What is the best sub-$200 helmet mount action cam?

**samgab** · 22nd February 2015, 15:33

In my commuting, I live by the mantra of "situational awareness", and always expecting car drivers to do the wrong thing, so I'm prepared and not surprised when they do...

That being said, the stuff I see when commuting to/from work in Dorkland boggles the mind.

So I've been considering getting a helmet-mount action cam type of thing. In the GoPro stylie, but less expensive.
I'd like to get something in the sub-$200 range, waterproof obviously, with a very wide angle of view, and actual Full HD (not just a 960x540 sensor "upscaled"), so number plates aren't just a grey schmear on the screen when playing footage back. I've tried using my iPhone 6+ mounted to the bars, but it's not wide-angle enough, and the vibrations make the footage pretty much unwatchable, and it keeps hunting for focus.

Any suggestions for makes/models of suitable action cams? I may have to opt for the entry level GoPro Hero, but it's lacking a few useful features.

**Ulsterkiwi** · 22nd February 2015, 17:05

JBHiFi usually have a few deals going on action cams for that money. You will be looking at a wannabe GoPro. Maybe try and pick up a 2nd hand GoPro of slightly older vintage from someone who has upgraded?
IMHO The GoPro and similar have the worst possible form factor for helmet mounting, the resulting mount is usually less than sleek.

**The End** · 22nd February 2015, 17:11

The entry level GoPro can be bought on the official site for $199 http://shop.gopro.com/APAC/cameras

Otherwise I have heard good reviews about the SJ4000 Camera (mostly found on eBay).

**samgab** · 22nd February 2015, 17:26

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

JBHiFi usually have a few deals going on action cams for that money. You will be looking at a wannabe GoPro. Maybe try and pick up a 2nd hand GoPro of slightly older vintage from someone who has upgraded?
IMHO The GoPro and similar have the worst possible form factor for helmet mounting, the resulting mount is usually less than sleek.

Thanks, I'll check out TM and JBHifi... I totally agree with you about form factor. A square block is seriously the best gopro could come up with? The Contour Cams are a much better form factor, IMHO, but the price is up around the $500-700 mark for the ones of those that are any good.

Originally Posted by The End

The entry level GoPro can be bought on the official site for $199 http://shop.gopro.com/APAC/cameras

Otherwise I have heard good reviews about the SJ4000 Camera (mostly found on eBay).

Thanks, I'll check out the SJ4000 as well.

**Ulsterkiwi** · 22nd February 2015, 17:33

Originally Posted by samgab

Thanks, I'll check out TM and JBHifi... I totally agree with you about form factor. A square block is seriously the best gopro could come up with? The Contour Cams are a much better form factor, IMHO, but the price is up around the $500-700 mark for the ones of those that are any good.

Beg to differ, picked up a Roam2 for $239 and am very content with quality. Was not that hard to get at that money. Depends on what you want feature wise I suppose.

**1zero** · 23rd February 2015, 15:09

Originally Posted by samgab

In my commuting, I live by the mantra of "situational awareness", and always expecting car drivers to do the wrong thing, so I'm prepared and not surprised when they do...

That being said, the stuff I see when commuting to/from work in Dorkland boggles the mind.

So I've been considering getting a helmet-mount action cam type of thing. In the GoPro stylie, but less expensive.
I'd like to get something in the sub-$200 range, waterproof obviously, with a very wide angle of view, and actual Full HD (not just a 960x540 sensor "upscaled"), so number plates aren't just a grey schmear on the screen when playing footage back. I've tried using my iPhone 6+ mounted to the bars, but it's not wide-angle enough, and the vibrations make the footage pretty much unwatchable, and it keeps hunting for focus.

Any suggestions for makes/models of suitable action cams? I may have to opt for the entry level GoPro Hero, but it's lacking a few useful features.

These are pretty good, got one myself and a bit sleaker than the G-pro type.
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/camera...on-camera.html

**samgab** · 23rd February 2015, 15:36

Originally Posted by 1zero

These are pretty good, got one myself and a bit sleaker than the G-pro type.
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/camera...on-camera.html

Actually, that does look pretty good. In fact, the Elite model for a hundred dollars more is tempting, cos the GPS, Speed, and Altitude data would be useful too, especially if they provide tools to make use of the data... Cheers for that suggestion!

**samgab** · 23rd February 2015, 15:43

I had the exact situation on my ride into work this morning, where a camera recording everything would have worked in my favour.
I was riding down a road in Auckland CBD which has a (very wide) bus lane. A woman on a bicycle was riding down the dead centre of the bus lane, and I approached, also in the bus lane.
I saw her in front of me from basically the time I entered the street, so I planned ahead to give her heaps of room, and well before I passed her I moved to the extreme right of the bus lane, I was riding the line dividing the bus lane from the regular part of the road. Now, remember, this lane is wide enough for a BUS, plus room to spare, so with me on the line at the far right of the bus lane on my slender motorcycle, there should have been HEAPS of room for a cyclist riding in the dead centre of the bus lane, right? Well, apparently she didn't think so. As I pulled up to work, she rode up alongside me to have a go at me as I waited for the roller door to open, saying that I had passed her dangerously closely.
Honestly, if she's that nervous of other vehicles sharing the public road, she probably shouldn't be in control of a vehicle...
Anyway, that's another matter. Fact is, she grabbed a cop who had the misfortune of passing by at that time, to give him her point of view on matters. He and I exchanged understanding glances as I explained to him our relative positions on the bus lane as I passed her, and he and I each continued on with our day.
Oh, that's right, my point: If I'd been recording the whole incident, it would have come in handy if anything further had come of that situation.

**Scuba_Steve** · 23rd February 2015, 15:46

Pricespy is showing you can pickup Sony's older model, the HDR-AS20, for 199$

**Reckless** · 23rd February 2015, 15:53

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

Pricespy is showing you can pickup Sony's older model, the HDR-AS20, for 199$

Hasnt got a very good review http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-action-cam/

There are a few Contours on T/me for about $130

**Muftin_** · 23rd February 2015, 16:39

Originally Posted by Reckless

There are a few Contours on T/me for about $130

The roam 1 (running 60fps @720) is barely passable if you want to read number plates, road signs and stuff are alright though. Going through some of my vid's, plates become clear around 2-3m straight on and stationary.

**Reckless** · 23rd February 2015, 16:56

Originally Posted by Muftin_

The roam 1 (running 60fps @720) is barely passable if you want to read number plates, road signs and stuff are alright though. Going through some of my vid's, plates become clear around 2-3m straight on and stationary.

Would the previous model the Contour HD be ok?
Few of those on there

**Muftin_** · 23rd February 2015, 17:04

Originally Posted by Reckless

Would the previous model the Contour HD be ok?
Few of those on there

By the looks of it the HD is the same as roam 1 (contour roam, model 1600)

**samgab** · 23rd February 2015, 19:16

Originally Posted by Muftin_

The roam 1 (running 60fps @720) is barely passable if you want to read number plates, road signs and stuff are alright though. Going through some of my vid's, plates become clear around 2-3m straight on and stationary.

Ah bummer... While I was reading this post a Contour Roam 1 that I'd placed an autobid on was relisted with a fixed price offer, and because it was the same price as my previous bid bidbud.co.nz automatically bought it for me.
Well, I'm sure it will do the job for $93. And better than some of those cheap junkie units which go new for over $100 no doubt. All good.

Thanks for all the assistance, everyone.

After I pick it up and use it a bit I'll do an update with how I get on.

**Muftin_** · 23rd February 2015, 19:57

Originally Posted by samgab

Ah bummer... While I was reading this post a Contour Roam 1 that I'd placed an autobid on was relisted with a fixed price offer, and because it was the same price as my previous bid bidbud.co.nz automatically bought it for me.
Well, I'm sure it will do the job for $93. And better than some of those cheap junkie units which go new for over $100 no doubt. All good.

Thanks for all the assistance, everyone.

After I pick it up and use it a bit I'll do an update with how I get on.

Its is still a great camera for the price.