Another action cam - Garmin, this one!

[Kamikuza]

FYI:

On the Contour Roam 2 you need a computer to change the shooting mode.

In any head to head I've seen, the Drift looks like garbage. I can't remember if it was the 'HD Ghost' or the previous model though. I'd look into it before purchasing.

Of course, there's the Monoprice cam; which apparently has a build quality to match its $100 price. And it's on backorder. Still, I'd probably still get one of those before the Roam 2--at least you can change shooting modes in the field.

Cam people, *cough*Rick I*cough* any experiences or recommendations?

I know the GoPro is the 'gold standard' and has all the mounts; but what a dumb form factor. There's no way to unobtrusively mount the thing--and then you need the housing. If I wanted a hunk of polycarbonate hanging off my forehead I would have bought a helmet from Gath.

Yeah, but really - how often do you change modes during a session? I put the Roam2 on the lines, turn it on and ride till my legs give out. I'm there to ride, not fiddle with HD modes or turning the camera on and off to get the perfect shot

[POACHER]

All of these cameras are way too big and this Garmin entry looks to be more of the same.

Cell phones, tablets, laptops and just about every new car has a tiny little camera in it, but for action sports we have to tape a toaster sized (non-waterproof) camera to our head?

Pass.

[Kamikuza]

All of these cameras are way too big and this Garmin entry looks to be more of the same.

Cell phones, tablets, laptops and just about every new car has a tiny little camera in it, but for action sports we have to tape a toaster sized (non-waterproof) camera to our head?

Pass.

A lot of the camera is battery and circuits to control it - the "camera" you see in those gizmos is just the lens, y'know.

[jbdc]

Yeah, but really - how often do you change modes during a session? I put the Roam2 on the lines, turn it on and ride till my legs give out. I'm there to ride, not fiddle with HD modes or turning the camera on and off to get the perfect shot

That's totally valid, and I agree with you: I don't like messing around on the beach when I could be riding. Admittedly, it's not exclusively for kiteboarding that I want the ability to change modes, but for general use. The only time it'd really help for kiting is in the break-in period when I'd want to take samples of the different modes before settling on the one to use.

All of these cameras are way too big and this Garmin entry looks to be more of the same.

I agree, they're a bit big for my tastes too, especially if they require a housing. There are more compact options on the market, but they're either not HD, or if they are, they look pretty crappy.

I'm sure as the market matures they'll get smaller, better and cheaper; so I guess it's a question of how long you're willing to wait.

[POACHER]

All of these cameras are way too big and this Garmin entry looks to be more of the same.

Cell phones, tablets, laptops and just about every new car has a tiny little camera in it, but for action sports we have to tape a toaster sized (non-waterproof) camera to our head?

Pass.

A lot of the camera is battery and circuits to control it - the "camera" you see in those gizmos is just the lens, y'know.

I realize this. However my cell phone is 1/4 the size, it has a battery, it has a camera, it can shoot HD video for over 2.5 hours easily.

Why can't anyone's "action camera" do the same?
(without requiring a giant, stupid housing that doesn't make it fog)

[Kamikuza]

All of these cameras are way too big and this Garmin entry looks to be more of the same.

Cell phones, tablets, laptops and just about every new car has a tiny little camera in it, but for action sports we have to tape a toaster sized (non-waterproof) camera to our head?

Pass.

A lot of the camera is battery and circuits to control it - the "camera" you see in those gizmos is just the lens, y'know.

I realize this. However my cell phone is 1/4 the size, it has a battery, it has a camera, it can shoot HD video for over 2.5 hours easily.

Why can't anyone's "action camera" do the same?
(without requiring a giant, stupid housing that doesn't make it fog)

Jesus that must be a small phone

[Kamikuza]

Less chunky, this one . . .

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-HX-A100 ... 901&sr=1-2

[sharky79]

All of these cameras are way too big and this Garmin entry looks to be more of the same.

Cell phones, tablets, laptops and just about every new car has a tiny little camera in it, but for action sports we have to tape a toaster sized (non-waterproof) camera to our head?

Pass.

A lot of the camera is battery and circuits to control it - the "camera" you see in those gizmos is just the lens, y'know.

I realize this. However my cell phone is 1/4 the size, it has a battery, it has a camera, it can shoot HD video for over 2.5 hours easily.

Why can't anyone's "action camera" do the same?
(without requiring a giant, stupid housing that doesn't make it fog)

what phone do you have?
my phone is 7cm*12.5cm*1.2cm which is bigger than the avg action cam and is not waterproof.

[POACHER]

Sony Xperia Active

[jbdc]

Less chunky, this one . . .

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-HX-A100 ... 901&sr=1-2

Good find, thanks!