Biker Info Site Reviews, Industry News & Other Useful Info

Vholdr –vs- GoPro Motorsport Cameras

After using these units and talking with owners of these cameras, we have first hand opinions from people who have used these in a variety of environments. Cameras were used in Demolition Derby cars, speed boats, racing karts, motorcycles, skydivers, snow skiers, race cars and bicycles.

Standard Resolution Camera

GoPro Hero Motorsport

The GoPro Hero WIDE Motorsport Camera comes with all the mounting and accessories package. Its MAP pricing is $199.95. MAP pricing will be explained later. This unit, like its HD version is a great little camera. It’s old technology, but it works. No high tech here, just a solid reliable unit mounted in a plastic housing to waterproof it. Picture quality? Well, good enough for most. Don’t mistake the $139.95 GoPro Hero for this one though. It is not the same. The cheaper GoPro does not have the same lens or mounting/accessory package as the Motorsport version.

High Definition Cameras

Vholdr ContourHD 1280 x 720, Vholdr ContourHD 1920 x 1080, GoPro HD Hero 1080.

VholdR Camcorder

The Vholdr cameras appear to have a slight edge over the GoPro. They are compact, high tech, simple to use, water resistant and have clean lines. They also come with rechargeable batteries, have an easy to manage switch, take great pictures, are better in low-light conditions and have twin lasers for easy aiming during setups. Vholdr also has their own website to post your videos! They also have much more memory capacity than GoPro. The difference between the two Vholdr HD’s is obvious. Look at the specs: 1080 or 720. While the 1080 may outsell the 720, the 720’s video quality is good – much better that the standard resolution cameras. These cameras’ MAP prices are $329 and $249. The units come with a special mount for camera that can be fitted on a variety of surfaces.

GoPro’s HD Motorsport Wide Hero 1080 shares the same design as the standard resolution camera and is just as rugged. The motorsport version comes complete with the mounting/accessory package making it ready to use right out of the box. Again, other than HD, it gives you the impression of old technology with its small buttons and clear plastic waterproof housing. Also, for an HD camera, the memory capacity is lacking. While the memory is adequate, more would be nice. The video quality is good, as you would expect from a high definition camera, and comes with a MAP price of $299.

Wrapping up…

If your camera use frequently occurs while you would be wearing gloves, you need to consider the Vholdr because of the much more manageable on/off switch. Neither brand offers remote activation so no device out shines the other there. Vholdr seems to have better factory support over GoPro, but both manufacturers aggressively enforce their MAP programs.

MAP programs are forms of price fixing where dealers are penalized for selling under retail – so the customer pays by keeping prices artificially inflated. So, if you happen to find one selling under list (particularly GoPro) make certain it is the Motorsport Wide version with the mounting and accessory package. Also, not all MAP prices are equal. Look around for dealers who include FREE memory with cameras to sweeten the deal. That is their way of offering you a discount!