Specifications

ManualsBrandsV.I.O. ManualsVideo surveillance systemsPOV.HD

GoPro HD Motorsports Hero $299.99/$379.98

Ease of Operation:

::::.

Video Quality:

::::;

Audio Quality:

::::;

Mounting Options:

:::::

Features:

:::;.

(w/LCD BacPac

::::;

)

Accessories

:::::

Value:

::::.

(w/LCD BacPac

::::;

)

Comment:

Highly competent but missing a couple of key features

Sensor Size: 5 MP Resolution: 1080p, 960p, 720p Frame Rate: 30fps (1080p,

960p, 720p), 60fps (720p)

Focal Range: .6m to infinity Aperture: f/2.8 Field of View: 127°

(1080p), 170

(720p)

Battery Charge Life: 2.25 hours (claimed)

Card Type: SD/SDHC (32GB maximum) Record Time: 6.4 hours in 1080p on 32GB card (claimed)

Computer Compatibility: Windows ME, XP, Vista, 7, Mac OS X 10.2 and higher Warranty: 1 year

Included with camera: Waterproof housing with swivel/quick-release mount; suction-cup mount with articulated arm; 2 curved

and 3 flat adhesive base-plates; 3-way pivot arm; USB, analog and digital A/V cables; Li-Ion battery

all the cameras capable of maintaining proper focus at distances

less than the minimums specified by their manufacturers.

A lens’s aperture rating is basically the amount of light that can

nter the camera; lower numbers mean the camera can still “see”

in dimmer light. Some cams also offer metering choices for

ontrol over how they regulate their light sensitivity. Center-

weighted metering, for example, gives exposure priority to the

iddle of the frame, even if it means under- or over-exposing the

edges. This will preserve image details straight ahead while

riding under a bright sky or through a dark corridor. Exposure

compensation, which allows for an overall increase or decrease

in light sensitivity, is available on some models.

Field of view (FOV), defines how much of the scene a lens

will capture. Wider angles require less precise aiming and

include more of what we normally see with our peripheral

vision, but they also make any one thing (like the rider ahead)

smaller and less distinct. Ultra-wide angles also cause some

“fish-eye” distortion.

Two more lens issues: First, since a lens on a moving vehicle

is subject to impact from vegetation or airborne debris, it’s worth

noting that the GoPro and V.I.O. cover theirs with easily replace-

able shields. Extra protection is available for the Contour and

both Drifts in the form of optional waterproof cases. Lens replace-

ment kits are also available for the GoPro, Contour and the

updated Drift HD.

Second, given that these cams may be mounted at lots of odd

angles, it’s important that most can rotate their lenses to get the

horizon level, independent of camera tilt. The Contour and both

Drifts have lenses that swivel on their cases, and the tubular cam-

era bodies of the V.I.O. and MotoComm can be rotated in their

mounting brackets. The GoPro’s clever mounting brackets have

swiveling hinges, some at right angles to each other, that allow the

camera body to be tilted through wide arcs. This makes leveling

possible, but can also cause the camera to stick out farther—

either an advantage or a liability, depending on the situation.

Finally, because HD recordings are very data-rich, recording

and playback can be compromised by the use of low-grade mem-

ory cards. High-speed cards are more expensive, but they allow

the cams to fully exploit high-resolution and fast frame- and

bit-rate settings. Look for cards rated at least “Class 4” and even

faster cards in some cases (e.g. V.I.O. recommends Class 6 for

its “high” bit-rate setting, and a Class 10 for “very high”).

The Contenders

ur selections aren’t the only helmet-cams available, and

comparing some of these to each other is an “apples to oranges”

ffair. We deliberately tried to get a broad sample, thinking

that different designs would win out in different applications.

Before you choose your own winner, make sure to visit each

manufacturer’s website to see the accessories available. All

but MotoComm and Liquid Image offer lots of extras, and the

addition of one or more of those may change which cam suits

you best.

All but the MotoComm record video using the H.264 codec

and save files in the common .mov and/or .mp4 format, which

can be played back with most any multimedia software already on

your computer (i.e. Quicktime). The MotoComm uses the .avi file

format, which is also readily utilized. All connect to computers (PC

or Mac) via included USB cables, and all but the Contour supply

A/V cables for playback on adequately equipped TVs. All include

rechargeable Li-Ion batteries except the V.I.O., which comes with

four alkaline AA batteries (upgrade to Li-Ion rechargeable batter-

ies at your own expense). Finally, all use either a MicroSD/SDHC

or SD/SDHC memory card, most with 32GB maximums. Some

come with (modest capacity) cards, others don’t.

Every cam here has some degree of protection against mois-

ture, ranging from the 60-meter depth rating on the GoPro’s

waterproof case to the “water-resistant” Contour and Liquid

Image units. The others are claimed to be waterproof at shallow

depths for limited times. They should all hold up fine against the

occasional splash. But, regardless of weatherproofing, using any

of them in really wet conditions isn’t practical because any water

droplets on their lenses will blur the scene.

Differences in video quality turn out to be rather subtle among

the cams here capable of 1080p. We figure buyers will make

their selections based more on feature sets and available options,

so we’ll cover those in greater depth and dispense with splitting

hairs about picture quality.

Visit us at WWW.MCNEWS.COM

●

DECEMBER 2011

Total Score: 61 or 64 w/BacPac

GoPro Impressions:

The GoPro is the smallest of the self-contained units, although

its case (required for all mounting configurations) and our pre

ferred suction-cup mount make it the bulkiest and heaviest once

mounted on a helmet. Basic operation is simple, with two buttons

that are easy to locate and use with gloves on. However, reading

its tiny LCD screen icons and cryptic codes during setup can be

challenging; we had to keep referring to the GoPro’s instructions

long after we’d dispensed with such aids for the other cams.

We can understand GoPro’s placement of the Hero’s “shutter”

(rec/stop) button at the top-right, in the location people would

expect, given that it’s shaped like a regular hand-held camera and

right-handed operation would be preferred by the vast majority of

non-motorcycling users. But this means we either have to take

Recommended