Head Cams Roundup!

So the snowboard season is in full swing and many of you have already stocked up on some new gear from your local shop and getting super stoked to rip up some fresh pow. One thing I definitely regret at the end of every season is having zero footage of me and my buddies, especially when it’s mid-July and you’re suffering from full on ride-withdrawal. That is exactly why I decided to invest in a mountable head cam for this season. Think about it. You spend thousands of dollars on snowboard equipment and quite possibly even more on trips to resorts and at the end of it all the only thing you end up with is a few awkward pictures. Why not invest in one of these with your buddies, take turns wearing it, and have hours of footage to supplement the great stories you’re ending the season with.

After hours of research, I’ve narrowed down hundreds of options to just a few I think everyone should consider.

1. GoPro Helmet Hero Wide ($190)
www.goprocamera.com

• Pros:
o Dollar for dollar, by far the best value for your money.
o Included mounts affix to just about anything you can think of.
o Conveniently records to SD cards.
o Shock-proof and water-proof, which is critical for the hardcore rider.

• Cons:
o Inhales AAA batteries faster than the fat kid with the Chuck E Cheese pizza.
o Confusing menu system.

2. VHoldR CountourHD ($300)
www.vholdr.com

• Pros:
o Shoots in full 720p high def resolution at 30 frames per second.
o Small with easy to use mount.
o Records to microSD cards in a format that’s friendly on both Mac or PC.
o Lets you shoot in slow motion in 480p!
o Laser pointers on the side direct you to what you’re shooting.

• Cons:
o Not 100% water-proof, so you need to stay somewhat dry!

3. V.I.O. POV. 1.5 ($700)
www.vio-pov.com

• Pros:
o Used by many professional athletes.
o Water-proof, dust-proof, shock-resistant.
o Small wireless remote lets you start and stop footage very conveniently.

• Cons:
o Doesn’t shoot in high definition with only 4.3 standard def.

Editor’s Pick

After looking at the pros and cons of each (and many other head cams), the decision is pretty easy. Nothing beats GoPro’s Helmet Hero Wide. It’s nicely priced and will do just about anything you want with it. The mount system is convenient and actually works. I saw some footage of someone mounting this thing to the side of his SUV to record his trek up to a local mountain. For an extra $100 you can get the HD version of this helmet cam, which still beats VHoldR’s CountourHD because it’s still shock-proof and water-resistant. It is slightly bulky when compared to other tiny head cams but reviews I’ve read state that it’s very light, which is all that matters really. This thing is definitely on my Christmas list!

Related posts:

1. Helmets Reduce the Risk of Head Injuries by 35%
2. Buying Your First Snowboarding Jacket & Pants Guide
3. Ride DH2 In-Depth Review
4. Snowboard Boots, Jackets, & Pants
5. Snowboard Safety