Help me buy a helmet camera

I've never used a GoPro. They look too goofy to me stuck on top of your helmet. I really like my Contour. Looks great with the new HD, and it just has a big on-off switch you can use with gloves on. Contour.com to buy one, or to see where they sell them near you. The goggle mount works best.

ContourHD GPS. The GPS adds a good features to the list. With the support of a third party software it may be very useful for your training and racing analasys. I have found the quality of both video and sound to be very good, there is the ability using the tuning software to change the sound recording volume and quality.

http://contour.com/users/squizz is a link some of the video I have recorded using my unit.

They will alos be relaeasing an app for android phones very shortly to use the phone as a view finder. The apple app is out already.

I think both the Contour HD and the GoPro HD are good choices.

I first had the GoPro SD and didn't like it - the narrow field of view made it hard to align, and the image quality was really poor after I post-process and deshake the video. The GoPro HD is wide angle and works great. It comes with a waterproof housing and an open-back that lets the sound in better. I use the waterproof for river running and the open-back for dirt biking. I put some tape over the holes to help keep the dust out, but it still picks up the sound pretty well.

I have a friend that has the Contour HD with the optional waterproof housing. He is happy with it.

The VoldR models, IMHO are the best. They are low profile, supports a 16GB chip last time I checked which is good for 8 hours in HD mode, and 16 hours in SD mode, and the batteries (cell phone style) are good for about 2 hours in HD mode. I bought some extra batteries, 4, so I have 10 hours of video recording capability. The newest models are 1080p, as compared to my 720P. My 720P takes great video.

Check the chip size and record time against the Go Pro. Last time I checked the Go Pro only supported 2GB chips, and have heard complaints from owners that it eats batteries.

On the VoldR, in HD mode the field of view is 130 degree's, in SD it's 90 degree's.

Originally I was not happy with the sound, it was way too sensitive, but, since that time they had a free down load where you could set the gain on the mic, and UHE member Kzoo has one and is super happy with his. So, I'm assuming that the newer models come with the software to set the gain on the mic.

In use, the VoldR has an on/off switch that is a slide bar that locks into position when moved, is very glove friendly to use, and gives you a beep, or a double beep indicating that you have selected record or stand by.

The other great thing about the VoldR, is the laser dot aiming system which is very helpful when setting up your camera on your helmet. There are two laser dots that you actuate and indicate the center of field of view, this is a great feature.

I have about 30 hours of recording and in all that time never once has the image "ghosted" along the sides.

The VoldR's mounting system is a kind of a break away with a leash, so when you ride under a low branch and it does get hit, it will just get knocked off and dangle on the leash until you remount it. It seems to me that the Go Pro sticks up like a weather vane, and would be hard to get your goggle strap over, and would really be prone to getting whacked when riding.

I spent a lot of time looking for the best helmet camera I could find and I think the VoldR brand is it.

VoldR was bought by Contour I think? Contour is very good you can check your camera view on your smart phone no more getting home to see half the frame is your helmet or fender..

Number9 said:

VoldR was bought by Contour I think? Contour is very good you can check your camera view on your smart phone no more getting home to see half the frame is your helmet or fender..

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Hey that's a great point...........I don't even have a smart phone but, mine does use an SD micro chip just the like the Contour, I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks!

Vholdr IS Contour. They just changed their name about a year ago. Lots of good videos on their site.

My only small complaint is that with the wide angle lens the logs you cross look like twigs, and you pretty much have to be clipping someone's back wheel to make the footage of them look good.

I had one of these http://www.launchhelmetcams.com.au/full ... ted/pov1.5 and all I can say is they are the bees knees Q Top shelf product. Expensive but you get what you pay for.

The complaints DaleEO mentioned about the GoPro apply to the old SD model. The HD model is much better. I gets about 2.5 hrs on a battery. I use 16 GB SD cards, which fill up about the same time the battery goes dead.

The GoPro also now has a "one button" mode which starts to record when you turn it on - like the Contour. It makes it much easier to use.

I suspect the video quality will be similar on the GoPro and Contour, so just buy the one you like and/or get the best deal on. Either one works well.

I seen these liquid image goggle cams seen video really good imagine just putting on goggles and having cam ready to go,You dont have to mess with mounting to helmet or nothing .they were ay Indy trade show this year Rick http://shops.hookit.com/liquidimage/Vie ... 5R/15.aspx

I use VHOLDR Contour HD 1080P ,got it from States cheaper ,tested out in mud ,and it is fine only dirt gets under the big REC slide button. If you spend some time to adjust it you can make great videos.