Drift Innovation have launched a new offensive in the helmet cam war with the release of the Drift HD Ghost. So how does it measure up to the market leaders? Well, it can’t shoot in Ultra HD or at 120fps like the new GoPro HERO3 Black Edition, and it doesn’t have built-in GPS like the Contour+ 2. It’s got an ace up its sleeve, though – a built-in screen.
Okay, so you can buy a bolt-on aftermarket screen for the GoPro, and all three cameras can be linked to the latest smartphones (the GoPro and Drift via WiFi, the Contour via Bluetooth). But when it comes to on-the-fly convenience, especially in wet and muddy conditions where the last thing you want to do is get your expensive phone out, the built-in LCD display is a big bonus.
The HD Ghost is also waterproof to 3m without a housing (one is available aftermarket for divers, etc), and claims to have the longest battery life on the market. If you’re in the market for a helmet cam, it definitely sounds like it’s worth considering. Check out some footage from it below:
Here’s how the latest cameras from the three big players stack up:
| Contour+ 2 | Drift HD Ghost | GoPro HERO3 | |
| Max fps @ 4k | N/A | N/A | 15 |
| Max fps @ 2.7k | N/A | N/A | 30 |
| Max fps @ 1,080p | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| Max fps @ 960p | 30 | 50 | 100 |
| Max fps @ 720p | 60 | 60 | 120 |
| Field of view | 170° | 170° (all modes) | Ultra wide (all modes) |
| 127° (1,080p) | Narrow (720p, 1,080p) | ||
| 90° (1,080p) | Medium (1,080p) | ||
| Photos | 5MP | 11MP | 12MP |
| 8MP | 7MP | ||
| 5MP | 5MP | ||
| Screen? | None | 2in Gorilla Glass LCD | Available separately |
| Waterproof? | No | To 3m | No |
| With housing? | To 60m | To 60m | To 60m |
| Comes w/ camera? | No | No | Yes |
| Built-in memory | None | 256MB | None |
| Memory capacity | MicroSD, 32GB | MicroSD, 32GB | MicroSD, 64GB |
| External mic input? | Yes | Yes | Yes, w/ adapter |
| HDMI output? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote control? | No | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi enabled? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth enabled? | Yes | No | No |
| Built-in GPS? | Yes | No | No |
| Dimensions | 96 x 60 x 34mm | 105 x 52 x 33mm | 60 x 42 x 20mm |
| Weight (claimed) | Not specificed | 167g | 74g |
| Battery life (claimed) | 2-2.5 hours | 3 hours | Not specified |
| RRP | US$399 / £359.99 | US$399.99 / £299.99 | US$399.99 / £359.99 |
Turn the page for loads of pictures of the new camera, available from www.driftinnovation.com or, in the UK, www.actioncameras.co.uk.