Some nice choices with helmet cams! - Page 2 - Snowboarding Forum

Rob94hawk · 03-01-2010, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavman

I have the ContourHD 720p version. The camera can take a beating and is well suitable for the snow. There is a waterproof case (good to a depth of 33ft) available.

Here is a video I shot last month in Japan. Crappy weather, overcast and generally flat light.

Hakuba - Last Day

I highly recommend this camera.

CM
Australia

Nice! I really liked this camera from the start. The low profile of the camera really caught my interest. However the one thing that I noticed is that the Contour only takes a max size of 16GB micro SD wereas the other can take larger cards. It seems like that's the only downside from the comparison between the two. I think my choice has been made.

Cavman · 03-01-2010, 04:06 AM

16gb is 8hrs Continuous recording at default bit rate. Thats a lot of video.

I was recording only when I was on runs and occassionally on the chair lift. If anything you will use 2-3 batteries per day and only ONE 16gb Memory Card.

The most I recorded in one day was 5 hours.... thats a lot of video to review.

The reality is after a few days you know when to record and when to stand by. Don't stress about 16gb it is heaps. Seriously, I carried a 2nd 16gb card and it never got used once.

I will also mention I was recording at HIGH bit rate (8mbs) and not the default rate (6mbs) and still had heaps of storage space on the 16gb card. Every night I recharged my batteries and downloaded the videos to my laptop so I was ready for the next day.

It is a good camera. Stream lined and doesn't look like a toaster on your head.

CM
Australia

Rob94hawk · 03-01-2010, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavman

16gb is 8hrs Continuous recording at default bit rate. Thats a lot of video.

I was recording only when I was on runs and occassionally on the chair lift. If anything you will use 2-3 batteries per day and only ONE 16gb Memory Card.

The most I recorded in one day was 5 hours.... thats a lot of video to review.

The reality is after a few days you know when to record and when to stand by. Don't stress about 16gb it is heaps. Seriously, I carried a 2nd 16gb card and it never got used once.

I will also mention I was recording at HIGH bit rate (8mbs) and not the default rate (6mbs) and still had heaps of storage space on the 16gb card. Every night I recharged my batteries and downloaded the videos to my laptop so I was ready for the next day.

It is a good camera. Stream lined and doesn't look like a toaster on your head.

CM
Australia

Good point. This is good to know.

And lol at the toaster comment!

arsenic0 · 03-01-2010, 11:45 AM

I was gonna buy the 720p one when i saw one for 180 online....rather than spending 240 i dont know if i should just spend the extra 90 bucks and get the new 1080p version...decisions decisions!

Cavman · 03-01-2010, 03:11 PM

The only real difference is the 1080x30fps and the 720x60fps modes. Unless you are planning on doing DVDs from your recordings 1080p is overkill for the internet. The 60fps is good if you are doing a lot of slow motion editing, otherwise, again, it is overkill.

But having said that, if I were to buy another one I would probably get a 1080p just to try out some slow motion editing. Don't get me wrong 30fps you can still do slow mo and it looks great, just with 60fps it can look a lot smoother.

If you are ona budget then the 720p is a better option andyou can spend a little bit more on some great accessories for it.

CM
Australia

Enigmatic · 03-01-2010, 09:54 PM

Yeah the 16 gb will definitely outlive your battery life.

Allegedly the GoPro is coming out with a battery expanison "bacpack" that adds to the battery life but I doubt it will be more than 8 hours (I doubt it will be more than 4 actually)

And I wonder when the wireless external microphone and LCD display will come out for the gp...

As for the toaster part, lol its actually not as bad as I thought it would be on the mountain. I mean, I actually rocked it all day without trippin on my style.

The thing I didn't like about the Contour was that although it deff looks cooler its actually a lot physically bigger isn't it?

But yeah, the GoPro's not entering any beauty contests any time soon. Too bad it doesn't come in black, I mean if its gotta be that boxy, at least make it blend in with the helmet a little bit right? Eh maybe I'll just spray paint mine

Cavman · 03-01-2010, 10:44 PM

I think they are similar in overall dimensions. The Contour is wider as in its thickness, though it is lower in height to the GP. It has an aluminium cover of the top half of the camera and a flexible plastic cover on the bottom giving it some serious protection. It takes a serious amount of punishment and just keeps on filming.

I do like the low profile of the camera as it does not catch on anything and most people don't even see it on the side of my helmet.

It can be mounted anywhere and with a quick twist you can rotate the lens to get the view horizontal for level filming.

Sorry Enigmatic, but the Go Pro does look like a simple point and shoot camera stuck to the top of your helmet....great functionality, but no styling... not sexy my friend....not sexy at all..

CM
Australia

Rob94hawk · 03-01-2010, 11:55 PM

Hey Cavman, how is the laser site in terms of accuracy? Do you have to adjust it regularly?

Cavman · 03-02-2010, 12:09 AM

The lasers are only used to check lens rotation. It has three set positions 90 degs left, 0 degs and 90 degs right. Obviously you can stop the rotation at any angle and it should stay at that angle. My camera is mounted on my helmet and as a result of the slight curvature of the helmet I have to rotate the lens about 10degs. I put a very slim piece (1/8th inch x 1 inch) of black gaffa tape on the edge of the lens collar just to assist with the lens not moving.

I also found the lasers good to check elevation on my helmet to make sure I wasn't filming the ground 10ft in front of the board. Amazing how often we look down with out heads but keep our eyes looking forward.

Because I mount my camera to my helmet, after the intial testing and getting the right angle and rotation, I find that it does not need any adjustment at all.

CM
Australia

03-01-2010, 04:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
Cavman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 281	Don't be in too much of a hurry 16gb is 8hrs Continuous recording at default bit rate. Thats a lot of video. I was recording only when I was on runs and occassionally on the chair lift. If anything you will use 2-3 batteries per day and only ONE 16gb Memory Card. The most I recorded in one day was 5 hours.... thats a lot of video to review. The reality is after a few days you know when to record and when to stand by. Don't stress about 16gb it is heaps. Seriously, I carried a 2nd 16gb card and it never got used once. I will also mention I was recording at HIGH bit rate (8mbs) and not the default rate (6mbs) and still had heaps of storage space on the 16gb card. Every night I recharged my batteries and downloaded the videos to my laptop so I was ready for the next day. It is a good camera. Stream lined and doesn't look like a toaster on your head. CM Australia

03-01-2010, 11:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
arsenic0 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 2,106	I was gonna buy the 720p one when i saw one for 180 online....rather than spending 240 i dont know if i should just spend the extra 90 bucks and get the new 1080p version...decisions decisions! __________________ '09 151 Never Summer SL-R '10 K2 T1 DB Bots '09 Burton Cartel Bindings

03-01-2010, 11:55 PM	#18 (permalink)
Rob94hawk Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 52	Hey Cavman, how is the laser site in terms of accuracy? Do you have to adjust it regularly? __________________ Board: Salomon Answer Bindings: K2 Auto Evers Boots: Burton Moto's (replaced my Burton Rulers)

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03-01-2010, 03:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
Cavman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 281	The only real difference is the 1080x30fps and the 720x60fps modes. Unless you are planning on doing DVDs from your recordings 1080p is overkill for the internet. The 60fps is good if you are doing a lot of slow motion editing, otherwise, again, it is overkill. But having said that, if I were to buy another one I would probably get a 1080p just to try out some slow motion editing. Don't get me wrong 30fps you can still do slow mo and it looks great, just with 60fps it can look a lot smoother. If you are ona budget then the 720p is a better option andyou can spend a little bit more on some great accessories for it. CM Australia

03-01-2010, 09:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
Enigmatic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: So Cal - Bear Mountain Posts: 484	Yeah the 16 gb will definitely outlive your battery life. Allegedly the GoPro is coming out with a battery expanison "bacpack" that adds to the battery life but I doubt it will be more than 8 hours (I doubt it will be more than 4 actually) And I wonder when the wireless external microphone and LCD display will come out for the gp... As for the toaster part, lol its actually not as bad as I thought it would be on the mountain. I mean, I actually rocked it all day without trippin on my style. The thing I didn't like about the Contour was that although it deff looks cooler its actually a lot physically bigger isn't it? But yeah, the GoPro's not entering any beauty contests any time soon. Too bad it doesn't come in black, I mean if its gotta be that boxy, at least make it blend in with the helmet a little bit right? Eh maybe I'll just spray paint mine

03-01-2010, 10:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
Cavman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 281	I think they are similar in overall dimensions. The Contour is wider as in its thickness, though it is lower in height to the GP. It has an aluminium cover of the top half of the camera and a flexible plastic cover on the bottom giving it some serious protection. It takes a serious amount of punishment and just keeps on filming. I do like the low profile of the camera as it does not catch on anything and most people don't even see it on the side of my helmet. It can be mounted anywhere and with a quick twist you can rotate the lens to get the view horizontal for level filming. Sorry Enigmatic, but the Go Pro does look like a simple point and shoot camera stuck to the top of your helmet....great functionality, but no styling... not sexy my friend....not sexy at all.. CM Australia

03-02-2010, 12:09 AM	#19 (permalink)
Cavman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 281	The lasers are only used to check lens rotation. It has three set positions 90 degs left, 0 degs and 90 degs right. Obviously you can stop the rotation at any angle and it should stay at that angle. My camera is mounted on my helmet and as a result of the slight curvature of the helmet I have to rotate the lens about 10degs. I put a very slim piece (1/8th inch x 1 inch) of black gaffa tape on the edge of the lens collar just to assist with the lens not moving. I also found the lasers good to check elevation on my helmet to make sure I wasn't filming the ground 10ft in front of the board. Amazing how often we look down with out heads but keep our eyes looking forward. Because I mount my camera to my helmet, after the intial testing and getting the right angle and rotation, I find that it does not need any adjustment at all. CM Australia