5 GoPro Action Camera Alternatives
1. Vivitar DVR 786HD 1080P Action Camera
This camera is typical of a lot of the no name, or off brand, GoPro knock offs out there that can be had for less than $100. This particular one is by Vivitar, which is a company that has been making cameras and accessories for 40 years. It's being sold at your local Target and Walmart, so if you try it and hate it, you can return it easily enough. It also comes with a variety of mounts in the box, plus a standard 1/4" x 20tpi tripod mount on the bottom, so you can make your own. A remote control lets you mount it wherever, and a 2" screen on the back lets you review footage without downloading it first. A waterproof (to limited depths) case is also included so you can use it in the rain without worrying. Here's a sample video.
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2. Contour ROAM3
Back when GoPro was just a scrappy little camera trying to make it, Contour was already selling their original action cameras. There have been some difficult times in the past few years, but they appear to still be selling the great ROAM3, and the starting price is less than $100 online at many sites. What you get is a tough, rugged, nearly foolproof camera, with a solid aluminum body that looks like a piece of tactical gear. One of the few controls is a big switch, which is on and recording when you slide it forward, and cannot be accidentally turned off. All sorts of mounts can be found for the Contour camera, and it comes with several right in the box. You can find it on Amazon for about $90, and a sample video is here.
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3. Drift Stealth 2
This camera is more like the Contour model than the boxy GoPro, and includes an easy-to-read backlit display with mode, battery life, and other information. The Stealth 2 is easy to use with its simple controls, plus offers Bluetooth remote control from your smart phone and a battery that will last for more than three hours of recording. In addition, you can use it for time lapse recording, or lower quality, longer run time dash cam type recording. It isn't water proof, though, without its separate case. The camera has a universal tripod mount hole and comes with a mini mount that can be used to mount it to goggles. You can get the camera on Amazon for about $100. Here is a sample video.
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4. Sony HDR-AS50
Here is a camera from one of the most trusted names in the electronics industry, and it really delivers. Besides having all of the expected features, it also allows you to remotely control it via Bluetooth, and get a Bluetooth video feed of what the camera is seeing on your smart phone (only on the sold separately remote)! It isn't water proof, but it is if you put it inside its accessory case. There is a standard tripod screw mount on the bottom and plenty of mounting options available. All this for less than $200 retail on Amazon or elsewhere. You can watch a sample video here.
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5. Polaroid Cube
Are you surprised to find out that Polaroid still makes cameras, and they are high quality? The Cube was introduced recently as a competitor to the GoPro and is super simple to use. On the unit itself there is basically one button that records when you press it, but via a smartphone app you can remotely control plenty of different aspects as well as view the video feed. It won't help you much on your bike, but there is a super strong magnet embedded in the case which allows you to stick it to the roof of a car, as shown in the sample video. You don't get a lot for your $150 purchase price, but there are plenty of different mounts available separately. This little camera shoots in better than 1080p high def, and the battery will last nearly two hours of recording without being plugged in. Find it on Amazon here.
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