Clearing Gear

It's no surprise that I'm a gadget guy.

From the early days of my Casio electronic organizer to last year's drone purchase, I like cool devices. I don't tend to spend a fortune on top-of-the-line products but I do like to get value for my money.

In 2019, before DW and I headed to Mexico to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we thought we should get a camera that we could use underwater because we were planning to do some snorkelling and visit a beach that was famous as a grazing and breeding site for sea turtles. We wanted to capture good images, something we've never been able to accomplish with cheap, disposable cameras.

In our search for a suitable camera, we came across a review by YouTuber Peter McKinnon for a 360-degree video camera. The camera was the Insta360 One X.

On his video, alone, I was sold, but I also visited the Insta360 channel and watched some demonstration videos that sealed the deal. (I have to say that their spokesperson at the time, Hannah Wilson, made some compelling videos for getting the most out of the camera.)

DW and I bought the One X and spent several weeks getting to know it before our trip. I made a practice video at Hog's Back and loved how easy it was to record various shots. I felt confident that we'd be able to make a decent video of our experience on the Mayan Riviera, including our snorkelling around the sea turtles.

Still frame from Insta360 One X.

I even brought the One X with me, a month later, to South Korea.

I have to say that without the Insta360 One X, I may not have started The Brown Knowser YouTube channel. In late 2019 and into 2020, most of my videos were shot with this camera, whether I recorded a beer review or one of DW's and my kayaking adventures.

I have loved my One X.

Even when I purchased a second Insta360 camera, the One R, I still made the One X my go-to device, especially when it came to recording underwater footage. Although the One X requires a dive case—whereas, the One R is waterproof—I still liked the footage that I got with my first 360-degree camera.

However, over the years, I use the One X less often, choosing to use it only when I go snorkelling or the odd time that I fear that there's a risk of damage to the camera because of the circumstance, though I've never damaged the camera. I have an Insta360 X3 that is now my main video camera, so the One X is almost always left behind.

So, after much deliberation, I've finally decided to sell my first 360-degree camera, to offer it to someone who might be interested in this type of camera but may not have the budget to buy the latest and greatest from Insta360.

Here's what I'm offering:

• Insta360 One X camera (with protective neoprene case)
• Sandisk 64 GB micro SD card
• Original battery (still has about 45 minutes of life per charge)
• Two Newmowa batteries with a dual charging hub
• Two micro-USB to USB cables
• One micro-USB to micro-USB cable
• Insta360 bullet-time mini tripod
• Venture case (waterproof to about a metre)
• Dive case (waterproof to 10 metres)

I'm not offering the one-metre selfie stick because I still use it for my other cameras, but they're easy enough to find and you don't need the Insta360 brand stick to make it appear invisible. Though, if it's a dealbreaker, I might be convinced to add it for another $30.

I listed the camera on Kijiji yesterday and I'm asking for $300 for the entire listed kit. It's a good value, especially since I saw someone in Markham, Ontario, offering only the One X camera for $400 (good luck to them!).

The camera is in good shape and all three batteries still hold up. There is a tiny scratch on one of the lenses but that happened in 2019, and as you can see from any of the videos since my Korea trip, you can't notice it in any of the videos.

I think now is a good time to sell the camera. Not only is Christmas coming up but people are planning vacations to warmer climes, and this camera is perfect for anyone who is looking for a great action camera (it also takes still photos) for a good price.

If you or someone you know might be interested in this camera (maybe, you or they are a gadget person), click the link to my Kijiji ad and reach out to me while it lasts.