the contour runs on batteries

Contour operates under it's own power same as GPro.

Check around to find out how good the sound is on the Contour. IMO, the sound is superb with the GP as long as you use the optional non-waterproof door to let sound in. <<<Just as good as sound captured without any water proof box at all.

CONTOUR

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/3/2011 @ 9:42 AM *

That this very cool did they just come out with that I did not see that before?

Doesn't the Gopro have the same water proof housing?

* Last updated by: Black1 on 2/3/2011 @ 10:04 PM *

^^^There should be a bunch of Contour stuff if you scroll up on that page I linked.

AFAthe waterproof case goes....that has been available for the Contour at least since 2008 (when I started shopping for a bike vid cam).

The waterproof case is an essential part of the GoPtro system as that is the piece that has the mount bracket. The cam itself is even smaller. It will work great without the waterproof case but there is no way to mount (Unless you have some duct tape--lol!) The cam is safer in the waterproof case than out so that is prolly the bast way to use the cam. If it does not get a splash of water or rain, it WILL get a bug splash gaurenteed. I have plenty of footage with a spot of some kind of debris in the shot (COOL). A rock strike is not unlikely. The case is the best way to go either cam IMO.

The GoPro claims a deeper water proof seal on their case (provided you clean the gasket with water). 60 m (180 ft.) If you dive. Hope the 14 never sees 60 meters. lol

Just ordered the LCD BacPac. $80 back ordered....another 7 - 10 days. ;(

From the page link above:

"Add an entire new layer to your storytelling. The built-in GPS receiver tracks your location multiple times per second with pinpoint accuracy so you are able to capture your location, speed, and altitude while recording in beautiful hands free HD.

Make your video come to life with the Contour software. Watch your run via interactive map and video player that allows you to see and control the action. Challenge and compare stats with your friends to see who measures up."

Very cool GPS feature, If that works well. I'm sure the Contour would not help with navigational use of GPS but the speed work great for LSR runs.

Rook you are the man!!

Rook,

For some reason I can't do it but please put up the link for the comparison between the Gopro and the Contour it is a good read.

Anyone looking for a camera system would get some very good info. from that.

Thanks again

Here is the artical I had posted at BL.
Contour v GoPro Snow sports

Thought this was interesting::

I think I am agreeing with this guy that the color is more appealing on the Contour. It looks more natural and clearer in tone. The GoPro is more contrasty in hue and it is lighter---seems washed out in lightest spots.

Also the wide angle is not as severe on the Contour which I would have prolly chosen as superior without having used the GoPro. I am not sure how much the wide angle can be reduced but it is somewhat adjustable on the GoPro. I am using max wide angle on my GP and it is more than enough.

I watched another side by side comparo vid and had the same observations as I did watching the above. Yoiu will prolly come across other side by side comparos you can click after this one plays.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/11/2011 @ 11:21 PM *

Do you remember what happened with Beta vs VHS back in the 80s? I think this is the same story. The Contour will phase out even though it is superior because of poorer marketing.

There is already a lot of cool gadgets to go with the GP and AFAIK, the Contour does not have any new stuff --presumably because far less of the units are being purchased by consumers. I have never heard of anyone using a Contour among the bike videographers I have read posts by on forums. Tell you the truth, I don't know much about that cam at all...but I think i am making some logical assumptions. Right or wrong ???? IDK.

LOL---you out them side by side you see all kinds of crap. Which ever you go with you will be happy, I am sure. If you get a good general purpose video cam by Sony, that will likely be another step up in picture quality. you can drive yourself crazy with this sh!TTT. lol

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/11/2011 @ 9:43 PM *

Lotsa guys around here using the Contour... but it is a local company... and was being sold at Costco, as the Vhold, long before I'd ever heard of the GoPro.

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 2/11/2011 @ 9:53 PM *

Here's another.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/drift-hd-170-stealth-black-action-camera

Personally, I feel a lot better having a cam in a protective case for sportbike filming especially mounted close to the ground.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/11/2011 @ 11:09 PM *

Hey Black-- Looks very much like the Contour has a simple polarizing filter on the lens which eliminates glare. A side effect is a slightly darker exposure and perhaps a bit less tonal contrast. I would expect this cam to be less effective at dusk. The GoPro is pretty good after sundown as long as the sky has some light.

All of these cams are designed to be compact and require 0 attention while filming. I'm sure if they were more adjustable like larger video cams, it would not be a big deal to make picture quality between the small cams indiscernible. I could go get a $5 polarizing filter and hold it over my GoPro lens while filming and it would look the same as the Contour. The wide angle effect is not as easy to change. I can use my editing software to crop and in effect, I am making the scene less wide. This also decreases the resolution, however. Would be best (as is always the case with photography) to start with raw footage that is as close to edited film quality as possible. I have the GoPro set on 120 degree wide angle instead of 170. Should be better for some situations but I doubt it will be ideal for general filming. The ability to switch over to a standard lens would be the only thing that would do that. They will probably have that capability some day. For now, just get the one you like and start learning learning stuff. Either one is going to capture a lot of cool memories.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/12/2011 @ 8:27 AM *

Rook,

Looks like the gopro may be the way to go?

I honestly don't think I can tell you which one to buy. The Contour seems to produce better color but the GoPro has a wider following. Do as search on reviews and comparos.

Yes that why it's so hard!

^^^^I know the feeling. It's not so much the $$$$ as it is you want to have the thing that will be best for you instead of feeling the need to upgrade.

0 The GoPro claims to be waterproof to a deeper depth. Not a factor with motorcycling. Really, the door with the sound holes would be used and that makes the case totally un-waterproof. Find out if the case on the Contour has sound holes.

1 The Contour has better color.

1 Contour a less wide angle view which is more practical IMO.

1 The Contour Appears to have a Polarizing filter which eliminates glare and glare is going to happen in outdoor videography.

0 Price is about the same.

0----The GoPro seems to be capable of a little wider view but that makes everything else smaller and creates more distortion in close up shots. The extra wide angle not really necesary IMO. Perhaps even somewhat less desirable because of the inherent limitations of perspective distortion and smaller object size in the pics. The wide angle will increase the chances that you will catch what you you want to show without having the benefit of looking through a view finder while you are riding.

1 The Contour has a GPS

1 The GoPro has an accessory LED view finder/playback viewer (mine is on backorder) so you can set up the view/location of the cam. If you want to play back the Contour or preview exctly what the Contour has in it's view (i.e. how much of the road and how much of the side of the bike and how much of your butt), you will need to take it off the bike and hook it up to a computer. The GoPro LED is a plus but not a must. I have been quite satisfied with most of my cam angles just using my own judgement. For precision cam angle, you can just run back and forth to the computer to preview and get it perfect before your ride.

0 Both Cams seem equal in compactness.

1 Looks like the GoPro has on/off and film/pause buttons that are easier to use on the road. Are the Contour's controls a bit small? Prolly want to stop the bike rather than Fork around with that while riding.

GoPro 2

Contour 4

Find out how long the Contour will run on a charge Vrs the GoPro. You can always carry an extra battery but nice to not need that. Battery life may be a factor to weigh.

Find out how easy it is to get a compatable memory card for the Contour. I have heard some cards do not work withthe GoPro. My $80 class 4, 16Gb San Disk card works great and holds about the same amount of footage as 1 charge of the battery will provide power. I also have a 8 Gb San disk class4 and it rdid not hold enough film for some of my rides where it ran for a while.

If all this stuff sounds too technical for you don't worry. You can plug and play. If that is all you want to do, I would seriously just buy the cam that looks coolest to your eye.

IMO, If you haven't caught my drift, I think the Contour is prolly a bit better camera for picture quality but you WILL NOT NOTICE without a side by side. My vids look great even with out a polarizer.

The Contour's GPS is a very nice feature but I don't really recommend high speed runs unless you're on a track.

If I were in the market for a second camera, I think I would get a Contour over another GoPro.... But except for the GPS, ain't gonna make a world of dif. Those little screws around the lens window on the GoPro are really cool lookin'.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/16/2011 @ 6:23 PM *

Man jailed after filming himself driving 140 mph

Gopro also have a gps nd unit

darryl, are you saying There is a GoPro with GPS now? Mine does not have that.

Rook called local TO store,they gave me the wrong info,the contour has gps,the gopro 3d when mated with a second camera

Oh yeah,,,,I think the new 3-D capabilities may have been mentioned earlier in this thread. I saw a pic of that on the web. There will be a new case that holds two cams, sidexside, positioned so lenses are close together. Looks like all they did was put one cam upside down so that the lens of that and the other cam are close enough for stereoscopic filming. For those who do not know, the GoPro can be set to invert the image for instances where it is necessary to mount the cam upside down (such as under a bumper on a car). So cam 1 shoots standard footage. Cam 2 shoots inverted. then somehow they are combined for 3D effect. Sounds cool. A 2nd cam is def a valuable creative tool but AFAIC, I get sick of wearing those goofy glasses at the movie theatre after about 40 minutes. The 3-D effect sort of becomes expected and I just want to look at normal 2-D

Some day we will have true holographic images and that will be amazing.