Contour GPS-Enabled POV Camera - Sea Otter 2011

Apr 24, 2011
by Richard Cunningham  
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.

Views: 4,937    Faves: 9    Comments: 0


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?


Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

45 Comments
  • 5 0
 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 0
 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 0
 Totally agree. Prices will decrease but it's just been released so we'll be playing the waiting game I guess.
  • 2 0
 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 0
 i have one i use it for snowmobiling and for biking the odd time its great i love it
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 3 0
 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 0
 @dbxrace w/ the iPhone app you can turn the GPS on and off whenever you want.
  • 2 0
 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 0
 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 0
 sweet! would give it a big edge on some of the other cams out there.
  • 2 2
 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 0
 gps allows you to work out your average speed, length of track etc. useful features
  • 1 0
 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 0
 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 0
 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 0
 1hr and 30 mins isn't much when you're spending the whole day on the hill doing runs
  • 1 0
 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
  • 1 0
 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 0
 Umm.... Rip the GPS file from the vid and then you can corespond your info.
  • 2 0
 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 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 hopefully a future firmware update will get rid of the laggy/jumpy video feed to your phone.
  • 5 3
 Just bought a Go Pro, kinda having second thoughts!?
  • 9 5
 GoPro is better Smile
  • 5 4
 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 0
 ^and Gopro does 3D
  • 2 0
 contour can do 3D too, they just dont have a housing/ video editing software for it. but i do prefer gopro.
  • 3 0
 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 0
 Yes, but you have to buy the waterproof case as an add on and it's way bigger than the GoPro
  • 3 6
 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 0
 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 0
 Well put Shred!
  • 1 0
 i have a contour and i wish i had a go pro contours are bad. so many problems
  • 1 0
 gopro is a lot better than this camera. it doesnt have a wind noise. this one does ... a lot
  • 1 0
 go pro killer, gps is super dumb tho being able to change the exposure is rad
  • 1 0
 Does the bluetooth chip work with the regular Contour HD (not the GPS)?
  • 1 0
 no. only GPS has it
  • 1 0
 once its on android I might get one
  • 1 0
 what Mount did he use on the Helmet?? it wasnt the round sticky one?
  • 1 0
 He was using the profile mount. It's new(ish).
  • 1 0
 Just be sure to turn off GPS when your shooting in your bedroom...
  • 1 0
 is it even waterproof??
  • 1 0
 You have to buy some bulky case
  • 1 0
 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.







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