What is Canoeing in Northern Alberta like? Find out in this video.

I used the GoPro HD Hero while paddling with friends in Lakeland Provincial Park. This Provincial Park is located east of Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada, just over three hour drive from the city of Edmonton.

We linked a number of lakes in this park into a canoe circuit with 4 portages. We paddled on Kinnaird, Jackson, McGuffin, as well as some other smaller lakes and connecting channels, and camped at beautiful backcountry campsites covering over 60 km’s over the three days spent in this beautiful park. Even had a chance to do some Pike fishing one of which ended up as dinner.

The GoPro HD camera with its chesty mount was the ideal candidate for these liquid surrounding.  Entire video was shot with the GoPro Hero HD in 960p mode (1280 x 960 resolution) to capture the surroundings in “full-frame” and 170° ultra wide angle, which will explains the bent paddles .

Until the next adventure….

Mike B
“Video or It Didn’t Happen”

On a scorching summer day in West Vancouver, what better way to pump the adrenaline and cool down than jumping on a Sea-doo and hitting the waters at Ambleside? That’s exactly what Mark Zealand did with the addition of a couple of willing folks and a few ContourHD 1080p cameras. With Contours mounted to the Sea-doos via the suction cup mount and one on his melon, Mark, Baby G and Adam Rabeda tear up the waters of the Burrard Inlet while capturing everything in true HD format.

The breaking water contributes to the speed and action of the recording, but when slowed down it almost runs as smooth as silk over the Sea-doos and the faces of the riders capturing the motion and rhythm of the sea. The footage is pretty sweet and you even get to see the aftermath of a pretty epic bail… but that doesn’t stop anyone, they are right back to it, rocking along to the well matched track by Stanton Warriors, “Get Low.” Capturing video from the Sea-doos with the assistance of the suction cup mount, the ContourHD grabs some awesome angles, adding essential variety to the recording, from facial expressions to the view of rushing water over the lens. This injects well received personality to the video, while creating a softness and depth. Sporting another Contour on his melon, Mark also picks up some wicked footage from his point of view, mixing up the perspective a bit. Filmed under the glowing sun through the spray of the sea, this video contains some great energy that pulls you in and makes you smile.

This video displays the intense versatility of the ContourHD 1080p in the water with its durable, underwater housing and variety of mounts while maintaining recording in true HD quality. Mark edits his footage seamlessly, and times it flawlessly to his music choice. His videos always display a high energy that makes you want to hit the waters, trails, slopes… well, whatever he happens to be riding.

The waterproof case can take the ContourHD to depths of 33’/10m, and if you need to go deeper… check out the H2OV Waterproof Case - this bad boy can stand depths up to 300’/100m, pretty crazy stuff. 

A special thanks goes out to Mao Carvajal - for the use of the Sea-doos, enabling this slick recording to come to life.

The arrival of the Drift HD170 has definitely got folks talking… and we’re no different. The pre release demo we received provided us with some excellent opportunities to capture some great test videos, so take a look at our Drift HD170 review and see what you think. The demo also gave us a chance to run through the contents of the box, in order to see, and show you how great this camera is.

A Body Like this is gets Loads of Attention.

The HD170 feels more substantial than the previous X170. It has more weight and a better overall feel, while maintaining the slim, lightweight qualities we loved about the prior model. Encased in the same rubberized coating, this camera give you a sturdy grip with zero slippage - and it is waterproof up to .5 meters, which makes this camera a great candidate for wet, mucky conditions… and rainy days, where puddle splash is probable.

Another great body feature is the inclusion of the full color, 1.5” LCD screen, so, you can now playback your footage immediately to make sure want you’ve recorded is worthy of keeping… 

Integrated into the camera is a rechargeable lithium battery which lets you say goodbye to the inevitable purchase of batteries and be a little more eco friendly - with a simple recharge.

Accessories and Options to Satisfy Every Filming Need.

To get you started on some killer footage, the HD170 Action Sports Camera includes a pretty impressive selection of mounts, right in the box. You’ve got a goggle mount, a head strap and a helmet grip which lets your wear HD170 through many sports, while the handle bar mount, universal clip, velcro strap and industrial strength Velcro adhesive pad let you get creative with your mounting options.

Record with ease… even when the camera is mounted in a tricky location, with the included remote control. You are free to start and stop recording with the push of a button, instead of having to fumble around on your head for the controls.

It’s Never Been Easier to Playback your Videos.

The Drift HD170 Action Sports Camera includes a USB cable, which lets you download your footage straight to your computer, but it also charges your battery when it’s connected! So charge up while you download. But it doesn’t stop there… you also get an HDMI cable, so playback directly to your TV from your camera is a snap. How convenient is that?

Get Started with a Snap

Not sure how to manage all the crazy functions on your new Drift HD170 Camera? No worries… in the box, you also get a quick guide - which reads in several different languages, so you will be cranking out wicked footage in no time flat. Too boot, if something happens to go wrong… Drift includes a 1 year Manufacturers Warranty - so you’re covered.

So there you have it, a wicked HD camera with an unreal selection of accessories - all wrapped up within a well designed, neat little package. Our first shipment of the Drift HD170 will be arriving on Monday July 26, 2010 and there are a few units still up for grabs… so act fast!

But if you aren’t in a huge hurry, the next batch should be arriving in early August, 2010.

Check out some great product shots at our Flickr Drift HD170 Photo Gallery.

 

As the market surges with the introduction of so many HD action sports cameras, Oregon Scientific catches up to the competition with the pending release of their brand new ATC9K 1080p HD Video Camera. The ATC9K is specially designed for extreme sports enthusiasts and industry professionals who want to capture the highest quality film possible without weighing themselves down with cumbersome equipment. This smart little camera films in true 1080p HD format at 30 frames per second, but can also record at 720p at either 30 or 60 fps, in addition to snapping 5 megapixel stills. Both videos and photos can be instantly played back with the LCD color display… because the ATC9K is the first model of its kind on the market to offer this feature. In addition to all of this great stuff, your recording capabilities are enhanced with the inclusion a remote control, which enables easier use when the camera is mounted on your helmet , goggles or handlebar. But the ATC9K has more than that up its sleeve…

Click above to see larger image.

What’s so different about the ATC9K?

The Oregon Scientific ATC9K is specifically intended for the use of action sports, that can mean anything from snowboarding and skiing, motocross, cycling, wake-boarding or water-skiing… It was designed to capture all of the hard hitting action of extreme sports junkies without missing out on any moves, techniques or crazy tricks, while maintaining excellent performance detail in the process - thanks to its ability to measure the force of gravity during acceleration.

But that isn’t all that’s different about this unique little camera… it is also has an optional GPS plug-in, which enables users to map their location, speed and distance traveled using Google Maps or Google Earth. Meanwhile, upon playback on a computer, you will be able to see your corresponding location, acceleration, altitude and Google Map. This is a useful tool for racers who want to keep track of every race and learn about new trails.

Let’s talk about waterproofing

So many cameras on the market require an extra case in order for it to be water worthy… The ATC9K by Oregon Scientific has been designed with a completely waterproof body that is good up to 20 meters. A perfect candidate for Scuba divers in search of stunning coral reefs and rainy day warriors who brave the muck for that perfect ride, the ATC9K 1080p HD is also a superb choice for wake-boarders as it enables them to record their acceleration and distance. A truly versatile camera that will have your back covered, regardless of the terrain you venture in to.

Shoot with sound, or without…

Equipped with a built in microphone, the ATC9K enables you to playback captured sound and narration, enabling you to create footage with full audio. But if silence is what you prefer, no problem, because with the ability to record with shutter and other camera sounds turned off.. you can take this camera pretty much anywhere you want. With the option of recording with the LED light off, you are always ensured optimal discretion.

More mounting options than you can imagine!

The adaptability of the Oregon Scientific ATC9K lets you mount it to pretty much anything to capture variations of angles to shake up your films. Plus, the package comes with everything you need to mount it your your helmet, handle bar and goggles. If you are seeking other mounts for this versatile little camera, there is also a suction cup mount, perfect for windshield recording and a flex mount which enables you to stick the ATC9K pretty much anywhere! Your imagination is the only thing stopping you with this camera, so get creative, and make sure you show us your results!

It’s not here yet, but it’s coming…

You heard me right, the ATC9K 1080p HD Video Camera by Oregon Scientific has not yet been released - but we are awaiting its arrival, slated for shipping in early October, 2010. Stay tuned for our box opening and test videos, they will be posted soon!