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TECH NEWS

Cycliq launches update to popular Fly6 camera with ‘black box’ incident detection technology

Auto incident detection gets added to this HD commuter camera

The new Cycliq Fly6 Gen 3 features a 50-lumen rear light that can run for up to 5 hours, a 1080p camera with records looping video, and Cycliq’s “Black Box” technology which auto-saves footage when it detects a crash.

Read our review of the Cycliq Fly 6 CE

That 'black box' technology is the headline addition to the Fly6 Gen 3 model. This, Cycliq says, ensures that should you hit the deck, the footage and audio either side of the incident are locked, protecting potential evidence from being overwritten.

Cycliq Fly6 Gen 3 2

Should you want to save footage around an incident that didn’t leave you on the ground, Cycliq’s ‘Q button’ is still present and working as it did in the previous model. A quick press of this button will also lock the files either side of the incident, preventing the looping video from recording over it.

Dealing with less than ideal standards of driving is, unfortunately, part of some commuters’ daily rides and our Near Miss of the Day feature has highlighted some truly awful road use. While a camera on your bike isn't necessarily a safety feature, Cycliq says that part of what helps cyclists feel safer on the roads is having the evidence of dangerous driving to present to the authorities.

What to do if you capture a near miss or close pass (or worse) on camera while cycling

Cycliq’s original Fly6 was revolutionary in that it combined a rear light and action camera in a single unit. The Gen 3 version of the Cycliq Fly6 is “simpler, safer and suitable for all operating conditions, all in a smaller form factor,” says Cycliq’s director Paul Claessen. 

Cycliq Fly6 Gen 3 3

There are also some smaller changes. Gone is the mega-powerful 100-lumen rear light of the older Fly6 CE. It has been replaced by a 50-lumen rear light that features three modes. The HomeSafe mode is designed to keep the light running should the battery run low.

Near Miss of the Day turns 100 - Why do we do the feature and what have we learnt from it?

The video settings have also been tweaked with 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps now the only two options, the 1080p x 60fps having been removed. A 135° lens angle is retained, giving a wide field of view.

Battery life is claimed at up to four hours with the camera and light both running and up to five hours with just the light running. Cycliq claims that the USB-C fast charging will have the Fly6 Gen 3 fully charged in two hours.

Cycliq Fly6 Gen 3 4

Cycliq is claiming that the Fly6 Gen 3 is rated to IP56 weatherproofing. The '5' here means that it is protected from harmful dust and the '6' means that the device is protected against strong water jets. That would see the Fly6 Gen 3 fully weatherproof, though this is still pending certification. It all comes in a body that has shrunk to 71mm (H) x 35mm (W) x 40mm (D) with a claimed weight of 77g.

The Fly6 Gen 3 costs £199 and comes supplied with a 32GB microSD card, a 1/8th turn mounting system and adaptors for different seatpost shapes. It is available to pre-order now with shipping due in August.

cycliq.com

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29 comments

Avatar
wtjs | 3 years ago
0 likes

Not a replacement for GoPro then! 

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OldChipper | 3 years ago
2 likes

Gen3 battery life is TERRIBLE.  A ride that would only drain 50% of the Gen2, *completely* drained (including "home safe" mode) the Gen3 only 75% of the way into the ride.  Save your money and encourage someone else to bring out a competing product (or try to find a Gen2 on an outlet site  4 ). 

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Germanrazor | 3 years ago
0 likes

Have they:

- improved image stability on the Gen 3?

- Seamless firmware installation rather than the cumbersome one that Shane Miller reviewed?

Any reason why they decreased the lumen output in a day and time you increase that for visibility??

I hear customer service is atrocious.  Any better now days and especially for sales outside Australia?

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Roadwarrior | 3 years ago
0 likes

I simply don't understand 1 thing in regards of the complaints:

who are these people?

I'm using a Fly v6 since December 2017 every day. I never had any issue with it. I turn it on and turn it off. Yes, to change time and date is fiddeling, but I don't do this anymore. Visual proof counts and GPS tracking is also proof enough. My original Fly12 died after exactly 6 months in August 2018. After a few mails with Cycliq it was replaced with the Fly12CE (a $100 more expensive model!) also this one: I turn it on and turn it off. No issues since Sept. 2018. 

I'm not using the App, don't play around, just turn it on and turn it off. 

I kissed grounds multiple times and the devices still work properly.

They are charged on a daily basis and the batteries are still holding a long lifespan. (The Fly v6 starts to decrease a bit now)

Maybe some people just play around to much instead of use it for what it's meant?

Reading that the new Model only does 50 lumen and not anymore FullHD 60frames is sad, But looking at my 720p 30frames I can say that it still should be satisfactionary in ~95% of the cases.

And yes, the warranty is based on the depending country where you live. I can't say that in my country of origin I would have received a full replacement. I would have received the offer to buy a new model with a deducted price, but I would have 2-year warranty by law. It always comes down to the country regulations, not to the manufacturer. (of course, nobody gives 8 years of warranty if he doesn't have to. Not me, not others.)

So, now tell me what makes you complaining about the quality of use and the device?

Is it really the device or is it probably the user? (Similiarities can be found heaps f.e. in the world of IT)

Thank you

Avatar
OldChipper replied to Roadwarrior | 3 years ago
1 like

You're right; when it works, it. just. works.  BUT when it doesn't, you're well and truly shagged.

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sparrowlegs | 3 years ago
1 like

After reading the terrible reviews about all the Cycliq products and support I looked around and got one of these

https://driftinnovation.com/products/ghost-xl

Fantastic bit of kit. Not tiny but I have the Specialized Romin saddle which allows me to mount it directly under the saddle. With the 10% sign-up discount it came out at £135 but I did have to buy a memory card.  

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westfour | 3 years ago
0 likes

I've had a Gen2 version of this for a year the firmware is flaky and the tech support hopeless. It's completely hit and miss whether it works. Disgraceful for a consumer product. Don't waste your money .

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aa111 | 3 years ago
3 likes

I'm confused by this headline "black box" technology... My second-gen fly6 has "incident protection" feature that locks current and previous clips when incident is detected. How this is different?

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Bob's Bikes | 3 years ago
3 likes

I may be wrong here but..... I had one of these quite a few years ago (2004?) and that was said to have this "black box" tech then so how come this is "new"

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Sriracha | 3 years ago
3 likes

Looked at their webpage. Nothing says "rip off" quite like a £14 accessory bog standard lanyard.

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Mungecrundle | 3 years ago
2 likes

I have a gen 1 Fly6 which I use daily. It is simple to use and far less flakey than my Fly 12 which seems to constantly require resetting.

Not convinced by the 1/4 turn fitting. Having one of these makes my Fly 12 basically a faff to swap between bikes, whilst the velcro strap of the Fly 6 is the definition of functional simplicity.

Also, not sure why the desire to make the form factor smaller, it sits on the seat post and doesn't compete for space. Especially if this miniturisation apparently results in less battery capacity and consequently loss of power hungry options such as daytime light and full on high def video. Saving a few g is also totally irrelevant.

Does this new model have improved scratch resistance for the lens?

Does the mount allow you to use it on a seat stay rather than the post?

It doesn't make things any safer and on one occassion earlier this year it wasn't working when I needed it (my fault not charging it) but I wouldn't ride on the roads without my Fly 6. I'd be happy to test the new model against my gen 1 and without doing so my opinion is uninformed but I sometimes get the impression that perfectly good products get redesigned, incorporating new features that give the marketing people something to sell, but which for most users actually make the product less functional.

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Awavey replied to Mungecrundle | 3 years ago
0 likes

if you can reduce costs to build the device,by shrinking it,taking functionality out of it,but still sell it for the same price...

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ibr17xvii | 3 years ago
2 likes

They need to sort out reliability issues & completely revamp the software (which is horrible) whilst they're at it.

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Silversurfmonkey | 3 years ago
3 likes

Was hoping for a re-engineered and more reliable update with better runtime and non-flaky firmware. Instead, they offer less runtime, a weaker light that's useless for daytime riding and less camera options. I'm sure they've some compelling market insight that led to an overall downgrading of the spec but I'm not sure what market that would be. Baffled

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Liam Cahill replied to Silversurfmonkey | 3 years ago
7 likes

I've asked about the light power drop and the removal of the 1080p x 60fps. I'll update the article when they get back to me and pop a note down here too.

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Awavey replied to Silversurfmonkey | 3 years ago
0 likes

probably as simple as a smaller light size,means smaller battery,which means cut down on the power hungry options to maintain battery life as best they can, which would be the highest video quality setting frame rate and lumens output.

why its still stuck with only a 32GB max SD card, and probably still got a plastic lens which scratches easily, are design options that are harder to fathom.

but what are the alternatives ?

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aa111 replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

.

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aa111 replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

Awavey wrote:

...why its still stuck with only a 32GB max SD card...

I have 128GB SD in mine and it works fine.

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Awavey replied to aa111 | 3 years ago
0 likes

but their website specifically only gives examples of upto 32GB for the Fly6(and Im sure the Fly 12 was same at one point)  https://cycliq.com/sdcards/?v=79cba1185463 ,and also only mentions 32GB in the tech spec of the Gen3 Fly6 for file storage, why doesnt it highlight that size is not a limit!!! and this is the kind of support you get when you pay £199 for a camera  2

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aa111 replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes

.

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maviczap replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
1 like
Awavey wrote:

probably as simple as a smaller light size,means smaller battery,which means cut down on the power hungry options to maintain battery life as best they can, which would be the highest video quality setting frame rate and lumens output.

why its still stuck with only a 32GB max SD card, and probably still got a plastic lens which scratches easily, are design options that are harder to fathom.

but what are the alternatives ?

No reviews of this one yet, but only £69

https://www.leisureoutlet.com/lights/cycling-accessories/outdoor-pursuit...

Avatar
maviczap replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes
Awavey wrote:

probably as simple as a smaller light size,means smaller battery,which means cut down on the power hungry options to maintain battery life as best they can, which would be the highest video quality setting frame rate and lumens output.

why its still stuck with only a 32GB max SD card, and probably still got a plastic lens which scratches easily, are design options that are harder to fathom.

but what are the alternatives ?

No reviews of this one yet, but only £69

https://www.velozone.co.uk/products/etc-watchman-action-camera-with-rear...

Avatar
maviczap replied to Awavey | 3 years ago
0 likes
Awavey wrote:

probably as simple as a smaller light size,means smaller battery,which means cut down on the power hungry options to maintain battery life as best they can, which would be the highest video quality setting frame rate and lumens output.

why its still stuck with only a 32GB max SD card, and probably still got a plastic lens which scratches easily, are design options that are harder to fathom.

but what are the alternatives ?

No reviews of this one yet, but only £69

https://www.velozone.co.uk/products/etc-watchman-action-camera-with-rear...

Avatar
Hirsute replied to maviczap | 3 years ago
0 likes

I've just taken a punt.
Hope it can fit a higher capacity card !
Already on its way.

Ooooh no Ajax error

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Hirsute replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes

Says it only takes a 32 GB card

Some weird requirement to use a pc to set the time up on the sd card. But the software does not work.

The camera turns off when the battery falls to 25%. There is a claimed 5 hours camera use but I'm not sure if you have to take 25% off that number.

The one they sent me had already been used and it seems it was rather old, so I don't know how good the battery state is.

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Secret_squirrel replied to Silversurfmonkey | 3 years ago
0 likes

Im baffled too.   A much worse spec at a higher price.  Bonkers.

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Goldfever4 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Smaller & simpler is a fine direction but some odd choices. I suppose no one is interested in fussing over frame rates on this, but reducing the brightness?

Widly overpriced too, IMO

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cdamian | 3 years ago
4 likes

Less powerful light
Shorter battery life
Fewer camera options
Ant+ seems to be gone (though it never really worked)
Smaller
Improved crash mode
Price stays the same

Doesn't really sell it to me, but sadly there are no alternatives

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to cdamian | 3 years ago
0 likes

Isn't price slightly higher?  the RRP for Amazon says 189.99

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