GoPro or Contour?

[camaroz1985]

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.

Here is a flat lens from GoPro

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/dive-housing/

[CGameProgrammer]

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.

Actually the Contour works with any standard lens; you just clip on a certain attachment they make and can then screw on standard photography lens. I put on a UV filter partly for UV filtering and partly for protection.

Another nice thing about the Contour is that you can buy a certain cable which allows you to record while it's plugged in. So you can record basically forever (literally around 8 hours nonstop with a 16 GB card) if it's plugged into a 5V power source. So I mount it to my handlebars and connect the cable to a 12V -> 5V DC-DC converter running off my bike's electrical system.

I haven't owned a GoPro so I don't know if they can do that too. I would guess yes...?

[camaroz1985]

Actually the Contour works with any standard lens; you just clip on a certain attachment they make and can then screw on standard photography lens. I put on a UV filter partly for UV filtering and partly for protection.

Another nice thing about the Contour is that you can buy a certain cable which allows you to record while it's plugged in. So you can record basically forever (literally around 8 hours nonstop with a 16 GB card) if it's plugged into a 5V power source. So I mount it to my handlebars and connect the cable to a 12V -> 5V DC-DC converter running off my bike's electrical system.

I haven't owned a GoPro so I don't know if they can do that too. I would guess yes...?

Yes you can plug in a USB cable and charge the Gopro while recording.  We do that in our race car.

I didn't know that about the Contour lens.  That is pretty cool.

[Dan K]

What do these things cost used, for a decent GoPro with the screen on the back?

Buddy used one on a track day and the video was really impressive quality.

 - Dan

[HankB]

I have questions about the Contour Roam. That's the one that interests me the most as I would be interested in a helmet mount. (*)

The stated field of view is 170°. Is that the same for all resolutions? Is there a way to choose a smaller field of view? I downloaded the manual and it lacks sufficient detail to determine this and I find very little discussion about the subject.

Is the fisheye distortion pronounced at 170°?  I saw some video from a GoPro Hero 2 and fisheye was very noticeable. Some of the video I see from (what I think is) a Contour Roam did not have that much distortion.

(*) We had the opportunity to ride the Dolores River canyon early this summer while heading from Copper Mountain Colorado to Moab. It was OMG beautiful around each and every curve. Unfortunately the only places to pull out were paved with marbles (I so prefer limestone gravel like we have in the Midwest) and that left me very reluctant to pull over for pictures. There were not enough pull outs to capture all of the scenery anyway. I never thought I'd be looking for a helmet cam, but going through that canyon and not getting enough pictures has changed my mind.

thanks,
hank

[Wallace]

I spent quite some time looking at the GoPro, the Contour family and the Drift HD. I ended up buying the Drift due to the included Remote control. When I bought it I also bought an extra battery, an external mic and a monopod. I just made it home from Evel Knievel days in Butte, MT where I used it extensively both on the bike and when walking around.
On the bike I used a Fat Gecko to mount the camera to the top of the windshield. The Drift has a standard camera mount so your options are pretty good. The Gecko was totally reliable and seemed to absorb a lot of vibration from the bike, 02 ZR7-S. the picture was clean and steady at all speeds. Sound was useless, but I knew it would be, hence the external mic. I strapped the remote to the outer edge of the left bar giving me very easy Record/Stop. I also ran a USB power supply into it from the battery. Al in all it worked well. Video was very nice, daytime photos great, night time not so hot though, then again there is no flash so what did I expect?

Now, walking around was fun! I put the camera on the monopod and strapped the remote to my wrist. I was able to take all sorts of pictures/video from 1" off the ground to 9' in the air. Had multiple comments about the cool Stick Cam! The lens rotates through 180 allowing you all sorts of placement options.
External screen is useful and there is hdmi out for immediate gratification. Overall I'm pretty happy with it, especially as I did not want to risk my IPhone either as a camera or as a remote control.
If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask.

Mark.