Contour ROAM2 Waterproof Video Camera (Black)

This is my first Contour camera, and I was lucky that just at the time I decided to get one, the new ROAM 2 came out. The reason I like the ROAM2 over the original ROAM (which can now be had much cheaper) is for the 60 fps filming in 720p. This will produce smoother video, especially if you like to use slow motion effects now and then.

The ROAM 2 comes in attractive packaging and includes: 1 profile mount; 1 rotating flat surface mount; lanyard tether; USB cable; lens cap; 4GB MicroSD card; storage pouch and lens cloth.

Initial tests of the ROAM 2 in 720p @ 60fps and full HD 1080p @ 30fps are very impressive. At 720p you will have a view angle of 170 degrees, which gives you a wide panorama but some fisheye effect (to be expected at that width). In 1080p the view angle is reduced to 125 degrees, which still gives a nice wide view, but much less fisheye. The quality of the video image is very good. In full 1080p it is ultra-sharp and the colors are very good. The automatic white balance in the camera is also extremely good, and will self-adjust to present very true colors even indoors.

Operation of the ROAM 2 is very simple, via the one large "On-Record / Off" button on top of the camera. The mounting options available for Contour cameras is very good, but still could be a bit better. They have the snow and water sports covered, as well as skateboarders, bikers, etc. But I intend to use mine primarily to capture POV video from shooting sports, and there is still a lack of good mounts for that. A mount designed for a hat bill that would allow the Contour to lie flat via the rails would be perfect...

The rotating lens and built-in laser line make it easy to set the camera to frame a perfect shot, no matter what angle you mount it. I accidentally turned off the laser in the software and thought it was broken, until support at Contour provided me a quick response and helped me figure out that I am an idiot (my word, not theirs). Previous ROAM had two laser dots for leveling, the ROAM2 has a solid line, similar to home improvement tools.

The ROAM 2 has a standard ¼" x 20 tripod socket already on it so no need to buy the Universal Mount Adapter (which I did, and now have no need for).

To set up the camera, change configuration options (such as selecting recording quality), you use Contour's software "Story Teller", which is easily downloaded and pretty simple to install and get using. Now, here is one thing I don't like about the ROAM 2 you must use the software each time you want to change resolution of video. To do this, you must be connected to your computer via USB. So, if you're out in the world enjoying your camera, you are stuck with whatever setting you made before you left the house. There is NO option to select different modes via the camera itself. Given the designed purpose of the ROAM 2, I find this to be a bit lacking. Perhaps that is a feature on the more expensive versions of the Contour camera...

So, my first impressions of the ROAM 2 are very good. The quality of the video image is fantastic, the camera could not be more easy to use, and the software is pretty good too.

After a couple of full days of using the ROAM2, this camera performed flawlessly. Used it to capture POV video of a shooting match and attached it to my ear protection. The mic in the ROAM2 is very good much better than any other camera I have. It was so easy to use the on/off button to begin and end each segment of recording from a postion where I could not see the camera. The quality of the picture is superb (I shot at 1080p today).

UPDATE: After weeks of using this camera in real life action sports and other activities, I like it more and more each day. I am amazed at the quality of indoor picture also no yellow or green cast very natural light and it picks up everything very brightly. I find myself using 720p more often now, not only because of the economy of storage space but for the smoothness of the video if I want to go "slo-mo" from time to time. I would gladly buy this camera again... in fact, it might be nice to have TWO!

A couple tips: The 32GB microSD card does work fine in the ROAM2, and I've never even come close to filling it up. Secondly, if you're looking for some of the more exotic mounts and Amazon doesn't have them in stock go directly to the Contour website. I ordered two mounts from them and they shipped quickly and only charged $2 for coast-to-coast shipping. Some of the merchants here wanted $10 for shipping.

I've owned Contour 720HD for several years and it's been a great camera. The one feature I really wanted to gain was the still photo mode.

Enter the new ROAM2.. perfect on paper! It has everything I want with many improvements over my current one.

Here's the MAJOR reason why I will be returning this camera (and frankly I doubt too many would buy it if they understood this *feature*... which is not explained at all if you just look at specs:

YOU CANNOT CHANGE MODE without connecting the camera to a computer!

You must install Contour software to edit settings including mode (1080, 720, still photo, etc).

So.. if you set your camera to shoot 1 picture per minute and go for a ride, that's the ONLY mode you can use until you connect it to a computer!

That, in my opinion, is absolutely ridiculous!!

I got this camera partially to be loyal to Contour and of course because I already have quite a few mounts for it. The price is exactly the same as the new GoPro Hero3. Specs are identical, but guess what.. big MODE button right on the front of GoPro cam.

Contour rep replied to my question with: "ROAM2 is our budget camera. Look into Contour+2 for additional features".

So I have to pay exactly TWICE the price to gain ability to change mode without hooking the camera up to a computer??

Buy Contour ROAM2 Waterproof Video Camera (Black) Now

I had purchased the original ContourRoam camera about a week before they announced this one. Luckily I had saved my packaging so I returned it and bought the ContourRoam2. There are some small but very worthwhile changes to this camera that make it a better choice. First, of course, is the 60 fps video option. I haven't had a chance to test that yet but it's a nice addition and the main reason I went with the 2. Next, there is a locking button on the recording slider. This is useful to avoid either accidental starts or stops, as it locks in both positions. The printed numbers on the lens barrel are clearer, brighter, and far easier to see. The card formatting is now done by pushing and holding a small button. In the previous model you had to use the supplied tool or a paper clip and stick it into a hole to format the card. The new ContourRoam 2 also came with a nifty little cloth bag that has an attached lens cloth and a small pocket to hold the included memory micro SD card and micro SD to SD adapter. All-in-all a few small improvements that make a great little video camera even better!

Read Best Reviews of Contour ROAM2 Waterproof Video Camera (Black) Here

I feel like I spend half my life in the water lately. I scubadive and snorkle at least once a week. I needed an underwater camcorder because I usually see things in the ocean that amaze me here in Florida. I had resisted taking any type of camera equipment with me up until now, since I like to be unfettered with any extra equipment when I'm in the water, but finally gave in.

This waterproof camcorder takes beautiful video. Since it is only rated for a depth of one meter, I am only using it for snorkeling. The video it shoots is crystal clear without any type of motion blurring, and I don't see any strange color effects. There is no moire, and all video is well lit and bright. It's easy to use, just push a button and it's on. Some type of strap to hold onto would have been useful on this. But otherwise, I can't find anything to complain about. This is small and lightweight. It's sturdy and appears to be well made. Battery life is good. I recommend this.

Want Contour ROAM2 Waterproof Video Camera (Black) Discount?

I have only owned my Contour Roam2 for a couple of days now so I can't speak very much to long term reliability, but I can say that so far it is doing what it was designed to do and very well. The body is solid and small, and the cam is overall very easy to operate. The simplicity of this device is great and the design/shape of the cam is perfect for active POV recordings. The other big selling point for me was the fact that it is water resistant up to a meter or so without needing the case. Since I will be using this mostly for jetski and fishing vids...and maybe in the pool to record my toddler son as he learns to swim, it's VERY nice to not need to buy a waterproof case. In fact I tested it out today in my pool and it was dark outside (but decently lit up by the LED pool lights) and the underwater video came out great. On a bright sunny day I know it will be even better. This cam loves having a lot of light.

This is a great cam if you understand what it is designed to do. You are not going to get SUPER sharp, high-quality videos out of a device like this; that is what real HD Cameras are for and they cost many times what these little action cams cost. Also, the low light ability of this cam is a little noisy so don't expect great results when its used in a dark environment. This is more of a day time sports cam and it is truly tough skinned and ready to rumble. In addition, I purchased the Contour suction cup mount and it is terrific. The Roam2 has the threaded hole to mount directly to most tripods and mounts without needing an adapter. By the way, the cam also has 2 different types of stick-on mounts that are included in the box.

I would recommend to invest in a better video editor. The software that you can download for this cam works but is as basic as it gets. However, it is needed to adjust the internal camera settings. I am leaving mine on 720p 60 fps for the best action shots and slow mo. I'm still playing around with the light metering and a few other settings.

So for less than $200 you can have a very solid and simple cam that doesn't need a bunch of extra accessories in order to have some fun with. It even comes with a small memory card. You can start filming right out of the box! So far, I think it easily deserves 5 stars for the overall build quality and for all that it does/includes at this price point. Well done!

Best of luck to everyone, and thanks for reading!

**[UPDATE]**

I have now had the cam for over a month and it continues to perform flawlessly. I haven't decided which light metering method is the best yet, but if you go to youtube and search for "superjet" "roam2" you can see a vid of the cam on my jet ski using average metering. Notice the part where my glove comes up and I am able to adjust the camera's horizontal plane using the laser beam. The light metering at that point can be seen adjusting from the darkness of the black glove to the brightness of the sky, and it does this almost instantaneously. The camera has also held up well being dragged underwater by the jet ski, with NO case being needed. This is a great plus, not to mention the better mounting configurations over a gopro, which is the cam some of my other jet ski buds have.

On another note, some folks think that this camera is a waste of money just because it doesn't have a video mode switch built in to the unit. That is fine, but I couldn't disagree more. In my opinion, that is one of the least used features of the action cams, and Contour probably had this in mind when they designed the camera at this price point. 720p and 1080p modes look virtually identical when viewed on youtube and most computer monitors where many of the videos will be seen. However, the benefit of 720p mode is that it can run at 60 frames per second, so that is where its best to leave it for any type of fast action videos. Some of my friends that have the GoPro do have the mode switch, but guess what, they aren't messing with changing modes either...That's right, they leave it in 720p/60, just like me and my lowly Roam2. If you are a sports enthusiast chances are you will also leave it in this mode ~99% of the time since it allows you to really slow down the video for some nice slow motion shots. Based on this first hand knowledge, I don't see how anyone who plans to use this camera for fast sports type activities should consider the lack of a mode switch a deal breaker by any means.

Put up another video with much more speed on a Yamaha FZS. Search youtube for "roam2" and "fzs" to see it in action.

Again, thanks for reading and best of luck to all.