GoPro or Contour?

[FiremanBob]

As the final farkle, I am planning to add a vidcam to my bike(s). Looks like the GoPro Hero 2 and the Contour are the best options. Which do you experts recommend and why?

[garry]

If you act quickly, ktm-parts.com has the Hero2 available for 20% off retail using the "MD2012" discount code (plus creating an account). That sealed the deal for me over their Easter sale.

[Doug Just Doug]

Have you checked webBikeWorld? I believe its done extensive testing of both units.

[expatbrit]

i have a goPro; it now sits on the shelf, for the most part.

I find the controls ... fiddly, and can never tell if the thing is on, or off. Maybe one of the newer models with the screen on the back would solve the issue, but mine's an older one and the indicators are really not in the right place for a bike.

I tend to end up with video of wherever I was parked, because I turn it on when I mean to turn it off. Or I get it into the wrong mode, and can't tell.

Nice concept; nice form factor; good video -- pain (for me) to use on a bike.

[M.Brane]

 +1 on the GoPro's fiddley buttons. Can't get decent sound out of it either with the open-back door, and with the sealed door it fogs up inside with altitude changes. It really wasn't designed with motorsports use in mind.

[camaroz1985]

I've never mounted my GoPro to a bike, but I use it for endurance racing in cars.  It can sometimes be a pain to tell if it is recording, but if you use the one touch record setting, it is recording if it is on.  In general I get good video, with only the occasional "I forgot to turn it on" from one of my teammates.

There will soon be a remote for the camera so you can mount the camera anywhere, and put the remote around your wrist or on the handle bars.  It has the same small screen on the remote as on the camera, so there should not be any confusion to the camera recording or not.  If you have a Hero2 you can even stream live video to an iphone or computer, letting you tell for sure what shot you are getting.  The remote can control up to 50 cameras, so you can go crazy with video.

[garry]

I've found the Hero2 to be easy enough to use. There are "record" LEDs on the front, top and back, so it's easy to tell if I'm recording or not. I have mine mounted to my handlebars (near left mirror) using some RAM bits. The small screen in the front is easy enough to use. I power it on/off off the bike, but switch in/out of record on the fly. My only complaint is not being able to see the video to be sure it's pointed straight and level. So far it hasn't been an issue, but it's nice to have visual confirmation if this is a "one pass" type video capture (like on vacation). I know that a "backpack" thing is available (or will be soon) if I want that option. It'd also be nice if the mic input jack was accessible without buying the skeleton case or whatever it's called. The sound isn't terrible with the open case, but it's not good either.

[expatbrit]

I've found the Hero2 to be easy enough to use. There are "record" LEDs on the front, top and back, so it's easy to tell if I'm recording or not. I have mine mounted to my handlebars (near left mirror) using some RAM bits. The small screen in the front is easy enough to use. I power it on/off off the bike, but switch in/out of record on the fly. My only complaint is not being able to see the video to be sure it's pointed straight and level. So far it hasn't been an issue, but it's nice to have visual confirmation if this is a "one pass" type video capture (like on vacation). I know that a "backpack" thing is available (or will be soon) if I want that option. It'd also be nice if the mic input jack was accessible without buying the skeleton case or whatever it's called. The sound isn't terrible with the open case, but it's not good either.

Ah! My earlier Hero ONLY has an LED on the front, and has a habit of powering itself down if I power it up off the bike, due to the timer.

Sounds like they've fixed a few of these glitches.

[Windblown]

I bought the Hero 2. I prefer the design of the Contour over the Go-Pro and the Go_pro controls are still a bit of a PITA. But after looking at a bunch of on line videos shot from both units I decided that I would go with the Go-Pro. The Go-Pro enchances color saturation/contrast a bit too much but the Contour on the otherhand seems a bit overly flat.

The optional rear screen on the Go-Pro is nice for initial setup to make sure the shot you want is the shot you'll get. Also nice if you are using the unit to take handheld shots. However, it sucks battery life out of the unit quickly. My biggest gripe about the rear screen is that it comes on automatically everytime you turn on the camera so if you're not careful you'll find yourself without any power long before your ride is over.  I need to pick up a spare battery or may get the piggy back batterypack option.  

[FiremanBob]

Hmmm, power...looks like a fused terminal block will be an additional farkle.

And the RPG launcher...

It never ends.

[Windblown]

Hmmm, power...looks like a fused terminal block will be an additional farkle.

And the RPG launcher...

It never ends.

  Get the PRG luancher! Bound to provide more smiles per mile!

[camaroz1985]

Just make sure you have video of the first test shot.  

[David Morrow]

I bought the Hero 2. I prefer the design of the Contour over the Go-Pro and the Go_pro controls are still a bit of a PITA. But after looking at a bunch of on line videos shot from both units I decided that I would go with the Go-Pro. The Go-Pro enchances color saturation/contrast a bit too much but the Contour on the otherhand seems a bit overly flat.

The optional rear screen on the Go-Pro is nice for initial setup to make sure the shot you want is the shot you'll get. Also nice if you are using the unit to take handheld shots. However, it sucks battery life out of the unit quickly. My biggest gripe about the rear screen is that it comes on automatically everytime you turn on the camera so if you're not careful you'll find yourself without any power long before your ride is over.  I need to pick up a spare battery or may get the piggy back batterypack option.  

You knew that you could set the display to turn off automatically after 60 Seconds ?

[Jblk9695]

Check out the new Drift HD, has a built in LCD(a little on the small side but still useful), remote control, replaceable lens and more. I just got one and the quality seems to be right there with the GoPro and Conture.
http://driftinnovation.com/

Just another option.

Jerry

[Hotbrakes]

GoPro is good for bike cams.  I like the Contour for helmet cams where a GoPro makes you look like an idiot and has a lot of wind drag.  The Contour is VERY easy to use although the basic mounting kit does not allow much adjustability.

[SWriverstone]

Yeah, the new remote for the GoPro makes a BIG difference. It's pretty easy to use, as it just has 2 giant buttons: REC and STOP.   You could easily manipulate them with gloves. Have they actually released the stream-to-iPhone or iPad app yet? (Last I checked a few weeks back it was "coming soon...")

The Drift looks pretty nice---hadn't heard of that one. But I have to say, the GoPro's case strikes me as beefier and more bombproof than anything else I've seen---it's pretty much like a little lexan brick.

The STUPID thing about GoPro and pretty much every other POV cam is that none of them offer different lenses. This is stupid IMO. Not everyone wants 100% of their videos to look as if they were shot through a hotel door peephole. It would be easy, for example, for GoPro to manufacture a bayonet-mount (or even a screw-on) interchangeable lens so you could have a more normal (non-fisheye) point of view.

[Jblk9695]

Interchangeable lenses would be a good idea but the way these style of cameras are made doesn't leave a lot of room for the mechanism without making the overall size to large. Here is a photo of the inside of my Drift HD170, you can see the lens and circuit board are an integrated unit and changing lenses would present a problem. Would be neat cause I like you would like th option of a narrower field of view.
I like the GoPro water proof case and the fact it isincludedd with the camera. Drift has a neat one for the new HD but as an accessory you need to buy.
Some new cams coming out soon from a couple of the big digicacompany'sys so should be interesting.


Jerry

[Papa Lazarou]

I've had a Drift for several months now. Except I haven't done anything with it. The screen and the price sold it to me.

[kwb377]

What about the Kodak Playsport ZX5, anyone have experience with it?

Read on other forums several who use and love it. Only issue is that mounting requires some backyard engineering.

[Viethorse]

I have used both GoPro and Contour. There are some comparison:
- Video quality: Not trying to compare the video quality of two cameras as they are almost same (yeah, as my -personal assessment).
- Built: GoPro looks more professional with the water proof casing. Contour seems lighter and easier to be broken. Get both camera in your both hands, you can find the Contour easier to handle.
- Mounting: Contour is lighter and seems easier and more flexible for mounting. The GoPro is easier for adjust with the up-down  direction. Contour is greater for leveling the horizontal as you can easily turn (twist) the front lens.
GoPro without LCD backpack is not easy at all to get the right scene in the video frame. You need to have enough experience to figure out what are the boundary of your video frame. With the LCD backpack - no more issue on that (of course, you have to pay for that!!)
For Contour, it seem easier a bit as Contour has the lazer pointer to help you determine the center of video frame.
Sometimes you do not bring with the mounting kit, you can't do anything with the GoPro. But with the Contour, you can easily mount to your helmet, bike, or anything. All you need are some plastic tapes, rubber bands or some nylon/cotton ropes.
- Operation: Total agree with this comment from expatbrit about GoPro:

I find the controls ... fiddly, and can never tell if the thing is on, or off. Maybe one of the newer models with the screen on the back would solve the issue, but mine's an older one and the indicators are really not in the right place for a bike.
I tend to end up with video of wherever I was parked, because I turn it on when I mean to turn it off. Or I get it into the wrong mode, and can't tell.

With Contour, you will never get lost with this as Contour has a slide button (Rec/Stop) - can be easily switch even you are wearing thick riding gloves.
- Others:
+ GPS is great function of Contour GPS.
+ Modification for external battery/power source is easier to perform with GoPro rather than with Contour. You can easily find some clips on YouTube showing how to mod the external battery and microphone for the GoPro. Never seen anyone done with a Contour.
+ Be careful with the scratch of the manifying glass on the GoPro casing, as it is convex glass - Don't worry with Contour.
...

Well, those are some first thought, up to you to choose.