Power Kite Forum

Drift HD camera deal.

Feyd - 8-12-2011 at 07:31 AM

I know that there are a lot of Go Pro desciples in here. And the Go Pro is obviously a good unit but I'm really psyched on my Drift HD and I just got wind of this full Pro package deal.

http://www.mypov360.com/buy/Drift-HD-Professional-Package-De...

I love the low profile, the rotating lense, the mounts are awesome, THE REMOTE IS AWESOME, the built in screen is awesome.

I think I need another one.;-)

bigkid - 8-12-2011 at 07:45 AM

Nice, been ready for a change, this maybe it.

Feyd - 8-12-2011 at 07:51 AM

I love mine. This one is nicer and it comes with freakin everything.

I'm gonna have to cowboy up and get another. It would be nice to have multiple angles and you can sync the remote so I can activate both cams at once.

Pretty darn slick.

flash - 8-12-2011 at 12:01 PM

fyi... not waterproof... found that out

thanson2001ok - 8-12-2011 at 12:32 PM

can you edit raw footage with iMovie?

Feyd - 8-12-2011 at 02:43 PM

I think it states clearly on the package "Water resistant to 1m". They do make a two waterproof housings for them. I've gotten mine wet and been caught in light rain but I have never submerged it.

As I stated last season in my blog, if I'm submerged while riding the ice the last thing I'm going to worry about is my helmet cam. Although I wish I had a cam on the last time I self rescued. I think it would be educational footage. :D

Thanson it records in quicktime format/mpeg4 like the Go Pro so I would assume that it is compatible with Imovie.

Feyd - 8-12-2011 at 04:01 PM

Check this too. The stealth version of mine with some extra goodies.


http://www.mypov360.com/buy/Drift_HD170_Stealth_Everything_P...

bigkahuna - 8-12-2011 at 04:57 PM

I kind of like that system's waterproof case better than the GoProHD's. Has a flat lens so there shouldn't be any underwater distortion. How does the video quality compare to the GoProHD's?

Kamikuza - 8-12-2011 at 07:50 PM

Correction - how does it compare to the GoPro_2_?

Feyd - 8-12-2011 at 08:48 PM

I can't say as I haven't had any expirience with the GoPro2. Go to the sight and check out the vids and you can see the quality. Is it as good as the new GoPro? I dunn but I do know that the quality looks phenominal on the TV and on the computer. My uploads don't do it justice because I have a slow connection and upload low rez.

Pound for pound comparing specs the they both have thier good points.

I think it will come down to personal preference. For me not having the camera sticking out getting caught on my lines or in the branches when I'm on a bike is a key benefit. The remote is the other feature that attraced me to the Drift. The mounting system is better than the Go Pro IMO and being able to rotate the lense to level the cam out no matter where you put it is worth it's weight in gold. The digital zoom, (which usually suck) works really well. Much better than my Contour's zoom.

Sure, does the Drift have 960p 48 FPs? No. Do I need that? No. I'm happy with 720-1080p and 60 FPS. I tried the Go Pro 1, the Contour and the Oregon and the Drift just really works for me better than any of those.

Sure the Gp Pro will have a remote eventually. But at what cost and as a modular unit to the camera what happens if I slap it on the ice?

I like how clean the Drift is, and she can take a hell of a hit. ;)

And the tactical mount is wicked slick. If you're into that sort of thing.
Bang for the buck I don't think you can beat it.

Kamikuza - 8-12-2011 at 09:47 PM

The sticking out is all relative :lol: one is long the other wide and fat - wink wink nudge nudge - what do you prefer? :tumble:

Oregon interests me cos it's different and I'd like a Contour for the GPS but seriously, $400 for the Drift and no waterproof case? Yikes!

ChrisH - 8-12-2011 at 11:29 PM

The Clymb is having a sale on these right now.....

This is what they have.....

Drift HD Camera: $239.98
Charger : $17.98
Monopod: $17.98
Battery: $11.98
Car Charger: $11.98
LED HD Cable: $11.98
HD External Mic: $11.98
HD Lens Changing Kit: $11.98
Spare Handlebar Mount: $5.98

Good prices but the stuff sells out quick. Don't know if this is the pro version you're talking about either, though. They also seem to take longer to ship than normal but it does eventually get there, in my experience.

Feyd - 9-12-2011 at 06:27 AM

Here ya go Kami..:wee:

$239 shipped with the waterproof case.

http://www.mypov360.com/buy/Drift_Stealth_Water_Sports_bundl... Same modelas mine but in black. Still includes the remote, straps, mounts etc.

I don't ride water (yet) but hell now I'm thinking it would be great to take the thing snorkling. Like BK said, no distortion with the flat lens cover.

bigkahuna - 9-12-2011 at 06:33 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGXPKHbOm7o

Looks like the DriftHD has better detail definition but doesn't handle poor lighting as well as the GoProHD.

Feyd - 9-12-2011 at 06:57 AM

I saw that comparison when I was looking for a new cam. I don't know why the Drift looks so dark in that comparison.

I shot this last summer on the trails right around my house. Much darker and thicker canopy than is shown in the comparison. I think the video does a good job of demonstrating the Drifts ability to handle changing light conditions. I didn't use th low light setting at all when this was shot. http://youtu.be/qxNvZGtzPJ0

The Go Pro and the Contour both are good in low light at the stock setting but the trade off for me is out on the snow everything is washed out. This was shot with the Go Pro http://youtu.be/s58O2FtKe3E I had to adjust the contrast in editting a little to get more detail but it still looks washed.

Here's the Contour. Also had to tweak the contrast.
http://youtu.be/Cbmy8VrKIiA

Kamikuza - 9-12-2011 at 07:09 AM

I don't like that colostomy bag ... proper case or I'm not interested :)

Feyd - 9-12-2011 at 07:58 AM

It always comes back to a colostomy bag with you Kami.;)

The new compact version uses the hardcase. Yes it will cost you a bit more for that model. But then as I said we're comparing apples and kiwis, both GoPro and Drift units are good but what you get depends on what you spend. You aren't going to get all the features of that Drift package on the Go Pro for less $.

The Go Pro 2 Moto is $299. LCD $80? That's $379 I don't know what the GP remote costs but I bet it aint cheap. The Drift HD is $369 plus $50 for the hardcase and it already has the remote and the LCD and they aren't modular. They're all part of the same low profile (yes it matters to me) unit.

Having had expirience with all the others it has turned out to be a great camera for me. It has a lot of features and I USE ALL OF THEM. I don't want to pay for features that I don't use. Oh, and it has a standard 1/4" thread mount which is damn nice for mounting to tripods and gorilla pods. Also for makin your own mounts.

bigkahuna - 9-12-2011 at 09:58 AM

I looked at your video and it's definitely dark IMO. I think the darker image the Drift gives you is probably a benefit when shooting on snow, but my application requires good low light imaging and the Drift videos I've seen are all darker than GPHD in the same light. Nice looking unit though.

Feyd - 9-12-2011 at 11:56 AM

Yes absolutely it's dark. Those woods are dark and that was with the iris set at nuetral. I wanted to illustrate why I thought the Drift example from the other video was dark compared to the others.

The Drift has excellent low light ability. The iris is adjustable but it also has a "Night Mode" setting that really works awesome in low light.


Here's a comparison of two stills from some footage I shot here in the house. The image on the left is with the iris at neutral. The right is with Night Mode on.

I know the Contuor has an adjustable iris but it's a PITA to use. The Drift is just a couple button pushes.

I'll try to shoot some vid today outside.

Nightmode.jpg - 171kB

Kamikuza - 9-12-2011 at 06:11 PM

That's the thing though - the remote is next to useless for me, the LCD is cute but also mostly useless :lol:

The one with the proper case - whats the difference between that and the one you have?

Feyd - 9-12-2011 at 06:53 PM

Jeez Kami ur killin me. :D

For me the remote is key. I don't want to have to touch the actual unit to turn record on/off. Obviously GoPro users have the same issue or GP wouldn't bother with producing thier own. The latest use I had for the remote was activating the camera, mounted on a kite as it flew by. Okay I'm not sure what the application for that is but it's cool as hell.

I use the LCD for sighting the camera. Ever try to sight a camera with lasers on a sunny day in the snow? Sux. Sighting the camera is especially important for me if I'm trying to shoot someone from my helmet or if I have the camera mounted somewhere else. Nothing I hate more than riding for a while thinking that I'm getting footage only to find i sighted the cam wrong.

Also It's great to be able to review on site. If I get footage of a rider that's good I can show it to them there which is awesome. At the same time I can see if the footage is poo and delete it there and free up space for better footage. No guess work. I've had various helmet cams since I was 18 and the thing I hate the most is freakin guess work.

As far as the diffs between the HD and mine goes it's essentially the size and some refinements that are included in the new version. The new unit is lighter (not sure how much) and runs a micro SD card which I assume allows for the smaller size. The rear hatch is a bit different as it's a thread on hatch as opposed to a hinge style with a latch. The hatch also has extenal smaller ports for accesories like the external mic and a USB. My style relied on having the hatch open and a cover over it if you had an external mic. One of the few things I don't care for on mine. But as I don't use an external mic it's not an issue.

Also, the new one has replaceable lens covers like the GP and Contour. I've crashed mine into the ground while attached to the kite, left it in my pocket with keys and change all day and I still don't have a scratch on it. I don't know what it would take to damage the lens. I suspect a sustained slide on tarmac would do it.

You aren't planning any sustained slides on tarmac are ya? You got your stormtrooper outfit on?

Kamikuza - 9-12-2011 at 08:44 PM

:evil:

You ASSUME it's an "issue" when it could just be a sales point :D
I prefer the modular nature of the GP cos like I said, I don't really need a remote. I WOULD like a GPS unit though but buying a Contour means I DON'T get an LCD screen at all but do get BlueTooth rubbish I don't need ... you see the dilemma :lol:

I totally get needing to line up the camera ... although doing a test filming and checking the output when I'm itching to get onto the water just doesn't happen even now I have an LCD :lol:

Yeuch, I hate MicroSD ... shocking format. Point against ;)

NEVER plan sustained slides on the tarmac :o but the whole GoPro case is easily replaced so I think the lens thing is a gimmick :D external mic though would r0x0rz ...

So you'd go the new one, if you were buying one now?

... now that I have your attention ... I see you're setting traps to fill your freezer for the winter?
http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/demoti...

Feyd - 10-12-2011 at 05:23 AM

I think that poster was shot in Sweden Maine.

The thing about the Contour that intrigues me IS THE BLUE TOOTH. Why you ask? Because it can be linked to my GPS goggle and I can sight the cam through my Recon Mods. But beyond that the Contour, unles they've changed it a lot in the last year or so doesn't work so well for me.

I want to get the newest drift. I want to start getting more footage of myself riding and less boring helmet cam footage. Between the two cams I think I could get some good stuff. It's too hard to judge speed from the helmet cam footage IMO.

I think the key difference in our tastes/need here is the fact that you use the cam mostly on water and a street bike. I'm on hard ice and in the woods. Especially when I'm on the bike I can't tolerate having the GoPro hanging out there snagging stuff. Not on our trails.

I like having the remote on the bar when I'm on the bike. Super slick. Also I've mounted the cam on the rack on our WRX and I actuate the cam from inside the car. :wee: Again, slick.

When I went looking for a new cam I was going to go GP then came across the Drift in my search. I thought that the remote was nifty but it wasn't high on my list of reasons to buy it. I bought mine because it would do everything that the GP did and it was on sale. But now that I've had it for a year I'm hooked.

I'm wondering if I have the two cams, if I can use them like the GP3d? I'd have to bum software from some1 but that would be fun to play with.

I agree, I'm not a fan of Micro SD. But at the same time I'm willing to suck it up for a compact design. I'm gonna snag an HD and see how it goes.
:ninja:

Kamikuza - 10-12-2011 at 07:40 AM

Meh - you'll run out of battery before you run out of storage space - why bother starting and stopping? :D

Serious now - doesn't the Drift poke out enough to snag stuff too?

I'm guessing you could jimmy up some 3D tricks but I think you gotta get the lenses pretty close together ... don't you?

Todd - 10-12-2011 at 08:02 AM

Make your bed :smilegrin:



I'll be watching for some new videos with this one!

Feyd - 10-12-2011 at 09:06 AM

Haven't snagged it YET. It sticks out just over an inch and I've grazed stuff but no snaggage. The rounded edges don't hurt. I've had several times where the kite has fallen and I've had the lines come across my helmet and the cam but no snags. Not that I don't panic everytime it happens in fear of snagging.

Yeah the lenses would have to be wicked close.

I ordered up the HD. Hope to see it by midweek and will let you know how she is. I'm gonna go play with the other one right now.

Feyd - 16-12-2011 at 07:07 PM

Okay, my new HD showed up today. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but just playing with it in the kitchen and comparing it to my older 170 all I can say is "WOW!"

Serious refinements for sure.

I also got the waterproof case. Very slick, very nice. Button actuation is spot on.

I'll post more when I get some time on it.

Todd - 16-12-2011 at 07:21 PM

Get to filming man! :duh:

PrairieWind - 18-12-2011 at 03:54 PM

I've got the Drift 170 - I really do like the sleek profile compared to the boxy GoPro. The old 170 did have the advantage of using AA batteries - nicer than having proprietary batteries imo. One day I'll upgrade to HD, .... but by then the cameras will be very very small!

Feyd - 19-12-2011 at 06:12 AM

I'm glad the new models will charge off any USB. I charge it in car, off my laptop, desktop etc.

I did get the wall mounted charger so I could charge batteries directly and have a spare with a full charge on hand.

There is something to be said for having the AA batteries. Nice to be able to get a battery where ever you happen to be. Especially now that you can get good rechargables for it. Doesn't shoot in HD I don't think but it's a great camera on a budjet. I've seen them brand new as low as a $150.

I don't usualy shoot in HD anyway. (But I'm starting to more)

Kamikuza - 19-12-2011 at 05:28 PM

Got car and wall USB chargers for the GoPro from the local electronics store for like $10 each ... and they match so it's a cute set :D

Had rechargable AAA batteries for the last camera but you can't beat LiIon!!!

720p is HD - use it dude :yes:

Feyd - 19-12-2011 at 05:36 PM

I should be more clear, I don't edit in HD.

No, you can't beat LithIon.

Kamikuza - 19-12-2011 at 06:38 PM

Why not edit in HD? I only got 4Gb in my machine at home and it's fine with HD files ...

Feyd - 20-12-2011 at 04:47 AM

No I can edit ust fine. I've got 10g and 1.5g graphics card and can render HD footage no problem.

But uploading it on our crummy DSL is BRUTAL. So it's just easier to use lower quality. For illustrative purposes that's fine IMO.

Kamikuza - 20-12-2011 at 06:36 PM

I wasn't going to laugh at your internet but :lol:

Feyd - 21-1-2012 at 04:41 AM

Here's a still from yesterday's footage from my new Drift HD. It looks sick in hi rez.

The iris is set at nuetral and Outdoors. I think the brightness and color are spot on.

407123_364706006888325_100000467874612_1481653_326999690_n.jpg - 64kB