It's a good day in the Contour world! We're bringing you an updated version of our best selling camera: The Contour ROAM2! We're pretty pumped on the updates and think you'll like them too.
We've retained features that made it a crowd favorite like the stylish form factor, super simple-to-operate Instant On-Record switch, waterproof without a case, laser alignment, 270° rotating lens, and super lightweight design. We've added a few customer-requested updates that make the camera better thane ever before:
+Now shooting in 720 @60fps and 30fps, as well as 1080p @30fps +Four bright anodized colors to choose from: red, blue, black, and green (green via Amazon only) +A lock to the Instant On-Record switch to keep it on or off - your choice +Improved video tuning, giving you an even better picture
We've done extensive testing in our local proving grounds of the Pacific Northwest and the Whistler bike park, to make sure this camera is ready for any trail you can throw at it (as well as beach, ski/snowboard hill, waterslide, etc). We're stoked to have a camera that is really, genuinely easy to use and that shoots such good quality video.
Check out the launch video. Warning: if you're offended by a little skin this may not be for you.
Pricing will vary by country, but will retail in the US for $199. The ContourROAM2 hits Best Buy stores on 10/21 and Contour.com and other select retailers on 10/24. Find out more information on our site. Images by Blake Jorgenson.
I hate how each camera has pros/cons the go pro gets better footage but the countour higher end versions come with an app to make your phone the screen, wirelessly and it's got the laser aimer/leveler! Gopro you gotta buy the lcd backpack. Is that all still the same?
It does work with the hero 2 actually, need to buy the app. It's a pretty sweet app, means you can just check your phone before a ride to make sure it's aimed right.
google is your friend i took a full day to verify quality, pro's and cons over the gopro, contour and drift HD.. i chose the drift HD.. easy batt access, lcd screen. close mounting to the helmet. long life. and awesome dark footage.. rotating camera lens and was allready sold last year with the 720@60fps option../. donno about the rest.. but a gopro is more a hype as it stands above the rest of the competition..
Biggest issue with both Gopro and Contour (and I don't see how this could be argued) is depth perception. You could be riding through the largest rock garden or hit the largest drop of your life an it looks like you could of ditched your 8 inches of travel for a beach cruiser.
true that! i hate when i get all techie while filming on the GoPro and it seems so uneventful, like riding down the boardwalk with some trees and cactus around
Much is due to the angle of the shot. This is one reason I like my camera that I am using now. The angle is less fish eye and offers better visibility. However, many videos are just shot on a film rate that someone like and not an angle that is optimal for the terrain/sport. Placement doesnt help either.
Are you people seriously comparing this one against the GoProHD3? This is the "econobox" from Contour. While I agree that the new HD3 has much better specs than the Roam2, you'd have to compare the HD3 against the Countour+2.
The +2 has WiFi, GPS, shooting modes are almost equal to HD2, etc. While the HD3 may still come on top (duh! it's one year newer), the Contour+2 is a much more comparable product.
For the record, this is the first time I see a product coming in colors to be negatively criticized on Pinkbike. I'm positive colors make more of a difference on a handlebar than a camera.
As for the go pro vs contour debate, I think how you plan toount it all but makes the choice for you. If you are a snowboarder as I am, where the only real POV option is helmet mount, the go pro is just dreadful and not an option, unless of course you don't mind looking like you have a toaster on you head.
But if your doing chest mount, then it's the contour that is kind of awkward as it would stick out.
I'd be happier with a gopro on my helmet or chest and 'look stupid' and got laughed at by some idiots who think that it 'looks stupid' but to get some killer shots than a 'cool looking' contour.
It's not just the looks. It's awkward. Having that go pro jutting off the side of your head or on top of the helmet is weird. That thing would just be waiting to get blasted off the top of my head the first run through the trees.
And let's be honest, both go pro and contours take some pretty awesome videos. The differences in image quality and functionality aren't that great.
My mate snapped his GoPro off his helmet in france, he then missed the crash that broke his neck :S. My contour has come off too, but I battered my head during a fall and the mount was a year old and not put on well. Video quality as ^ says, is not much different between them.
I don't get the debate about looking stupid, if you want to get out there and get really good footage, then you shouldn't matter what any camera looks like on your head. Anyway, people are used to seeing helmet mounted cameras now, it's becoming the norm.
I already have this!!! And the blue is awesome, but I dont like how you cant change settings out in the field.Otherwise it is exactly the same as a GoPro, but with threading for a tripod.
I must point out that the hero 3 just took a shit on this. The rep for the shop i work in as well as the posting on vital, showed that its basically a new camera.
GoPro HD Hero 3 Black Edition This is where things get really interesting. The Black Edition uses brand new technology and boasts some incredible settings, including 60 frames per second at 1080p and a 4K resolution timelapse mode. Available mid to late November. $399 MSRP 4K/15, 2.7K/30, 1440p/48fps, 1080p/60fps, 960p/100fps, 720p/120fps 12MP photos New photo burst modes with up to 30 shots per second WiFi built in Remote Control Included ($79.95 otherwise) Protune, White Balance, Continuous Photo, and Picture in Video capabilities Improved Housing (Locking Latch / Dive Lens)
wcastaneda- I agree, but no one seems to be taking it in to account that the contour ROAM is their lower end camera, and only costs $200, the better comparison would be the contour+2 and the new gopro 3 silver edition. The contour roam2 is simply a colored version of their last camera, and as I won it for free, im not complaining.
I've got to say the 2 last promotional videos from Contour have really made me want one. After seeing hunderds of people videos on GoPro's on here and youtube i have to say the image and catch up speed on GoPro is pretty poor and ruins a lot of videos that could be good with a better camera ( + the fact they have to be put in those seethough cases and when there put ontop of any helmet they look friggin stupid ) from what i've seen the image speed and quality look alot better on these newer Contours and when there mounted to side of any helmet they dont look quite as stupid. No silly case needed to. Not quite in my price range yet unless i get some spare cash but definately on my want list.
The GoPro and Contour are basically the same camera as far as quality goes now, BUT i much prefer the endless mounting options of the GoPro by far, it has more options and its snap allows it to be placed anywhere. Also being able to change all my setting on the fly is a big plus.
Go pro vs contour roam
my thoughts having a contour roam and using my bro's go pro hero2
go pro slightly better image and sound
no exposure adjust on contour
go pro is great for chest mount
roam is great for helmet cam
roam mounts are too expensive
roam no additional lens protection
roam is cheaper
roam can shoot 60fps at 720p with the old firmware
Both great in different ways
so are we owners of the contour roam 1 going to get an update in software so we can match the roam 2 in terms of picture quality and 60 fps, seeing as contour are not going to lose anything and many are already running at 60 fps on version 1.01 they might as well let us have the update.
I might have missed something, but I have a Contour, and unless I spaced it, you need to plug it in to Storyteller on a computer to switch between video and stills? I use it for snowboarding and biking and that is pretty much a deal breaker. The GoPro you can switch settings in the field, no? I won the camera, so easy come easy go, but for me, that issue trumps the aesthetics, which I personally think the Contour takes hands down. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.
Does it not have a switch labelled 1 and 2? Then you can set one to video and one to stills on storyteller, then flick between the two in the field. Mine has that but its a contour gps
Thanks for the info Steve-815, but no. In the back hatch is only a reset and format button. I'm glad you let me know that the upper tier models have it though, thanks.
I love my Contour, don't get me wrong, but the audio issue is ridiculously annoying. Excellent way of ruining a video. Listening to FROOWSHEEGGHHHDSOOOOOF is not the slightest bit ideal. Sure, the waterproof case fixes the issue making it sound more or less exactly like a GoPro, but it's big and bulky. Maybe one day I'll take my old ContourHD and solder on an external microphone.
@trozel - Just out of curiosity, does your Contour HD sound better than the new models? I've got an old Contour HD720 that doesn't pick up half as much wind noise as my friend's new Contour Plus. I definitely edit the audio level for every video when I have footage from him. My son's GoPro however, hardly picks up any audio at all and I have to raise audio just to make things out.
I've got two long discontinued models. The ContourHD 960p and the ContourHD 1080p. They are both notorious for terrible wind noise. You must've hit it lucky.
Contour has fixed the audio issue on all their current models since the plus i think, they made the mic recessed into the body a little bit so there is way less wind noise... i've had an HD, a plus, and currently a roam and both the plus and the roam have had MUCH better audio, especially in wind or high speed situations.
That's funny! I noticed the new 'profile' mounts don't make use of the old tether string any longer. I'm getting blue - let me know if you see it on the trail please...
Well if its features, quality and overall size and versatility ... GoPro just blew Contour out of the water with the Hero3, sorry. I will say the low profile shape of the Contour is nice on a lot of mounts (helmet), but I use the chest mount a lot and its awkward in that position.
it will be interesting to see what Contour does in reply to GoPro beyond just new colors.
Liking the new colours, really liking the fact that they've introduced the 720p @ 60fps Shame about the inability to swap-out the battery on-the-fly but that's something I could live with. For 99% of us who wish to use a headcam that is relatively simple to use that produces great results. I personally wouldn't fork out 400 plus for just a headcam (GoPro), 200 (Contour Roam2) on the other hand is much more realistic.
Looking to buy my first headcam, Roam2 has me convinced or the new sony cam hmmm decisions!
One thing which is not mentioned and i'm not sure of the relevanse here but the Contour won't work below 14 dgr. It simple shut Down and won't work untill re-heatet. Other then that it is a super cam.
and gopro just released the hd hero3... 30% smaller 25% lighter and 2x more powerful than the hero2. and has the same wifi gismo as this... gopro back on top, wait they never left
i just want to highlight how everyone is hating on contour but this competition between the two products should lead to some amazing developments in technology
i want a contour so bad. and just sayin' the gopro 3 hero has not imprest me at all,just because its more fucked up than the last one and i like the video quality on contour better.
I'm sorry but i just think Go Pro Hero 2 is a lot better and that Contour are well behind and have a lot of catching up to do before they get any where near Go Pro,
You're definitely entitled to your opinion, but without some sound reasoning, your statement doesn't amount to much? Contour has a lot of features and tech developments that GoPro hasn't touched? Not saying they are necessarily better, but 'well behind'...not so sure about that.
The Roam is a pretty slick model, but my issue with it is the lack of battery replacement in the field. I just got the Contour+2 and I'm very happy with it. The wind noise is significantly reduced versus my old 1080p and even older VholdR original (which still works after all the abuse it's seen). The configurability isn't as adaptable as the GoPro, but I don't find the image quality to suffer from that. While I find the image quality to be a little better on the GoPro, I prefer the form factor of the Contour and that's why I stick with them. Lower profile helmet and handlebar mounting options, plus the flex-strap mount can mount to almost anything. I've even used that to mount one to my fork slider for some low-down angle shots right at hub level.
Both comanies have their pros and cons; for me the balance tips to Contour.
Once they get they're quality up to Go Pro standards I'm buying one. Better features, and smaller then GoPro. But for all that to even come into the play, quality in my mind has to be better. Props on colour Idea though!
Most people don't even know how to get the best quality out of there go pro so usually it looks the same as the contour but if you know how to use the go pro at its fullest it's better In my opinion and I have both
Guys watch the new gopro 3 video. Sorry contour your camera was looking to match the hero2 but as the hero 3 came out. the new contour +2 is no comparison to the hero 3
There is no place for your non sense. Go Pro and Contour both have awesome products, and we're lucky to have them. I can remember not too long ago, I dreamed of having something this, and now we have more than I ever expected, for prices that are more than reasonable.
I have worked with GoPro for a couple of years now with our race series, and their product is great. I happen to know the Contour people pretty closely, and they are awesome!!! You will not find people more psyched about what we do than them.
The reason you are getting deleted is probably because you are a dick, who isn't even willing to shut up long enough to acknowledge what BOTH of these companies have done for our sport. There is room for more than one, and the fact that they are pushing eachother is only to your benefit.
A review is one thing, but your hateful, uninformed, dumb rants only result in you sounding dumber. For some reason, I doubt your riding wouldn't justify 120fps anyhow.
Sorry.... I don't like haters
i took a full day to verify quality, pro's and cons over the gopro, contour and drift HD..
i chose the drift HD.. easy batt access, lcd screen. close mounting to the helmet. long life. and awesome dark footage.. rotating camera lens and was allready sold last year with the 720@60fps option../.
donno about the rest.. but a gopro is more a hype as it stands above the rest of the competition..
You could be riding through the largest rock garden or hit the largest drop of your life an it looks like you could of ditched your 8 inches of travel for a beach cruiser.
This is the "econobox" from Contour. While I agree that the new HD3 has much better specs than the Roam2, you'd have to compare the HD3 against the Countour+2.
The +2 has WiFi, GPS, shooting modes are almost equal to HD2, etc. While the HD3 may still come on top (duh! it's one year newer), the Contour+2 is a much more comparable product.
For the record, this is the first time I see a product coming in colors to be negatively criticized on Pinkbike. I'm positive colors make more of a difference on a handlebar than a camera.
GoPro HD Hero 3 Black Edition
This is where things get really interesting. The Black Edition uses brand new technology and boasts some incredible settings, including 60 frames per second at 1080p and a 4K resolution timelapse mode. Available mid to late November.
$399 MSRP
4K/15, 2.7K/30, 1440p/48fps, 1080p/60fps, 960p/100fps, 720p/120fps
12MP photos
New photo burst modes with up to 30 shots per second
WiFi built in
Remote Control Included ($79.95 otherwise)
Protune, White Balance, Continuous Photo, and Picture in Video capabilities
Improved Housing (Locking Latch / Dive Lens)
it will be interesting to see what Contour does in reply to GoPro beyond just new colors.
For 99% of us who wish to use a headcam that is relatively simple to use that produces great results.
I personally wouldn't fork out 400 plus for just a headcam (GoPro), 200 (Contour Roam2) on the other hand is much more realistic.
Looking to buy my first headcam, Roam2 has me convinced
or the new sony cam hmmm decisions!
While I find the image quality to be a little better on the GoPro, I prefer the form factor of the Contour and that's why I stick with them. Lower profile helmet and handlebar mounting options, plus the flex-strap mount can mount to almost anything. I've even used that to mount one to my fork slider for some low-down angle shots right at hub level.
Both comanies have their pros and cons; for me the balance tips to Contour.