ContourHD 1080p Helmet Camera

--> read the last 2 sentences if you want to watch a video I took with this camera Hey, I just go this camera for Christmas and I have made 3 videos already. So far I have to say that the software is ok for setting up the camera, it is easy to use. For editing, you should have another program. I use this camera at the side of my helmet for dirt biking. It comes with 2 mounts but the one I use is the flat rotating mount. This mount is perfect because every surface of the mount sticks to the side of my helmet. If you want to stick the camera to the top of your helmet you can since the camera has a rotating lens, the only problem is that helmets are round at the top and the mount is flat, so you have to figure that one out. The on/off switch is difficult to turn on, especially if you have gloves. Once you turn the camera on, a green light is on for 2 seconds and then you don't see it anymore. Once the green light is off, there is no way of knowing if the camera is on or off. The only way to know it is on if if you start recording (you will hear a beep). The bad thing about this camera is that if you are not recording for a 15 minute period, the camera will turn off by itself, SO MAKE SURE TO LISTEN TO THE BEEP EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO RECORD! Some people have a problem that this camera has its files in mov format but that is really not an issue. Resolution and quality of this camera is AWESOME!!! I ride a dirt bike in trails and the best resolution for that is 720p at 60fps. It is better because you get more frames per second and that means MORE DETAIL when in movement. The look of this camera is AWESOME!! It is the best looking helmet camera out there and it is the lightest. Maybe you are thinking about getting this camera or a GO PRO? Definitely get his one for the following reasons: - better look - VERY light - this is a REAL helmet cam, unlike the GO PRO that you look dorky with a brick on top of your helmet - As far as value this is the best!! - Video quality for me is the same or better than the GO PRO You should definitely get this camera, you will not regret it! You can watch a video that I took at some trails while riding my dirt bike with this camera, it was shot in 720p @ 60fps. Search in youtube for the following channel : "elzipitio" , click on the video "vueltin navideño enduro trial" if you like it subscribe or send me a message with your thoughts of the camera.

Attached is a test video in my motorcycle using the Contour HD. This is not your "ZOMFG Kawi ZX6R tops 170 mph" ytube video, but a simple commute to school and back. That's not to say I haven't topped my Kawi in the past... hehe... I just won't do that anymore in the foreseeable future. :) PROS: * VERY simple usage, the only buttons are the oversized button that records and stops recording, and the on/off buttons. * Relatively lightweight * Pretty good quality in HD mode, TONS of record time in low definition mode. * Panavise windshield mount is a BIG plus, very secure and dependable; I place it in my car's windshield (duh xD) and in my motorcycle's gas tank. * High and low quality modes with the tick of a button * Camera eye rotation for tons of mounting options * Laser pointers are a huge mounting aid! * Semi waterproof (I have not tested this though) * Cool lookin' hehe CONS: * My first camera came defective D: * Audio could be better, no 3.5mm aux jack * SEMI waterproof, which means if I get caught in a downpour I'll be in trouble! * Can't configure camera on-the-go. * Bug in which connecting the camera bugs my wireless card xD [ORIGINAL REVIEW]: Camera came DEFECTIVE. I researched online but found NOTHING that seemed to help me. Problem is, I have three microSD cards, all from different manufacturers, with different speed ratings and different capacities (including the 2gb card that comes with the camera). When I turn on the camera, I get three beeps (error message which indicates "no card or card corrupted". I formatted all three again and again, but to no avail. After trying again and again, I finally found the problem. I pressed the card to the deepest (before it springs back and locks in place), pressed the ON/OFF button... and voila! The camera turned on (with green light)! Problem is, as soon as I depress card so that it stays in place, I get the beeps again and camera turns off, as if the card was being pulled out (it is perfectly in place). It seems the problem lies at the contact pins which seem to be too far inside the camera. So, the camera will only stay on IF I hold the SD card with my fingernail. I will contact Contour as I do not want to open the camera (and void the warranty in the process lol), and I will update this review if they repair/replace the camera (Ugh why can't things just work out the box :|). I do want to give this camera a chance, since it does look like a... decent product.. so I'll keep you updated. EDIT 9/21/2011: Ok after thinking about it, sending a brand new camera for repair sounded... stupid at best. So, I returned the camera (THANKS Amazon for your return policy, you ROCK), contacted The Gear Co-op, and they told me the best way to make sure I got a working product was to go to their physical store... which is not feasible for me. HOWEVER, they did tell me my situation is a rare case, which confirms my theory that I am an unlucky bastard after all (lol). So, I trusted them and so I ordered yet another camera. This time, I received what seems to be either a "bulk packaging" Contour HD, or a refurbished camera (I vouch for the latter). The camera has different lettering for the "contour HD" logo on the sides of the camera, a rather simple font as compared to the previous camera I received (the one on the picture above). For that reason, it may just be an old version of the camera. EITHER WAY, the camera works like a charm! Therefore, I don't really care if it is bulk, old, refurbished or whatnot. This time, the camera turns on just fine, records just as well, and works perfectly with the Panavise windshield mount (extra points for that ^^). A negative that either has to do with the crappy OS (window$ 7), with my USB wireless card, or with the camera itself, is that whenever I plug in the camera, I will lose Internet connection and the wireless card is somehow not identified, forcing me to reconnect the USB card... I have tested it throughoutly and I can confirm whenever I plug in the camera, I'll lose connection. I am not going to cuss nor bother with it, however, since it's only an annoyance and the camera works perfectly regardless. Thank you The Gear Co-op and Amazon, both of them are great companies. And thanks to Contour and Panavise too :)

I use this cam when im playing paintball and it works great. Its light weight and image quality is very good. Nice built quality. Can take hit from paintball and dont broke. Nice pack of accessories. But those are little bit pricy.

Wow - what a product. Have only used it a couple of times since receiving it. Delivery was exactly as stated - 3 days. Well packed and arrived complete. Easy to set up, and use - so long as you read all the manuals/instructions carefully. A great product with fantastic video quality. Its a pity that some of the parameters of the camera are only settable using a pc, but once you have set it up how you want, then it is a sinch to use!

Great product, great value. Used on a snowboarding holiday. I would suggest you get a big microSD for the videos so you don't lose anything.

I've owned this camera for a few months now and i'm very impressed with the picture quality and ease of use, plugged it into my computer with no problems, everything worked as it should, my only gripe is the cost of the mounting hardware,i bought the waterproof case because it had the threaded hole in it meaning i could make up my own mounting system, in all a very good product.

After using the amazing gopro camera for 6 months or so I decided to add to my arsenal by getting a Contour HD for helmet use, it being a little more discreet than the Gopro for helmet use. I opted for the Contour HD 1080P as it offers 60fps recording something that the new Contour roam doesn't offer. Initial thoughts were it was nice, light and well made, the software was easy to use however a problem quickly became appararrent, the lens on the camera when rotated in to the horizontal position was loose? and rattles from side to side by 2-3mm? it was OK at the other end but not on the horizontal, this it totally unacceptable IMHO as I have read that after as little as 1 month of use this can happen? (happened out of the box for me) leaving folks to wrap inner tubes or rubber bands around the assembly to stop it shaking? this camera was 300 quid when new! this is poor poor quality. I am going to stick with the Gopro and in fact will go for new Gopro 2 instead, also the video quality on this unit was not as good as the Gopro, all of the footage appeared to have a bluish tint to it and any kind of vibration resulted in a horrible wobbling effect this is due the nature of the shutter on the camera I am led to believe. I would warn folks away from this unit, Amazons returns procedure can not be faulted however and I expect a full refund in due course, OH also don't bother with the vented helmet mount either its pretty useless too so that's going back as well. All in all this was enough to scare me away from this make of camera for good, I suppose there is a reason that Gopro are the market leaders.