A new sub species of digital camera has evolved in recent months: the Action Camera, fine tuned to film action, even while being immersed in it. Sometimes known as Go Pro cameras after the first major brand in this niche, Action Cams are typically compact, rugged, waterproof and Wi-Fi-enabled.
The STK Explorer is all of these things: a full HD 1080p video camera and a 12 megapixel still camera combined with two additional modes: a time lapse mode where you can set it to shoot stills at 2, 3,5.... 60 second intervals and a burst mode which clicks three shots 1.5 seconds. The 170 degree wide angle lens captures a huge chunk of the frontal view --- very useful if the camera is strapped to your helmet or bike handlebar, as you hit the trail. And if your outdoor tastes run to wet-n-wild or underwater, the Explorer is waterproof up to 30 metres depth, if you use the special housing provided.
The accessories run into dozens -- a mount, strap or fixture for every conceivable situation. I found very cool the mobile app that lets you control your camera from your phone -- even turning the phone screen into the viewfinder. The camera has no memory of its own -- you have to insert a micro SD card up to 32 GB. I am no extreme sports fan, but after a few leisurely jaunts with the Explorer pinned to my topi, I have become addicted to recording the Travels of Anand regardless of whether posterity cares or not. Good value at Rs 12,499 (a couple of thousand rupees cheaper online)
