Which helmet cam?

[kbnorth99]

I looking to buy a helmet cam next month. I am looking at the GoPro but I'm not sure which model. I am leaning towards the 1080p. Filming at 1080p is not necessarily a big deal but it also films at 60 fps (instead of the standard 30 fps) at 720p which I think would be useful for fast rides to avoid the choppiness. Is that worth the extra $120?

What do you guys think? Or is there another brand you guys have used and recommend? If you have an opinion or some info let me know why.

Thanks

[fastredrider44]

I have the GoPro HD. Bought it from C&D Racing on here for a good deal and love it.

[tjsdaname]

I would get the hero HD 960, (I think thats what it's called)...

the quality difference between 1080 and 720 is almost nothing... the only downfall is the 60fps, but not really a big deal...

and it's only 170$

[kbnorth99]

Originally posted by fastredrider44
I have the GoPro HD. Bought it from C&D Racing on here for a good deal and love it.

FastRed did you get the 1080 or the 960?

[kbnorth99]

Originally posted by tjsdaname
I would get the hero HD 960, (I think thats what it's called)...

the quality difference between 1080 and 720 is almost nothing... the only downfall is the 60fps, but not really a big deal...

and it's only 170$

Thanks TJ. Do you ever get choppiness on fast rides in changing light? I have seen some vids where the rider is going on a trail through mixed shade/sun and the vid gets choppy.

[tjsdaname]

Originally posted by kbnorth99
Thanks TJ. Do you ever get choppiness on fast rides in changing light? I have seen some vids where the rider is going on a trail through mixed shade/sun and the vid gets choppy.

I personally dont have the 960, I have the standard deff one. But I have been doing alot of research on them and will be picking up the 960 in the next few weeks. it's basically the same camera as the 1080P version just without the extra features..

[IdahoMX]

I got the hd go pro and its been great, I would rather spend the money now then wish for it later

[fastex91]

I have the GoPro HD and the new Contour GPS and the Contour is smaller and not as bulky. Quality wise they are the same. Contour is more expensive though.

[fastredrider44]

Originally posted by kbnorth99
FastRed did you get the 1080 or the 960?

Its the 1080 which allows you to record in 5 different settings.

[fastredrider44]

Originally posted by fastex91
I have the GoPro HD and the new Contour GPS and the Contour is smaller and not as bulky. Quality wise they are the same. Contour is more expensive though.

Is the contour as easy to operate? Plenty durable? I like the GoPro since it's so easy to work, but it is a little on the bulky side.

[lasher45]

GoPro hands down. Ive fell on mine with all my weight snowboarding right on the lense cover, dropped it in water and dropped it and fallen on it numerous times and the case still looks as good as new and no problems with the camera. The only thing that happened was the SD card popped out when I dropped it once. Other than that it's been the best $300 I've spent.

As for model the 960 is great, but the 1080 comes with the 720P @ 60fps which is AWESOME if your looking to edit videos or watch in slow motion. You can slow it down to less than 50% and it's still smooth as full speed. If your looking just to take a video and upload it straight to YouTube with music or anything like that go for the 960. But for editing the 1080 model is a must with the 720P @ 60fps.

Customer service is also top notch with GoPro and can answer all your questions.


As for ease of use, with the new firmware settings you can put it so it automatically starts recording or taking pictures as soon as you turn it on so you can just turn it on and not worry whether or not its filming. It's a little daunting at first with the 2 button setup, especially in the settings menu. However once you learn how to use it (which you can pick up within the first use or two) it becomes second nature.

[fastex91]

Ease of use goes to the Contour. Durability? Gotta go with GoPro as it comes with the waterproof protective case. You cant get a waterproof case for the Contour Gps.

[kbnorth99]

Originally posted by lasher45

As for model the 960 is great, but the 1080 comes with the 720P @ 60fps which is AWESOME if your looking to edit videos or watch in slow motion. You can slow it down to less than 50% and it's still smooth as full speed. If your looking just to take a video and upload it straight to YouTube with music or anything like that go for the 960. But for editing the 1080 model is a must with the 720P @ 60fps.

...


As for ease of use, with the new firmware settings you can put it so it automatically starts recording or taking pictures as soon as you turn it on so you can just turn it on and not worry whether or not its filming. It's a little daunting at first with the 2 button setup, especially in the settings menu. However once you learn how to use it (which you can pick up within the first use or two) it becomes second nature.

Great info. Thanks. I was wondering if the 60fps was worth the money. I'm not too concerned with 1080p vs 960p but the faster frame rate looked like a good thing.

Your comment about easy of use is helpful too. I can figure anything out but if the process of "push this, click that" is too lengthy then using it is sometimes not worth the effort because you spend all your time trying to push buttons and not getting great vids of your ride.

This is good stuff guys keep it coming.

[fastredrider44]

On my GoPro, when you record in 960, it is fullscreen, but 720 and 1080 are wide screen. The 60fps is pretty awesome. There's some videos on youtube that tell how to operate the GoPro. There is also a thread by Ryan if you want to search for it that's pretty good.

[fastredrider44]

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=421519&highlight=GoPro

Found it.

[kbnorth99]

So I think I am going to get the GoPro 960 instead of the 1080. I don't care about shooting in 1080p (720p will be fine) so the only thing that I can see that I would be giving up is the ability to shoot 60 fps at 720p. From the vids I am seeing it appears that I won't need the extra frame speed. Especially not for almost double the price.

Does anyone have any other comments about my decision before I pull the trigger? I appreciate all the help.

[lasher45]

Originally posted by kbnorth99

Does anyone have any other comments about my decision before I pull the trigger? I appreciate all the help.

You won't be dissapointed :D

[wishmasstir]

DON'T BUY THE 960!!!

the bacpac doesnt fit it

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/lcd-bacpac/

[kbnorth99]

Originally posted by wishmasstir
DON'T BUY THE 960!!!

the bacpac doesnt fit it

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/lcd-bacpac/

Ooh. That does look nice. But then it's another $80. So the 60fps of the 1080 plus the bacpac are the the reasons to go with the 1080, but it's a total of $200 more if I'm going to use the bacpac. Ouch. :eek2:

[wishmasstir]

at least when you record you wont be filming the sky or the straight to the ground though!!

it is tax time :devil: :devil:

[kbnorth99]

Originally posted by wishmasstir
at least when you record you wont be filming the sky or the straight to the ground though!!

That's pretty much what I was thinking. I am very disappointed when I see a video that could be really great but all you can see is the 10 feet in front of the bike because the camera is set too low.

Such a tough choice. I know which one one I WANT to get. I just gotta convince my cheap side that it's worth the extra bills.

[wishmasstir]

I ordered that bacpac, I've had the gopro 1080 hd for a year or so now so I know how good it is and how I wish it had a screen on it to set it up.

Just go for the 1080hd and then the bacpac down the road when you can afford it

[wishmasstir]

I use it a lot for my rc trucks, I need to change some settings but check out

www.youtube.com/wishmasstir

[lasher45]

The bacpac is awesome. But if you don't want to spend the money then just do what I did to get the angle right. Put the camera on your helmet where you think it would fit, drive around the yard and just try moving into the different positions you would in a race or on the trails. Then go inside and hook it up to your TV or computer and see where it needs adjusting. It takes maybe 30 minutes and you can get the angle just where you want it. Not saying the bacpac won't be easier, just giving you tips on how to save the $$$.