Good Video Camera HD for Training

Hi there,

I'm interested in getting a waterproof video camera to record cockpit for sailing training in a learning, non-competitive environment in SF Bay (not offshore)

It should:

• Mount on the transom or rail of smallish boats, 17-26 ft
• Durable - will be used every weekend
• Simple to xfer files to laptops for quick viewing
• Last 4-6 hrs with intermittent use, then back to shore

I've read about the Hero Surf Cam and the Contour HD cameras.

Having never done anything other than shoot 720p video from my small photo camera, my questions start with:

• Do I want HD, this is for crew review not for television
• Are these things bulletproof
• So many models, which ones are tried and true
• Is the best media the SD cards or do you need something else

Thanks much!

The Flip HD with the waterproof case works well (only 720 HD). The waterproof case does not have the standard camera base screw mount so I made my down holster for rail mounting.
The GoPro takes many different formats (wide angle, 720/Full HD). The GoPro has a LOT of available mounts which makes it easy to use just about anywhere, including chest and head mount.

Both are very rugged and I've been using them for years.

I've been eye-balling the Drift HD since GoPro STILL has not released their remote and this model has one.

I have the Contour HD. It works pretty well for me. I haven't used the GoPro much, but I think the Contour is very similar, but has a slightly longer lens (still a very wide viewing angle, just not as "fisheye" as the GoPro), the form factor is obviously different, and the sound on the Contour might not be as good (basically can't hear anything when it's in the waterproof case).

Otherwise files are easy to transfer, it's held up really well to pretty abusive use, mounts easily to a bike-style mount on the rail, or to a 1/4-20 screw, and lasts a decent while even with just a 2GB card (microSD).

A couple times I've missed some action because I thought I'd turned it on, but hadn't. Operator error mostly, but it might be more susceptible to that than the other models.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cafemontaigne

still a very wide viewing angle, just not as "fisheye" as the GoPro

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Just a heads up that the GoPro does many video aspect ratios including 60fps which allows beautiful slow-motion play back as well a time-lapse settings.


1080p = 1920×1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
960p = 1280×960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
WVGA = 848×480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

What I meant was the field of view is different, but I didn't realize they're almost the same at 1080p. The GoPro's is 127 degrees at 1080p and 170 degrees on the other settings, whereas the Contour is 135 degrees at 1080p/720p and 90 degrees at 480p.

Ok thanks guys.

I think the fisheye of the gopro line is good since we want to see movement on the boat and such. Within the GoPro line (I guess that's Hero + a sub-brand or something) there are these:

I assume naked and 960 are ok here? So much to choose from

$299.99 HD Helmet HERO
$299.99 HD Motorsports HERO
$269.99 HD Surf HERO
$259.99 HD HERO Naked
$179.99 HD HERO 960

Quote:

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Originally Posted by markm

Ok thanks guys.

I think the fisheye of the gopro line is good since we want to see movement on the boat and such. SNIP

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Tape a protractor on the stern pulpit where you plan to mount the camera. Look at your field of view (say 127 or 135 degrees side to side) looking forward.

Unless you have a large racing Multihull, your field of view will be just fine with any of those cameras.

My own choice ( with about 1.1 TB (yes TB not GB) recorded so far of hockey games my grandson played in last season) has been the Contour HD 1080 P with their waterproof case.

John of Blueberry

Latest issue of "Sailing" (pg 21) speaks of an organization set up by the 2nd Mrs. Rudiger (Lori) to accept donations in Rudi's name to assist other sailors in crisis.
The site was identified as: www.rudismates.org. It ends up in a web site involving clothing.
Any one know more?