Contour GPS-Enabled POV Camera - Sea Otter 2011

by Richard Cunningham
Apr 24, 2011

Contour's Sea Otter spokespersons, Lacey and Aaron, take us through their new GPS and Bluetooth enabled micro-cam - and then Lacey gives novice video producers some useful point-of-view filming tips.

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Contour's Bluetooth hookup could be a great help. Now videographers can preview their camera angles and exposure settings almost anywhere on a smart-phone. The GPS function allows racers to time and record each practice or race-run, and then map where improvements can be made. Contour POVs can make every run count.

Any feedback on the GPS or Bluetooth Contour features?
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45 Comments

  • + 5
flag MiloXC3 (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:11)
 Such a great idea! I'll be getting one when I can afford it! Means you don't have to realize your shot was shit after a long ride, you can change it to make it perfect before you ride. Nice one Contour!
  • + 6
flag bikeddict (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:44)
 they should come out with blue tooth without gps and lower the price for us mere mortals can get it too. i want the added features so i can use my iphone but i don't really care about the gps
  • + 1
flag MiloXC3 (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:48)
 Totally agree. Prices will decrease but it's just been released so we'll be playing the waiting game I guess.
  • + 2
flag wp-photography (Apr 24, 2011 at 11:55)
 Yeah i think the Bluetooth idea is really good and the gps bit is not so important dh rider who just want to film riding!
  • + 1
flag Mtbrider990 (Apr 24, 2011 at 15:30)
 i have one i use it for snowmobiling and for biking the odd time its great i love it
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag rip8569 (Apr 25, 2011 at 13:16)
 If you ask me, I would say there are a few GoPro guerrilla advertisers on this thread.

I have both, I like the Contour better. I really don't dig the extra weight when I'm already wearing a full face, it's so much easier to hit the protruding GoPro on low branches or anything else and knock it out of view, and the image quality is only slightly better. And now that Contour has added the viewfinder app, it makes it easier to dial in a good setup. Oh and btw, the wind noise problem with the Contour has been fixed by downloading new firmware for the camera at the contour website.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag dbxrace (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:12)
 should make it so you can set it to turn on at a certain point, (i.e. the begging of a trail.) on the gps so you can do laps without having to stop and turn it on.
  • + 2
flag Contour (Apr 24, 2011 at 11:07)
 @dbxrace w/ the iPhone app you can turn the GPS on and off whenever you want.
  • + 2
flag Daire (Apr 24, 2011 at 14:18)
 no what dbxrace meant was that the camera would stop filming at certain GPS points so you would just leave it on all day and it would begin to film at the start of the trail then stop filming at the end.
  • + 7
flag Contour (Apr 24, 2011 at 15:43)
 Ahh I see. Huh. That's actually a really cool idea. I'm actually going to take that and see if it's possible.
  • + 1
flag dbxrace (Apr 25, 2011 at 9:25)
 sweet! would give it a big edge on some of the other cams out there.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag dexterq20 (Apr 24, 2011 at 15:53)
 I don't know about you guys, but I don't ride with my iPhone in my pocket. If I had a Contour, the app wouldn't do me any good.
  • + 1
flag scottvt (Apr 24, 2011 at 18:10)
 I agree. The only time I would use it is to make sure the camera was aimed correctly. Then leave the phone in the truck. Cool feature though.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag brians20 (Apr 24, 2011 at 11:30)
 You guys need to do something big like hooking the Contour up to a Garmin heart rate monitor/GPS. Where you can have video shots correlate with a workout. When you do that I'll buy another Contour cam.
  • + 1
flag tonyp86 (Apr 24, 2011 at 15:11)
 Umm.... Rip the GPS file from the vid and then you can corespond your info.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag ShastaOutdoorMedia (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:17)
 OK, the bluetooth: SUPER cool. GPS? Pointless, I have that on my camera and I've never used it. Like what you're going to forget where you were in the video?

For GoPro users I'm guessing that GoPro will come out with a bluetooth add-on module to do this same thing, so don't fret.
  • + 2
flag whitetux (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:30)
 gps allows you to work out your average speed, length of track etc. useful features
  • + 1
flag ShastaOutdoorMedia (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:32)
 Hm good point I didn't know that it had track I thought that it just marked where you started the vid. That's pretty nice then, but I think I'll still stick to my Garmin for that Razz
  • + 1
flag Alba23 (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:27)
 and runs the battery down nice and quick, have gps on my panasonic digital camera flattens in no time. also bluetooth on phone does the same. but nice features is you have a plug socket up a hill
  • + 1
flag tonyp86 (Apr 24, 2011 at 15:09)
 Actually with my ContourGPS and the GPS mode enabled, it lasts for about 1 hr 30mins with everything maxed! providing you have a big enough mem card, if thats not long enough just buy a spare battery....
  • + 1
flag tom-cuthbert (Apr 24, 2011 at 19:54)
 1hr and 30 mins isn't much when you're spending the whole day on the hill doing runs
  • + 1
flag whitetux (Apr 24, 2011 at 23:50)
 thast like at least 9 runs worth of footage though because you aren't gonna have it on for more than 10 mins at a time
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag deadatbirth (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:30)
 hopefully a future firmware update will get rid of the laggy/jumpy video feed to your phone.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag djbagines (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:14)
 Just bought a Go Pro, kinda having second thoughts!?
  • + 4
flag DanielBGProductions (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:29)
 GoPro is better Smile
  • + 1
flag CsteveC (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:39)
 Go pro is far better quality. Oh and wait it's waterproof!!! Gps doesn't do anygood when the camera breaks to a storm!
  • + 6
flag Stainer Plus (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:46)
 ^and Gopro does 3D
  • + 2
flag joeberto (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:53)
 contour can do 3D too, they just dont have a housing/ video editing software for it. but i do prefer gopro.
  • + 3
flag Contour (Apr 24, 2011 at 11:08)
 CsteveC- we have a waterproof case as well. All the same the camera will do fine out in the rain without the case. Contour is based in Seattle so we do quite a bit of riding in nasty weather.
  • + 1
flag Brett13 (Apr 24, 2011 at 13:05)
 Yes, but you have to buy the waterproof case as an add on and it's way bigger than the GoPro
  • - 3
flag tonyp86 (Apr 24, 2011 at 15:13)
 The GoPro is an ugly peice of kit! like going back to the 70'S lol! Helmet mount it and its a great wind catcher for your head!
  • + 5
flag tom-cuthbert (Apr 24, 2011 at 19:53)
 If you're really concerned about looks, you wouldn't be wearing a helmet cam.

I'd rather have a big bulky camera that records better quality video than one that looks sleek and only does averagely.
  • + 2
flag Brett13 (Apr 25, 2011 at 10:15)
 Well put Shred!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag PATrickOWns (Apr 24, 2011 at 17:44)
 i have a contour and i wish i had a go pro contours are bad. so many problems
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag manofsteel (Apr 24, 2011 at 16:28)
 go pro killer, gps is super dumb tho being able to change the exposure is rad
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag DownHillCooper (Apr 24, 2011 at 16:17)
 gopro is a lot better than this camera. it doesnt have a wind noise. this one does ... a lot
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag davidenrico (Apr 25, 2011 at 9:43)
 Just be sure to turn off GPS when your shooting in your bedroom...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag deadpool2e (Apr 25, 2011 at 8:57)
 what Mount did he use on the Helmet?? it wasnt the round sticky one?
  • + 1
flag Contour (Apr 25, 2011 at 21:11)
 He was using the profile mount. It's new(ish).
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag otisl (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:52)
 once its on android I might get one
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag BookerT88 (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:27)
 Does the bluetooth chip work with the regular Contour HD (not the GPS)?
  • + 1
flag deadatbirth (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:29)
 no. only GPS has it
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag DoWnHiLl-racer (Apr 24, 2011 at 23:11)
 is it even waterproof??
  • + 1
flag CsteveC (Apr 25, 2011 at 11:17)
 You have to buy some bulky case
  • + 1
flag Contour (Apr 25, 2011 at 21:12)
 The camera is sold as very water resistant. If you use it in the rain you'll be fine. If you submerge it and use it for things like surfing or diving you'll want the case. I can't honestly imagine a day on the bike where you'd need the waterproof case.
[Reply]

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