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GoPro or go home?

WarpSpeed

WarpSpeed

Blur
Joined
Aug 16, 2011
Location
Pleasanton/Dublin
Moto(s)
2003 RC51
So I'm thinking of getting HD motorsports version. Any one know of any other brand that compares or is better and cheaper? How do you like yours?
 
Contour HD 1080p is the only competition.

I'll make it simple:
- If you can't handle fisheye in your video, get the Contour
- If you need the laser alignment on the Countour, get the Contour.

Otherwise, get the GoPro. I like the Contour's profile much better, but the GoPro is just a better cam IMO.
 
sliverstorm said:
Contour HD 1080p is the only competition.

I'll make it simple:
- If you can't handle fisheye in your video, get the Contour
- If you need the laser alignment on the Countour, get the Contour.

Otherwise, get the GoPro. I like the Contour's profile much better, but the GoPro is just a better cam IMO.
Click to expand...

+1 after owning both I have to say hands down that the GoPro is just an all around better camera. With that being said I do enjoy the look and feel of the Contour over the GoPro and the laser sights is pretty cool. If they would get together and have camera sex their offspring would be awesome!
 
Only advantages I can see to having the Contour is that it mounts to the side of a pair of goggles, and there's a rail mount for mounting it on a rifle/carbine/whatever. GoPro (that I know of) does neither, but they do have a separate head mount in lieu of a helmet.

FWIW, I went with a GoPro 1080 HD Motorsports.
 
The For-A VFC-7000 HD has some cool features if you like doing slow motion, but the 9.8 second record time at maximum quality/frames per second kinda makes what leads up to Ryan Dunn's 'hold mah beer and wortch this fellas' become a mystery for the ages. (You could have 145 GoPro HD's for the same $$)

Panasonic AG-HCK10 has a CMOS sensor that doesn't cause image issues at the bottom of the frame if the subject is moving fast but it is on backorder everywhwere. (You could have 10 GoPro HD's for the same $$)

The VIO-POV is also good, and I'm looking for the right job so I can add one to the two SD units I have. The recorder is the size of a early 1990's cell phone and is sponsored by the OPEC of batteries because it eats them like crazy, but it is CMOS. The wireless remote that will start all of the VIO's within range is good if you're running more than one. My remote has done 12k miles zip tied to the bars, works great. (You could have 1.75 GoPro HD's for the same $$)

A lot of the TV shows use GoPro HD's so they must be OK? I have a few and love them. They are reliable, unobtrusive, almost brainless to use, only require a mid 2009 computer to deal with their files, and the lens warp is fixable frame by frame in a bunch of different programs. Are they perfect? No are they kick ass for the price? Yes!

Have I tried the Contour? Nope. The GoPro ease of use, accessories, reliability, and industry acceptance were what sold me. Plus there are some out there, that have been making modifications to GoPro units and making accessories out of other things.... :devil
 
maxandgrinch said:
A lot of the TV shows use GoPro HD's so they must be OK? I have a few and love them. They are reliable, unobtrusive, almost brainless to use, only require a mid 2009 computer to deal with their files, and the lens warp is fixable frame by frame in a bunch of different programs. Are they perfect? No are they kick ass for the price? Yes!

Have I tried the Contour? Nope. The GoPro ease of use, accessories, reliability, and industry acceptance were what sold me. Plus there are some out there, that have been making modifications to GoPro units and making accessories out of other things.... :devil
Click to expand...

Worth mentioning that I've started looking more closely at random commercials, TV shows, everything to see if I can spot any "fisheye" effect that would indicate GoPro usage and good god are they EVERYWHERE.

Just as an example of something completely non-related to motorsports (since we already know GoPro has pretty much dominated the markets related to anything that moves :laughing)
[youtube]FF1zTb_pbfU[/youtube]

edit - pretty sure those "brackets" on the video are 'shopped in though. Mine doesn't do that and has no options to that I'm aware of. No idea why they'd think it necessary for the commercial, but...whatever.

List of shows that use GoPros (that I know of, there's probably many more)
- Mythbusters
- Man vs Wild
- Biggest Loser
- One Man Army
- Top Shot
- Top Gear
- Ax Men
- Swamp men/loggers/whatever that show's called
- Cafe Racer
- Pit Boss

Keep a close eye out and you'll spot them being used in various other commercials and stuff too.
 
Last edited:
It's all been said already ;)

It comes down to what you want to do with it truthfully. If you want a camera to mount to your helmet and nothing else, you want 1 angle and 1 angle only, the form function of the Contour suits you perfectly.

If you want more then just a helmet camera... then GoPro.

Max put up a great list of several products which fit you bill, likely not your budget, and they all are great for what they do. You have to decide on what you specifically want this camera for.
 
They crash REAL well too. Tested plenty!
 
I wish you'd stop that. I bet Jason does too...

We should discuss livery options btw (at some point before next season ;))...
 
Stop the crashing? Me too...it gets great footage BTW! One of the worst parts; ran out space 1/2 a lap before I tagged the back of Greg. This season's been a bad one, and we're still in the hunt for a top 10 plate!
 
Truth...I watched Schumacher's crash this weekend and it brought back memories!

Don't worry though...I went and threw it on the ground in T3 going for the lead. That footage made it perfect!
 
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