POV Video Cameras?

Hi,
Hi,
I have a bunch of REI gift card I got from my company for performance recognition and they are burning a hole in my pocket .  Since it is free money I am thinking of buying something more frivilous.  One item that has caught my attention is a POV video camera.  I have a waterproof digi camera which I have mounted on my yak and bike but the video quality sucks.  The 2 vid cameras that seems to get good reviews are the GoPro and the Contour HD. Anyone have any experience with these or other vid cameras?  The GoPro comes with a waterproof case whereas the Contour has some aftermarket ones that are available.
 
Thanks,
 
Thomas

This topic has been pretty well beat up in previous posts, so try the search function. I would add the Kodak PlaySport to your  short list. Save a bunch of money and get good audio. Lots of the good vids you see on here were shot with the KPS.

I have the GoPro HD Helmet Hero and it takes very good video.  However, it is a very wide angle lens (170 degrees I believe), so things on the edges get a little distorted.   It also does not have a view finder (LCD or optical) and selecting between different camera modes is not as simple as a regular camera. That being said, with such a wide angle lens, you aren't going to have to worry about missing the action, so the view finder is not really necessary. However, I just prefer an on screen menu that you could see if there was an LCD viewfinder. That way I would not have to remember all the GoPro codes. Of course the LCD would drain the battery faster.


I am very happy with the GoPro video quality, but not the ease of use.  If I were to get a new one now, I would get the Kodak Playsport.  They are about $120 at Amazon and for $10 more you can get a remote to take  video of yourself. However, a lot of people complain about the functionality of the remote.  Adorama also has some great packages available. http://www.adorama.com/IKKPSVCBL.html#kits  The Nothing has some video on this site that looks great.  I believe he said he was happy with it. He could probably provide more info on it.



If you plan on going deeper under water with it, then the GoPro is probably the better option.  Their replacement parts and spare mounting parts are also very reasonably priced.  Also, its available at REI, so it would be convenient for you to use your gift cards. 


After market cases are an economical option if you already have a good non-waterproof camera. I currently have a Panasonic DMC-ZS7 which takes great HD video, (better than my GoPro) and is a 12.1 megapixal still camera. I am going to upgrade it to waterproof to 30 meters with this http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Extra-Underwater-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002JHD6EO/ref=pd_cp_p_1.  I am thinking of mounting the GoPro to the front of the Kayak to video myself and then use this to take photos, and video of others while out fishing.


Craig

Love my Playsport so far!

Another vote for the Kodak Playsport. The quality of the HD video is amazing. It's the size of my cellphone and it's waterproof. It's in my waders when I flyfish streams and in my PFD when I'm kayak fishing.


kfshr

Now you guys are swaying me towards the Playsport again.  I forgot the audio is muted with the after market cases and a normal camera. The audio was not the best with the GoPro with the housing on it.

This is free. You have gift cards. just go get the GoPro and enjoy it.  When you want more, then get a playsport, or an audio recorder, or another gopro and do better videos with 2 camera angles...

I don't like my GoPro.  The format of the vids must be changed in order to use most editing software, and the lack of a viewing screen or viewfinder is not cool.  I am reasonably happy with my Fuji - only waterproof to 10', but it captures HD video and 12 MP stills and was only $139 at Costco.  I've also heard good things about the Kodak Playsport.

Good luck. 

I have one of the original gopro's. Haven't really used it much since i got the Playsport. Lack of a view finder makes it hard for handheld shots.   I think two playsports would be a good setup. Maybe one mounted and one hand held or  one mounted rear facing and one front facing for different angles.

I just popped for a Playsport at Amazon with a remote for $135 w/shipping.
I got to play with one in ACA and was pretty impressed with the video. Then somebody posted it on the Jax board and I pulled the trigger. The remote is what really got me to pull out the card (that and the price )

http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/phpBB/topic24034.html

I just popped for a Playsport at Amazon with a remote for $135 w/shipping.
I got to play with one in ACA and was pretty impressed with the video. Then somebody posted it on the Jax board and I pulled the trigger. The remote is what really got me to pull out the card (that and the price )

http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/phpBB/topic24034.html

Good choice Wali. I just ordered the remote and another battery. You will find the battery will not be up to par for long video sessions. Can't wait to get the remote for the good solo glory shots...

Kodak unveiled the new Playsport Zx5 this week at CES.  Hopefully that'll drive the Zx3 price down even more. 

changes to the Zx5
share to facebook, youtube, etc from the camera (lame)
"macro" closeup (nice!)
microphone moved near lens (cool)
"better" colors (meh, who cares)
on-camera editing: trim start/end (meh), stills from video frames (cool)
integrated internal battery (lame!)
improved low light performance (nice!)

The stills from video could be very handy when trying to measure an uncooperative fish.

That it is. I still do at on the computer at home though.