are large, far apart, and easy to press which makes them incredibly easy to use, even with bulky gloves on.
On the right side is the battery pack which, once installed, never really needs to come out.
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Above and between the eyes is the actual camera assembly. By removing the face pad (which is replaceable should it get torn) you can access a small hex screw that when loosened allows you to rotate the camera up 30 degrees.
One very handy feature Liquid Image implemented is the small LED inside the goggles that changes color depending on which mode you are in and blinks if you are recording. This is nice because you can quickly and easily switch modes without taking off the goggles and you won’t ever be wondering if you forgot to hit the record button like if the camera were mounted to your helmet.
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Video Performance
To test video performance I ran the camera through it paces on dirt and street in both regular and low-light situations. The performance is compared side-by-side to its main competitor, the GoPro HD Hero 2 for both video and audio quality.
In the dirt testing, the GoPro was equipped with the waterproof back and in the street testing the skeleton back is put on.
On the street the stabilization differences are much less noticeable since it is a smoother ride. The main things noticed between the two videos is the change in perspective (with the GoPro being mounted on the top of the helmet and the goggles right between the eyes) and the smaller field of view of the Torque HD goggles (135 degrees with the goggles and 170 degrees with the GoPro). The FOV is also down to personal preference, but one feature the GoPro has over the goggles is the ability to adjust the FOV between wide, medium, and narrow.
The low-light performance was surprisingly decent seeing as attempting to film in anything but full daylight with most action cameras is a waste of time. The GoPro again had the edge in this test as well, though the Torque HD was still completely watchable.
Where the Torque HD really shines is audio quality, which generally is much better than the GoPro, especially at reducing wind noise. With the waterproof back on the GoPro, the audio is reduced to little more than clicks from things rattling and still lots of wind noise. With the open back in place the quality is much better, though still muffled compared to the goggles, and at anything above about 30 mph you just get mainly wind noise. The Torque HD’s wind noise suppression was excellent, with barely a hint of wind even above 60 mph. The quality of the sound itself was also very good, recording crisp, fairly accurate audio. There is a catch though. The second you turn your head, you are going to get nothing but deafening wind noise. This for me was not a very big deal as I generally keep my head forward with only very occasional glances back, but if you are the type who look around or backwards constantly, keep this in mind.
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Goggle Performance
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With most of the focus going towards the camera performance of the Torque HD (after all this is what you are paying $300 rather than $25 for), it is easy to overlook the fact that these are actually goggles. Goggles are extremely important when riding offroad and regardless of how good the camera is if the goggles themselves are no good then the product is fairly worthless.
Thankfully Liquid Image put thought into actually making these a decent set of goggles as well. The face pad is very comfortable, with no chafing or inconsistent pressure even after hours of use. Although the Torque HD is noticeably heavier and bulkier than regular goggles, when they are on your head you can’t really feel a difference, especially once you start riding and are more focused on what is happening around you. Because everything is securely attached to either your face or low on you helmet, nothing feels out of balance like with a GoPro mounted so high and far away from the center of gravity.
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There are ample ventilation holes around the frame which helped to keep my face cooler. Between these vents and the anti-fog coating on the lens, fogging was never an issue. The rubberized strap stayed exactly where I put it on the helmet, even in the areas with the heavier bricks. Nothing ever felt loose or at risk of slipping.
The padding in the Torque HDs is a little stiffer and scratchier than the Scott’s, but once you are riding you can’t tell the difference. One thing I noticed, and what you can see in the pictures, is that the Torque goggles sit a little lower on my face, which puts my eyes closer to the center. I assume that just has to do with the shape and stiffness of the face padding.
The strap, lens, face pad, and nose guard are all removable so that you can replace them is they are damaged, which is nice since these are so much more expensive than standard goggles.
Overall, I felt the performance was just as good as my standard Scott goggles, which I have never had an issue with.
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Final Thoughts
Pros:
- Full 1080p recording
- Good daylight and low-light video performance
- Great audio performance most of the time
- Solid construction
- Comfortable even after long periods of use.
- Easy to access buttons and clear indicator light
Cons:
- Extreme wind noise when you turn your head
- Pixelation and image stabilization not quite as good as the GoPro
Overall I found the Liquid Image Torque HD video goggles to be impressive. You get most of the video performance of the GoPro with better sound quality, all incorporated into a set of goggles. And because when you are riding off-road you have to wear goggles anyways, there is very little added bulk or weight. The weight that is added is around the center of gravity and securely attached to your helmet, making it so that you don’t even notice it is there after a minute or two.
They are comfortable on your face even after hours of use thanks to the soft foam face pad and large vent holes. The buttons are easy to access and press, even with gloves on, and the indicator light inside the goggles lets you quickly see which mode you are in and whether you are recording by just glancing up for a second.
The only downfalls that I cam across were the extreme wind noise when your head is turned and the pixelation and image stabilization which were both slightly worse than the GoPro.
Considering both the Torque HD and GoPro Hero 2 retail for $300 right now, it is a close call on which to buy and will come down to your general use. Obviously the main limitation of the goggles is that they have to be on your face while the GoPro can be mounted just about anywhere. But if you are like me and pretty much only use the GoPro mounted to a helmet, then you would be better off with the Torque HD.
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