Contour ROAM2 or GoPro Hero3 white

I'm getting ready to purchase an action cam and have narrowed it down to these.  They are both $200 and have pretty much the same features (GoPro has a bit more).

Go Pro:
Initially I had my mind set on the GoPro, but I did a little looking around and found the Hero3 has a bunch of bad reviews...lots of people seem to have the same problems.  They also mention that the customer service is not that great.  Anybody have the Hero3 (white specifically), and if so have you had any issues?

Contour:
I haven't spoke to anyone that has a Contour, but the ROAM2 does have all good reviews (on Amazon).  Seems very simple to use and is waterproof (to 1 meter) without a case.  It lacks a few features, but not sure if I'd miss them.  Anyone own or use one of these?

Recommendations are welcome 

Thanks - Dave

Kodak Playsport (Zx3, older model, not newer one) is a great HD camcorder for super cheap.  That's what I've used for all my HD videos on youtube.  I think they go for around $80 on amazon right now.

I have the Contour+, not the Contour Roam, but, since I've had it, this is my experience:

Trip to Hawaii - awesome video and happy with performance.

Heroes on the Water event - 5 seconds of video recorded, power button breaks - now unhappy

Send Camera in, camera comes back 'fixed' - ok, happy again

Go snowshoeing, take 10+ videos, get home, find only 1 video actually took, and without any sound.  the other videos are small files that cannot be opened and clearly don't have enough data to be what I recorded.  Sadly, one of the missing videos was 4 hot ladies in snow shoes running up to a guy in snow shoes and doing a flash-mob YMCA dance in front of him - I'll bet his freaking gopro got it on tape, so maybe I can find him.

I've had the Camera less than 6 months, and I'm not happy.  At all.

Sadly, one of the missing videos was 4 hot ladies in snow shoes running up to a guy in snow shoes and doing a flash-mob YMCA dance in front of him - I'll bet his freaking gopro got it on tape, so maybe I can find him.

That's awesome!

Lee you crack me up

Linglady is quite creative.

Here is the video that did come out... with no sound.

Edit:  I'll upload to youtube so it doesn't kill the quality so much.

Videos from Contour+

Snow Angels:


Zip lining in Kauai when the sound worked (though it is muffled as it's inside the waterproof case)

hi i have the roam and have been very happy with it ,under water ,in the snow with snowmobile,and soon to be on my outback,i have two of them so far without any problems,i really like the size and shape better than the go pro. so far so good .Ed

I am debating which to purchase as well.  I like that the GoPro remote can turn the camera on or off as well as control record or stop, etc....  All I see for the ROAM2 is that it (iPhone or Andriod app) will control the settings, record and stop, etc, but does not mention if you can turn the camera on or off.

I have the Playsport and love it.  The remote is great for starting and stopping video, but it does not turn the unit on or off which is a pain especially when my camera is 10' out on a boom.  For this reason alone, I am leaning towards the GoPro, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Thanks for all in input guys.  I'm starting to lean away from the Contour at this point.  Actually kind of on the fence now between the GoPro and the Playsport as recommended by Rawk.

I am debating which to purchase as well.  I like that the GoPro remote can turn the camera on or off as well as control record or stop, etc....  All I see for the ROAM2 is that it (iPhone or Andriod app) will control the settings, record and stop, etc, but does not mention if you can turn the camera on or off.

I have the Playsport and love it.  The remote is great for starting and stopping video, but it does not turn the unit on or off which is a pain especially when my camera is 10' out on a boom.  For this reason alone, I am leaning towards the GoPro, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Hey Oly, not sure if this helps but from what I've seen the ROAM2 doesn't actually have wireless capability...I believe to get that feature you need to purchase the more expensive Countour+2 and I've read it is not waterproof without a case (also cost $400 instead of $200).  I know you still have wireless with the GoPro white edition so that may be a factor for you.  Another limitation of the ROAM2 is that you cannot change settings on the fly; once it's set up the controls are just on/off and your done.  So say you want to switch from video to picture mode out in the yak...you'd have to pack the laptop  .  Also heard you cannot replace the ROAM2 battery without voiding the waterproof warranty.  These are deal breakers for me; too bad because I really like the size and style of the Contour.

Kodak Playsport (Zx3, older model, not newer one) is a great HD camcorder for super cheap.  That's what I've used for all my HD videos on youtube.  I think they go for around $80 on amazon right now.

Why the Zx3 instead of the newer Zx5...just price or is there something wrong with the new model?

Perhaps the contour+2 is easier to use than the Contour+, but I can't find anywhere in the instructions that shows how to actually make it take stills instead of video.

you know what made up my mind between the two is the cost . amozon has the contour roam for 117.00 with acc. it's like ford v.s. chey depending on who you talk too .but for the price you cant go wrong with the controur comes waterproof to 5 feet with out using a case.very simple on off,very tough,small and fits into and on to lots of spots ,very happy with my roam for the price.  money well spent,  good luck on either one, they are a lot of fun to mess around with

I have the hero3 white,
The wireless feature is good thru one wall, but fades from there. Battery life with wifi on is about 1.5 hours in time laps mode. Charge/sync cord connection is not good, if you jiggle it will break connection.
Still just learning, but vids and pics are pretty good considering just a simple little camera...

Purchases to come:
Battery pack
Wasabi batteries/charger kit
IKEA egg timer
Mounting kit


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I noticed that Sony has released their own action camera.

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&identifier=S_Sony_Action_Cam&facetlist=true

Shape mimics the contour and the waterproof case is nearly identical.