Does this camera capture the way I'll actually use it?Continuous-interval, on-demand button, voice-trigger, or smart-glasses tap — each suits a different daily rhythm. Decide before you pay.
Will I genuinely wear this every day?A GoPro on a chest harness all day is a different commitment from a 39-gram clip. Be honest.
Cloud and ownership
Can the camera function offline if the vendor cloud disappears?The Narrative Clip became a paperweight in 2016 because the answer was no.
Can I export the raw files to my own storage at any time?If "export everything, in original quality" isn't a one-click operation, that's a structural warning.
Is there a recurring subscription tier that's load-bearing for the product?Optional subscriptions are fine. Mandatory ones turn a hardware purchase into a lease.
Privacy
Does it have a visible capture indicator that bystanders can see?An LED that lights up when you're recording is good for the people around you and good for you, legally.
Do I know the recording laws of the places I plan to wear it?US two-party consent states, EU GDPR, UK ICO guidance, country-by-country abroad. Hospitals, schools, courts have separate rules.
Backup
Do I have a 3-2-1 backup plan ready before the first photo lands?Three copies, two media, one off-site. Easier to set up empty than to migrate a year of footage later.
Have I tested an export-and-restore cycle?A backup you've never verified is a story you're telling yourself.
Long view
If this company closed tomorrow, would my photos still be mine?If the answer involves "I'd download an archive in time," set a calendar reminder to do that anyway, before the email arrives.