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Talk me out of a GoPro

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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
I know i used the searchbar but...im looking at a gopro hd helmet hero wide on amazon for $275. This is good because i want to stay under $300. It will be my first camera to start filming a little bit for mostly rails and big mountain. I would also like to use a tripod from time to time. Does anybody know of a better camera than the GoPro for right around $300? Thanks
Jun 11 2010 10:12PM
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YongLa
Posts: 489 - Karma: 185
I don't know how much they are but ContourHD is a pretty nice Helmetcam.
You could probably find one of them under $300 just over $300 around the web somewhere.
Jun 11 2010 10:24PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
looked up contour, the reviews said it didnt have the video quality of the GoPro. Can anybody confirm that?
Jun 12 2010 1:19AM
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Legion
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 29
there is the contour hd, and then the contour 1080p (nicer one). imo, the contour 1080 is nicer than the gopro hd, but  look up some reviews on you tube.  there are a couple side by side merged videos which show the different color balances/saturation
Jun 12 2010 1:22AM
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prademaker
Posts: 90 - Karma: 54
there is no reason to not want a gopro.. i love it
Jun 12 2010 2:05AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
this is my good friend jon jay's blog. all of his videos are shot on a gopro to give you a little prospective.
Jun 12 2010 3:11AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
woops.
http://jonathanjay.wordpress.com/
Jun 12 2010 3:12AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Everyones mom has one, stand out and get something less good.
Jun 12 2010 5:11AM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
I've used contour all winter and here is some pros and cons I've found

+
Easy to operate even with gloves on
Durable
A lot of settings depending on lighting etc
Good mounts, been taking pretty big crashes and it stayed put (seen a lot of GoPros falling of and dissapear for ever)
Good quality on picture
And you don't have to look like you're tailgunning all the time like in most GoPro movies, because of the wide angle on GoPro it does look like it when using certain mounting positions

-
You must make all the setting changes (except 720 60fps/ 1080 30 fps) on a computer
Not fully waterproof, no problems skiing but would'nt hold up for diving (there is a waterproof housing to buy though)
Slightly better quality on GoPro material
A little bit more jellovision when skiing fast on bumpy hardpack off pist

Jun 12 2010 5:25AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14486 - Karma: 10,635
^I'll do the same thing but for the GoPro

Pros
+So many mounts, you can use it for everything
+Waterproof housing is durable
+Easy to use
+Really good video quality for the price
+It looks pretty cool haha
+If a part breaks, you can buy a replacement very easily
+customer service has been pretty decent, I got the latch on my housing replaced under warranty (will explain in cons why)

Cons
-Customer service will not answer some of you questions, such as when the new firmware is coming out, because I cannot use the 720p 60fps mode because it only uploads half the shot. I even have the recommended memory card and I can't use tat mode.
-Firmware is taking forever to come out, they said it would be available back in February
-Cheap ass plastic, I found three cracks in the latch on the housing the other day.
-No lcd screen, not a big deal and I don't think the contour has it either.

I would say it is worth it, as GoPro is working out the issues.
Jun 12 2010 10:27AM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
I can add that the contour customer service/support is awesome
Jun 12 2010 11:25AM
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Legion
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 29
i disagree with just about everything you said
Jun 12 2010 3:55PM
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NOSNOWJUSTICE
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 83
I'd get the GoPro over the Countour HD anyday...

Waterproof
Wider view
Accessories gallore and more coming out
Can mount it pretty much anywhere and on anything
Better quality video (IMO)
Cheaper


Jun 12 2010 4:03PM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
you can buy waterproof housing for contour - you nees waterproof housing for GoPro
Wider (unnecessary imo) view makes it look like you're tailgunning
A lot of accessories to both of them
same as with contour
slightly better quality but heck of a lot worse to operate
here GoPro is more exoensive than contour...
Jun 12 2010 7:05PM
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.brian
Posts: 1710 - Karma: 233
what if you use your gopro for follow cams? I do and its so easy with the wide angle.
Jun 12 2010 7:31PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14486 - Karma: 10,635
Wtf is tailgunning? The way you say the gopro needs the waterproof housing makes it sound negative, which it isn't.
Jun 12 2010 8:08PM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
No it is'nt, somebody above mentioned the waterproof housing as a pro vs contour.. Just sayin' that there is a waterproof housing for contour aswell.

I have'nt had any problems using my contour for followcam either. Tailgunning = riding in the backseat = bad position...


I guess it all comes down to what you prefer; slightly better quality of footage or easy handling
Jun 12 2010 8:33PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
this makes no sense at all
stop fooling yourself and get the damn gopro
Jun 12 2010 11:32PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
thanks for all the input guys im leaning toward the gopro but what i like about the contour is the removable goggle strap mount, is that a good position for followcam and pov?
Jun 13 2010 2:07AM
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PhilboydStudge
Posts: 3431 - Karma: 206
Hey man, do you have a Mac for trouble importing the clips? I had the same problem, PM me if you see this.

And they're coming out with a removable screen that attaches on the back.



To OP, definitely get it, I really can't think of a better way to spend 300 dollars on camera equipment.
Jun 13 2010 2:59AM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
What does'nt make sense?

Look at Chris Benchetlers position on the skis in this vid http://www.nimbusindependent.com/videos/detail/Storm-of-The-Century-Mammoth/69020201001


Again, I'm not saying, buy this or that, just giving tthe pro's and cons I've experienced with both
Jun 13 2010 4:36AM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
I like the gogglestrap mount, GoPro has one too I think.

I have some POV and followcam on my vimeo http://vimeo.com/jarle/videos
Jun 13 2010 4:40AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
here is my gopro footage, decide for yourself if it looks good enough to capture your life story. ps it looks alot better before its compressed.

AltA Snowbird GoPro skiing footage from jonathan fay on Vimeo.

Jun 13 2010 11:30AM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
sry can't quote just a part on my iPod, but wasn't a go pro LCD supposed to come out over the winter too?
Jun 13 2010 11:36AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
its on here, it says late spring 2010
http://download.goprocamera.com/HD_HERO_Catalog_v04.pdf
Jun 13 2010 11:48AM
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gus555
Posts: 4170 - Karma: 34
the answer to your problems, is vado hd, quality of a gopro, size of a gopro, price of a handjob. i snagged mine for about 90 bucks, best camera ive ever had....and i know 90 bucks would be an expensive hj
Jun 13 2010 12:19PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
alright thanks
i thought it was an earlier date, but realistically we should see it any day now?
and not to threadjack, but are there rumors of new firmware features or even a new model?
Jun 13 2010 12:19PM
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NOSNOWJUSTICE
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 83
Firmware is coming out.
Jun 13 2010 1:03PM
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Beepboop123
Posts: 691 - Karma: 90
LCD backpac coming June 30th

Jun 13 2010 1:13PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
theres also gonna be a remote control backpack, from what i heard it controlls everything wireless + it has a wireless LCD display!!

let's hope what i heard is true! it'd be so awesome !
Jun 13 2010 2:07PM
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NOSNOWJUSTICE
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 83
DANG! $50 is cheeeaaappp!

I was expecting at least $100 for some reason.

Get the GoPro... haha
Jun 13 2010 2:08PM
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410steeze
Posts: 1086 - Karma: 39
wait, so this will attatch right onto the current gopro?
Jun 13 2010 3:24PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
from what i heard, it just attaches to the back and comes with an additional replacement lid to accomodate the bigger "backpack" to seal the whole thing :)

so to answer your question: YES! :)
Jun 13 2010 4:49PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
If the go pro is mounted to your helmet how do you see the screen?
Jun 13 2010 5:11PM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551

Friday at Stevens from Peter Killory on Vimeo.



i shot this entirely with a gopro
Jun 13 2010 5:21PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
I'd say go for a cheap mini dv cam like a panasonic GS320 or something like that if you actually want to learn how to film and use a tripod. Go Pros will not let you do much other than mount them in really cool places.
Jun 13 2010 6:41PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398


If that doesn't work then

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li-x66DDJv8&feature=player_embedded
Jun 13 2010 6:52PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
I guess I put two videos there...
Jun 13 2010 6:53PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
well im pretty sure im gonna get the gopro with the lcd when it comes it, thanks to everyone who posted!
Jun 13 2010 9:48PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
you can't, its just handy for reviewing your footage or for shooting from a tripod or something...

i know for a fact that i could definately use it! i shoot around 50% with my helmet, the rest is pole-mounted or tripod...

yes, if its helmet mounted, it is pretty useless, except for reviewing you footage afterward....
Jun 14 2010 8:33AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
on a related not to that ^^
as i mentioned earlier, there's also gonna come a remote; basically its th LCD and controll buttons in a handy wireless remote, so that would without a doubt make it an awesome helmetcam !!
Jun 14 2010 8:35AM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
that would be very cool do you have any idea when that comes out?
Jun 14 2010 2:37PM
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