GoPro alternatives starting to pop up?

Two Stroke Taliban
Edited Date/Time 6/14/2012 5:17am
Are any of them worth it? Anyone using anything other than a GoPro that is at least equal in quality?

Saw something on top of RC's head in a photo. a bullet cam. Any info?
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Two Stroke Taliban 6/11/2012 9:54am
6/11/2012 9:54am
I should have been more elaborate in my initial post but basically GoPro is an "all around" "do it all" device. Good on them. Skydiving, Auto race, rodeo riding, do it all.

I am just looking for something a little smaller and most importantly, moto (helmet) specific that outputs the same quality as a gopro.

I am thinking the key is the lense and not all "1080p" cams are created equal. I refuse to believe the 140 dollar "1080p" cam from China you see on ebay produces gopro-quality footage.
Two Stroke Taliban 6/11/2012 9:57am
6/11/2012 9:57am
ocscottie wrote:
Contour
See, that's what I am talking about. Bullet cam, conducive to helmet mounting, and the price-point marketing is excellent.

Can anyone with a Contour cam confirm that is is small/light enough to mount UNDER your visor without obstructing view or making your visor fall down low-rider style?

The Shop

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BKiller
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BKiller 6/11/2012 10:49am
6/11/2012 10:49am
I use a handlebar mount with my Contour Roam and love it.
MX45
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MX45 6/11/2012 10:49am
6/11/2012 10:49am Edited Date/Time 6/11/2012 12:25pm
"http://bit.ly/LfVwx2"
Funny, the first result is this thread.
DrSweden
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DrSweden 6/11/2012 11:04am
6/11/2012 11:04am
I have the Contour 1080p, love it. Had some issue with a 16 gig memory card, the cam didn't work properly, but most likely it was a faulty memory card, because it worked when I went to another 8 gig card I had. but I was not alone with this issue? Maybe some limitations with only 8 gigs?

The cam is in a much better format than the go-pro, since it's almost cylindric with some housing, but it's to heavy to have beneath the visor. Quality seems to be similar to the Go-Pro?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD1TXMyIMcQ&feature=plcp

Example of pic quality of the 1080p, using action mode as in 32 fps, 1080x720 (720p)...
Two Stroke Taliban 6/11/2012 11:30am
6/11/2012 11:30am
DrSweden wrote:
I have the Contour 1080p, love it. Had some issue with a 16 gig memory card, the cam didn't work properly, but most likely it was...
I have the Contour 1080p, love it. Had some issue with a 16 gig memory card, the cam didn't work properly, but most likely it was a faulty memory card, because it worked when I went to another 8 gig card I had. but I was not alone with this issue? Maybe some limitations with only 8 gigs?

The cam is in a much better format than the go-pro, since it's almost cylindric with some housing, but it's to heavy to have beneath the visor. Quality seems to be similar to the Go-Pro?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD1TXMyIMcQ&feature=plcp

Example of pic quality of the 1080p, using action mode as in 32 fps, 1080x720 (720p)...
You have to use an HD-specific card. normal memory cards aren't formatted correctly. That was probably your problem. Go back and look at the label on the 16 gig card.
adam455
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adam455 6/11/2012 11:37am
6/11/2012 11:37am
Had a contour GPS but recently got a go pro hero 2 at a stupidly good price. I've only managed to use the go pro once but i believe to to better. The picture quality seemed slightly higher and experienced lower wind noise.

The sleek bullet design is neat however the mounting options are limited and they are all added extras whereas the go pro comes with a hell of alot more stuff out of the box.
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kxking 6/11/2012 11:41am
6/11/2012 11:41am
I also have the Contour HD and have no problems useing a 16g card ??

No, It wont fit under the visor without obstructing you view to some degree....
mx757
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mx757 6/11/2012 12:28pm
6/11/2012 12:28pm
I recently picked up the Replay XD cam. I got to try it out for the 1st time saturday and so far I really like it. My application is a little different than what you guys would be using it for (its mounted to the roll cage in my race car) but so far its good. The only issue I have with it so far is that it picks up a lot of wind noise. They do send stick on "wind breakers" that you put over the microphone hole to fix the issue, so well see how it is after that. Other than that it seems great. Check it out. www.replayxd.com
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ocscottie 6/11/2012 1:06pm
6/11/2012 1:06pm
Here is some 100% Contour vid shot by Blake Shipman, he kicks ass (and so you guys dont rip on him for riding quads, ill post his phenomenal Chad Reed vid below)

https://youtu.be/mL2hPnW-ycc

This is one of my fav vids, his editing is incredible:

https://youtu.be/05ZPvjE5yYM
Two Stroke Taliban 6/11/2012 1:23pm
6/11/2012 1:23pm
for 100 dollars cheaper than a Hero2, that's extremely comparable, and in a sleeker package.
Dirty Britches 6/11/2012 1:59pm
6/11/2012 1:59pm
ocscottie wrote:
Here is some 100% Contour vid shot by Blake Shipman, he kicks ass (and so you guys dont rip on him for riding quads, ill post...
Here is some 100% Contour vid shot by Blake Shipman, he kicks ass (and so you guys dont rip on him for riding quads, ill post his phenomenal Chad Reed vid below)

https://youtu.be/mL2hPnW-ycc

This is one of my fav vids, his editing is incredible:

https://youtu.be/05ZPvjE5yYM
that first vid looks like Oklahoma. Fun place to ride for sure.
ToolMaker
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ToolMaker 6/11/2012 2:06pm
6/11/2012 2:06pm
If we didn't have a gopro, I'ld probably buy a replay xd, I like the tube style better
http://replayxd.com/
ocscottie
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ocscottie 6/11/2012 2:26pm
6/11/2012 2:26pm
Dirty Britches wrote:
that first vid looks like Oklahoma. Fun place to ride for sure.
Yea, that is where Blake is from.

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DrSweden
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DrSweden 6/11/2012 2:40pm
6/11/2012 2:40pm
Two Stroke Taliban wrote:
You have to use an HD-specific card. normal memory cards aren't formatted correctly. That was probably your problem. Go back and look at the label on...
You have to use an HD-specific card. normal memory cards aren't formatted correctly. That was probably your problem. Go back and look at the label on the 16 gig card.
Either you are on something here or? I talked with Contour many times, even downloaded some software for formatting. Prior to the buy I checked their site for card type, and newer was there any mentioned HD-specific one? Micro SDs have class as the Class 10 being the fastest for the moment (I think it's 10 mb/sec)

From their site:

"You can use up to a 32GB card in your ContourHD 1080p. When that camera was first introduced, 32GB cards were not widely available and that is why the printed manual in the box references 16GB cards. Since then the microSD card market has expanded and so your camera can use a 32GB card."

I used a : 16GB Sandisk Class 4 Micro-SD Memory Card, I think that's good enough? I will give it another go with a different card though...
Derpin' DJ
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Derpin' DJ 6/11/2012 2:47pm
6/11/2012 2:47pm
There are a set of goggles out there that have a camera embeded into them. Forget what they were called though
scooterB
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scooterB 6/11/2012 3:12pm
6/11/2012 3:12pm
Derpin' DJ wrote:
There are a set of goggles out there that have a camera embeded into them. Forget what they were called though
"garbage", if i recall correctly. although a good idea in theory.

almost as good as the Iphone helmet mount...Whistling
adam455
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adam455 6/11/2012 3:18pm
6/11/2012 3:18pm
One thing i find funny is how alot of guys on here are only just finding out about the likes of contour? Seen a couple of people wondering after RC's lorettas videos have been popping up what the funny bullet cameras are but Contour have been making decent cameras for a couple of years now...

Guess they are finally doing something right with their PR
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T-Fish 6/11/2012 3:40pm
6/11/2012 3:40pm
Derpin' DJ wrote:
There are a set of goggles out there that have a camera embeded into them. Forget what they were called though
scooterB wrote:
"garbage", if i recall correctly. although a good idea in theory.

almost as good as the Iphone helmet mount...Whistling
Funny, when I read Derpin's post, my reply was going to simply be "Junk". Garbage works well, too.
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TerryK 6/11/2012 8:23pm
6/11/2012 8:23pm
Two Stroke Taliban wrote:
for 100 dollars cheaper than a Hero2, that's extremely comparable, and in a sleeker package.
Not even close to being comparable to the GoPro when you consider what you can do with the GoPro. The list is long and I have no plans to change to anything else, especially now that they have released the wifi controller. Amazing stuff.

Watch this vid and imagine the possibilities for moto vids. Craziness.

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ToolMaker 6/11/2012 8:57pm
6/11/2012 8:57pm
DrSweden wrote:
Either you are on something here or? I talked with Contour many times, even downloaded some software for formatting. Prior to the buy I checked their...
Either you are on something here or? I talked with Contour many times, even downloaded some software for formatting. Prior to the buy I checked their site for card type, and newer was there any mentioned HD-specific one? Micro SDs have class as the Class 10 being the fastest for the moment (I think it's 10 mb/sec)

From their site:

"You can use up to a 32GB card in your ContourHD 1080p. When that camera was first introduced, 32GB cards were not widely available and that is why the printed manual in the box references 16GB cards. Since then the microSD card market has expanded and so your camera can use a 32GB card."

I used a : 16GB Sandisk Class 4 Micro-SD Memory Card, I think that's good enough? I will give it another go with a different card though...
I've actually heard the same thing from the kids on this. I gave my daughter an sd card to use and it wouldn't work which promptly got returned to me with the same explanation of the "hd specific card", then daughter borrowed (proper) one from her brother and the device worked fine.
I didn't believe it either but was shown otherwise,
TM
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nwrider82 6/12/2012 3:38am
6/12/2012 3:38am
DrSweden wrote:
Either you are on something here or? I talked with Contour many times, even downloaded some software for formatting. Prior to the buy I checked their...
Either you are on something here or? I talked with Contour many times, even downloaded some software for formatting. Prior to the buy I checked their site for card type, and newer was there any mentioned HD-specific one? Micro SDs have class as the Class 10 being the fastest for the moment (I think it's 10 mb/sec)

From their site:

"You can use up to a 32GB card in your ContourHD 1080p. When that camera was first introduced, 32GB cards were not widely available and that is why the printed manual in the box references 16GB cards. Since then the microSD card market has expanded and so your camera can use a 32GB card."

I used a : 16GB Sandisk Class 4 Micro-SD Memory Card, I think that's good enough? I will give it another go with a different card though...
ToolMaker wrote:
I've actually heard the same thing from the kids on this. I gave my daughter an sd card to use and it wouldn't work which promptly...
I've actually heard the same thing from the kids on this. I gave my daughter an sd card to use and it wouldn't work which promptly got returned to me with the same explanation of the "hd specific card", then daughter borrowed (proper) one from her brother and the device worked fine.
I didn't believe it either but was shown otherwise,
TM
There honestly is no such thing as an "hd specific card". Most likely the issue you had was one of the following:

- Improper file system for the device: Depending on the type of card you bought (SDSC, SDHC, or SDXC) it will have different file system and it's possible that the device you were using did not support that file system. I have seen this happen many times, especially if the device is older as there are some major compatibility issues between SDSC and SDHC.

- Insuffecient data throughput: This is something DrSweden already mentioned. There are different speed ratings, aka "classes", and it's possible the card you bought didn't have a high enough class rating. Anytime you're working with HD video you should be using a Class 10 card.
flyinb501
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flyinb501 6/12/2012 10:30am
6/12/2012 10:30am
I love my GoPro Hero 1. I've used it for moto, skydiving, and stand up jet skiing. I used the helmet mount, and the chest mount quite a bit. The chest mount it really cool. If you're on a budget get the Hero 1. Not much of a difference between that and the Hero 2.

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