Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

ETC Watchman Action Camera With Rear Light

4
£80.00

VERDICT:

4
10
Bargain camera and rear light combo, but you get what you pay for
Only one device to charge
Easy to set up
Rear light function
Image quality
Hard-to-spot recording light
Loop overwrite potential
Weight: 
126g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

The ETC Watchman is, in theory, a clever and decent value combined rear light and video camera. On paper, it has a lot going for it and comes with everything you need to get up and running. But a couple of significant negatives – not least picture quality – mean it's ultimately rather disappointing.

The Watchman is a combined rear bike light and 'HD Action camera' with a fulsome selection of included accessories. There's an 8GB Micro SD card, a card reader, a USB lead, all manner of straps and bungs, and even a couple of wedges so you can fit it to an aero-shaped seatpost or tube. In fact, even though it's obviously designed to be fitted at the back, ETC says you could fit it horizontally on the handlebar and the included instructions even explain how to rotate the resulting image.

The light body is a pretty chunky plastic construction with a single rubber bung on one side covering both the charging and memory card ports and two rubber buttons on the opposite side: one used to switch on the camera; one for controlling the light functions. The all-up weight of 126g leads me to think those aero wedges are probably wishful thinking.

2020 ETC Watchman Action Camera With Rear Light - USB and SD card ports 2.jpg

There are only four light settings: constant, quick flash, slow flash, or off. ETC says the camera alone will record for 5 hours on a full charge, or it'll record for 3 hours if combined with flash mode, or 2.5 hours with constant mode. Without recording, the flash will last for 20 hours and the constant mode for 6. The Watchman has an auto cut-off for recording when battery capacity drops to 25%, meaning you'll have enough light to get you home.

2020 ETC Watchman Action Camera With Rear Light - camera.jpg

In my timed tests, with the constant light on, I managed to get 2 hours 15 minutes out of recording before the auto cut-off. Then the Watchman kept the constant light running for a further 5 hours. That's not quite in line with ETC's expectations, but not in an entirely negative way. While the recording time underperformed slightly, the light lasted longer than anticipated.

Charging time is listed as 2.5-4.5 hours; in my experience it was around 3 hours 45 minutes.

I was pretty impressed with the selection of bits and bobs included in the box – there's really everything you need – and getting it set up with my Mac system was fairly straightforward. Also, although there is a card reader included, when it comes to saving your video footage you can download directly from the Watchman light body with the included USB lead. It's all impressively easy-peasy.

2020 ETC Watchman Action Camera With Rear Light - pack contents.jpg

However, product satisfaction was not set to last.

Truth be told, I haven't had the best of experiences with the Watchman. My first ride with it recorded nothing more than me taking it off the bike – seemingly I hadn't switched it on correctly. On my second ride it recorded fine but anything in the centre of shot was poorly focused, which I thought was due to a very, very slight smudge on the outside of the lens (I was wrong about this). Then, the third ride – taken specifically to address the smudged lens problem – again didn't record.

I am more than willing to concede that user error might have played a part. However, I think in this age of intuitive design, there might be some other factors that also contribute.

> How to buy the best bike camera — plus 7 of the best

The first is that the light indicating that the Watchman is recording is tiny and found right in amongst the rest of the light lens. Therefore, if you decide to switch the light onto its constant setting, it's a little tricky to tell if the camera is in action. A separate recording light, perhaps on top of the light body, would be welcome.

2020 ETC Watchman record light.jpg

The second problem is that the button for the light is found right next to the button to activate the camera – they even share a rubber cover. So if it's cold and you're gloved up, it's very possible to get the wrong thing pressed. What I have learnt is, if you hear a two-beep warning when you switch on the light, it means you've accidentally switched off the camera. That said, when playing with the Watchman off the bike, I have managed to switch the camera off without any beeping at all – so the system isn't perfect. Essentially, you've got to check and then double check the camera is working.

2020 ETC Watchman Action Camera With Rear Light - buttons.jpg

These are minor concerns compared to more fundamental issues, though. The first is the recording system, which stores videos in 10-minute chunks to fill up whatever memory card you are using – the supplied 8GB card should hold between 90 minutes and 2 hours. However, when it reaches its maximum storage, the system then starts overwriting what was recorded before.

That means – God forbid – should you be involved in an accident and are incapacitated, unless a passerby notices you have an ETC Watchman, and understands the importance of stopping its recording function, and knows how to switch it off (in which case, you better hope it's not me passing by), there's a possibility the important footage will be lost.

> 10 tips for submitting good quality camera evidence to police

The second problem is the quality of the video. ETC says the Watchman records HD images at 1080 pixels, but in this day of 5K ultra HD etc, that's actually pretty low-res. It's particularly poor in the centre and the exposure doesn't do things any favours either. If you've got a car approaching with headlights on, it's hard to discern number plates when directly behind you; it's actually easier to read them as cars pass to the side. As I mentioned, initially I thought this was a smudge on the lens, but after paying special attention to make sure the lens was clean, I can now say this central blurriness is a flaw in the system.

Using both the port in the Watchman body and the separate card reader, I downloaded all the footage onto my MacBook before watching so there could be no question of connection problems between computer and memory card. Despite this, I found the playing of footage was quite jumpy and jerky at times.

Value and conclusion

It might seem like small comfort at this point, but as a light, I actually rather approve of the Watchman. It's not overloaded with pointless flash settings and it's nice and big and visible. But £80 for a basic bike light isn't going to impress anyone.

So what kind of action video equipment can you get at this price? The truth is: very little. The most similar product we've tested is the Cycliq Fly6 CE Camera and Rear Light, which isn't perfect and is now more than double the price of the Watchman at £199, but the video footage is decent and it does the fundamental jobs better.

Personally, I'd use £20 of the Watchman's asking price to buy a dedicated rear light and put the other £60 towards a dedicated action camera. For example, the 4k, 60fps Apeman A87 seems like a decent little action camera – YouTube has samples of its video quality, which far surpasses that of the Watchman – and is available for less than £70.

In all honesty, the Watchman feels a little bit like a product that's a year or two out of date. With broadcast-quality video available from GoPros and the like, the imagery recorded here is poor. OK, so you won't be buying this to make movies, but even as an added insurance device to help prove what happened in an accident, that low video quality may prove to be of limited use. Meanwhile, its other foibles turn what is a good idea at a fair price into something rather less impressive.

Verdict

Bargain camera and rear light combo, but you get what you pay for

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: ETC Watchman Action Camera With Rear Light

Size tested: 3 modes

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

This is a combined rear light with action video camera. ETC is the own brand of distributor Moore Large, who says: "The ETC Watchman Action Camera is an integrated HD camera with a rear light that delivers cycling safety and action camera soloutions for all types of riders."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

ETC lists:

HD 1920 x 1080p video and audio recording

ISO range 100-800

Wide angle lens

Includes 8GB MicroSD card

IPX4 water resistant

Battery capacity 2600mAh

Looping recording for 'set and forget'

USB rechargeable

CREE LED bulb

Light modes: constant / slow flash / rapid flash / off

Contents include:

8GB MicroSD Card

MicroSD card reader

USB charger cable

Mounting strap

Aero spacers

Silicone spacer (1/2/3mm)

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
6/10

Fairly straightforward construction with waterproof plastic body. No frills, but no problems, either.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
5/10

Very simple to get the light working; it took me a little longer to get to grips with making sure the camera was rolling. The key is in listening for the beeps.

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
7/10

Very basic system using rubber/silicone retaining straps. Works well without fuss but it's not particularly sophisticated.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
8/10

Absolutely fine, even after I accidentally pulled off the USB/MicroSD card ports' protective rubber cover.

Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
5/10

Considering how chunky the body is, I'm surprised that even without the camera rolling the flash setting will only last 20 hours. Recharging time – at less than four hours – is handy, though.

Rate the light for performance:
 
4/10

As a light, it's perfectly fine. As a camera, I'm not massively impressed – image centre is blurry and definition is poor.

Rate the light for durability:
 
7/10

It's fairly decent, although as I mentioned, I did pull off the ports' rubber cover (that was probably my fault, though). Generally, it seems solid enough – certain feels chunky.

Rate the light for weight:
 
7/10

It's quite heavy for a rear light, but only 14g more than the Fly6.

Rate the light for value:
 
5/10

Bit of a tricky one. It's far cheaper than other camera/light combos on the market, but it's also significantly less impressive in terms of performance.

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Recorded images are jerky and low quality. It's a bit fiddly to get working. And recording keeps going until you stop or reach 25% of battery. Rear light works well, though.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The idea of having a combined rear camera and light for less than £100 is great.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Video imagery – I just expected it to be so much better these days.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The only similar product we've tested is the Cycliq Fly6 CE Camera and Rear Light, which isn't perfect and costs more than double the Watchman's price (now £199), but the video footage is decent and it does the fundamental jobs better.

Did you enjoy using the light? Not massively.

Would you consider buying the light? No

Would you recommend the light to a friend? No

Use this box to explain your overall score

The ETC Watchman promises much, but while it does technically fulfil the role of both rear light and camera, its actual performance falls significantly below expectations.

Overall rating: 4/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 6'0  Weight: 16 stone

I usually ride: Islabikes Beinn 29  My best bike is: 25-year-old Dawes Galaxy

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, Leisure

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
RobinC | 3 years ago
0 likes

This looks like the same unit that was sold in Aldi Australia a couple of years ago as reviewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxVKodpANJ4

At 59AU$ ~ £35 it looks better value.

Note the Maxtek rear bike light camera sold in Aldi UK for £40 a few years ago is different. I picked up the last one on the shelf for £30 and for that price I'm not complaining. Mine started to only last a few days on a charge which turned out to be one of the small capacitors on the display pcb going short circuit. I removed the cap and so far still OK.

Avatar
NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
0 likes

FLY6 FTW then  3

I'm on my second one - had first gen. now second gen. (imho the best model). 

Avatar
Velo-drone replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
0 likes

Tried Fly6 - good picture, but wow that thing was so glitchy. Total pain to connect to the app - barely ever worked and even when it did, it would randomly disconnect. Useless battery life. Died after one wet ride.

So far I'm finding the Teentok much better- although the quality if the light isn't quite as good, but I'll live with that since everything else is better

Avatar
NZ Vegan Rider replied to Velo-drone | 3 years ago
0 likes

As above I have Gen 2 which is simpler without phone connectiviity.

I've never read of these problems with gen 3 ones. 

Did you contact Cycliq? I didn't find them helpful though. 

 

Avatar
andystow replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
0 likes

I have a second gen.

Both buttons completely degraded and broke off. Repaired with Flex tape.

Silently shuts of while I'm riding if below about 10 °C. Hardly ever works below 0 °C.

Battery indicator is useless. I get four beeps my first ride after charging, three on my second, and thereafter two beeps. It will literally give me two beeps, then in less than a minute the three fast beeps that battery is low and it's stopped recording. I've never heard it give just a single beep when turning it on or off.

Attachment strap is tattered and I've had to sew it back together once.

Rubber pad on the back has never stayed in place reliably. It's only luck I've not lost it.

But, as far as I can tell, it is indeed the best such device available.

Avatar
Velo-drone | 3 years ago
0 likes

You're reviewing the wrong product ... the Teentok is way better. Easy to use, 5hrs light plus recording. Decent image. Pairs with phone easily. £100.

Avatar
Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

I took a chance on one of these but sent it back. Main reason being it was a used unit.
The other issue was having to set the clock by connecting it to a pc but this failed to work. I wonder how the reviewer Matt got on with this aspect.

Latest Comments