CONTOUR Announces ROAM3 Action Camera

Sep 23, 2014 at 16:38
by CONTOUR Cameras  
Contour ROAM 3

Action camera pioneer CONTOUR introduces another innovative, easy-to-use and durable action camera built specifically for year-round adventurers. The new ROAM3 utilizes a waterproof and impact-resistant aluminum housing to allow it to function up to 30-feet underwater without a bulky case, all while retaining CONTOUR’s elegant form factor.

An action camera should look great while users are wearing it and be simple to operate. The last thing people want to worry about while they are skiing or surfing is if their camera is filming properly,” said James Clarke, CEO of CONTOUR. “With the ROAM3, all you have to do is move the slider forward and you are instantly recording. If you want to take beautiful pictures, just press the status button to switch to photo mode. Just like every CONTOUR, the ROAM3 is incredibly easy to use.

The ROAM3, priced at $199.99 USD, is now available at retailers worldwide and from Contour.com. It comes complete with a fully charged lithium-ion battery, an 8-gigabyte memory card and two low-profile mounts.

The ROAM3 builds on the great history of CONTOUR and gives a glimpse into our future. We couldn’t be more excited,” said Clarke.

View the ROAM3 launch video here.

Features of the ROAM3:
• Instant photo mode can be set for single frame or multiple burst shots
• CONTOUR’s flush rail mounts allow for secure and dependable attachment
• Built-in universal camera mount (¼”-20) makes it compatible with all standard mounts and tripods
• Instant-on video record switch
• Waterproof up to 30 feet without a case
• Rugged impact resistant aluminum casing
• Records video at 1080@30 frames per second or 720@60 frames per second
• 270-degree rotating lens
• The best video and sound quality of any CONTOUR to date
• Built-in laser level ensures the perfect angle every time
• Locking switch keeps the camera from turning on or off accidentally


About CONTOUR - CONTOUR | Adventure Everyday
Based in the heart of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, CONTOUR is a pioneer in the action camera market. CONTOUR cameras have been long known as simple to use, dependable products. Defined by a “form follows function” philosophy, CONTOUR cameras feature a sleek, low-profile design, easy to operate controls and a secure and durable proprietary rail mount system. Whether in the water, snow, dirt or flying through the sky, the world’s top adventurers choose to tell their stories using CONTOUR. Visit www.contour.com for more information.

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Member since Oct 5, 2010
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52 Comments
  • 13 1
 why no 60fps at 1080 & Bluetooth connectivity to smartphone? this really has no new features over the previous version. how long can u keep bringing out new models with the same features ? consumers want something new contour, you must evolve & keep up with competition if u want to survive in the action cam game. epic fail!
  • 2 0
 the only real improvement is now i can change capturing modes on a Roam without a pc, that I missed a lot.... I'm with you the bar should have been higher...
  • 1 7
flag wuzupjosh (Sep 24, 2014 at 11:48) (Below Threshold)
 i phone 6 has better filming, wayyyyy better filming better than gopro3 too , hopefully theyll come out for a camera only from go pro something, this is the same as gopro hero 2 !, that and a hitcase is fine.
  • 7 0
 too bad iphone 6 bend when you gently blow on it
  • 7 1
 I have both go pro hero 3 plus and contour roam. Go pro is 100% worth the money. And way better quality in both camera and mounts. But contour has its ups... super cheap. Easiest thing to use. And it catches videos. But honestly go pro has the name. And the new technology and it is what it is but. I would suggest either one.. it all depends on what $you got
  • 5 0
 Go Pro vs Contour

Everyone seems to be trashing the quality of Contour cameras in comparison
to Go Pro. However most of those reviews are comparing a newer Go Pro to
an older Contour camera which isn't very useful. Both the Go Pro Hero 3 and the
Contour +2 were excellent products at the high end of that market. With similar
image qualities and function, the main differences were in the camera shape
and available accessories. Go Pros biggest advantage was the chest mount,
which was possible with the Contour, but not safe or practical. Contour has
an extremely user friendly camera, that has easily accessible buttons for those
who ride with gloves. Contour also has a wide range of products in the POV
camera market that appeal to multiple consumers. Go Pro is more of one package
deal that is a high quality product, but is only available at one price level. As
someone who has had experience with both companies and their products
I have to say that each have their own pros and cons depending upon the user
and filming environment. Similar to a lot of products in varying disciplines it comes
down to what you "need" out of the product and how much you can afford to pay
  • 4 2
 However, you can't argue with the Go Pro's frame rates: 120fps at 720p. Blows the Contour out of the water.
  • 1 0
 180 at 45 fps too right?
  • 3 0
 240 fps at 720p coming with the hero 4 this winter.. contour is just out of the league
  • 1 0
 1080 @ 60 fps with th hero3+ black
  • 1 0
 over 9000p @ 42 fps with the new cameras coming out
  • 1 0
 which ones ^?
  • 3 0
 Darude- sandstorm
  • 1 1
 VIDEO FORMAT RESOLUTION FRAME RATE Full HD 1080p 1920 x 1080 30 fps Tall HD 960p 1280 x 960 30 fps Action HD 1280 x 720 60 fps, or 30 fps Slow Motion 854 x 480 120 fps, 60 fps, or 30 fps 5MP Still Photo 2592 X 1944 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, of 60 sec Close Enough
  • 6 0
 Didn't Contour go bankrupt, close shop overnight, leave a whole bunch of people with units in for repair and those looking for firmware high and dry? I'll stick with GoPro.
  • 1 0
 That was former Mgt. which was extremely irresponsible and outright wrong. This is a new team/ceo of the company. The platform and basic building blocks are already there with the Contour. If they had a great aggressive team beforehand the fall, they could have easily been one of the top competitors with GP.

If these current guys are serious, they will easily include new sensors for higher rates and better low-light adjust-ability, better internal software, etc soon.
  • 1 0
 I was just going to ask the same damn thing... Like, wait, what?!

So now they're back in business suddenly, and back in Utah? What happened to the employees and the customers? Is there any other story than 'hey, we're back. buy our shit'?
  • 1 0
 Yeah, the Contour news has been popping up here and there and from what I've seen, the head of Contour disbanded the company, left all the employees out without any support (this all happened super quick), ultimately everyone had to leave in an unceremonious fashion without proper compensation or documentation. New Ceo comes in, gives a press-release, says something to effect of, "Hey, we're back. We're going to set things straight." after that, not much news. I'm assuming many of the employees that were vital are back or in the process of being recalled, and things are starting to roll along.

But moral of the story is that give it a little bit of time and the new management will shine through, whether they're back on game and decide to take a good platform to a whole another level in-line with competition, or, provide mediocrity and that "buy our shit, for little as investment on our-end" kind of mentality. Will be interesting to see what happens.
  • 3 2
 First off I have never owned a contour I'm a GoPro owner. Ok they do look better on the side of a helmit and rotating lense are always handy. but what have they dun new to this one over the last one they did I would have expected 60 fps @1080 at least and isn't that waterproofing going to muffle the audio like it dose on the drift???
  • 3 0
 Not for $200 you won't get that. Its kinda funny though because this is essentially just like their old one. Its better looking but their quality still has to catch up... guess we will wait and see some samples from this.
  • 2 0
 The helmet side mount was a little problematic the few times I used it for DH. Mainly, the goggle strap went where you want the helmet mount to go. You could kind of put it up a few inches on a 45 degree slope but that's kind of odd. They made a goggle strap mount but the resulting video was shududududerrerrry because it wasn't hard mounted to anything. Sticking it up on top yielded the best results.
  • 2 0
 @twozerosix - I wound up using a profile mount on top...more towards the rear. It gets great angles either pointing forwards or backwards at a rider behind me. I got lucky the first time I adhered it where I did - probably 1-in-20 odds. Wink
  • 3 0
 I just bought the Hero 3 black edition. The contour is nice economy camera but the Hero 3 kills it anf mounting options are endless
  • 1 0
 Let's hope these owners are actually serious about putting out the best possible product. It's no secret that Go Pro has the best image quality. My qualm with them is the having a large box on your helmet. Unless you're doing serious production work with your POV camera, you can get anything and it will work with what you're doing. Ironically, I'm going to purchase one of the new Shimano POV cameras soon.
  • 1 0
 I can't afford the Go Pro's yet, that said I went for a cheaper alternative. The SJ4000 is unbeatable for the price. I picked mine up for 59 quid! The quality isn't on par with a GoPro, but for how much I've spent compared it's a winner. Waterproof case, loads of mounts, can be used with GoPro mounts. It records 1080, but I will admit it hasn't got 60fps. Maybe when I can justify spending that much on an action camera.. I'll buy a GoPro. Haha.
  • 2 0
 the fps is more important than hd
  • 1 0
 the best thing that the contour has over the gopro is that fact that it is an easy switch on and off. With gopro, if you turn off the beep and it is already mounted, then you never know if you are actually filming. My contour works like a charm... never had any problems with it.
  • 1 0
 As much as I loved my Contour 1080, the quality of the mounts are outright rubbish. The plastic that is specced for it is ridiculously fragile for the price that we have to pay for them. Contour definitely need to relook that aspect of their product.
  • 2 0
 I'm sorry I'm cutting to the chase- Contours are absolutely awful. If they're not going to come up with a product to rival GoPro then they may as well just kept the doors shut. This is a poor effort.
  • 8 5
 ...and nobody cared ... ------------------------- message sent from my gopro
  • 3 1
 +1
  • 6 4
 It's cheaper than a gopro smaller than a gopro and not to mention better looking

ps: why do people still use gopro's overthis
  • 6 0
 because the GoPro is a way better camera. There is a reason it cost double the price. The contour looks pretty but its entry level compared to the Hero 3 black edition.
  • 4 0
 I didnt see wireless on here either. Can you use the Contour with your phone? GoPro also has a watrrproof wireless remote thats legit
  • 3 1
 you could say that the Contour is like a Polaroid where the GoPro would be like the Cannon 5d!
  • 1 1
 @Chickenclaw1 Maybe because GoPro doesn't go out of business?
  • 2 3
 the problem with these action cameras the moment they were introduced is the poor picture quality. if you've never tried the gopro hero 3+ (black) then chances are, you're not getting the best picture quality.
  • 1 1
 I was making a point that you don't look like a fool with the contour over the gopro Have you never seen footage from these they look amazing
  • 1 0
 they arent bad cameras. I admit they do look better than a box on your head but I was just saying quality and options wise compared to the Hero 3 black its not even in the same ballpark. I almost bought the Contour. I just decided if im gonna buy I want the best available
  • 2 2
 This is old discution but now I have the go pro 3+ experience on my side and not the Roam only ... man ...trail wise Countor is so much more practical less exposed, simple, attachable easily to all parts of man and machine... and without all that screw/lego arms shit that I keep braking or forgetting...

I just say what I think, get the Go Pro features specs on a Contour body, and than you have it. The perfect pov camera.

wait... not all features ... exclude battery life please.
  • 3 4
 YES!!!!!!! Contour is the best. They may not have the chest mount, but they have better quality than the go pro, and it doesn't look like you have a box on your helmet. I have the first contour and it's better than the second go pro, almost as good as the 3rd, and it's as tough as nails. now they've made a bunch more models. This is something that I am so stoked about. eau contour for beating go pro at their own game!
  • 2 0
 If you buy the gopro adapter for contour on amazon you have chest mount capability. I run it and love it.
  • 4 1
 a gopro's video is wayyyyyyyyyy better than a contours LMAO
  • 3 0
 my contour lasted me one year and a couple of crash... I now have a Gopro and am really impressed at all the possibilities !! I did not have a sequence picture on the contour neither did i have timelapse, photo, slowmo...
  • 2 1
 please tell me you are joking gishbrish^^^^
  • 2 0
 gopro is like 100% better in EVERY area
  • 2 0
 I have a gopro hero 3 black and is wayyyyy better than my old contour. It doesnt look like they have changed much
  • 2 0
 GoPro must be sh1tting themselves... or maybe not!
  • 2 2
 So sick that contours back! I cant wait to see the +3
  • 3 3
 Contours Back!!







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