Viridian Weapon Technologies has a long track record of innovation. They were the first to pioneer the green lasers that are becoming far more common now, and they have led the way in building practical solutions for cameras that mount directly to firearms, like the Viridian XTL Cam in this review.
I’m old enough to have seen a bunch of these gun-cam technologies come and go. I used to tape camcorders to barrels in an attempt to build early YouTube footage. I lived through the era of Picatinny rail-mounted Go Pros. And now, after more than a decade of evolving gun-camera tech, Viridian has cameras that set the bar really high.
Why do you want a camera on your gun?
Viridian may answer this differently. Much of the camera tech that goes into the X5L and the XTL came from the development of the FACT DUTY gun camera — a light/camera combination built to work as a supplement for law enforcement body cameras.
This is a solid advancement that solves a common problem: the body camera being blocked by the officer’s extended arms once a firearm is drawn. The FACT DUTY comes on when you draw from the holster and begins recording. The footage from these cameras captures the view from the end of the gun — and the potential is easy to understand.
Outside of LE, though, would you want a camera on a handgun or rifle?
Practical Use
The same benefits that would extend to LE also apply to those of us who carry every day. The light on the end of the Viridian XTL puts off 500 lumens in either a Constant-On or Strobe setting. And the battery is rechargeable. Should you be in a situation where you had to draw a firearm to defend yourself or someone else, having the incident on video could prove useful.
I’m not carrying the XTL, though. My EDC gun is smaller and I’m using a compact light. While I wouldn’t have any objection to a camera on the end, it has never been as important for me as the light — though this unit combines the two quite effectively.
The Viridian XTL, for me, is more useful as a training tool. I will often hit a plateau or go through a period where I’m not connecting. When I do, I will set up a camera and record my mechanics.
Often, I find my grip is off, or I’m exaggerating movements out of the holster, or I’m not moving efficiently. A solid side-view, or even the view from a camera that’s safely down range will show where I’m off.
The view from the muzzle, though, adds a new dynamic to the equation — one that is just as valuable. Watching how you transition from the holster to the target can instantly identify the problems. The same is true for the reverse motion, going back into the holster, which may highlight safety concerns.
In the video below, for example, I am seeing that my holster isn’t on tight. As I’m holstering, I’m pushing it backward on my hip.
Note: this isn’t an edited video— just the raw footage from the camera unit with no audio.
How the Viridian XTL Works
The video here was shot on a Glock 45. The camera captures the video perfectly, though the audio isn’t syncing on my Mac. Viridian’s website notes that the camera software is designed to work with PCs, leaving us Mac folk in the wind. I’m not sure what’s up. I’m chalking it up to user error.
The controls to turn on the camera require a learning curve. One touch of a button activates the unit. Then two touches of both buttons (take your fingers off the buttons between the touches) cuts on the camera.
You’ll know it’s on when the camera light blinks. There are lights that indicate the status of the memory and the status of the battery. Green is good. Red, not so good.
The true achievement here is that the camera, once activated, records. That seems logical for a GoPro, but it is harder to do when there’s recoil involved. The Viridian cameras can take a beating and never power down or cut the recording. They’re surprisingly robust.
Push both buttons once and it will turn off again.
Problems?
The Viridian XTL records in 1080. This is a solid format, but not up to the standards of many cameras in use today. If you’re hoping to blend this footage in with other footage, you may notice the difference. In my mind, this footage is less about the cinematic quality than it is about the content capture itself.
I did record some holster time, too. Once, I thought it was off and I holstered the gun and recorded some odd views of my shuffling feet. On another occasion, I recorded the shooting bench after setting the Glock down for a bit.
The indicator lights are on the bottom of the unit, too. This means that you may have to contort the gun in order to check the lights. Do so safely. I tend to set up the camera, get it running, then handle all of the loading that needs to be done.
And make sure the gun is empty and safe before you begin monkeying with the buttons again. Be safe and you should be free and clear.
I also like to carry a backup battery to the range. Running a light and a camera at the same time (combined with leaving the camera on while it is sitting on the bench) will kill the battery. Extra batteries are available.
The memory unit in the camera, too, will eventually fill up. Bring a laptop to the range if you have concerns. I’ve gone out more than once with the X5L, which I’ve had for several years now, only to discover that I haven’t erased the previous range trip. Keeping the cord and a computer handy will solve that problem quickly.
The Viridian XTL is selling now for $349.
