Thinking of getting an action cam

[Papa Lazarou]

I've read loads of reviews but am stilljust as confused as I was before.

I realise all of the above are HD except for the Oregon-which takes it off my list. A surprising number of reviews don't like the Gopro but an equal number place it at the top. The Drift is the only one with a built in screen-which is a bonus-but pays for by being the largest-I think the Dogcam is the smallest. The Contour doesn't seem to get great reviews. The Replay isn't widely available in the UK but I can get one-I just don't know much about it!

The higher the CMOS the better. 60 fps is good. Sound quality and video quality obviously come top. I intend to stick it on a helmet or handlebars.

[Max Wedge]

  I just picked up a Hero 2. I picked that one over the Contour and the Hero HD because I  liked the ability to NOT have the 180 degree fish eye view, and the 11mp timed photos. The 127 degree view is good for some things, and the 'narrow' 90 degree view is similar to shooting with a regular video cam. The "2x" sharper lens seems to give some pretty good results, but night videos and shots can get pretty grainy, but bright sunlight is pretty impressive. The availability of accessories, like video screens and bluetooth and mounting stuff closed the deal for me. Seperate mike inputs and the ability to hard wire it to the bike was a bonus, but this comes at the cost of waterproofness.  I intended it for some still shots of bad weather riding and some videos on fun stretches. This will work for me.

  Is it the best? I don't think so, but for versatility, cost, and popularity of accessories, it is a good choice.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I've got a contour and love it. It actually fell off my helmet at about 45 MPH and still functions to this day. It fell of due to rider error lol.

The single biggest feature I enjoy on it is the fact you can rotate the lens depending on orientation of the camera. Say I Velcro it to my bikes shelf. Just rotate the lens and you have level video. Take that off and mount it to my helmet on the side and rotate the lens again for level video no matter what the angle .


Sent from my iPhone

[X1Glider]

There's a quick review of the Drift 170 at : http://www.motorcycledaily.com/

[Papa Lazarou]

There's a quick review of the Drift 170 at : http://www.motorcycledaily.com/

Hekpful review. The Drift seems far superior to the Dogcam and probably better than the Gopro.

[sas mayhem]

Also check out all the reviews here.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-video-camera-reviews/replay-xd-1080/
Cheers
Ron

[hankd]

I'm happy with my Contour Roam ($89 shipped on amazon). I used it this week on the ski slope... Easy to use.

[sas mayhem]

I'm happy with my Contour Roam ($89 shipped on amazon). I used it this week on the ski slope... Easy to use.

That's the one I got, so far no issues. It suits my needs.

Cheers
Ron

[mugwump58]

MCN picked the Drift Innovation HD170 Stealth and HD as "The Best Buy"  the GoPro Hero as recommended .

[KodiakRS]

Personally I'd get the hero 2.  Arguably the best video quality, one of the few that allows for a narrow gov, and has or can be modded to have the features of all the others. 

The downsides are that the cheap black plastic the they use for most of the mounts is brittle and can break quite easily.  The camera case itself is durable but if the mounts or case latch break you're sol.  Also the user interface on the hd was awful.  No idea if they updated it for the 2. 

Also, the stock audio on all of these cameras is pretty poor, an external Mic is a good idea.

[denydog]

My wife surprised me with a GoPro Hero2 this Christmas.  (As I was opening the gift, she made me promise I wouldn't do anything dangerous. ???)   I can't rate the Hero2 against the competition because it's new to me, and I haven't tried any of the competing products.  Well except for the Flip Video she gave me Christmas before last, but the Flip didn't seem suitable for on bike videos, so I never tried it for any action vids.

I do miss having a viewing screen on the Hero2 like the Flip has, and this will probably limit my use of the narrower view angles.  It's also going to take me a while to get comfortable using the multilevel setup and option menus, because of the small screen size, the unfamiliar symbols, and having only two buttons for input.

Now I just need some locals to ride out in front of me and do something interesting.

[Max Wedge]

Personally I'd get the hero 2.  Arguably the best video quality, one of the few that allows for a narrow gov, and has or can be modded to have the features of all the others. 

The downsides are that the cheap black plastic the they use for most of the mounts is brittle and can break quite easily.  The camera case itself is durable but if the mounts or case latch break you're sol.  Also the user interface on the hd was awful.  No idea if they updated it for the 2. 

Also, the stock audio on all of these cameras is pretty poor, an external Mic is a good idea.

The user interface is totally revised in the GP2. Once you have gone through it once, it is very simple.
Also the video monitor is now available so you can see what you are shooting.
Good point about the black platic mounts, will probably go to ram mounts.

[SuperHans]

With the Contour you can buy a Connect Card for around $30 that allows you to view live images on your smart phone and make adjustments to the camera.

http://store.contour.com/contour-connect-view-card-p55.aspx

[zer0netgain]

The VIO system is "the best" as far as quality, but it's also the priciest.

[Papa Lazarou]

The VIO system is "the best" as far as quality, but it's also the priciest.

Dammit, the only UK retailer has stopped selling them.

I think I might go for the Drift, as it is reviewed fairly well and I've found a cheap deal.

[Papa Lazarou]

Bought the Drift HD170 Stealth for £135. That's around $170,

[zer0netgain]

Dammit, the only UK retailer has stopped selling them.

The manufacturer won't ship to the UK?  

[X1Glider]

For the US residents, Cycle Gear is selling the original GoPro at $200.  Probably to make room for the 2nd gen.

[denydog]

I don't know if the Hero2 is worth the extra cost or not.  My wife just went and bought the latest, so I'm happy with it.  Bought a 32GB class 10 card the other day. Recording time is supposed to be 4:21 at the highest resolution, and 8 hrs at 720p.  The battery is estimated to last 2.5 hrs on a charge, so I'll probably pick up the optional battery BacPac.  Going to get the LCD BacPac as well.

I'm still working up the nerve to stick a mounting pad on my helmet.  Not sure if I want to or not.  Haven't figured out where to put one on the bike either, but we're in the middle of a real rainy spell, so I have lots of time to figure it all out.

[Max Wedge]

Was watching "Afghanistan: Bomb Squad", and noticed they all had either the Contour or the Hero.

[Papa Lazarou]

Was watching "Afghanistan: Bomb Squad", and noticed they all had either the Contour or the Hero.

makes sense, both are class leaders and both are made in America.

I got the Drift yesterday and will post up a vid this weekend. (The Drift is British and I got it very cheap).

[phaze5]

i broke my black latch on my go pro and the sent out a couple replacements that day, now my cam is a year old it is starting to act weird, when i turned it on before it went right to video, for some reason now it goes to the multi pic one. i had the best ride of my life with lots of twisties and good friends and all i got was 489 pics,

probably the only good thing was i could tell you my speed at any point thru the trip lol looks like i got to send me another email huh

[garry]

I guess I'm starting to look into these things as well. I've been using a handlebar-mounted helmet camera wired into a camcorder in my tank bag. Not an optimal setup for sure, but it works well enough, just bulky and complex (too many wires/connections). I've lost my share of good videos due to cabling or video tape issues.

I think I like the Drift HD (the small one), but $370 (ouch). Usage would be helmet mounted for skiing and bar-mounted on the motorcycles (to get the lean angle).

[Papa Lazarou]

I guess I'm starting to look into these things as well. I've been using a handlebar-mounted helmet camera wired into a camcorder in my tank bag. Not an optimal setup for sure, but it works well enough, just bulky and complex (too many wires/connections). I've lost my share of good videos due to cabling or video tape issues.

I think I like the Drift HD (the small one), but $370 (ouch). Usage would be helmet mounted for skiing and bar-mounted on the motorcycles (to get the lean angle).

It's in the UK but the price is right, even with shipping: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DRIFT-HD170-STEALTH-HELMET-ACTION-CAMERA-FULL-1080P-FULL-HD-FULL-WARRANTY-/160709900229?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_Camcorders&hash=item256b0e77c5

[jp]

Future Shop here in Canada has the GoPro reduced from $350 to $189 with the standard mounting kits (no SD card). Picked one up as a Christmas present to myself (the best kind).
Should be a better set up than the prior one which was a small camcorder mounted to a tripod that was duct-taped to the gas tank!!

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Worked OK though...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8IW79KYSn4&feature=plcp&context=C349228aUDOEgsToPDskKSTNkj0DPgdTvl4sDq4zAR

Now to work on the 'dorky' factor of what it looks like mounted on a helmet



Seems to be an even split in votes as to mounting it on the helmet (see what the rider sees) or on the bike (see the lean and road speed).
Guess we'll see as soon as the snow melts in spring!

[shawn and gwyn]

been doing alot of reading on this myself.  i think i will be going with this one.   price is good. most reviews are good. decent batterie life, 32 gig cards.  about 4.4 oz with batteries.  waterproof to 100ft without an external case..  gwyn told me if i want one  . it will be birthday preasent.   ..   is it march yet. LOL.

shawn

http://www.tachyoninc.com/

[paul13131313]

Voted for the Go-Pro Hero 2 although I have the previous HD Motorsports version.

I mounted one front facing on helmet last Christmas and a second rear facing this Christmas for local motorcycle officer that likes to exit commuter lane within twenty feet of me at 80-90 mph!

Police are very camera shy and everyone else thinks they're cool so,so much for the self percieved dorky look.

There is no weight or wind resistance effects with helmet mounted camera(s) on my X-11.

Purchase the Motorsports version:it comes with all of the mounts!

Camera using the spare battery pack needs to be mounted with front camera mount because the door won't drop down far enough to remove the camera with pedestal mount.

I bought the cameras($230/$230),32GB SD cards,class 4/10 ($50/$32),Battery BacPacs and one LCD BacPac.

I saw the Battery and LCD Bacpacs were in development before I bought my cameras in a motorcyclecycle magazine announcement.I called Go-Pro about availability of these after my first camera purchase and was told they were six months away from availability.Got an email a week later teling me they were ready for purchase!

I count on 4 hours recording time with 32GB card and two batteries,without packing the batteries (100%).I charge them on my computer and unplug it when the light goes out (80%).

I like the simplicity of one button push on/hold for three seconds off.I programmed it at the house to full HD mode:every other mode gave me a sickening fish eye effect of various degrees.

I already had the previous version and did'nt see the need to upgrade from 170 degrees to 180 or 5 mp to 11!I just purchased a second Hero HD.Perhaps for the next helmet?

I checked reviews on all models out there and found the Go-Pro the best in capabilities for the most expensive at the time.I then bit the bullet,purchased and have not been disappointed once in daily use.

It does have one fault which is easily correctable.The mount and base mating surfaces get loose,with the camera moving ever so slightly but sounding as clunk,clunk on the audio playback!I place 2 layers of silver tape on the flat/curved mount surface,molding it to the center rib with the dull edge of a knife.Snug is good as I'm not taking them apart and putting them back together on a regular basis,it's a one time install.

I purchased a cheap keychain camera just to confim my decision:what a complicated/expensive little piece of junk that turned out to be.I don't know whether it's on and in what mode until I plug it into the computer for a possible half hour episode or bunch of random pictures!

My mistake,I did have one maalox moment last week.

I arrived at work,took off my helmet,set it down on the table and as I reached up to remove my neck brace,I heard a thunk!I looked on the table and saw the camera had fallen off the back of my helmet!After realizing it had'nt fallen off the table or on the freeway on my half hour commute,I started to wonder what had happened?Fortunately all the pieces were there fo a failure review.
The front helmet mount base of the rear camera had broken out of the curved mount,rotating to the rear.I had installed ths curved mount in anticipation of a second camera purchase,a month in advance.
I had installed the front camera cuved mount for only the recommended twenty four hours before mounting the first camera and had unwittingly pull tested at full gait on a soon to be professionally trimmed low hanging branch a year later so I knew these mounts are very strong

I told my coworker about my fortunate experiance and he suggested the plastic may not have been up to spec on that batch!I found the other three of the four pack I had purchased from Go-Pro directly and emailed Go-Pro the above scenario.They sent a replacement Front mount and six curved mounts and told me they did'nt need the defectve parts.They notified engineering!
The plastic on the defective parts was dull,not shiney.

Last,but not least,I haven't used the LCD BacPac since I purchased it.I don't even think to carry it around with me due to the connector port would dig a hole in my leg/pants first off and it uses an interchangeble rear door that is a 32nd of an inch deeper than the Battery BacPac rear door,thus I would have to carry around a spare rear door also!I just don't have time to remove the camera,exchange battery with the LCD and show people how it looks!I aim them with my daily view and it's just set it and forget it.It's collecting dust but I'll keep it in case I find it ultimately useful.

I've also got a large Go-Pro sticker on the back and a medium on each side of my helmet for everyone that keeps chasing me down the freeway and asking me at every intersection,"dude,dude,DUDE,IS THAT A CAMERA?,DUDE!"

My favorite question is,"What's the camera for?",to which I point at them and say "You".When they ask "why",I tell them it's for every one that turns left,cuts off,pulls out and backs out in front of me!

You also get tired of being a salesman very quickly.

This is an Awesome camera and I'm so glad I spent the money at the start instead of spending twice as much experimenting and upgrading!
  

[vwtom]

I was thinking the contour GPS so I could get the geo-location of all the images/videos.