Shooting range
Indeed, I could also change the camera’s resolution and lighting setup through the Contour Camera app which, again, was mighty handy when out and about. Yet it’s the lack of vital features that disappoints. It would be fantastically useful to be able to delete unwanted, storage-squatting clips; great to be able to replay previously shot footage – but neither is available.
The recording button is a rugged on/off affair that lacks any kind of subtle triggering
No doubt the limitation of the requisite Bluetooth connection (low bandwidth) scuppers the video-playback option somewhat, but surely some kind of file management system would be easy enough? Likewise, a simple button on the app to start and stop recording would make operating the camera a far simpler experience. Moreover, this would remove the frame-wobble and annoying audio “thwack” of moving the hefty record on/off slider button.
The Storyteller desktop app retraces your route
Click for a larger image
The Storyteller desktop application for Mac and Windows is another neat addition that lets you cut and trim each sequence of video clips. A curiously titled ‘awesome’ button will tag any section of footage you’d like prospective viewers to jump to. Namely, not the bit where you fell off or crashed.
Next page: Sample Video
COMMENTS
Quite expensive
Although image quality is OK.
CPU/Encoder/decode chip $15, camera sensor $15, GPS $10, PCB $5. Case $50 (?), optics, hmm, dunno. Software development, well not enough it sounds like.
End user cost $450
Still, all prices come down fairly swiftly nowadays.
Umm...
> And with a waterproof case at less than £30...
Why do you need a waterproof case for a waterproof camera?
I agree about the impressive stabilisation. It's up there with what I get out of SteadyHand, and that's slower than real-time on an i7.
About the resolution, if I read it right 1280x960 gives you the fish-eye effect, 1280x720 doesn't.
Tempting, but a bit expensive for me. Have a look at the Looxcie - same sort of thing, not ruggedised but allows full control over Bluetooth.
Not quite so expensive...
Quick bit of checking on Amazon, the camera's going for about £228 (use your conversion rate here), so about £100 below RRP. Me tempted, me very tempted. And with a waterproof case at less than £30...
Not quite
There is some very good stabilization at play here.
Definitely way out of your usual "granny's shaking hands holding a camcorder" league.
That alone is in excess of $100.
Want one...
Have had the standard 1080p version without GPS for a number of years for snowboarding and mountainbiking and love it. The problem has always been checking that the camera angle is what you were expecting before throwing yourself off the mountain for a one-off run. That's why they've included bluetooth, not watching clips back in their entirety - you're supposed to do that back at the pub afterwards on a laptop with your mates. Knowing for sure that the footage will be good is worth the upgrade cost on its own for me.
The chunky start/stop slider is one of the best features compared to something like a GoPro hero as you can actually operate the Contour using gloves and without needing to take your helmet off to check if it's on.
