The scoop on helmet cams ?

My nephew is a video editor for Quicksilver and he views video all day long.
He really likes the quality of the Go Pro.
If that helps at all.

GoPro does have a mount that allows forward mounting on the front of a helmet.  I have seen that rig in use a couple times now.

I did not have that mount when I got mine last year, but with all the mount options that came with it, I found that I could mount mine pretty much in the front without too much finagling.

When mounting on the top of a helmet, it allows for options of rear facing video.  I want to try this while skiing forward through trees and capturing a skier who follows.  I think that would be cool and a fresh alternative to all those videos of skiers from behind that naturally dominate the scene right now, and are also cool.

Alan

Points added:  For extra $, you swap out the camera back with an lcd back that allows video review.  Also, an extended battery can be had.  I find the controls to be cludgy.  I don't use it all the time and each time I feel that I need to review the manual.

So much for...
Point and Chute!

the Go Pro has a live feed output - I don't see that feature in the others, but tech info is a bit limited on their sites, so maybe the Contour has it, too?  Live feed output to Iphone would be pretty handy, but don't know if it's there yet..  better real estate than the tiny, but functonal screen that is native on the Drift and optl on the goPro.

Am i correct in noting that the lens angle = field of view?  And that the wider the angle, the more spatial distortion there is?  Some of that is cool depending what you're going for, but sometimes i find that dizzying in a vid.  The Gopro I believe, shoots at 127d and 170d.  The Drift emphsizes 170d, but is capable of a lower angle, but I can't find what that is from their site.  The Contour shoots at 110d and 135d, depending on selected resolution.  I'm liking this aspect of the Contour, real well, if my assumptions above are correct.  I've noted less 'fisheye' effect on Marcus's vids than the others' promo vids, and was wondering what that was about.  I really think the Contour mount is clean and solid, and it's hard to argue with the form factor.  Waterproof case available.

Now what?
Edit to note that the Drift records 720p mode at 170d lens angle, and 1080p and SD mode at 127d  -  so, like the Go Pro. That leaves the Contour unique with more moderate field of view, FWIW.

The newest Contour model, the ContourGPS (I think) is going to have (or has already) a smartphone app that gives you a live feed of what the camera is seeing, to help with aiming, etc...

You'll notice the fisheye with the Contour if you're right on top of something. Mine, from what I can tell, only has a 135d field of view and no apparent option to change (unless I'm missing something).

The newest Contour model, the ContourGPS (I think) is going to have (or has already) a smartphone app that gives you a live feed of what the camera is seeing, to help with aiming, etc...

You'll notice the fisheye with the Contour if you're right on top of something.  Mine, from what I can tell, only has a 135d field of view and no apparent option to change (unless I'm missing something).

phone app with playback on the spot, in the field?  Schwinggg!  or just for aiming..

their website indicates 110d is default when in 1080Hd, and is 135d in 960 and 720, but maybe that's new..?