After my GoPro Hero2 every now and again acknowledged their service and the next holiday can not wait long for had just established a new Action Cam. The offer on the market has become very diverse. Whether Actionpro / Rollei and Co., the marketing experts GoPro, DriftHD, Contour, Sony, JVC and many others ... each CAM has advantages and disadvantages.
I have long sought, compared, rated videos and been thinking about the requirements.
These loud (highest priority at the top):
- Reliable function
- Usability
- Processing
- Battery life
- Connectivity, Bluetooth, WiFi, app support Apple / Android.
- Image Quality
- Video and image formats; 30/60 / 120fps, FOV. etc
- Cost / cost of accessories
- GPS
- Software
After weeks of searching then the Contour + 2 has emerged. I've tested in the last few weeks the CAM through their paces and will now explain each item in terms of the most important facts and functions.
- Reliable function
I run the Cam with the original Contour battery, two Nokia BL - 5C batteries and a Transcend 32GB memory card. Whether Bluetooth operation, continuous recording, frequent starting and stopping of the CAM, operating in direct sunlight or cold ... she's never once crashed, been frozen or stuck. Also memory cards from other manufacturers has +2 swallowed obediently the Contour.
- Usability
The great start stop slide switch is foolproof and has a pleasant resistance. Behind the small flap on the back there are more connections and a small switch with 2 positions. Here I can choose between predefined video formats or configure them via smartphone. As a rule, perfectly adequate. The Storyteller software and the Contour smartphone app are programmed self-explanatory and clean. The brackets sticking bombproof and sit tight.
- Processing
The metal case, the adjustable lens and all the switches make a professional impression and are very well made. Compared to Hero2 a big difference. Nothing is loose or wobbles. The metal housing also acts as a passive cooler smart solution for the processor.
- Battery life
Circa 1:45 depending gimmick. The GPS is set with me at full speed (5 Hz), Bluetooth turns itself off after 5 minutes. Solid runtime.
- Connectivity
All interfaces operate seamlessly and flawlessly.
- Image quality, formats, GPS, costs ...
Roughly on par with the GoPro Hero 2 or 2 Silver Edition. Beautiful colors, good sharpness, light deductions in terms of image noise, good low-light performance.
I use 95% of 1080p / 30 and 720p / 60th All other formats are for me shenanigans ... The reduction from 60 to 30fps is perfectly adequate for SloMo recordings. The GPS is just fantastic, even in buildings he finds mostly the satellite. On the bike she has found the GPS position within seconds ... at full speed. Thanks Storyteller software I now always speed, Google Maps location in the image ... Perfect for motor sport. The cost of accessories are definitely under GoPro's level and move in a reasonable frame.
Conclusion:
If you look at the complete range on the market Actioncam: For me, the Contour + 2 The compromise is par excellence. Due to their versatility makes them almost everything better than the competition. Should Contour release the successor with 1080p / 60, it would be the ultimate Cam for me !!
Contour +2 - Very strong buy recommendation!
