I go with my assessment, of course, a little more detail, but first some general:
I bought the camera a few weeks ago here at Amazon for 344 euros. I have long been researched and looked at many different products. Here many mediocre or no longer contemporary cameras were also many good products. But no other can convince me in every aspect as much as the +2 of Contour!
For a few years I already have a three generations older Contour HD 1080p without all the bells and whistles like Bluetooth and GPS. And actually what I thought, I could well do without it in the future. But since I have the new camera, I do not want to miss these features! ;)
To use the camera movements comes with me mostly in quad and mountain bikes on each motorcycle helmet or bicycle helmet. Occasionally, however, also held on the tripod or in hand to third person to record impressions.
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Now to the actual camera:
Processing:
There nothing to complain about. The camera looks great and feels great. Nowhere disturbs something that looks cheap or gives the impression that was saved here. The same applies to the waterproof case, again voice processing and quality. Nothing rattles or rattles.
Image Quality:
The quality of the recorded video is good and quite convinced me, at the same time is here but my only teeny criticism. In good light (daylight, sunshine, etc.) +2 plays in Action Camera Segment definitely with the very front. It stands in a clear, sharp and beautiful images with realistic colors in true HD. In low light or at night to show weaknesses, and there also help the possible settings no longer really on. Although the image in the fall is not really bad, competing products are such as definitely superior to the Sony Action Cam with Exmor R CMOS sensor. Too bad that does not work here Contour provides a better image sensor. Because then the camera would be perfect!
Sound Quality:
Here I was particularly surprised. On my old Contour HD was heard from 40 km / h, even deafening noise in the airstream. The new makes it much better. Until about 120 km / h no noise in my +2. You can hear clearly the engine noise and "spoken" out of the helmet. And even in the waterproof casing you can hear an astonishing amount of "out there". If that's still not enough: there is a connector for external microphones. Unfortunately, you can only use this without the housing.
Recording formats:
Basically, the HD resolutions 1080p, 720p, the so-called "tall HD" 960p and 480p SD resolution are available. Each with either 25 or 30 frames per second. Who wants to take faster, can record in 720p with 50 or 60 fps or 480p at even 100 or 120 fps. These recordings can then be played as wonderful looking slow motion shots, which delivers truly amazing results. Alone that's great, but it gets even better: If you have a picture processor software (eg Twixtor) can thus be expected from the 60 or 120 fps shooting truly stunning super slow motion.
The recording angle differs for the different resolutions. The full 170 ° for example, there is not in 1080p mode. In addition, the aspect ratio is different. At 960p obtained a 4: 3 image, otherwise you have a 16: 9 ratio.
Video format:
The camera sets the video files in a common MOV container onto the SD card. All popular video platforms and all I know video editing programs support this container format. Other than that, this is just the case to the actual data. In this container, the video recordings stuck in contemporary H.264 format. The audio data are encoded as AAC. Thus, a convert to MP4 and other current container formats is possible.
Handling consumption:
Simple and practical as it gets: slide forward -> recording. Slide backwards -> Stop. No on / off switch, no fumbling with gloves, no missed scenes because the camera was, etc. Perfect! Grade from
Handling BT:
On the top is the button to activate the Bluetooth transmitter. Pressing this long on the camera in pairing mode. Once paired with your phone, make a quick pressure on the BT button. On a mobile phone you need to have installed the free Contour app. On Androids as well as on the apples LiveView always works for me perfectly first time. The configuration of the camera works on the touch screen of the mobile phone super and even remotely control the camera via app works beautifully. On Android and iOS devices alike. (I use an Arc S with Android 4 and iPod Touch 4G).
Handling GPS:
The function of the GPS recording solution is adjusted in the configuration of the camera on or off. Either with the Contour software on the PC or via app on the phone. Is Enabled GPS records the +2 to every recording the GPS information with. These can then be uploaded to your PC via software and even on different video platforms with upload. Almost unique in the market.
Handling HDMI:
Simply the supplied adapter into the mini-HDMI port on the camera switch on and get the image and sound in any TV or PC with HDMI port can be fed. What's needed is not even to begin recording (simply activate BT and you've got even image via HDMI). Otherwise you can use the camera in this manner as a webcam or signal stream live to enter time on the misinformation another review! ;)
Laden during recording:
No Problem! Connecting and charging via USB to the PC or any USB charger. This works while recording as well as during transmission via HDMI (with or without recording).
Battery life:
From the old ContourHD I am a bit spoiled. This could certainly achieve a recording time of over 3 hours. This creates the new +2 unfortunately not completely. After about 2.5 hours, she makes mostly limp. BT and GPS are taking their toll here. Since it does not hurt to take an extra battery with. Good to know: The Contour battery is identical to the battery type BL-5CA of is used for example in some Nokia phones. This gives it a lot more affordable than the original, but also work well. (But beware of cheap China-battery)
Assembly:
Optimum is easier! The rotating lens enables installation on just about every conceivable position on the bike, quad, helmet, etc ... included in the package are the main assembly parts for mounting, for example on motorcycle helmet. In addition, the camera itself and the housing has a thread at the bottom for use on any tripod. For all those for whom that is not enough there to buy everything possible to further assembly parts. The "mounting rails" on the device itself as well as the housing are extremely practical. Even with thick gloves, the camera can deduct from the fortifications and reinserting it.
Weight and air resistance:
Keeping these points the camera mounted on the helmet with certainly crucial. The +2 is slightly heavier than my old Contour HD. But what is not surprising when the growth of functions and features. The dimensions, however, are almost identical. The minimally higher weight does not bother me personally but. What I particularly like the design. When mountain biking less interest this criterion is very important in motorized trips by bike or quad! The Contour is nice and narrow through the tubular form offers little air resistance. In addition, the camera is now hardly, because by the mounting rails using the integrated floats the device very close to the helmet. Even at speeds far exceeding 100 km / h, noted by the camera on the helmet absolutely nothing. No pressure, no resistance, no whistling ... nothing!
Memory Card:
Here come MicroSD card to use. In Europe, no card is included, but this is not really bad, because with a 4 GB card will not get you even a single charge long made. I recommend here 32GB cards, so I'm always out of approximately two fully charged batteries long. (The battery has between changed faster and easier than the small filigree microSD card.)
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Now a final conclusion:
As I said: In my opinion this is the best currently available helmet camera! The features are all great in everything. No other camera combines functionality, ease of use, quality and versatility as the Contour +2. Even if it shows slight weaknesses in the picture in low light compared to some competitors, it is the bottom line by far the number 1! Moreover, I like the design exceptionally well, but that's a matter of taste! ;)
