Helmet Cameras?

[Dirt]

I’ve owned a GoPro and used a Contour HD. The Contour is easier to use and set up. The GoPro gives little or no feedback that it is working. It is easy to miss videos. Mine also eats batteries like homer eats donuts.

[JustinW]

Do most helmet cams have simple handlebar attachment options?

[rcannon100]

So Dirt, between the two, the Contour and the GoPro, which do you prefer? Or do you simply prefer not to use them?

[CCrew]

@JustinW 8110 wrote:

Do most helmet cams have simple handlebar attachment options?

The goPro it’s an option unless you buy the bike specific kit.

I have one, I use it on occasion, but for the most part I’ve found mine to be a neater idea in theory than actual practice. The commute is only so exciting.

[Dirt]

I like the Countour HD much better. I will likely buy one this fall. I’ve had other priorities. My GoPro works, but is not relaible for every day use. Mine shuts down when it feels like it and with no warning. The Contour HD that I borrowed from a friend appeared to be easy to use, set up and work with on a daily basis.

[Mark Blacknell]

Recently noticed that the Contour HD’s are down to ~$135 online. Tempted to pick one up.

I’ve already got a GoPro HD. Pete’s criticisms of it are dead on (but I don’t have the shut-off problems). The controls aren’t intuitive, and the initial learning curve was pretty steep (tho’ that may say more about me than the camera). All that said, I’m very happy with the image quality, and now that I use it regularly, the controls make sense/I don’t miss videos.

Handlebar mounted video is a shaky proposition. Literally. Best video comes from chest-mount or helmet mount (on a bike, anyway).

[CCrew]

@Mark Blacknell 8147 wrote:

Recently noticed that the Contour HD’s are down to ~$135 online. Tempted to pick one up.).

May be because they’ve announced one with integrated GPS?

[invisiblehand]

@rcannon100 8093 wrote:

I am thinking about getting a helmet camera. I am leaning towards the GoPro because I think its more versatile. I could see using it while hiking as well, attaching it to backpack straps.

Did a quick search and did not see a previous discussion. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Here are my thoughts from a little more than a year ago.

http://washingtonwheelman.blogspot.com/2010/06/looking-for-helmetbike-cam.html

An important consideration is your specific purposes.

In my case, I’m nursing an injury and not really riding much. Consequently, I’m no hurry since technology is making things much better and cheaper.

[DSalovesh]

The GPS model has been out for at least a year. They recently announced a model that can use a smartphone as the controller and viewfinder. I have the HD model now and I think it’s great.

[MCL1981]

I have a GoPro and I love it. I have a mount on my handlebars, the front fork, and helmet. It isn’t the perfect cycling camera, but I also use for skiing, water sports, and aviation. It is extremely versatile for all of those other tasks as well so I like it. I have no experience with the Contour.

[Greenbelt]

I also have the GoPro. I think the color and picture quality is great, and the image stabilization is excellent. I agree with Dirt’s assessment that it can be hard to know when it’s on or off, and sometimes I’ve missed some great scenery when I thought it was on (and accidentally recorded some unintended stuff when I thought it was off).

[Author]

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