Introduction What’s Included Key Camera Features Performance and Comparison Sample Video Conclusion Pricing

Introduction:
Oregon Scientific has upped their game with the introduction of the ACT9K. It incorporates a 5 megapixel CMOS sensor for high definition shooting, includes a nice quality LCD for video playback, and offers the ability to customize a variety of shooting parameters through its onboard menu.  The camera is waterproof to 20 meters, allowing you to shoot in extreme conditions and underwater. It records video onto a MicroSD Card (not included), and stores video files in an H264 format. Its feature set is comparable to the GoProHD and the ContourHD, and is priced at $299.00 USD retail.

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Highlights of the Drift HD170

• The HD170 delivers full 1080p HD quality video and 5MP photographs
• Functions can be controlled by a wireless RF remote control
• A 1.5″ screen helps you to line up the perfect shot and to show off your video right away
• Memory expansion up to 32Gb on an SDHC card
• Wide angle lens of 127° in 1080p and170° in 720p & WVGA
• All the mounts that you need are provided, plus it has a metal 8mm mount
• HDTV component out cable included

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2010 Tachyon XC Product Review Introduction What’s Included Key Camera Features Camera Performance Sample Video Conclusion Pricing About HelmetCameraCentral.com About The Author Changelog

The 2010 Tachyon XC is an inexpensive helmet camera that is well constructed and waterproof to over 30’. It uses the same CMOS chip as its little brother the XC Micro, making the video and audio performance is pretty much the same as the Micro version. There are other similarities, so a lot of the comments in this review are the same for the XC Micro. The main difference between the XC and the XC Micro, is that the XC offers a lot more features that you will read about later on in the review. Like its little brother, the XC is built for extreme conditions, and could be used in a variety of sports where rain, snow, water, and mud are a factor. This camera is particularly popular with the paintball crowd. Tachyon offers Lens Armor to protect the camera lens from a paintball impact, and other flying objects. No other manufacturer offers this type of feature for their camera. The manual for the XC is only available on Tachyon’s website, so you can either read it on-line, or download it to your computer. The XC’s primary competitors in its price range are the GoPro Wide, the Oregon Scientific ACT3K, and the Epic Action Cam. The XC records video in AVI format, and can accept up to a 32GB SD Card. It is slightly larger than the XC Micro, and runs on (2) AA batteries. It comes with a nice selection of mounts that allow you to secure the camera to the top or side of your helmet, or to other mounts that use a ¼-20 thread (i.e. tripod). Its CMOS chip boasts low light performance, though it is configured to shoot best during a sunny day. As you will read, I think you will realize that the XC is the best in its class (along with the Micro version).

Tachyon XC Tachyon XC Micro

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Tachyon XC Micro Product Review Introduction What’s Included Key Camera Features Camera Performance and Comparison Sample Video Conclusion Pricing About HelmetCameraCentral.com About The Author Changelog

The Tachyon XC Micro is an entry level helmet camera that is well constructed and waterproof to over 30’. It is built for extreme conditions, and could be used in a variety of sports where rain, snow, water, and mud are a factor. The manual for the XC Micro is only available on-line, so you’ll need to download it to learn how to operate the camera. Its primary competitors in its price range are the Oregon Scientific ACT3K, and the Epic Action Cam. The XC Micro records video in AVI format, and can accept up to a 32GB Micro SD Card. It is relatively compact and runs on (2) AAA batteries. It comes with a universal mount that allows you to secure the camera to the top or side of your helmet. Its CMOS chip boasts low light performance, though it is configured to shoot best during a sunny day. As you will read, I think you will realize that the XC Micro is the best in its class.

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Hoyttech – MSR-200 Product Review Introduction What’s Included Key Camera Features Camera Performance Comparison Sample Video Conclusion Pricing About HelmetCameraCentral.com About The Author – Mike Stoll Changelog

I have been using point-of-view (POV) cameras for over five years, and this is the first one I have seen that was designed specifically for the Motorsport industry. It uses a unique vacuum cup mount that allows you to attach it to any smooth, non-porous surface including windshields, dashboards, hoods, etc. Hoyttech also sells a mount, which allows you to secure the camera to a roll bar or motorcycle frame. The camera includes a variety of video modes to select from including standard or high definition.

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The Drift X170 Action Camera provides a tremendous value to the adventure sports enthusiast. If you are not looking for HD resolution, have a budget below current HD systems, or you want HD but your computer can’t deal – then the X170 is a great choice.  It comes with everything you need to mount, record, and review footage and is very easy to use.  With DVD Quality video and a built in LCD screen for review it is a great value. Read below to see how much is packed into this small cam..

Highlights of the Drift X170

• The X170 delivers DVD quality video and 5Mp photographs
• Functions can be controlled by a wireless RF remote control
• A 1.5″ screen helps you to line up the perfect shot and to show off your video right away
• Memory expansion up to 8Gb on SD card
• With a wide angle lens of 170º you will get all the action in your shot
• All the mounts that you need are provided, plus it has a metal 8mm mount
• The price tag for all of this is incredible!

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Update: The ContourHD1080p series is officially SHIPPING! Order one over at the Shop

Hot on the heals of their ContourHD release, VholdR quickly comes to market with a premium version that supports full 1080p HD resolutions. Record life-like, full resolution, 1080p HD video on your head and share it online in seconds with VholdR’s new ContourHD1080p^TM, the world’s first full 1080p HD wearable camcorder that allows you to shoot AND easily share high-definition video. At just $329.99, the ContourHD 1080p was designed with the needs of outdoor enthusiasts in mind. This durable camera provides amazing video clarity (choose between a plethora of high definition or high action video modes), ease of use, and a host of mounting options and accessories. VholdR continues their successful ContourHD series with the same form factor, and a increased level of video quality of prosumers and consumers alike.

Highlights of the ContourHD 1080p:

• Full HD – 1080p (1920×1080) @ 30 fps
• Tall HD – 960p (1280×960) @ 30 fps
• Action HD – 720p (1280×720) @ 60 fps
• Contour HD – 720p (1280×720) @ 30fps
• Fast SD – WVGA (848×480) @ 60fps
• 135-degree wide angle lens
• 5 Megapixel Sensor
• Internal microphone (Adjustable)
• Quicktime H.264 MOV with AAC Audio
• MicroSD/SDHC up to 16GB (2GB included) – Up to 8 Hours of HD video
• Rechargable Lithium Ion Battery – Up to 3 hours per charge
• iPod(USB) Charge Compatible
• Adjustable Contrast, Light Metering, Exposure and Mic Sensitivity
• Fits VholdR TRail^TM mount system
• Easy Edit^TM and Share software
• Read the full review with sample video after the jump!

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Update: The GoPro HD series is officially available for sale over at the Shop

GoPro, makers of the infamous Hero Wide line of cameras announced some astonishing news at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show this week. This Fall, they will be releasing the GoPro HD Wide, the world’s first full high definition 1080p helmet camera! Yes, that’s right, 1080p (1920 x 1080 resolution) on a freak’n helmet cam, how awesome is that? What’s even more awesome is that the camera will retail for $299, quite possibly placing it among the world’s most affordable 1080P high definition camcorder of any sort.

The overall visual appearance of the high definition GoPro HD Wide is pretty much the same – but the insides of the GoPro HD are very different and the specs tell the full story! The GoPro HD still has the killer 170 degree wide angle lens and will have three recording resolutions: 1080p (1980 x 1080), 960p (1280×960, so it’s similar to 720p but at 4:3 ratio), and 720p (1280 x 720). What’s even better is the camera can record 720p at double speed 60 FPS for buttery smooth high-def slow motion deliciousness. Here are the full video specs with bitrates, please note bitrates may change in final production version:

• 1080P 1980×1080 30 fps @12 Mbps
• 960P 1280×960, 30 fps @ 10 Mbps
• 720P 1280×720, 30 fps @ 7.5 Mbps
• 720P 1280×720, 60 fps @ 15 Mbps

• Sample videos and more specs after the jump!

Record HD video on your head and share it online in seconds with VholdR’s new ContourHD^TM, the world’s first HD wearable camcorder. At just under $250, the Contour HD was designed with the needs of outdoor enthusiasts in mind. This durable camera provides amazing video clarity (choose between high definition or high action), ease of use, and a host of mounting options and accessories.

Highlights of the ContourHD:

• HD (1280 x 720) at 30 fps SD (Actual 29.97)
• SD (858 x 480) at 60 fps (Actual 59.960)
• 135-degree wide angle lens
• MicroSD/SDHC up to 16GB (2GB included)
• Internal microphone
• Fits VholdR TRail^TM mount system
• Easy Edit^TM software
• Quick Start guide
• Read the full review after the jump!

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Been waiting for an update the POV.1? Well here it is! The POV.1.5 is the successor to the wildly popular POV.1. While not a completely new product, there have definitely been some changes made. The POV.1.5 now comes with a shorter, orange, tethered camera head, so no more bent or broken pins. It also comes from the factory with built in SDHC support, new mounting options, a 4Gb SDHC card, and tutorials on disc.

In addition, VIO has also released the POV.1.5M which includes the POV DC Power Adapter for you vehicular POV users.

Some highlights of the VIO) POV.1.5:

• New shorter camera head with tethered cable
• Built in LCD screen on recording unit to view live video and review video
• 98 Field of View Wide Angle Lens with Infinite Focus
• DivX MPEG4 AVI Compression, 1GB at 720×480@30fps = 40 Minutes
• 24P and 30P Progressive video ready, up to 720×480
• SDHC card storage up to 8GB (6 Hours), USB 2.0 connectivity, and Analog video/audio output
• No digital to analog conversion – digital from camera to compression
• Wireless remote – start/stop record and nice TAG feature
• 4 AA batteries powers the recording unit and camera
• 1 cable from recording unit to camera
• Waterproof in-line microphone integrated into camera cable
• Lightweight (About 1 lb (375 grams) with batteries and camera) and power efficient
• Includes POV Manager software to quickly edit and post to web

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