GoPro or Drift or..........?

[wuming]

For my next trip, I would like to shoot on bike video. At the moment it's a choice between a GoPro or Drift. Any consensus as to which is the better camera from a motorcyclist's perspective? Or are there other options I should be looking at? Only ever owned still cameras before, so video cameras are new to me.
Thanks.

[Hemuli]

Originally Posted by wuming

For my next trip, I would like to shoot on bike video. At the moment it's a choice between a GoPro or Drift. Any consensus as to which is the better camera from a motorcyclist's perspective? Or are there other options I should be looking at? Only ever owned still cameras before, so video cameras are new to me.
Thanks.

GoPro has a good quality video, but a bad usability (annoyingly small button to turn camera on and off) and only 2h battery lifetime (if you use wifi-remote, then it will be even shorter).

No experience from Drift.

Contour usability is excellent (big slider), but video quality has not been at the same level as GoPro (do not know new versions if video quality is equal).

[Redboots]

Look at the Sony AS1000RV complete with remote control: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-AS100VR...ony+action+cam

You can get the older model AS30 for less pennies and the functionality is only slightly less. It has wi-fi & GPS.
I bought it because the stabilisation software the Sony use does give far less "jello", but the I also prefer to use 720 mode to reduce the fish-eye effect that bends buildings/trees/poles as you ride past.

Worth a looksee if you can find a local stockist.

[Endurodude]

I'm in the same position as you, and these were the two I was considering. My searching boils down, for me, to the GoPro being the superior image, but it's the Drift Ghost HD I intend to buy partly due to the better (in my opinion) functionality AND the better battery life. I could also not work out where the GoPro would go if I bought one. I like the idea of a camera that would point where I looked, and having a box strapped to the side of my helmet doesn't appeal; at least the Drift is relatively streamlined. I saw the Ghost images at the recent NEC, blown up on a 50" screen, and the clarity was excellent. Sold it for me.

[pinball1008]

Just gone through this process myself and bought the Drift Ghost. GoPro shoots the best video, but helmet mounting options were an issue for me. The drift runs nearly 3 hours on a charge and the included remote is great. Quality of video and stills is pretty good and I'm (so far) very happy with it.

[pheonix]

I purchased a Drift HD in January this year & the quality of video is great.
However, it arrived just 1 week before a biking trip and consequently, some of my video is almost unwatchable because I hadn't taken time to familiarize myself with it nor the accessories (I have 20 minutes of filming the ground on the best part a trail ride!).
Tip: the microphone setting is set too high so minimize it or switch it off - otherwise wind noise is painful. Alternatively buy an external microphone & hide it away. There's lots of YouTube videos of how to do this.

I had issues with the external microphone and the rear locking unit but ActionCameras were fantastic in sorting them out

Whichever you buy, do ensure you play with it a lot

[L84toff]

Faced similar dilemma a while back, ended up going with a GoPro. Pros: lighter, excellent video quality (although I don't believe there is an advantage over Drift at this point), remote control app on my phone and iPad that work flawlessly. Cons: boxier profile which seems to be affected by wind more when worn on the side of the helmet or top but this is only noticeable at higher speeds. The battery definitely sucks. I picked up a bunch of batteries from DX which solved the issue for me. Of course charging all of them while I'm on the road may be interesting if we're camping for a while.

Drift is heavier but more aerodynamic when mounted to the side of a helmet. I've been following a Vlogger who just switched to a Drift and it crapped out on him while he was filming. There were a few other niggles he didn't like and I think he's going back to the GoPro. I have read more about reliability problems with the Drift line than GoPro which in part drew me to GP. I will admit that I have no personal hands on experience with a Drift however.

I'm pretty happy with the GoPro so far. I had an issue with the fob remote when I first got it which I think was software related as it's been issue-free since then.

[JCee]

I've had a GoPro for a few years (so its the older model without wifi) - used it on the bike & also diving & other wet stuff.
Its a good rugged camera but have pretty much given up using it on the bike cos its too much of a faf to keep turning it on and off - wifi model may solve that of course.
I reverted to my old Panasonic TZ10 on a RAM mount into the tripod screw - works fine if its not raining & means I only take one camera for bike shots & normal snaps.

[iainnic]

Check out the new agar in Virb range. Had a number of cameras in the past and went for this one. Nice big on /off button, easy to use (can control from some gps and sat navs like the Montana) and cracking pic quality.


It also runs off a normal garmin battery - easy to charge on the bike by swapping the GPS one. And- the battery gives over 2 hrs recording no no need to carry a bag of go pro ones !


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[2uptogether]

Drift HD
http://youtu.be/RyA9ro8SH1k

[lmhobbs]

Watch any documentary film maker and what do they use GoPro.

A little while ago I was featured in a BBC programme. They took some of my GoPro footage and cut it into the programme, and you could not see the difference in quality.

I like the GoPro, the case is very,very durable and easy to replace if you damage it. The lense is easily damaged with flying stones, no problem with a GoPro just put on a replacement.

Yes the buttons are a bit fiddly and the battery life is poor, but I carry a couple of batteries and charge the other one on the bike as I am going along. You can power from the bike when not using the waterproof case.

I mount my GoPro using RAM mounts. Personally I don't want anything attached to my helmet and when I watched a friends video with the camera mounted to their helmet I hated the wandering of the head and at times almost felt sea sick.

[sudstrom]

My girlfriend and I are using both cameras.
1x gopro hero
1x garmin virb elite
I used the gopro for a couple of years and never was entirely happy with it.

I would definitely buy a garmin. It has the main advantages that you need as a biker:
Easy on off slider button ( the gopro on/off button is a nightmare)
Energy safer function
Gps ( that I find really cool)
No fogging up the lens as it happened to me a couple of times with the gopro

I wrote a longer report about that on 3ptravel.com, if anybody is interested.

I used the gopro models hero and hero2. A friend is using the hero 3 and tried out the remote control. That solves the on/off problem. But that's using a lot of battery, so only good for short usage.

[TwoStoke]

I got good results with the Contour HD action camera. They should be relatively cheap now.

[greenmanalishi]

Hi folks as the title says I have no experience whatsoever with a a so called "action" camera. But what I want is a camera that I can attach to my handle bars, comes on when I turn the ignition on, and will record in a loop. Pretty much what my Garmin satnav does with out the recording bit. I am no David Bailey or Scott Ridley and the camera is basically for safety, ie recording the moment when that tractor pulls out in front of me or that mad dog shoves his nose in my spokes.

So a series of questions, does A any camera have the ability to recharge on the go straight from a mountable charging cradle wired direct to a bike battery?
B, Does any camera have the ability to record on a loop wiping out the last few hours of uneventful riding and starting a afresh like a home security camera? (My friends home security cameras record over anything more than 31 days old)

I have tried researching this subject but I do not know anybody with one of these things and most blurb rattles on about shakes, FPS, 180 somethings or other, HD, wifi and battery life. If the battery runs out just as that pesky tractor pulls out or whatever keeps the recordings on says full please make space then to me at least it is not worth having. ( I am sure the insurance company wont believe me when I sorry the card or whatever was full or I did have a camera on but the battery went flat!)

Any information would be most helpful as I don't want to spend money I don't have on something that could be used for an underwater remake of war and peace!

Thanks in advance.
GM

[PatOnTrip]

Hi GM,

Have a look at the replay XD prime X video camera. It may fits your needs base on the info in the manual:

http://www.replayxd.com/wp-content/u...al_English.pdf


if you have a fast internet connection you can look at raw footage from the camera:

Prime X Raw Footage: Motorcycle Trip - Replay XD



Patrick