Your last-gen iPhone looks like it’s been through war, with nicks, scratches and a lingering smell you can’t quite place. While selling it has always been an option since you upgraded last month, all you keep getting offered are lowball prices. If you’ve been thinking of buying a GoPro, how about turning that beat up iPhone into an action cam with the Hitcase Pro?
A complete case and mounting system, it turns an erstwhile standard iPhone into a fully-functional action cam for mounting onto helmets, handlebars and wherever else you strap those rugged POV cameras. That way, you don’t have to buy a dedicated gadget for shooting your downhill runs and parachute jumps — it’s just one more thing your versatile smartphone can do. It’s compatible with GoPro mounts as well, so you can use it as a backup action cam when needed.
Made from hard polycarbonate, the Hitcase Pro encloses your iPhone inside a tough shell, with foam inside the case protecting it from shocks and falls. That means, you can crash your mountain bike, land rough on the ice or take a bad fall on your skateboard, and have it stay intact similar to the way standard rugged helmet cams do. It also has a watertight seal up to 30 feet, so you can use this for watersports if that’s your thing.
The case features a wide angle lens that sits on top of the iPhone’s stock, allowing it to capture a wider field of view. Even better, the phone remains fully usable while in the case — you can tap, swipe and pinch on your favorite apps to your heart’s content. It also comes with the Vidometer app, which overlays vital details (speed, altitude and more) onto your videos for more informative content.
The Hitcase Pro can work with iPhone 4 and 4S units, with an iPhone 5 model on the way. It’s available now, priced at $129.99.