Drift HD Ghost

Overview

Say hello to the Drift HD Ghost, the latest offering from Drift Innovation, the company behind best selling helmet cameras like the Drift HD Stealth. Available at £299.99, including mounts and accessories, this Full HD 1080p action cam also features a Two-Way Remote, built-in massive 2" LCD scratchproof screen, Wi-Fi, video tagging, and waterproof straight out of the box.

Take control with the Ghost - Buy it now.

The Feature Round-Up:
• Two-Way Remote Control with LED Lights and Wrist Strap - 10M Range
• 2-inch Scratch-Proof Gorilla Glass LCD Screen with 3D icons
• Continuous Loop Video or ‘Video Tagging’ - go back in time.
• Wi-Fi capability compatible with new Drift App - Out Now for iOS!
• Extra long battery life - 3 hours standard, 2 hours with W-Fi enabled
• 3m waterproof camera, water resistant remote control
• Full HD 1080p@30fps, and 720p@60fps for epic slow-motion
• 11MP still photos, 10 photos per second burst and time-lapse
• Compatible with all Drift Mounts

All these awesome features in this lightweight and rugged action sports camera, Drift HD Ghost - Be the first.



Is my camera on? Worry not, the answer to this question lies with the Two-Way remote. With LED lights indicating what mode you're in and whether you are actually recording. All those action shots out on the slopes, tearing it up in the terrain park, cruising out in the countryside, now guaranteed to capture it all.

Video tagging gives you even more control over what you record. Setting the camera to record in this mode will only record what you choose to record. Out surfing and only want to keep the wave you ride in on? Hit Capture with the Remote. Touring the Alps and only want the bit where your mate passed you? Hit Capture.

Watch it all back on the glorious 2" LCD Gorilla Glass Screen or on your Smartphone with the Drift App.

Check out our Drift Ghost Motorbike, Motorsports, Ski and Snowboard bundle specials!

Features

Two-Way Remote Control
• With LED Colour Indication, 10 metre range, and full control over all settings, modes and recording. Need a spare? Buy the Two-Remote separately here.

2 Inch LCD Screen
• Playback in Full Colour, Gorilla Glass, Scratch-proof, 3D Icons.

Full HD 1080p and 60fps
• Crystal clear full colour HD 1080p video plus slow motion at 720p.

Continuous Loop Video or ‘Video Tagging’
• Revisit the past - capture up to the last five minutes.

Adjustable field-of-view in 1080p at 170°, 127°, 90°
• Point. Shoot. Record. Everything.

Wi-Fi capability compatible with the Drift App
• Control. View. Capture. With a Smartphone.

3 hrs Battery Life
• Point. Shoot. Record. Everything. Longer

3m Waterproof
• Ideal for surfing, kayaking, sailing, and British Weather.

300° Rotatable Lens
• Point. Shoot. Record. From any angle.

11MP still photos, Time-Lapse and 10 photos per second Photo Burst
• Take a photo every 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds.
• Take a burst of 5 - 10 photos for 1, 2, or 5 seconds.

Included Helmet Mounts
• Flat Adhesive Mount - stick to any flat surface.
• Curved Adhesive Mount - stick to any curved surface, ideal on helmets.
• Goggle Mount - for all Goggle straps suited to Skiing, Snowboarding, Downhill and Motocross.

Compatible with all Drift Mounts
• Includes a universal clip, fitting all Drift mounts past, present and future.

Create setting profiles
• Shortcuts to your preferred camera settings.

Revamped Audio System for greatly improved sound and wind-noise reduction
• Go at speed anywhere, everywhere.

Great Value Ghost
• Lightweight
• Big Screen
• Versatile
• Complete Control

Technical

Video:

Video Resolution:
• 1080p at 30/25fps
• 960p (4:3) at 50/48/30/25fps
• 720p at 60/50/30/25fps
• WVGA (16:9) at 120/100/60/50/30/25fps

Exposure: Auto/Manual (advanced users)

File Format: .MP4/.MOV (H.264 codec)

Lens:

Sensor Type: CMOS

Field of View:
• 1080p – 90°, 127°, 170°
• 720p – 170°
• WVGA – 170°

Lens Focal Range: 0.5m to infinity

Lens Rotation: 300°

Zoom: x10 (digital)

Photo:

Photo Mode:
• 11MP at 170°, 127°, 90° FOV
• 8MP at 170°, 127°, 90° FOV
• 5MP at 170°, 127°, 90° FOV

Timelapse: 11, 8, 5MP at 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 30s, 60s

Photoburst:
• 11MP 10 shots for 1, 2 seconds
• 11MP 5 shots for 1, 2, 5 seconds
• 8MP 10, 5 shots for 1, 2, 5 seconds
• 5MP 10, 5 shots 1, 2, 5 seconds

Photo File Format:
• JPEG

Battery:

Battery Type: 1700mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included) (DC 3.7V)
Record While Charging: Yes

Audio:

Microphone: Build-in, noise reducing microphone

External Microphone: 3.5mm external microphone (extension included)

Radio Frequency: 2.4G

Memory:

Memory Capacity: MicroSD memory cards up to 32GB (not included)

Built-in Memory: 256MB (not user accessible)

Connectivity:

Compatibility:
• Windows XP and up
• Mac OS 10.2 and up

USB Connection:
• USB Plug and Play
• Mini-B USB connector

Inputs: 3.5mm external microphone (extension included)

Outputs: HDMI connector type C (cable not included)

Build

Dimensions: 105mm x 52mm x 33mm (L x W x D)

Weight: 167g (battery included)

LCD Screen: 2.0” colour TFT

Waterproof: 3m (9.84ft) fully waterproof (with rear hatch fastened)

Remote Control:

Remote Range: 10m (32.81ft)

Dimensions: 59mm x 48mm x 12mm (L x W x D)

Weight: 22g

Power: 350mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery (DC 3.7V)

The Ghost remote control is not waterproof

Contents

• Drift HD Ghost Action Camera

• Drift HD Ghost Remote Control
Complete control over settings and modes with LED Light indication

• Curved Adhesive Mount
Mounts to a helmet

• Flat Adhesive Mount
Mounts to flat surfaces

• Universal Clip
Makes the camera compatible with all Drift Mounts

• Goggle Mount
Fits to Goggle Straps for a POV View

• Wrist Strap
Attach the Two-Way Remote or Goggle Mount

• Watertight Rear Connector Hatch
Keeps the interior of the camera dry - even underwater

• Accessible Rear Connector Hatch
Permits access to the External Mic and USB ports for additional microphone and power inputs.

• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

• USB Cable

The announcement of the latest Drift Innovation camera has arrived amongst a wave of product launches from their fellow head cam manufacturers. With GoPro’s new Hero 3 range, the Contour Plus 2, and the introduction of Sony and JVC’s first helmet camera creations, the need for a unique appeal has become ever more apparent.

With the new Drift HD Ghost, the British action camera specialists have responded in style with a flurry of features to intrigue any action sports enthusiast.

For a start the name Drift HD Ghost is damn cool, and the fact it looks awesome also helps from the off, retaining the conventional Drift shape yet looking somewhat sleeker.

 

Central to the design of Drift cameras from the start are some unique features that have constantly progressed throughout all their previous incarnations. With the remote control, streamlined design, rotatable lens and integrated screen, Drift has always offered these appealing features – as standard.

The HD Ghost continues that tradition, with the now two-way remote control, two-inch Gorilla Glass LCD screen, improved 3m waterproof build and 300° rotatable lens. Combined with the addition of Continuous Video Looping and built-in Wi-Fi, the HD Ghost’s £299.99 price tag may well be the biggest bargain on the market.

Two-Way Remote Control

The industry-first Two-Way Remote Control allows you to start/stop recording and change modes without disturbing the mounted camera.

LED Lights on both the Remote and the camera instantly indicate which mode the camera is in, with corresponding colours relating to Video (green), Photo (yellow), Timelapse (purple) and Photoburst (blue). Once you hit record, the lights turn red so you are clear.

The Remote also remains functional up to 10m (30ft) away from the camera. So if you have awkward accessibility to the mounted the camera, such as on the exterior of a car, you retain full control of the system, thus saving yourself precious time, battery life and memory space.

The beauty of this is that you will always know exactly what the camera is doing, as well as being able to instantly adjust it.

A constant concern for head-cam users is the thought of completing an epic piece of action, only to find the damn thing wasn’t recording. With the Drift HD Ghost? Problem solved.

Although it does not currently share the camera’s 3m waterproof rating, the Remote’s battery does last for 8 hours of constant use, and can control multiple cameras within the 10m range using the ‘one to all’ setting (although this multi-camera control function does disable your ability to change modes from the remote).

One feature far from commonplace in the helmet camera market is the built-in LCD screen. The majority of helmet cam brands seemingly treat view finding and playback as luxury add-ons, requiring the additional purchase of accessories not included in the standard pack.

Furthermore, if there isn’t an option to add a screen (generally the bullet shaped cameras), it means a reliance on Wi-Fi capability for users wanting to see exactly what they’re going to shoot.

With the Drift HD Ghost you get both, and for not a penny more than the standard retail price.

Gorilla Glass LCD Screen

The two-inch LCD screen is covered with durable Gorilla Glass, making it scratch proof and less susceptible to damage.

Of course testing the limits of this durability is something this reviewer would rather avoid, having only just received the camera. But based on other products featuring Gorilla Glass, such as the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy ranges, it’s pretty tough stuff.

The large two-inch display means you get a crisp, fully coloured perspective of what you are about to shoot, or what you have just recorded.

3D icons and anti-fog coating are a smart addition, as is being able to navigate to and change almost any feature on the camera in three to four button presses.

Incidentally, you’ll now find the buttons on top of the HD Ghost, compared with the Drift’s previous cameras where they are positioned next to the screen on the side of the cam. Not exactly a game-changer, but it’s a subtle improvement that feels way more natural when navigating the menu.

Wi-Fi Capability and the Drift App – Coming Soon

The must-have feature in this latest generation of action cameras is Wi-Fi capability directly linking the camera to your smart device. The Drift HD Ghost is no different.

Once you download the Drift App (available shortly after release), simply connect the camera to your smart device and you can line up and preview your shot remotely from your phone. Change settings, shoot 2MP stills whilst recording, and download your photos and videos straight to your phone for instant upload to Youtube, Facebook, Twitter etc.  

What really stood out with the App is how smooth the iPhone BETA version we tested functions, especially when compared with similar App’s already available for other action sports cameras.

The lag between camera and smart device is impressively minimal, with under a second of difference between moving the camera and receiving the shot on screen.

Setting changes are swift and easy to navigate, and thanks to a cleverly composed ‘help’ feature, you get a comprehensive, easy to digest guide on how to ready your camera and App for action.

The only drawback is that you can’t stream live video from the camera to the smart device like you can with some other cameras. But this is hardly an essential feature and it’s unlikely you’ll be too fussed about watching yourself when you are blasting down the mountain at breakneck speed, or pulling a gutsy overtake round the outside.

Continuous Loop Video

The Drift Flashback mode, or ‘Video Tagging’, is certain to raise some eyebrows amongst customers and competitors alike, essentially letting you go back in time to record something you’ve already done.

Obviously the Drift HD Ghost is not an ACTUAL time machine, but it’s probably the easiest reference for explaining it!

When set to this mode – and bear with me here – your Drift HD Ghost continuously records, without saving the captured video to the MicroSD card.

However, when you ‘tag’ the video, the camera backtracks up to five minutes before you have hit the button, and saves the video.

Take the example of a skater spending hours trying to land a perfect trick. You don’t necessarily want to record the whole process, but at the risk of missing the trick when you eventually do land it, your hands are tied. Not with the HD Ghost.

As soon as the trick is landed, simply hit the button to ‘tag’ the video. The camera will then store the five minutes prior to when you press tag, as well as storing the five minutes after you hit it, and the five minutes after that.

As well saving masses of potential memory card space, it also prevents you roaming through hours of useless video to find that golden clip you worked so hard to achieve.

The appeal of Continuous Video Looping will no doubt be widespread across helmet camera users. From casual motorcycle touring to extreme off-piste skiing, you can capture the best of those epic long runs.

Video & Photo

It takes some pretty standout features to detract a camera review from the quality of video for this long.

You may be thinking this reflects negatively on the video the HD Ghost can produce – guess again.

For those familiar with helmet cameras, the HD Ghost’s video specs won’t be ground shaking on paper. It can shoot 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 60fps, as well as 120fps in standard definition.

But on playback, the Drift HD Ghost produces awesome Full HD video.

A new 7 Element Lens Design produces outstanding colour vibrancy and sharpness that holds true in the most extreme activities. Vicious downhill rides can consequently cause unbearable vibration on playback. Yet the HD Ghost is proficient in producing intense, yet smooth action video.

Still photo-wise, the new sensor snaps at 5, 8 or 11 megapixels, as well as the previously mentioned 2MP photos during video recording.

Time-lapse, adjustable photo burst, adjustable field-of-view in 1080p between 170°, 127° and 90°; the HD Ghost’s video and photo modes host familiar specifications, but utilises them excellently.

If I were to be picky, I’d say it’s a shame the HD Ghost doesn’t offer some of the pro-specs featured on some other action cameras, predominantly the 1080p at 60fps feature.

But what the Drift HD Ghost does, it does extremely well, and the video quality is way more than enough for the vast majority of helmet cam patrons.

Drift PowerStation

Impressively, despite all these theoretically power-draining features, the HD Ghost’s battery life is one of the longest on the market.

With three hours battery life per charge, and two hours with the Wi-Fi enabled, the Drift’s battery life right out of the box allows for some serious flexibility, without the need for expensive add-ons.

The battery has also been repositioned to the centre of the camera, maximising battery life, providing an anti-vibration system, and generally improving its power efficiency and reliability.

Any Other Business

The simple truth is that the Drift HD Ghost provides wholes-scale improvements across every feature from that of its predecessor. The most initially standout features have been highlighted, but the fun doesn’t stop there.

For example, the Drift HD and HD720p were classed as weather resistant, coping with a drizzle of rain or the splash of a puddle without damaging the camera. With the rear hatch securely fastened, the HD Ghost is fully waterproof to 3m deep, primed for surfing, jet skiing and general water sports action.

A revamped audio system, 300° rotatable lens, a redesigned build featuring the control buttons on top of the camera; the list goes on.

You can even create settings profiles to seamlessly interchange between your favourite camera functions. For example, setting A may be video mode at 1080p at 30fps. Setting B might be your favourite time-lapse or photo burst mode. However you choose to profile your settings, you’ll be able to access them simply and quickly.

All of this (outside of downloading and syncing the camera to your phone) is available to you straight out of the box. The only add-ons the majority of users will need are the extra mounts appropriate for your specific activity, of which owners of previous Drift models may already own.

A new 60m Waterproof Housing is expected to accommodate the HD Ghost for diving, and a host of new mounting options and accessories are surely not far away.

All may not be clear until you get your hands on it, but what is immediately apparent is the usability and convenience the Drift HD Ghost provides to compliment its high quality Full HD video.

Whether changing settings on the go with the Two-Way Remote, previewing your shot through the Drift App, or watching the results on the two-inch LCD Screen, everything has a defined, immediately useful purpose.

In short, the whole camera has been extremely well executed in its design, build, ease of use, quality of video and future potential. Minor negatives are greatly outweighed by a pile of awesome features, and it’s certainly one of the most well-rounded helmet cameras we’ve ever seen.

So if action’s your bag, the Drift HD Ghost will certainly cater to your needs. And as the HD Ghost is practically all-inclusive in a helmet camera context, £299.99 is one of the best prices you are likely to find. 

Watch Video

Check out the first in a series of Drift HD Ghost tutorial videos:

1. Opening the box and getting started!

FAQ's

What exactly is a ‘Two-Way Remote'? 

How do I use the Two-Way Remote?

What does ‘Video Tagging’ mean?

What’s new with the LCD Screen?

What type of memory card does the Drift HD Ghost use?

Is the battery any good?

Built-in Wi-Fi? What does that mean?

Is the Drift HD Ghost waterproof?

Is the Drift HD Ghost compatible with older Drift mounts?

What are ‘Settings Profiles’?

What is Photoburst mode?

What is Timelapse mode?

What’s new with the lens?

 

What exactly is a ‘Two-Way Remote'?

Is the camera on? With the HD Ghost’s Two-Way Remote Control, you’ll always know. The Two-Way Remote features LED Lights, with each camera mode having a designated colour. This colour will show on both the Remote Control and the HD Ghost so you know which mode you are in. Video mode is GREEN, Photo mode is YELLOW, Timelapse mode is PURPLE, and Photoburst mode is BLUE. When the camera is recording, the lights will flash RED. Using the remote you can: change recording mode from 10m (30ft) away; start/stop video recording mode; shoot timelapse and photoburst sequences; take still photos. The Two-Way Remote Control is not currently waterproof.

How do I use the Two-Way Remote?

To power on the Remote hold down the ACTION button. The remote will then sync itself to the Drift HD Ghost automatically. If the Remote cannot find a camera within 15 seconds, it will automatically power off. The LED light will indicate which mode the camera is in (see colours above). To toggle between camera modes, press the STOP button when the HD Ghost is in live preview mode. Then simply hit the ACTION button again to start recording/timelapse/photoburst/still photo. Press again to stop.

What does ‘Video Tagging’ mean?

Video Tagging, or Continuous Loop Video, means you can save a video clip up to five minutes after it has happened. When set to this mode, the camera will continuously record, without storing the data to the MicroSD card. But when you hit ‘tag’, the HD Ghost goes back a designated period of time and saves the data (tagging time set by you - 10s, 30s, 1min, 2min or 5min). It will then save the same period of time from WHEN you hit ‘tag’, and the same period of time after that. For example: turn Video Tagging ON in the video settings, set the interval to 30 seconds, and then press RECORD, the HD Ghost will start its continuous loop. Hit the MENU - 'tag' - button, the HD Ghost will save the previous 30 seconds, current 30 seconds, and future 30 seconds. This will add up to 1 minute and 30 seconds video.

What’s new with the LCD Screen?

Drift Innovation cameras have traditionally featured a built-in LCD Screen. The Drift HD Ghost features a two-inch built-in LCD Screen covered with highly durable and scratch resistant Gorilla Glass. Appearing in full-colour with 3D icons, the Gorilla Glass LCD Screen allows you to: select video mode; change camera settings; line-up and preview your shot; playback saved videos; view saved photos, timelapses and photobursts; delete saved files. The LCD Screen has an adjustable standby function, so the screen turns off after a certain amount of time in order to conserve battery. The camera will continue to function when the screen is in standby mode. You can set the screen to turn off after 5s, 10s, 20s, 1min or 5min.

What type of memory card does the Drift HD Ghost use?

It is strongly recommended that you use a CLASS 10 MicroSD card with the Drift HD Ghost because of its fast processing speed. The Drift HD Ghost supports 8GB, 16GB and 32GB MicroSD cards. For Video Tagging, the camera must have at least 4GB of free space to function properly. The Drift HD Ghost's recording time is approx. 11-12 minutes per GB of memory card space while set to 1080p Full HD video. 8GB Card = 1hr 22mins 16 GB Card = 2hrs 56mins 32 GB Card = 5hrs 52mins The camera will not record if no MicroSD card is inserted.

Is the battery any good?

The Drift HD Ghost uses a 1700mAh rechargeable lithium battery (included) that can be removed from the camera. The extra-long battery life will last for approx. 3 hours recording at 1080p, and will last for approx. 2 hours when shooting 1080p with the Wi-Fi switched on. Charge your battery by plugging the included USB cable into the Drift HD Ghost, and then plug into your computer or USB Device. Your camera retains full functionality while charging, so you will be able to record when the camera is on charge. It takes approx. 4 hours on a 2-amp charge to fully restore the Drift HD Ghost's battery. The Two-Way Remote takes approx 2 and a half hours to fully charge.

Built-in Wi-Fi? What does that mean?

The Drift HD Ghost’s built-in Wi-Fi, or ‘Drift Datalink’, means you can sync your smartphone to the camera and operate functions wirelessly with your phone. Download the Drift App (coming soon) and switch on the camera’s Wi-Fi in the settings menu. The App itself has instructions showing you how to sync your camera to your smartphone. With the two devices connected, you then have the option to: preview your shot through your phone with minimal lag; change camera settings and modes; take 2MP still photos during recording; download files directly to your phone. As yet you will not be able to stream video to your phone when the camera is set to record.

Is the Drift HD Ghost waterproof?

The Drift HD Ghost is fully waterproof to 3m (9.84ft) right out of the box, provided you have securely fastened the camera’s rear hatch (included). Surfing and water sports are possible out of the box, and a 60m Waterproof Housing will be coming soon for scuba diving. The Two-Way Remote Control is not fully waterproof, but is splashproof.

Is the Drift HD Ghost compatible with older Drift mounts?

The Drift HD Ghost IS compatible with all Drift mounts, and still uses the same Universal Clip mounting system, which attaches via the camera’s built-in tripod threat. The HD Ghost is NOT compatible with previous model waterproof housings, neither is it compatible with any older generation remote controls.

What are ‘Settings Profiles’?

Settings profiles allow you to quickly access your favourite camera modes. For example you could make Profile A 1080p at 30fps. You could make Profile B timelapse mode with 30-second intervals. You will then be able to quickly access these camera settings, without having to individually choose each setting. You can create 3 settings profiles: A, B and C.

What is Photoburst mode?

Photoburst mode (BLUE LED light) is when the Drift HD Ghost takes multiple photos in a short space of time determined by the user. The HD Ghost can take 5 or 10 photos a second, for a period of 1, 2 or 5 seconds. The photo resolution can be set to 5MP, 8MP or 11MP. You can also adjust the field-of-view between 90°, 127° and 170°. The HD Ghost then stores all the photos, and you can manage these photos in playback mode.

What is Timelapse mode?

When set to Timelapse mode (PURPLE LED Light), the Drift HD Ghost continuously shoots 5MP, 8MP or 11MP still photos at selected intervals. You can select the HD Ghost to take photos every 0.5s, 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, 10s, 30s, 60s.

What’s new with the lens?

The Drift HD Ghost features a 300° rotatable lens allowing you to perfectly align your shots. Use the lens marker as a reference; if the marker is on top of the camera, the shot will be correctly aligned for widescreen video. The wide-angle lens’ field-of-view can be adjusted in 1080p mode between 90°, 127° and 170°. This can also be adjusted in still photo, Timelapse and Photoburst modes. In all other video modes, the lens field-of-view is 170° and cannot be adjusted. The lens is made of a high quality 7 element optical glass, meaning: it is scratch resistant; has a low amount of inclusions; is bubble free; requires no special treatment to polish the material. The lens also features 10x digital zoom.

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