Magicshine SEEME DV Camera Taillight
Magicshine hardly needs any introduction. Founded in 1999, they have 23+ years of industry experience and their products are sold in over 5000+ shops. Magicshine really took off in 2008 with the MJ-808 bike light. This was an extremely affordable light with 1000 Lumens. Since then, Magicshine has improved upon their initial offering and now provides a wide array of cycling bike lights.
Once again, Magicshine is shaking things up with the SEEME DV taillight.
The Magicshine SEEME DV is $119.00 USD retail, but if you use Jason15 you can get 15% off the SEEME DV at Magicshine’s website (this includes the EVO 1700 light too). Or purchase both items on Amazon SEEME DV (non-affiliate links) use code 15OF38SS (valid until Jan. 24, 2023).
This is my second Magicshine product (my first is the EVO 1700 headlight which I have reviewed already). Though, I do remember hearing about the MJ-808 light in 2008, this is also about the time I started riding. That light was extremely popular because it was very bright and very affordable.
With that brief history aside, the SEEME DV taillight comes in a combo pack with that EVO 1700 headlight. If you are interested in the combo pack, head over and read that full review on it.
The SEEME DV isn’t a GoPro/action-camera replacement. The Magicshine SEEME DV is safety assurance device that if an incident happens, you have a digital recording of the occurrence.
One might ask, why not use an action camera instead?
Mainly, because of their intended design purposes and limitations each one has. The SEEMEE DV has great battery life and is designed to run up to 10 hours while recording on a single charge. A GoPro would require an external battery pack to run than long, and once the SD card is full, you would need to remove/replace it.
The magic of the Magicshine SEEME DV is that in an “Event”, that recording is saved and won’t be overwritten. Though, the SEEME DV is continually recording and saving to the memory card, once the card is full, it will write over the oldest files in the “Normal” folder.
Unboxing
The Magicshine SEEME DV come with a 16 GB micro-SD card, a seat post mount, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and a user manual.
The seat post mount has rubber strap with six notches on it. The strap also stretches quite a bit. It fits around my 30.9 mm MTB seat post. It also fits around my deep aero seat post on my TT bike.
Charging
Use the supplied USB cable to charge the device when you receive it. Click the power button and the light on the top will turn on for 3 seconds. Depending on the battery level, 21-100%, 11-20%, or 1-10%, it will either be Green, Constant Red, or Flashing red respectively.
Pull back the rubber cover to expose the USB-C charging port. When looking at the taillight the charge port is on the left side. Once charged, insert the rubber cover to protect from water intrusion.
The opening is pretty small, so a lot of the aftermarket USB-C charging cables may not fit. You will most likely need to use the one provided to charge the SEEME DV.
Similar to the Magicshine EVO 1700 Light I reviewed, the battery level indicator is too broad, specifically the green level (100-21%). I think a flashing green light should be added after the solid green and the ranges should be changed. The ranges could be as follows: solid green – 100-75%, flashing green – 74-50%, solid red – 49-25%, and flashing red – 24-1%.
Installing Memory Card
The Memory card slot is on the top right when looking at the camera side of the taillight. Pull back the rubber cover and you will see the port. The port is set in a bit so that the rubber cover can seal the opening.
With the memory card slot being inset, installing the card can be tricky if you have big fingers. When you stick the card into the slot (the memory card label faces towards the direction the camera points), you may need to use a blunt device (I used a micro-SD adapter) to get it inserted all the way.
The arms of the rubber cover get in the way slight making it tricky to get in. Once the card is inserted, the next slightly tricky step is to get the rubber cover back in without disengaging the memory card.
When replacing the cover, you may initially just want to push it back into the hole, but this may cause the memory card to be pushed in and then disengaged. The trick is to wiggle the rubber arms back into their holes by gently moving the rubber cover back and forth they work themselves back in.
Once the arms are in and the cover is close to be inserted, it can be pressed in gently. Stick to pressing the cover in around the edge. Again, you don’t want to push too hard as to release the memory card.
The Magicshine SEEME DV comes with KIOXIA 16 GB micro-SD card. I can’t find anywhere on Magicshine’s website or in the user manual what the max SD card size is, but I contacted them, and they informed me that 128 GB card is the max size.
I would recommend upgrading to a larger card, so you don’t have to worry about filling your Event folder up in quite a while.
Installation onto Bike
The installation of the Magicshine SEEMEE DV Camera Taillight is very easy. Take the seat post mount, wrap the strap around the seat post, then slip the strap onto the T-shaped hook. Once the mount is installed, attach the SEEMEE DV.
The Magicshine SEEME DV is attached to the mount by inserting quarter into the mount then rotating the light 90 degrees. Start with the light horizontally the turn the light downwards.
The mount looks to be a proprietary quarter-turn mount but it looks exactly like the tried and tested Garmin quarter-turn mount, but this is a miniature version of it.
The mount is made from two pieces, the plastic quarter-turn part with a hook and the rubber strap. The strap slides through a hole on the quarter turn and then the base is a circular piece of rubber that slides into the plastic part of the mount.
Installation onto Bike
The installation of the Magicshine SEEMEE DV Camera Taillight is very easy. Take the seat post mount, wrap the strap around the seat post, then slip the strap onto the T-shaped hook. Once the mount is installed, attach the SEEMEE DV.
The Magicshine SEEME DV is attached to the mount by inserting quarter into the mount then rotating the light 90 degrees. Start with the light horizontally the turn the light downwards.
The mount looks to be a proprietary quarter-turn mount but it looks exactly like the tried and tested Garmin quarter-turn mount, but this is a miniature version of it.
The mount is made from two pieces, the plastic quarter-turn part with a hook and the rubber strap. The strap slides through a hole on the quarter turn and then the base is a circular piece of rubber that slides into the plastic part of the mount.
I mention this because the large rubber part that slides into the plastic part is made so that one side is thicker than the other, giving it a slope relative to the face of the quarter-turn plastic part. This allows the light to be vertical when installed on a seat post that typically tilts backwards.
If you look at the rubber part of the mount it also has a small grove in it. This grove allows it to be more stable when installed on aero shaped seat posts.
When installing the rubber strap onto the T-hook, start with hooking the strap into the piece that points towards the seat post (this can be done by squeezing the strap down with your thumb) then pull the strap to engage it onto the other arm of the T-hook.
Strapping the mount down might be a little tricky the first time, but after doing it a few times it becomes quite easy. Though if you are having to use the last hole it might be tricky since you won’t have much strap left to pull on to fully engage, but it is still doable.
Specs
- Max Output: 30 Lumens
- Light Source: Main Taillight – LEDs, DV indicator – RGB
- Camera: 1080P @ 30 fps (no audio)
- Lens Angle: 146 degrees
- Max Runtime: 10 hours with DV on; 110 hours with DV off
- Water Penetration: IPX6
- Charge Port: USB-C
- Charging time: 4.5 hours (5 V, 1 A)
- Battery: 3.6V 3400 mAh
- Weight: 3.53 oz (100 g)
- Dimensions 3.78 in x 1.26 in x 1.26 in (96 mm x 32 mm x 32 mm)
- Material: Aluminum + Plastic + Rubber
Initial Thought
The Magicshine SEEME DV Camera Taillight seems well built. It feels quite solid. The rubber components seem to seal the light well. I have a feeling that water ingression won’t be a problem, even in the hardest of downpours (this assumes you aren’t submerging the light in water).
I think the design is rather elegant and simple. The light isn’t bulky or huge, so it fits well on a seat post.
I like how it has two buttons, so it is very easy to use. Clicking and holding the different buttons allows you to access all the features.
The light is very bright and It offers solid and flashing light options.
Operating Instructions
This little device has a few different light and camera operating options; it also can take pictures too.
On/Off – Press and hold the power button to turn on and off. The light will turn back on to the last mode the light was on when it was last turned off.
Enable/Disable the DV – The DV is always on when you first turn it on by default, even if it was off the last time the light was turned off. To turn the DV off or back on when the light is on press and hold the camera button until the DV indicator light turns on/off.
Pause/Start the DV – When the DV function is on, click the camera button to pause/start the video recording. The DV indicator light will turn flash solid red when it is paused.
Photograph – When the DV function is on, double click the camera button to take a picture. There is no change in the DV indicator light when a photograph is taken.
DV Indicator Light
Red light circling clockwise – DV is in video recording mode.
Solid Flashing red – DV video is paused or in standby mode.
Solid Flashing white – DV is abnormal state. I’m not exactly sure what this means. It could be a process thing where the light is preparing to record.
Automatic Incident Capture
The real beauty behind this light is its built-in function to permanently save an “incident” so it can’t be recorded over. Inside the device, there is an accelerometer. If an event is triggered, then the recording is saved into a separate folder.
Non-incident recordings get saved into the “Normal” folder, and once the memory card is full, the oldest file will get written over first.
When an incident occurs, 5 seconds before the incident and 55 seconds after the incident are saved. By default, all recordings are 1 minute long, but this can be changed in the app.
To prevent any false positives, you can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor to prevent any unwanted triggered events. If you typically ride on rough rounds making it less sensitive will prevent “incidents” caused by bumps or potholes.
Light Modes
When the light is on, click the power button to cycle through the different light modes. Low > High > Flash > Eco Flash. The memory function of the light will turn it back on to the last selected light mode.
Low Power Mode
When the battery of the Magicshine SEEME DV Camera Taillight drops below 10%, the light mode will change to Eco Flash and the DV function is disabled. This is a nice feature that prioritizes your visibility to motorist and extending the battery life as much as possible before it can be charged again.
Video Quality Analysis
At the beginning of the review, I ask the question of “why not just use a GoPro?”. And I think it is a valid question. The GoPro has some limitations that are easily overcome by the Magicshine SEEME DV.
In the clip watch the short comparison video between the SEEME DV on top and a GoPro on the bottom. Both cameras are shooting in 1080 at 30 fps. The GoPro can shoot in a higher resolution, but it makes the file size a lot larger.
The main advantage of a GoPro is the video stabilization. It doesn’t matter the terrain, you will always get smooth crisp footage, whereas the SEEME DV not so much. On smooth roads though, you get high quality footage.
For those riding gravel, the footage is quite shaky, and a lot of incidents are usually triggered.
Though Magicshine doesn’t specifically say that the design intent of this taillight is for road riding, I believe that it is. I think this is true mainly because there is not video stabilization and usually gravel roads have less traffic so a device like this isn’t as necessary as for road cycling.
Don’t get me wrong, I use this on all my gravel ride because video footage of an incident even if a little shaky, is better than no footage.
One thing I have noticed, especially when its dawn, dusk, or low visibility out, if the SEEME DV is set too low on the seat post and the taillight is on, the reflection of the light hitting the rear tire makes it hard to see much in the video. So, for best video results, set the camera up as high as possible on the seat post.
The APP
Final Thoughts
The Magicshine SEEME DV isn’t a GoPro replacement, and it isn’t meant to be. Don’t expect to use these recording for your next viral IG or YT video, though it is possible to get some good footage from your ride.
Editing the video is a bit tricky especially if an event is triggered. The “Event” recording has 5 seconds of duplicated footage, so when stringing normal footage and event footage together it takes a little bit of time (a compound video where clips are arranged by timestamp should be easily able to handle this, but I couldn’t get it to work).
The GoPro isn’t a taillight and doesn’t provide you with the safety that the Magicshine SEEME DV gives. Comparing the two devices isn’t a fair comparison but comparing it with the GoPro video is a nice baseline.
I wish the Magicshine SEEME DV had video stabilization. I think if this were added, it would put it in a league of its own. This would improve the quality of the video and help in with post ride video analysis if something bad really happens.
Adding video stabilization would widen the user base to a large group set of people. People that tend to ride on rough roads or that ride off roads would benefit from using this device and could tip the scale on purchasing this device.
A lacking feature that the Magicshine SEEME DV Camera Taillight unfortunately doesn’t have, is audio. Though maybe not having audio is critical, in the event of an incident, there is lot of information lost without audio.
Maybe you are at a stoplight, and a road user is shouting something at you, this wouldn’t be captured in the recording. I am unsure if adding audio would drastically drain the battery, or increase the file size tremendously, but I think it is important in the next iteration of the SEEME DV have audio too.
Also, I think in a future addition, Magicshine could combine the radar with the SEEME DV and provide people a single device that has both camera and radar functions.
One limitation with Magicshine SEEMEE DV Camera Taillight, which isn’t with the function of the camera, but its mounting system. From the looks, it seems it could be retrofitted with a larger male quarter-turn on back. Unfortunately, there aren’t many after market mounts for this light, so you are stuck the one provided in the package.
If you are looking for a Magicshine saddle rail mount check out on Amazon (non-affiliate link).
I have seen quite a few third-party mounts for regular Garmin quarter-turn mounts. If the SEEME DV used that style of connection, the mounting options for this light would be greatly expanded.
Something that I noticed is, if the memory card isn’t installed the DV light still circles red. So technically it is recording, but it isn’t saving to anything. Therefore, it isn’t really recording. I would be beneficial if the light indicated circling white to let you know the memory card isn’t in.
I find it surprising that the device doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity. In the future, I think this is a must have feature that needs to be added. And the app needs to be modernized and editing features added to it.
Last thing to mention is the cost of the device. Compared to other similar devices on the market, this by far is the most affordable camera I have found. For what it offers in features and camera quality, it is tough to beat. I think, given the safety it provides, and the video recording, it is worth the price.
The Magicshine SEEME DV is $119.00 USD retail, but if you use Jason15 you can get 15% off the SEEME DV at Magicshine’s website (this includes the EVO 1700 light too).
I am getting two solid rides between charges, which is good (I’m always running the DV function). The light pattern makes you very visible and the light is very bright. That alone makes this a great light for those looking for taillight options.
Though, this device isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t prevent reckless drivers from doing dangerous things around riders, it does give a peace-of-mind knowing your back side is being recorded. It is nice to know that if anything bad does happen, you will have video evidence of the event.
Thank you for reading my review! If you think I’ve missed something, or would like to know more about this device, leave a comment below. If you get a chance, check out the fine folks a Magicshine. Make sure to use my link, so they know JayLo sent you. Check out my other reviews and give me a follow on my other social media pages to stay up to date with my current adventures.
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