Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)OVERVIEW:
I own the Contour GPS (C-GPS = 1080p) and the Contour HD (C-HD = 720p); and my main use is for snowboarding in conditions varying from blue bird sunny days to snowy flat light days.
VIDEO QUALITY: (5 out of 5)
The Contour GPS (C-GPS) features some much needed improvements over its 720p predecessor, especially when capturing footage in low light conditions. Where the C-HD's video quality suffered on overcast/snowy days, the C-GPS excels. Subtle details in terrain (fresh vs tracked snow, etc.) are now clearly visible. Overall, HD video quality and light metering is greatly improved compared to the C-HD.
Also there is a new convenient switch onboard, where you can switch between two programmed video settings (i.e. everyday outdoor vs. dusk) for when the weather and lighting conditions change.
PORTABILITY / EASE OF USE: (5 out of 5)
The C-GPS is the same size and shape as the original C-HD helmet cam, with the exception of the record toggle switch which now sits a few millimeters higher for easier operation. A nice improvement especially when wearing gloves/mitts. Turn the camera on, and two red laser sights light up to aid in lens alignment. Three lights on the unit - a battery light, memory card light, and GPS light - help identify whether your battery is dead, memory is full, or if a GPS signal lock has been acquired.
Heads up on memory card compatibility. The C-GPS is finicky about what brand, class, and size of micro sdhc cards used; and how you format your cards. For example, I bought a 32gb Class 4 Kingston card off newegg that works like a charm; however neither my 8gb Class 6 Transcend or my 8gb Class 2 Sandisk work. Also, my Kingston card only works if formatted by the camera (not my computer).
DESIGN QUALITY: (4 out of 5)
As with previous Contour helmet cams, the design remains virtually unchanged. The body is made of aluminum and plastic. The camera attaches to various plastic mounts (two flat mounts and one goggle mount included inside the package) using Contour's "T-rail system".
My only complaint is the T-rails are made of plastic, rather than aluminum. The plastic T-rails are a weak link and are susceptible to breaking. I wish Contour would have upgraded the T-rail material to aluminum on the C-GPS, but hopefully they will get it right on the next one.
BATTERY LIFE: (3 out of 5)
C-GPS battery life is significantly less than the C-HD. When recording on a fully-charged battery, the C-HD lasts about twice as long as the C-GPS. This is likely attributed to the more demanding 1080p bitrate as well as the GPS function. In my application I typically record approximately 60 minutes worth of footage before the battery runs out on my C-GPS; while the C-HD records approximately 110 minutes worth of footage on a full charge. Note these figures are based on extreme operating conditions where freezing temperatures greatly affect battery life. In any event, buy extra batteries... you'll be glad you did.
Another battery-related gripe is the mechanism which keeps the battery in place. The previous Contour models used a locking latch to keep the battery from accidentally popping out; however the new model uses a new 'hook' mechanism which can be cumbersome. This is discussed in greater detail on Contour's support forums.
GPS: (4 out of 5)
GPS accuracy is questionable, but I think it's a nice feature and a step in the right direction for helmet cams. I typically get a GPS lock within 3-minutes of power up, even on overcast or snowy days. The light on the front of the camera blinks green as a satellite lock is being acquired, and turns solid green within a few minutes once GPS signal has been acquired.
STORYTELLER SOFTWARE: (2 out of 5)
Prior to the latest software update, I would've rated Contour's Storyteller Software a 1/5. Their software is buggy and unstable, particularly on mac machines. However, the latest update (as of this review) addresses stability issues; and tackles one of the biggest gripes in the Contour community - accessibility of the GPS information without having to upload to their servers. Suffice to say, their software team has some major catching up to do with their hardware team.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, I recommend seriously considering this product if you're in the market for a helmet cam to capture HD footage while snowboarding. This model raises the bar for future helmet cams and I am glad that I upgraded from my old C-HD. I may have a few minor gripes, but IMHO, it is currently the best HD Helmet Cam offering in terms of video quality, portability, and features at its price point.
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Contour GPS Full HD Helmet CameraThe hands-free Contour GPS Camera records cliff drops, road gaps, base jumps, and surf breaks in HD, and its built-in GPS unit tracks your location, speed, and altitude. The Contour GPS allows you to view your footage with the interactive map. Post your epic footage that afternoon using the one-click editing and Contour's Storyteller software.Product Features
Frame rates: [30fps] 1080p, 960p, 720p; [60fps] 720p; [Still] 3, 5, 10, 30, 60 secs
Resolutions: [1080p] 1920 x 1080; [960p] 1280 x 960; [720p] 1280 x 720; [5mp still] 2592 x 1944
Formats: [Video] H.264 (.mov); [Audio] AAC audio
Sensor: 5 Mega-pixel CMOS image sensor
Field of View: [960p, 720p, photo] 135 degrees; [1080p] 110 degrees
Mic type: Internal, AAC audio compression
Memory Card: [Included] 2GB; [Removable, Sold Separately] 32GB MicroSD
Recommended Use: Filming, tracking your distance, sharing the gnar
Compatibility: [Storyteller App] Mac 10.5, 10.6; Windows XP, Vista 7
Battery: Rechargeable lithium battery (up to three hours of record time)
Chargeable: USB to computer (included), wall charger (sold separately)
Dimensions: [L x W x H] 95mm x 34m x 58mm (3.7in x 1.3in x 2.3in)
Manufacturer Warranty: 180 Days
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