After shutting down last year, Contour is back and under new management. They relaunched their official website, and are once again offering the classic Contour+2 and waterproof Roam2 cameras. In the coming months, they plan to launch new cameras that will feature the traditional Contour design features: slide-to-record switch, laser alignment system, and 270° rotating lens.
Contour cameras were popular do to their simplicity, ruggedness, and wide accessory support, so it’s great to see their return to the market.
Hat tip: www.cnet.com/news/contour-returns-promises-new-pov-action-cams-soon
Tags: Contour
Thank all that is good. Waiting for a camera to spring up that can do what Contour does was painful.
I used a contour for my deployment in Afghanistan. Absolutely loved it, so of course I was dismayed when I heard they had shut down. This is music to my ears to hear they are back and launching new model(s)! Go pro needs a competitor to ensure a healthy market and I for one feel that Contour is that answer. Not to mention I’ve always preferred the slim side profile of Contour.
PSA. I do not work for Contour, just an Infantryman who gets excited about this kind of thing >_>
While I think that GoPro has Contour beat on image quality, sound quality, versatility, accessories, and tangential features; I think Contour definitely has the better form factor for use purely with helmets and other rails. Its streamlined shape is perfect for mounting to the side of a helmet or the rail of a weapon. I am happy to see that the company is back on the market.
I liked the contour profile and ruggedness. GoPro killed them with advertising though. It will be a tough break to get back into a market that GoPro likely has 80-90% of the market share. Sony is also playing now, with a profile similar to contour, and lots of money.
GoPro has done of good job of making what was a ‘secondary’ camera people’s primary camera with the LCD back, extended batteries, and mounts for everything to include tripods. What is Contour going to bring to make them ‘special?’
The Midland Radios XTC is stupid simple and is a good alternative. We’re pretty happy with ours.
Has anyone used the REPLAY XD? How does it compare to go pro or contour??
Contour is my favorite. Glad to see it back!
The Contour +2’s that we have are great for training and mission documentation. The GoPro cameras are ok, but not very applicable to the helmet mounted tactical use due to its configuration and mounting location (NVG mount). My only issue with the Contour is that you need to have two cameras per individual (Day and Modified Night). I would like to see a mission camera that can be manually switched by the operator (Threshold) or automatically adjusts (Objective) to different light conditions. I know that the issue is the circuitry required, but this could easily be incorporated into a counterweight or combination “Brain”/Battery Box mounted on the back of the helmet that would power the helmet and if needed, the NVG’s. I know that in the realm of mission documentation, for every proponent there are ten opposed to it. However, it is valuable tool for AAR’s and intell. Hopefully, we will see some new capabilities in the near future.
Isn’t that a problem with all of the cameras available? That means it’s not an issue with Contour, but a problem with cameras. Still using two Contours is cheaper than putting a NVD in front of a single Contour…
Mike,
I would disagree. There are plenty of “Low Light/No Light” security camera’s that are the size of the Contour (usually in a black and white format). Like I said, the processors (i.e. “Brian”) necessary to facilitate the adjustment of the camera for varying light conditions and power source, could be housed in a box on the back of the helmet and also serve as a counterweight or auxiliary power source for NVG’s. I would prefer a system that would seamlessly transition from “daylight” (i.e. “Color” format) to a “Low Light / No Light” format (i.e. “Black & White” format). This would be especially useful in operations where the user transitions from varying light conditions (ex: VBSS & SSE operations).
I know that SOCOM recently awarded VIO a contract for POV cameras, but I haven’t got to play with any of them yet so I can’t speak to their Low Light/No Light capability. But I can say the whole kit is pretty big. Inasmuch, this news may make any development of this capability by Contour a moot point.
The issue with any development in relation to industry is funding and return on investment. Inasmuch, most companies are chasing the holy grail (read “Web Warrior”) vs. a “phased” or “block” approach.
I doubt Contour is privy to any information on this blog, but if they were, it would be nice if they did offer something with increased capability through the Prime Vendor program that would not only already utilize the fielded helmet (in my case the OPS-CORE), but would help refine capability and requirements generation.