Home > Consumer Reviews > ContourHD – HD Helmet Camera by VholdR

Pros:
Comes with mounting options that can be customized to work for just about any application
Comes with 2 GB SD card
Very well build, doesn't feel cheap at all
Rotating lens to accommodated angles when mounted
No external recording device needed

Cons:
Near HD video, I wouldn't call it HD quality even though the video dimensions are HD, but outstanding for a small wearable camera
*Update: The sound is pretty bad if you are going very fast. The mic location could be better because there is an electronic sounds that dominates the audio at high speeds.

Review:
I bought this camera to help make videos of my dad's Camero and Ducati for his father's day present, mostly just to get another angle. The price was great on Amazon! With all the discounts I got it for $230 which is seventy dollars cheaper than anywhere else. The shipping was great, I ordered it on a Thursday and I arrived on a Monday day.

I just took the camera for a spin mounted on the rear foot peg on my Triumph street bike. I used the included goggle mount, a strap from an old headlamp and some zip ties to secure the camera. The goggle mount can be used to mount it pretty must anywhere that is vertical and has something you can run a zip tie around. The video looked pretty good but like I said earlier I wouldn't call it HD. On my 24 inch iMac it looks pretty blurry and graining even when I am not moving to be considered HD but for a small camera it looks great. It is also nice not to have to have an external recording device and all the wires required for connecting. In both settings, HD and SD the video looks great! Both are in widescreen with the HD at a little higher resolution.

The sound is also great. I was probably going 60 or 70 a few times and the wind was noticeable but not annoying. The sound quality when used in a still setting is amazing for such a small camera. I tested it around the house a few times and the sound was great.

Overall I would recommend this camera to anyone wanting to record Point of View sports action. The quality of the product and video are well worth the price. I would see what you can do with the included mounting options for you order the other mounts. Great product!

I finally received the camera from VholdR. So far it's lived up to my expectations. The video that I saw coming from it was super clear and the color looks amazing. It came with its own software that also made everything easier. The 135 degree field of view is better than the fish eye look that you get with some other cameras. Good price for a compact HD camera.

I have this as well as the VIO POV1. The video quality and especially the colors are much better on the ContourHD - at 1/2 the price. With the external mic, the sound quality is better on the VIO (can put it inside your helmet to cut wind noise). Too bad they don't have an external mic option on the ContourHD. Unitl VIO comes out with HD, the ContourHD is the helmet cam to beat.

And the ContourHD video works great in a Mac with IMovie.

I really liked the my old VholdR, but after I got the new one there is no comparison! The picture quality is incredible...I mounted it on the side of my skateboard and I couldn't believe how good the footage looked. There's a one button start/stop for recording which makes it VERY easy. I've messed around with a friend's GoPro, and I can truthfully say that this camera is my preferred choice. The only downside to me is that the sound is less than perfect at times, but the HD quality definately makes up for it.

I own both the VIO POV.1 and the ContourHD. I must preface this by saying I use these cameras in a unique application, that being on a military helicopter. Both have their pro's and con's but since we are talking about the ContourHD, I will offer this:

Pro's:

Resolution, it is HD of course. It does fish eye a bit more than I would like.

All-in-one: No separate components..everything is literally right in your hand. (can be a draw back) No wires....

Laser for making sure the camera is mounted properly.

USB Chargeable battery with decent life.

30 minutes of HD per gig..comes with a 2 gig card. A larger card really is needed.

PRICE!! Excellent.

Cons:

Not anything close to Mil-Spec like the POV.1 (That thing was built for the military)

On/Off switch can slide back and you would never know it. Fixed in later serial numbers.

Mounting options are minimal.

No lens cover..really? Fix that.

Packaging looks pretty on a shelf but mine arrived bouncing around in the pretty plastic box.

No included case.

The all-in-one design offers limitations for remote operations. You have to be within arms reach to use this thing. Also, you have no ideal what you are shooting or what you shot until you get back to your computer. (The POV.1 has the handheld unit so you can see, and edit, what you are shooting...but comes at the expense of bulk and wires)

Depending on your application, this could be and is a great camera. For what I need it for, it is too limited...until I modify the mounts! Do your research and know your mission before you pull the trigger.