Go-Pro hero or Contour hd camera

[71duster]

we are looking into a good hd video camera to mount on the car. is anybody using the Go Pro or we found one called a Countour hd? alot of people seem to be using the Go Pro,but the contour looks interesting.

[SicMonte]

the go pro is nice but I have found that the mounts for it kinda suck.

[mdprovee]

I have the GoPro, just make sure you have a few of the "joints" to make sure you can get the angle and placement you want. Once the suction cup is on it is on. Didnt move thru a road course or autocross.

[SicMonte]

I have the GoPro, just make sure you have a few of the "joints" to make sure you can get the angle and placement you want. Once the suction cup is on it is on. Didnt move thru a road course or autocross.

did you have any kind of shaking noise in your go pro? the whole time I had this aweful vibration noise like the camera was actually loose in the plastic case.

[Chad-1stGen]

Gopro HD hero takes slightly better video from what I've read. I have the gopro HD hero And the 1080p setting is pretty amazing. However if you want to edit it then most editors ruin the quality at least a little.

That said for track use I'd highly recommend a contour GPS for the ability to get data acquisition. Watching videos with even just mph readings is so much cooler.

For wind on the Gopro hd hero I use the open back, 3/8 vacuum cap on the front button and a button head screw in the joins instead of the thumb screws. Some cameras also do need FO be shimmer in the housing to prevent vibration but mine doesn't.

Here is a vid to give an idea of sound quality at speeds up to 100 mph. The video has been edited so it's no where near the same video quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzz41gEEjtQ

Here is unedited 1080p video quality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f22js_fECFU

If buying my camera over I'd for sure get the contour GPS and dashware software.

[SicMonte]

Chad....when you say some need to be shimmed in the housing...what type of shim do you mean?? There isnt much room in there!!!

Also...what video editing software do you use? I need to get some for my pc.

[Chad-1stGen]

Been trying the adobe premiere recently. It doesn't support tru 1080p though so wouldn't recommend it.

I've seen folks use the humidity strips gopro sells to shim the camera. Probably a small strip of felt works too.

[sik68]

I have the contourHD and chose it basically because it's easier to tell when its on/off and recording/not recording. When it's in my car, I can just reach over (with my gloves on) and move the slider to start recording. And it has the universal camera thread in the bottom so it can be attached to most any mount out there.

I have played with the gopro and I like that it already comes with a rugged waterproof case, and its form factor seems better.

[Flash68]

Also...what video editing software do you use? I need to get some for my pc.

I use MPEG_Streamclip -- it is recommended by GoPro on the support section of their site. It's free and user friendly.


did you have any kind of shaking noise in your go pro? the whole time I had this aweful vibration noise like the camera was actually loose in the plastic case.

I had the shaking noise at the beginning, but at someone's advice, I put reasonably thick tape over the buttons and all sides, as well as swapping out the solid back for the open back of the case, and all is well now.


I have the contourHD and chose it basically because it's easier to tell when its on/off and recording/not recording. When it's in my car, I can just reach over (with my gloves on) and move the slider to start recording. And it has the universal camera thread in the bottom so it can be attached to most any mount out there.

I have played with the gopro and I like that it already comes with a rugged waterproof case, and its form factor seems better.

Yeah I like the GoPro a lot, but that is a pain when trying to turn on/off while getting ready to race and with gloves on. I've lost video on more than one occasion due to that.

[rsk68]

I have the contour HD, makes nice video but seems like a lot of wind noise, anyone have a cure for that, i thought of putting a foam mike cover over it!

[mdprovee]

did you have any kind of shaking noise in your go pro? the whole time I had this aweful vibration noise like the camera was actually loose in the plastic case.

Not quite sure my wife put them to music, so not sure if there was a vibration noise. I dont seem to remember her saying anything about it.

[TheJDMan]

I know this is an older thread but it is time to buy Christmas gifts and I'm trying to decide which HD video camera to buy. What do you all recommend?

[rrunner68]

Replay XD HD. In a recent shootout it was ridiculously better than GoPro. It was also the official camera for the OUSCI.

[nine lives johnny]

http://youtu.be/7w1bsYqfsaY

i got the go pro hd. the sound sucks but it does it's job. i haven't tried the other camera you listed.

[454bug]

Hey Steve,

Go check this out:

http://replayxd.com/

and this:

Vkn6uj1ISz0

ReplayXD 1080P took over at the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational this year. It was introduced there last year.

Here's 4-way shootout from Hotrod Magazine:

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/hrdp_1111_action_camera_comparisons_action/

This story was in Hot Rod's November 2011 edition.

I'm buying the ReplayXD for my ride!

Here's a couple of things I really like about the ReplayXD camera:

1) All of these cameras have crappy built-in microphones, especially the GoPro (I know, I already own one!). The ReplayXD can be used with a remote mic you can get out of the wind. I plan to run the mic under the dash out of the wind but still get all the awesome engine noise.

2) You can do "streaming" video with the ReplayXD. That means while it is recording, you can have it simultaneously displaying on a monitor. I plan to have a double-din Navigation stereo head unit that will have audio/video auxillary inputs and I'll be able to stream the camera's live feed. Pretty cool!

3) It has a HDMI connection on the unit.

[Boony405hp]

Good link you found there 454 bug. I've got an original Go-Pro and a HD Go-Pro. Sound is always the problem as well as finding a program that doesn't lose the quality of your recorded HD.

The Replay with the plug in microphone would be a good addition and less awkward mounting to your helmet for car racing.

[DartorDemon]

Replay XD HD. In a recent shootout it was ridiculously better than GoPro. It was also the official camera for the OUSCI.

I've seen the comparison videos(not an appreciable difference for joe blow IMO) and i still prefer my GoPro hd. I like that there is a case on the gopro, so on the off chance you somehow manage to break the case, you're not buying an expensive camera all over again. Not to mention the available viewfinder vs. guestimation with the replay.

[HUSTLESTUFF]

You might look at the LOOXCIE. I saw it at sema and it can be controlled by smart phones.

[alocker]

I have used both the GOPRO HERO HD and Contour Roam HD. Most of the Motorcycle Roadracing guys are using the Gopro because they are durable. I crashed the crap out of mine and it's still ticking. The most recent one at 100mph and it fully detached from the bike and was found in the woods. Too bad it wasnt on. It does take a little bit of experimentation with the mounts but as you learn to manipulate them, it becomes easier to get the spot you want.

My experience with the Contour was not good. I original purchased for the one touch record option. When you are all geared up on a bike this is a nice option. After issues with 2 defective units and poor battery life I went back to the trusty Gopro. The other negative with Contour is the Storyteller software. Its a program you must use to transfer your files from the camera and it's lame and serves no real purpose other than tying you into Contour's marketing machine.

There are some other nice looking options hitting the market and I would look at all of them. Just remember, these are mass produced cameras with a lot of technology packed into them so support is key. I will say Contour's support was excellent and so was GoPro's.

All of the on bike stuff was shot with the old GoPro Hero HD and edited with Windows Movie Maker. That is about as bare bones and you can get.
http://www.youtube.com/user/prix462/videos?view=0

[James OLC]

I have a few of each of them - GoPro hero and Replay XD - and they both have frustrating limitations or idiosyncrasies.

The first generation GoPro Heros (which are the second generation of GoPro period and have now been replaced with the Hero 2 I think) are tough (I've had them come off the car at over 140 and still work - assuming someone finds them) and have pretty darn good (although slightly distorted) picture quality and tolerable sound most of the time. But they are a pain in the but to actually use. Nothing is worse than running an event (which you might only do once) only to find that you have no video of the event but you do have 869 pictures. Plus its a pain to know if it's on or off and the battery can be unpredictable. Also, on the video side they do poorly with light transitions (i.e. using it in the car with bright sunlight) - something suffers.

I have three of the Reply XD cameras and two of them are OK and one won't hold a charge. They "feel" like a better camera and have excellent picture quality but they have all of the same limitations that the GoPro have (except for the silly picture deal). Battery life is a crap shoot at best and even though they come with an optional hardwire kit (which I have) that doesn't seem to work half the time.

I'm going to try to see if Replay will take a look at the problem camera that I have and can then maybe comment on customer service.

In my opinion Camera's look efficient and reliable at events like OUSCI because they are organized, maintained, and operated by an entire crew and they are not worried about all of the other things (like driving the car) and they ultimately have no vested interest in their continued operation. You, on the other hand, do and when you find out that your camera quit midway through a run or event you actually do care. It's tough.

[TheJDMan]

Does anyone have any experience with the new GoPro Hero3? The Black Edition comes with a wireless remote which seems like a good option.

[SShep71]

Look into V.I.O POV 1.5 cameras. I use it all the time as my helmet cam. Its been through some crazy stuff already and I havent had any problems

[SLO_Z28]

This camera hands down:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887140-REG/Sony_hdras10_b_HDR_AS10_HD_Action_Camcorder.html

Put the waterproof housing on it if you're worried about it falling off. That sony is lightyears better than any of the other camera for video stabilization and sensor quality.

[Jim Nilsen]

This camera hands down:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887140-REG/Sony_hdras10_b_HDR_AS10_HD_Action_Camcorder.html

Put the waterproof housing on it if you're worried about it falling off. That sony is lightyears better than any of the other camera for video stabilization and sensor quality.

I like that choice. I was looking at them when I bought my Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 camera. It's not a bad price either.
I have been using an older Olympus camera mounted on my mirror in my car for several years and have been very happy with the results. I have had others ask me what kind of camera I use because it turns out so good most of the time. The audio is even good.
I have never really been a big fan of video taken from the vantage points from outside of the car. I like the videos to give you the drivers perspective and sound and that is what I get from the way I use the camera I have. You could replace it for $75 these days. Video that is used to see what the suspension is doing or some other function you need to see is a good reason to get a Go Pro maybe. We will see how good my new camera works for the same purpose.

The stylus Tough 8010 is waterproof down to 30 feet, shockproof to 3.3 meters and has really good features and the buttons are easy to work. So far I have been happy with what I have used it for and hope to get it in the car in the spring to see how much better it is compared to the other camera.

it's up to you guys but I liked the Sony when I looked at it but I wanted a point and shoot camera that had other features like being able to carry it in my pocket.

[Merc9Racer]

I have been using CONTOUR products for awhile and have developed a bias for them that is pretty obvious from the livery on my car and the links to purchase them on my site. I believe most of these types of cameras incorporate similar electronics based on integrated circuits produced by Ambarella. The industrial design of CONTOUR products is distinct in three respects, the mounting system, rotating lens and slider switch, together they make CONTOUR cameras very convenient. They can be quickly installed or removed for download and charging, can be operated with driving gloves and, because the lens rotates, they can be mounted easily with minimal regard to mounting alignment. I have found they occasionally need a re-boot and the memory must be formatted before initial use, so they may not be quite as easy to operate as a camcorder, but adjusting to these idiosyncrasies is pretty straightforward. I am happy with the results and have not had trouble helping friends that have purchased them from me or on my recommendation.