In-car cameras mini test
New Contour+ features an app to preview your shot, but can it match the Hero 2 for value? We find out...
In our last test of cameras for your car, there were two main contenders, with the Contour HD taking honours from the GoPro HD Hero. But both have now been superseded – so which is better for mounting on the dash to record a drive on your favourite road or track, or just monitor your progress? We put the GoPro HD Hero 2 and Contour+ to the test.
We looked at what you get for your money, then attached each to our test car and recorded a drive in varying light. Once we were finished, we downloaded the footage on to our computer and compared playback. We rated ease of use throughout the test – and that was what ultimately decided the result.
Both cameras are good buys and there really isn’t much between them. The sleek, silver Contour+ is better looking and easier to set up; we love the app for previewing your shot. But the extra features make it expensive compared to the GoPro, so it had to settle for second. The Hero 2 motorsports pack is great value for money, and the new menu makes it simple to use.
Practical buy: GoPro HD Hero 2
Price: £299.99 (motorsports kit)
Contact: www.madison.co.uk
Rating: ★★★★★
Boxy HD Hero 2 doesn’t include a memory card or a screen to preview what you’re filming; to do the latter, you’ll need the £80 LCD BackPac. The menu is simple to use, with loads of functions, and the 170-degree wide-angle lens reacted well to changes in light. This £300 motorsports bundle has a suction cup mount and waterproof case. Audio quality is better than on the Contour+, but you can’t plug an external microphone in when the camera is in its case – and it needs to be in its case to be secured.
Money no object: Contour+
Price: £499.95
Contact: www.contour-hd.co.uk
Rating: ★★★★
The new Contour+ does without the previous model’s laser alignment, but you can still rotate the lens, while the Contour Connect app lets you get a preview on your iPhone’s screen via Bluetooth. The design is sleek, with a chunky record button and 2GB Micro SD memory card included. It also reacts well to light changes, and has a 170-degree wide-angle lens. GPS lets you log speed and the location of your drive, while the ball-and-socket mount is easier to use than the fiddly screws on the GoPro – but it’s £35 on top of the £500 price. The front-mounted microphone means wind noise is an issue, but you get an input for a quarter-inch external mic that can be plugged in when the camera is in the mount.
