A good helmet camera?

[BSRU]

I've just received a Contour+ It's far too early to post a full review but initial observations from some car trips are very favourable.

Compared to the GPS (latest firmware) version, the field of view is increased without compromising fisheye too much, 720p is significantly better both in overall sharpness and edge to edge definition (quite an achievement in itself, given the fov increase), 1080p improved but not as much as the improvement for 720p in terms of overall quality increase.

It also seems to handle changing lighting conditions well. I haven't tried night time use yet, but it has been fine in mid/late evening use without changing the settings from those I was using in bright sunlight.

There's a free android app that gives a viewfinder option and camera settings adjustment via bluetooth connection to a phone. This worked first time with my HTC Desire.

Other changes - there's an hdmi connection for direct video streaming, a jack for a separate microphone, white level control, better battery retention, separate gain control of internal and external mikes and there are cover flaps for direct use of usb and hdmi connectors without opening the back door.

Does it justify the price hike over the GPS version? That's another matter - in many respects the + seems like the GPS version with the bugs and annoyances ironed out but there are enough new features to justify an increase. The lens quality is a big step above its predecessor.

I wait to see how reliable it is - my experiences with the GPS version were not good until the latest firmware release but I haven't seen too many online grumbles so far.

John

All sounds good, I watched a "few" YouTube video's and it seemed to handle some night time and changing lighting condition scenario's very well. It's good to know they've improved the 720p mode, I never used it on the 1080p as the quality was too poor. Will be interesting to see how it performs on poorly lit roads at night, my 1080p needed lots of extra halogen lights in order to see anything at all sometimes.

 

[cloggsy]

Here's a 2 minute piece of footage uploaded in 720P

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfp1MoNuT9g[/media]

 

[Jezston]

Thanks!

Hmm ... still looks quite shakey compared to the countours. Do the contours likely have some kind of image stabilisation tech that reduce such shakeyness? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick and it's just a rough road and a contour would be the same?

 

[cloggsy]

Thanks!

Hmm ... still looks quite shakey compared to the countours. Do the contours likely have some kind of image stabilisation tech that reduce such shakeyness? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick and it's just a rough road and a contour would be the same?

As I stated in the text of the vid, I think my mount needs a little more tightening. I don't think the velcro strapping they provide with the camera is 'man enough' for the job... I'm thinking of resorting to cable ties?

 

[benb]

I think that might make me look like a dick (I mean more than I already do)
I have been thinking of getting one with a camera head small enough to mount on the arm of my sunglasses, but that means an external recording unit - there just isn't a bullet style cam that is small and light enough, but still of decent quality - not that I can find anyway.

Maybe I could get a close fitting cycling cap, make two small cuts parallel to the ground in the material of the cap, and fit the goggle mount through that?

Kind of defeats the object of not wearing the helmet though, which is the lovely feeling of the wind in my hair.
I really need one I can mount on the arm of my sunglasses, but still have decent quality.

 

[cloggsy]

... Plus the road surface is shocking!

 

[Rezillo]

Couple of 'through the windscreen' clips for the contour+. These are very short (10 seconds or so) but have not been re-rendered. The windscreen is having a effect on clarity and is fairly grubby anyway.

1080p 30fps

720p 60fps

I'm still not convinced about 720p - it looks fine in a window at its native resolution but it doesn't upscale well on my PC. On the other hand it looks great on my TV.

I'll see if I can post some 30fps 720p later.

John

 

[cloggsy]

I've just had an e-mail from Wiggle. They're advertising these

 

[gaz]

I've just had an e-mail from Wiggle. They're advertising these

Doesn't half look crap!
It takes AAA batteries

 

[crazy580]

Also says it will last 6.5 hours, on AAA's? I doubt it.

 

[gaz]

Also says it will last 6.5 hours, on AAA's? I doubt it.

That is taking just gps. It 'will' last 2.5 hours taking video and gps.

 

[cloggsy]

Doesn't half look crap!
It takes AAA batteries

Indeed... I didn't review it, I just though I'd show it

 

[Rezillo]

All sounds good, I watched a "few" YouTube video's and it seemed to handle some night time and changing lighting condition scenario's very well. It's good to know they've improved the 720p mode, I never used it on the 1080p as the quality was too poor. Will be interesting to see how it performs on poorly lit roads at night, my 1080p needed lots of extra halogen lights in order to see anything at all sometimes.

I'm having some second thoughts on the plus's 720p mode - street scenes look good, striking even, but there is some blurring of complex green areas once out in the country, such as grassy verges and roadside trees in leaf. This is a similar problem to one that the gps model had before its firmware fix, albeit less severe. I'd be interested to hear how others get on with it to see if mine is an isolated case.

John

 

[gaz]

Can you test the 960p mode? please!

 

[BSRU]

I'm having some second thoughts on the plus's 720p mode - street scenes look good, striking even, but there is some blurring of complex green areas once out in the country, such as grassy verges and roadside trees in leaf. This is a similar problem to one that the gps model had before its firmware fix, albeit less severe. I'd be interested to hear how others get on with it to see if mine is an isolated case.

John

Have you mentioned this to Contour support, I'd imagine they'd be very keen to iron out any problems/niggles on their latest camera.