Contour+2 vs GoPro Hero 3 Black

[daz1964]

Hi Everyone

I'm going to buy a Helmet cam aand would appreciate any feedback with your experiences / comparisions of the Contour+2 and the GoPro Hero 3 Black.

Thanks for your help

Cheers Daz

[stephen.stallebrass]

Check out the Drift HD (the newer smaller one).

[djorob]

Have a look at the AEE SD20 and SD21.
Impressive features, accessories, case, Remote control, LCD screen, HD (1080) and half the price of the gopro2.
I was intending to get a gopro2 but came across this in research.
I dismissed it at first as a cheap gopro copy but ended up buying one.
I'm impressed, especially with the video quality and remote.
Dave.

[fraser2312]

I bought a GoPro Hero2 last year. I chose this over the Drift and Contour because of the ability to wear it on a chest mount. The quality was all pretty much the same anyway. You might was to do a YouTube search of some comparisons between the three of them.

[zandesiro]

Here is a video compare GoPro HERO2 vs GoBandit LIVE vs CamOne Infinity vs Contour+2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irv66gbIg1s
And HERO 2 has the best performance....

Think the difference with GoPro Hero 3 Black.....

[TravellingStrom]

If you will be riding dirt and standing on the pegs a lot, then probably a gopro might be more useful as the chest mount is good.

If you are doing normal riding then a helmet cam with a streamlined shape is more useful, not a blocky thing hanging out.

Having it waterproof is essential

Being able to monitor the picture framing is very useful

I chose the Drift HD for the above reasons, and having the ability of the lens to rotate through 300 degrees means the picture is always level

You need to first work out what YOU want the camera to be used for, then work out which one has the best fit.

Cheers
TS

[daz1964]

Thanks for the feedback guys,

The comparison video link was excellent (thanks Zandesiro) and through that also found some other comparison footage. TravellingStrom & Fraser2312-A Helmet cam is probably the best for me as I expect 90% of my riding will be seated. I was initally leaning towards the Contour+2 because of the compact design, rotating lens, standard water resistance and GPS function. After viewing video comparisons the GoPro does stand out on video quality in all conditions and I was a little dissapointed with the Contour. The Drift also had quite good video (though the colour seemed a little over saturated). A plus for the Drift is also the rotating lens and water resistance. A con for the GoPro is no rotating lens and the waterproof case is needed all the time. djorob - I fould the AEE website and look at the specs -impressive too. Also found some comparison footage against the a GoPro, the AEE was inpressive and seemed even clearer than the GoPro for some situations.

Bloody hard to choose!! Still more thinking to do.....

Cheers Daz

[Island Hopper]

I recieved both a Contour Roam HD and a Hero HD for gifts a year ago.... I've tested both cameras quite a bit and they are pretty close to being equal in image quality with the edge going to the Contour... What I found was the Contour produced a sharper clearer image, especially out towards the peripheral... The Hero produced video that was a little brighter...

I use the helmet cam strictly for video so I prefer the simple operation of the Contour: Slide the top switch forward and the camera is on, slide it back and the camera is off, that's it... There is a red light that shows when the camera is on which is easy to check in the mirror... It also has an alignment laser switch in the back that allows you see which way to rotate the lens to orient the camera no matter what angle it is mounted at... The Contour also tucks in nice and tight to the side of the helmet or where ever you choose to mount and really goes unnoticed... Contour just sent me a free camera update which stated it would further improve video quality, but I haven't tried it out yet to see..

Because I only use these cameras to shoot video the Contour is the one that sees all the use while the GoPro sits on the shelf... I prefer the Contour for its simplicity rather than the scroll through function menus on the GoPro... If you prefer to be able to switch between taking stills or video then the GoPro works better for that and is easier to do...

The real downer with the GoPro is it's square box design, not so bad for a chest mount but it sticks out far enough on the helmet to give you the Marvin Martian feel...

Low light video comes out a little grainy with both cameras as expected but not too bad, here is one shot in a darker tree lined trail with the Contour: Contour | Stories | 640 VS Malms Pond Trail

Here is one, same camera, with a real mix of conditions:NI Ride 2012 Part 1 - YouTube

[KOKY04]

Originally Posted by Island Hopper

I recieved both a Contour Roam HD and a Hero HD for gifts a year ago.... I've tested both cameras quite a bit and they are pretty close to being equal in image quality with the edge going to the Contour... What I found was the Contour produced a sharper clearer image, especially out towards the peripheral... The Hero produced video that was a little brighter...

I use the helmet cam strictly for video so I prefer the simple operation of the Contour: Slide the top switch forward and the camera is on, slide it back and the camera is off, that's it... There is a red light that shows when the camera is on which is easy to check in the mirror... It also has an alignment laser switch in the back that allows you see which way to rotate the lens to orient the camera no matter what angle it is mounted at... The Contour also tucks in nice and tight to the side of the helmet or where ever you choose to mount and really goes unnoticed... Contour just sent me a free camera update which stated it would further improve video quality, but I haven't tried it out yet to see..

Because I only use these cameras to shoot video the Contour is the one that sees all the use while the GoPro sits on the shelf... I prefer the Contour for its simplicity rather than the scroll through function menus on the GoPro... If you prefer to be able to switch between taking stills or video then the GoPro works better for that and is easier to do...

The real downer with the GoPro is it's square box design, not so bad for a chest mount but it sticks out far enough on the helmet to give you the Marvin Martian feel...

Low light video comes out a little grainy with both cameras as expected but not too bad, here is one shot in a darker tree lined trail with the Contour: Contour | Stories | 640 VS Malms Pond Trail

Here is one, same camera, with a real mix of conditions:NI Ride 2012 Part 1 - YouTube

Hy there: I too bouht the Contour Roam HD, its great! the only problem I have with it is replacement accesories, not too many places to purchase them, apparently
Go-Pro is more agressive in marketing, having said that, I'll stick with Countour

[daz1964]

Originally Posted by KOKY04

Hy there: I too bouht the Contour Roam HD, its great! the only problem I have with it is replacement accesories, not too many places to purchase them, apparently
Go-Pro is more agressive in marketing, having said that, I'll stick with Countour

Thanks for the additional vote for Contour...actually this morning I found a supplier with a good price for the Contour+2 and I'm picking it up on Friday

Cheers Daz

[RoadTrekker]

Sorry to say that Contour cameras have gone into liquidation and have closed their offices. So it will be impossible to get future support or spares.
If you are prepared to take the risk then you should be able to pick up a bargain as the retailers try to unload their stock.
Shame I had one for 3 years never had a problem, now ended up buying a GoPro 3 Black which is a great improvement I ate to admit.

[iainnic]

Have a look at the new Garmin Virb. I've an Elite model on test and it looks super. Nice big on / off / record switch, and it uses the same batteries as the Montana etc GPS units, so easy to re charge

Only had it a few days but it is looking good in comparison to some others
Virb Action Camera | Garmin

Iain

[RoadTrekker]

Originally Posted by RoadTrekker

Sorry to say that Contour cameras have gone into liquidation and have closed their offices. So it will be impossible to get future support or spares.
If you are prepared to take the risk then you should be able to pick up a bargain as the retailers try to unload their stock.
Shame I had one for 3 years never had a problem, now ended up buying a GoPro 3 Black which is a great improvement I ate to admit.

Go Pro Update

Very simply after 3 years with a Contour (now gone bust) and now using a GoPro Black 3 the Go pro wins by far. The only downside is the stupid side mount for mounting onto the side of a helmet it sticks out into the wind and makes your helmet drop down on one side where as the contour used to hug the side of my helmet. There are other cheaper alternatives like the little AEE Magi-cam and Drift HD and Sony Adventure etc they will all provide good quality video its all down to how serious your are and how much you want to spend. The worlds best camera does not make you the best video photographer.
What it will do is give you more options and greater creativity.

[maria41]

Originally Posted by iainnic

Have a look at the new Garmin Virb. I've an Elite model on test and it looks super. Nice big on / off / record switch, and it uses the same batteries as the Montana etc GPS units, so easy to re charge

Only had it a few days but it is looking good in comparison to some others
Virb Action Camera | Garmin

Iain

Hi Iain,
I am interested in the Virb. Is it comfortable to fix in the helmet or too heavy for long rides?
Does it make nice photos? I am more interested in taking pictures on the go (riding) rather than filming... So not keen on spending a lot on a gopro or ghost.....
Is the remote button easy enough to use (and easy to fix on the handlebars) so that it would be possible to take pictures without faffing around with the controls and having to remove gloves etc..?
Thaks for your feedback and advice.

Cheers,

[Border Unlimited]

both great cameras