Video camera recommendations?

I want to get a videocamera for my PA. I am seeing 2 dominant names, GoPro and Drift. These are both capable of doing still photos or video. The video resolution is up to 1080p. The GoPro is fully submersible, whereas the Drift is "water resistant". This may be an issue since I often take water over the bow in getting beyond the breakers on Lake MI. The GoPro does not have a "viewfinder" to frame your shot, while the Drift has a built-in LCD that permits you to see what you are photographing. The Drift also has a remote that permits turning the camera record on or off from the comfort of your cockpit.
Anybody have any experience with either of these?
Thoughts or Suggestions?

See http://driftinnovation.com/
and http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero2-surf-edition/

i have the gopro hd hero and i love it, u can get a lcd screen for the gopro and its awesome, and its great to be able to drop it down 50 feet on a wreck and check out the bottom, on the other the remote like on the drift would be sweet. heres my youtube channel of some of my gopro videos, it also take awesome photos!http://www.youtube.com/user/bbarton1984


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I have both and have settled on the Drift, mainly due to it's greater ease of use. It has an onboard LCD screen, simple, intuitive menu and the remote switch just makes it darn easy to use.

They've just come out with a newer model so the older, standard Drift XD170 stealth can be bought for a song. For $179 I got the camera, two batteries, an 8GB SD card and a case. I went back and bought a "long-life" battery and it gives me about 5 hours on stand-by. Carry two and you're good for all day.

I've found the color and quality, even on the lower resolution setting, to be fine when played back direct from the camera to my 40-inch Television. Rather stunning, really.

I took a different route with the Kodak PlaySport.................and I am happy with it.

Most people like to mount their video cameras on a mount on the kayak...........I don't..........I like mine on a head mount. The PlaySport is light and easy wear on my head all day.

I have a remote to operate it and I get some decent videos.

The camera, spare battery and remote is all cheap............I got a fisheye lens too but haven't use it much. You can get a total package on Amazon for $129.


http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySport-Z ... 164&sr=8-2

Tom- I had asked this question in your recent post on the camera mount but it got lost in the other discussion: Do you think that the "water resistant" rating for the Drift is an issue if my cam is destined to be frequently spashed and potentially immersed to 3' depth? (I may flip once or twice per season coming in on a breaking surf)

I can't advise on that I'm afraid. I've used mine in a light rain and it did fine. The company advertises it as being water resistant but I don't think it's waterproof.

However, they do offer a waterproof housing, much like the GoPro has around it. It's not expensive. I'd probably go that route if I thought I'd get a great deal of splash on it.

One other thing - the built-in microphone isn't much good unless you're wearing the camera on your person. I just bought the external mic and hung it on the camera mount. It's fantastic. I'll try to post a vid of it later today so you can hear just how good it is.

Kodak Playsport. For the price, it can't be beat. Wife has one and she is NOT gentle on electronics, or particularly technical. She does good with it.

They are CHEAP...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kodak-PlaySpo ... e/15539591

There is also the Contour that has a waterproof case made for it and also the Tachyon: Submersible, takes photos, HiDef

Might check out HelmetCamReview.com

Also the Vio-Pov ......... more but worth it ........... can see what you are recording all of the time and will allow you to preserve the event AFTER it happens so you don't miss anything ....... etc etc etc

http://www.vio-pov.com/

The following video was taken with the Drift XD170 camera, set at it's lower resolution setting. The external microphone is in place, on the camera body itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LBy7kr2 ... re=related

Tom - thanks for posting video. The sound is excellent with the external mic. Can you still use an external mic if you keep the camera in a waterproof pouch?

Mythman, Turtle2 - I checked out the Kodak Playsport and am amazed at what you get for the money! One concern I have is the file type. Looks like this camera only stores in .MOV format. I don't know anything about video editing, but see some complaints online that MOV is harder to work with than MP4 formats. I use only Windows computers - is MOV editing an issue for Windows?

To be honest, I don't know. They sell a "silicon" boot that fits over the rear of the camera since all the accessories plug in there. I've used mine in a mist (worked fine) but not a downpour nor do I have any water regularly splashing on it.

They offer a host of accessory items. You'd just have to look and ask the company for the specifics.

By the way, the movies can be played back directly from the camera to any TV, including a large screen model. I view mine on a 42 incher as soon as we get back. Considering I'm shooting at 720, the clarity and definition is incredible - as good as any TV program I get.

Hi, We have the GoPro wide angle surf pros and like them because they can seamlessly capture images 6" away to a 180 degree panorama. For underwater use, we purchased flat-lens housings to overcome the distortion of the fisheye lens of the SurfPro. Now, we have our cameras mounted on helmets for handsfree operation, but we also use the additional lcd viewers. We're enjoying the wide variety of mounting accessories that make our GoPros so useful. We purchased our cameras, lcd backs, and accessories at REI (Members get 10% back as a dividend, and REI has Satisfaction Guarantees.
Now, a friend purchased the Contour and w/p housing and is frustrated by the difficulty of getting it mounted for handsfree operation.
Good luck!

After reviewing all the good suggestions above, I placed my order for the Drift HD170 Stealth tonight. I got the camera, waterproof vinyl case, accessory external mic, silicone boot, extended life battery, and a 32GB SDHC memory card. The deciding factors for me were the remote record switch and built-in LCD. These features are standard on both the Drift and the Playsport but only as expensive options on the GoPro. The videos I reviewed online looked a bit sharper for the Drift vs the Playsport. This will be a Christmas gift from my wife, so I will have nothing to share with the group until after the holidays. Can't wait.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Let us know how you like it.
I am leaning towards the Drift because of the remote switch capability.
Where did you order it from? Total cost?

thanks

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