CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Computers, GPS, 'Smart' 'Phones

Contour Cameras

(22 posts)
  • Started 11 years ago by rosscbrown
  • Latest reply from Greenroofer

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  1. rosscbrown
    Member

    It seems Contour Cameras have went out of business which is a real shame - the website is still operational but you cannot download the companion software or firmware updates.

    I've always been a fan of Contour and just this morning took delivery of two new Roam2 cameras for the bike. That's how I discovered they were no longer trading actually.

    I'm not sure if I'm going to keep them or return them - Amazon have given me the option to get a refund.

    Buyer beware, I guess. Or haggle for a really good price. :)

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Really?! That's a shame.

    Just bought one 2 weeks ago, glad I got the software and firmware downloaded in time!

    I should still have the EXEs for the software if you want them I could stick it on Dropbox.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. twq
    Member

    I bought one the day they went out of business. Not much good if you can't change the settings! I'm still pretty pleased with it.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. rosscbrown
    Member

    I managed to locate a copy of the software (Mac and PC) and firmware for all the models (I've got an old Contour GPS somewhere). So I'm good.

    As an aside, how are you all attaching the cameras to yourself/bike? I've got the surface mounts, flex strap mounts and a hemet mount. Don't have my bike back yet so haven't be able to play about...

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. Kenny
    Member

    http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-21/three-lessons-in-the-wipeout-of-contour-cameras

    http://pistehors.com/lessons-from-the-demise-of-contour-22977283.htm

    A desperate shame, but they couldn't compete with the Go Pro, despite looking vastly better and being much easier to use. The Go Pro is clearly the better known of the brands.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. Kenny
    Member

    how are you all attaching the cameras to yourself/bike

    It's on my front fork, on the right hand side. No-one realises it's there, which is a massive bonus. The thought of having a Go Pro attached to my helmet makes me shudder, because it looks awful. But then, I'm vain.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. rosscbrown
    Member

    It's on my front fork, on the right hand side.

    What kind of mount are you using mkns?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Kenny
    Member

    I use a "flex strap":

    http://bit.ly/1boYZdk

    (Note that everything on Contour's web site is out of stock because they are out of business, but that won't stop you getting it elsewhere)

    It looks like this on my bike:

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. Kenny
    Member

    An example of video from today, from that vantage point on my bike, includes this awesome looking dude:

    Here's the 5 second video:

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Video Widget

    You'd be best to view that directly on the youtube site rather than on CCE, since the version on this page is very much smaller than what you'd see on youtube.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. neddie
    Member

    Sony now make some pretty good HD "Action Cams":

    http://www.sony.co.uk/product/cam-action-cam/hdr-as15

    Quite expensive @£259, but I thought I saw a cheaper one @~200...?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. Greenroofer
    Member

    That's such a shame. I love my Contour: it's waterproof, discreet and really easy to use. The Go Pro (like it says in the articles) looks like a Tellytubby camera: it's not exactly subtle. The Sony one from @edd1e_h looks just like the Contour, but it's not clear if it's waterproof without the extra case.

    I hope my Contour lasts for a good few years yet, but the problem's going to be the battery. It's not 'end-user replaceable' so when the battery goes, that's the end of the device.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. chdot
    Admin

    http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/01/gopro-announces-new-hero3-cameras-and-gopro-ios-app-update

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. Snowy
    Member

    Now that's a bit annoying. I was just waiting for payday to go and get a Contour Roam2. But since my previous cam gave up and needed to be replaced (diff brand), I'm not prepared to buy one without a warranty. Ah well, back to the drawing board.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  14. alanr
    Member

    How disappointing that Contour have gone bust. The Roam2 is a delightful camera, although unfortunately mine, bought 4 months ago, has stopped working and the retailer has said to me that they are going to get a warranty replacement from Contour. Not now, they aren't.
    I suppose I've lost my money then, and I'll have to get a replacement.

    If anyone needs the associated programs, I probably still have them. Let me know if you do. As my camera is now dead and with the retailer, I have a spare helmet mount that someone could have, if they were interested ..

    Posted 11 years ago #

  15. BenN
    Member

    alanr - small point of law, but your faulty camera falls under statutory rights, and the retailer has an obligation to ensure that the device works for an 'acceptable' length of time. The contract of sale is not between you and the manufacturer, and their insolvency has no bearing on whether or not you have a working camera. The retailer has to either fix it or replace it with the same model. If they don't, the small claims process only costs £16... (which you get back when you win!)

    Posted 11 years ago #

  16. duncans
    Member

    Very disappointing; the Roam is pretty much the perfect little camera.

    The GoPro is ugly and needs an external case to be waterproof.

    Alan - I'd be interested in taking the helmet mount off you as a spare.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  17. Kenny
    Member

    Hilariously, I attempted to find out last night how to go about attaching a GoPro Hero3+ to the front fork of my bike, if I were to take the plunge and get one. This is the best I could find; talk about ridiculous:

    http://sugru.com/guides/how-to-improve-a-gopro-mount-on-a-bike-fork

    There seems to be a huge number of mounts available for the camera though, and all at seemingly reasonable prices (in comparison to Contour mounts). It just seems odd that the only way to get a front fork mount is to bodge it. Does anyone here have such a device and is able to offer bike-mounted suggestions other than sticking it on your handlebars? That's not really an option for me, especially in winter when lights are mounted alongside my GPS.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  18. threefromleith
    Member

    Bums :-( Only bought mine in mid-August. Fingers crossed that it doesn't pack in too quickly.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  19. Focus
    Member

    Good news for Contour owners or those who may want to buy one:

    Contour action cameras on the rebound?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  20. Kenny
    Member

    Hurrah! \o/ they are so much better looking than the gopro.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  21. Focus
    Member

    Absolutely. Putting performance to one side, I can't see the appeal of the GoPro design for an actioncam, a bulletcam being far more streamlined and proctical. Even the new Garmin VIRBis a far better design.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  22. Greenroofer
    Member

    I'd like to replace the front lens cover on my Contour, as it's scratched and is making the picture blurry (too long spent rattling around in my pocket, I fear).

    It's definitely a user-replaceable part, as there are instructions on the contour.com website on how to do it. The problem is that I can't find a UK supplier of said part. Have you had any luck buying a replacement front lens for a Contour camera. Where did you go to get it?

    I've emailed Contour in the US and await a reply with interest...

    Posted 9 years ago #

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