Helmet Cameras

I am looking into getting helmet camera one that can take videos and still shots. I am thinking of the Hero Model from Go Pro, but does anyone have any better suggestions?

Helmet cam thread

And the search function will net another earlier discussion.  My observation is that these technologies are in flux, and the various choices have pros and cons, so study carefully.  Costco just (still?) had the GoPro Hero for well under $200 (but sound recording is poor in the waterproof case).  Drift has remote (IR) control.  The Contour, IMO, has less distortion of FOV at the edges, but a 'softer' image.  All have selectable HD record resolutions, but are fixed to a given lens angle, so just how wide of a FOV (with its' attendant distortion) is wanted?  How large (and dorky) of a package is acceptable?  Component solutions are possible - DVR in your pocket (think nannycam) with only the comparatively small lens mounted externally - and a reasonable selection of lenses is available in the marketplace.

Let us know what you decide.

I've got a gopro new in plastic to sell. I'll meet whatever the best legit deal is you can find. It's the 'naked' model which, I think, means it comes with a limited selection of peripheral hardware.

The only problem with helmet cams is that they only shoot "helmet cam" video -- i.e. wide-angle fixed focus.

This is fine if your goal is reliving your own moments of glory -- but creating video content that has a wider appeal -- Consider getting a camera with at least a 10x zoom lens, so that you can shoot video of your friends skiing that isn't just "black dot on white snow".

Many "digital still" cameras are now sporting 720p and 1080p video recording features -- so getting a "camcorder" per-se isn't essential -- though the "zoom" mechanism on "camcorders" is silent and works well while shooting -- whereas on "digital still" cameras this might be noisy or non-functional.

In terms of audio quality recorded -- I think it is rare get much other than "wind noise" in the field unless you get a "camcorder" with an external microphone port and get an external microphone outfitted with "wind sock" -- e.g. a big furry covering on the microphone. I usually just "mute" the field captured audio and replace it with music or home-studio recorded naration.

Don't expect any of these gadgets to last more than a season or two -- by then they will either be obsolete or busted -- BTW a real waterproof case can cost as much or more than a camcorder these days -- so a ziplock bag and a bit of care may be the more cost effective than a full on water proof case for shooting video of your friends.

I'd kinda disagree with some of the above. My son has had one for two seasons, used it a good bit. GoPro is a solid, pretty well made little device and I'd be very surprised - presuming you don't lose it or abuse it - should last you a good while. They're designed for this purpose and are made to stand up to the elements as well as getting fallen upon, whacking tree branches etc. Obsolete in a season or two? Maybe. Dead? Probably not.

As for audio, yeas there is wind noise but you also get snow sounds and ambient sounds from the wearer and his companions. In short, it sounds like you are there.

For what you have to pay for them, they're pretty neat. If you buy the full gopro kit (pretty sure) you get the waterproof case included.

I'd kinda disagree with some of the above. My son has had one for two seasons, used it a good bit. GoPro is a solid, pretty well made little device and I'd be very surprised - presuming you don't lose it or abuse it - should last you a good while....

Right -- but look at how much that camera cost two years ago compared to what the exact same camera (if they even sell it) it costs now vs. what you could buy now for the money he spend two years ago.

My meta-point is when figuring the cost -- is that you shouldn't spend so much on a camera that you need it to last more that two years. Even if you are careful and it isn't busted or lost after two years -- there will be new cameras availible in two years that will make upgrading tempting.

I bought a Contour helmet cam last season -- it shoots 1080p/30fps or 720p/60fps -- which is great -- but a few months later Contour was offering a GPS version-- so you know exactly where each frame of the video was shot. The GPS version was being sold for what I had paid and the model I had bought was now $75 cheaper than what I paid. I expect they will add a 3D version soon -- then perhaps quad sensors so with one unit you get front facing and rear facing recording -- 1600p and 2172p resolution will be coming eventually.

With consumer electronics -- Moore's law still applies.