Discussion: Contour HD camcorder for $99

TigerDirect.com announced a $99 (after rebates) special on this (named-just-for-us?) hands-free camcorder ... seems like it could be pretty useful for making "on the run" videos, perhaps even video essays akin to Ben's photo essays.

There are pretty much two good options for orienteering headcams: GoPro and Contour. Here's an example of an orienteering video from our local event last week, using a GoPro and a chest mount.

Run Bosco is phenomenal!

Has anyone tried using a camera stabilizer (or steadicam) in RunBosco, Tero's or similar videos?

Jagge implements the stabilization in software. Example.

or how about an octocopter: http://vimeo.com/30167289

some more discussion of deshaker here:
http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp/me...

two good options for orienteering headcams: GoPro and Contour

That may be true if you are making videos for promotion or something. But for everyday orienteering logging I find those a bit too bulky and heavy. The one I have used for very latest videos weight a lot less, just about 50g with headband, and it shoots decent 720p HD video. I would pick it any day over gopro/contour to be raced with. There is now "Smiley face" -body version of the same camera, it should be pretty good out of the box (at least for a $50 camcorder).

Jagge, I guess you aren't using the Looxcie "earcam", since it's not 720p (yet), so which are you using?

And which camera is used for Run Bosco? I see that as uploaded to Vimeo, it winds up as 640 x 360.

I am using this, I have the Audi car key like "jumbo" one. The new smiley face cam would be better, same innyards but easy to convert to head cam - just clip it to any sweatband. That thread is pretty extensive, wide angle lens options are worth studying if someone plans to get one.

And which camera is used for Run Bosco?

As I mentioned earlier, it's definitely a GoPro on a chest mount. I think her first video with is from April, so that rules out the GoPro HD HERO2. It's likely either an HD HERO (1080p) or the HERO 960 (960p). Though, it could be an older HERO 3 or HERO 5 that she picked up earlier this year on sale somewhere.

I'll have to ask.

While orienteering you turn your head up and down to look ahead or yout map. Even if cameras are marketed as wide, most cameras doesn't realy have all that wide angle in vertical direction, those are wide just horizontal. GoPro cameras are good(best?) wat it come to this, widest in vertical direction I have seen. This Contour models isn't really that good in from this pespective.

here is a good deal on the GoPro 960, $130 with free shipping.

Contour with GPS is a Cyber Monday deal on Amazon for $179. (this deal expires at 9:15pm Pacific time... so 75 minutes from this post)

Also, Garmin Forerunner 405CX with HR monitor is $150.

Garmin 405 (non CX) with HR monitor is $140.

Howdy!

The camera I use for Run Bosco is a GoPro on a chest mount. It shoots in HD, but the files are too big to upload to Vimeo- so I upload them as 640x360- which also helps people with slower connection speeds watch the video without it freezing.

I chose the GoPro mostly because it is conveniently shaped for a chest mount. The chest mount not only shows when the runner is looking at the map- but it's also comfortable to wear. I wore it for 8 hours at a rogaine! Only during the last hour did I start to notice it chaffed a tiny bit.

I bought the camera in October, so I don't have the most current version (Hero2), but the version previous to that (HD).

Hope that helps!

A bit OT but since I'm not the only one, I dare to share a video clip I pumped into:

360°-video

iPhone mount for $79

Would be pretty cool in e.g. Jukola 1st leg.