Stealth 993

Ok, so I'm doing a road rally next weekend
http://www.targacanadawest.com/

My thought was to have a little clip on video camera. It looks like no one local has one for me to borrow. My thought was to just get one. It will get used on the track & Auto-X. I might also get a roll bar mount for DSLR, but not sure how the video will turn out.

My dilemma is what one to get? The Hero HD, or Contour HD?
http://contour.com/
http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-motorsports-hero-camera/
Contour is smaller, & slightly cheaper. Everyone has the GO-Pro.

Any thoughts?

early_grayce

Contour is easier to turn on and off while buckled in. GoPro I believe has a few more options/functions.

I have the GoPro and love it. I use it for everything... and it's waterproof.

race911

My 1st gen GoPro has pretty much packed it in, given all the abuse it got on the mountain over the winter. I like the Contour, from what I've seen. I saw one for $200 at Costco yesterday from Oregon Scientific. No ideas on that one.

Did you see my track video posted earlier today? That was a Kodak Easy Share waterproof that I use for snorkeling when we're in Hawaii. 720@60fps. Though the YouTube upload didn't get that for some reason.

Overall I've been irritated with the GoPro because of the battery life (I realize the current HD models don't use AAAs), and that it would shut down for no reason. Missed some decent video off the Radical a couple of years back.

Stealth 993

I'm leaning towards the Contour, it's a little smaller, no case to deal with, & seems easier to use. It's also cheaper.

race911

Here's the Oregon Scientific. I think for $200 @ Costco you can't beat it. If you're doing the Contour, I'd go all in and get the GPS version. (Which is looks like the Oregon Scientific has.)

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/ATC9K/

Canyon56

I like the option of using your iPhone as a preview/viewer screen via Bluetooth with the Contour and also the form factor. And I like the mounts available with the Contour. Although the GoPro has a wider angle of view.

It appears that they have a different color balance out of the box although that can always be easily fixed in post or with the WB on camera settings.

This is a good place for lots of info and comparisons: http://camarush.com/blog/category/comparisons/
They feel that the Drift is better for autosports over the GoPro and Contour (it has a remote and an LCD for on the fly adjustments.) Here's info on the Drift: http://pointofviewcameras.com/drift-...stealth-review I do like a preview screen and also having a remote....

olly964T

Was thinking of getting the GoPro and now seeing the other options I`m not sure sure.

H.H.Chinn

Mike, I'm also looking at an HD camera of this type. The Contour seems to be more compact but doesn't have the waterproof enclosure that the Go Pro has so for me, I couldn't take it on those tropic beach vacations snorkeling. We were out looking at the whales off of Molokai where I could have placed a camera in the water for some pretty cool video if I had one with me.

tcsracing1

for a few dollars more:

http://www.vio-pov.com/

JPS

Lower res but super cheap is the Oregon Scientific 2k...

EckFe1

Try a DOD GS 600, it's 1080p and much better to install.
Check it out.

Stealth 993

Canyon, thanks for the link!!! That helped me out a lot. Funny in that video the Contour is darker, but handles the transitions form light to dark way better. Also no lens flair of the Hero.

The Drift looks cool. But it's not the best in the dark, & is a little more $$.

The Contour is a Seattle company, so I think that is going to be my choice. Sadly don't have the extra $75 for the GPS unit. There are a ton of other car expenses right now.

Harlan, they do make a waterproof case for the Contour, it will let you go deeper then the Hero. The Contour is weatherproof with out a cover.
http://contour.com/camera/accessories/waterproof

I really, like this add-on, it lets you set up the camera & see it real time from your phone
http://contour.com/camera/accessories/connectview

H.H.Chinn

This would have been great video footage if I had the ability to immerse a video camera. I could only shoot stills of this baby whale off of Maui.

Akerlie

Damn you guys ! Bought a GoPro 14 days ago, but it up for sale yeasterday and am going to upgrade to the Contour GPS

I like the Iphone feature and the GPS tracking of the Contour, the downside is a narrower angle.

Canyon56

I assume you know already, but only the GPS model has Bluetooth and the card option that allows for using the iPhone app as a previewer and adjustment controller (the "mobile connect" feature.)

For this sort of use (sports and motorsports, etc..) I think the Contour (either model) is a really good choice. Plus they have great support and good accessories and post production software. The DOD that was mentioned is really a vehicle black box and data recorder, so if you need something like that (to always be recording e.g., record an accident and works in very low light, etc.) it's the right choice. But it's not a sports camera at all and has little support in the US.

I have a friend who does documentary and got the VIO, but it's not a "little bit more" and is actually 2x the price. In the end he sold it because he didn't think the quality was that great and the form factor is awkward.

I haven't seen the Drift, but I'm curious. Nonetheless, the Contour is a great choice, imho. The GoPro is popular since it's the most referenced and marketed camera. But not really the best choice, I think. The square brick form factor is clumsy.