TomTom Bandit Underwater test - scuba diving Byron Bay

A test dive for the latest digital video/stills camera from a world leader in GPS technology, TomTom.

OK, so initially it looks totally different to anything else on the market and it might match the rest of the bits in the kids toy box, but it is far from that - a true competitor in the compact video camera market and a real competitor with the more popular GoPro cameras, plus of course SO MANY others out there on the market these days.

I filmed Chris (TomTom's equipment try-out diver) and in general diving conditions it handled really well. The extendable pole cam gave Chris an up close look at a Grey Nurse shark, and after previewing the footage and stills I was extremely impressed.

The MOST IMPRESSIVE and SMART thing about the TomTom Bandit though is the software you can add to your tablet or smart phone... the files from the TomTom upload wirelessly and instantly (gee it was fast)... then you simply shake the smart phone and the software automatically edits all of the footage (which you have pre-selected as smart clips) and instantly you have a classy video to show on your phone... I think it even adds music at the correct duration... I have to sit on iMovie for 30 minutes editing at home before I can get this done.

So, an impressive unit the TomTom Bandit is. I can see it really making an impact in a market which is owned by GoPro.

The good points I found as follows...
- 3 hour battery life, awesome!
- Great interactive menu's, easy to use!
- Nice size, compact and has a great selfie pole that works great under water
- The software to make quick and amazing videos!

The only downers, and there are a few, are...
- you can't get a live view screen for the TomTom
- you cant get a UR Pro filter (as yet)
- you have to buy the additional port for diving (but it's rated to 50m)

Overall, the TomTom Bandit seems to produce pin sharp footage, awesome exposure, and remarkably very nice white balance for scuba diving. We had 10m visibility at best and it did a great job. I would like to see how it performs in 30m vis, and see how the colours reproduce without the need for a UR Pro filter.

Hope you enjoyed my review.

See more info at:
www.tomtom.com/en_au/sports/action-sports/products/tomtom-bandit-gps-action-camera/