William Milner, 17, from Lincoln, R.I.,
bought his $300 waterproof-cased helmet camera two months ago, and with that
purchase joined a YouTube generation of consumers who are taking the home movie
phenomenon to a new level.
The videos he has posted online blow away anything his family used to shoot on VHS tapes and share. With the lightweight, high-definition helmet cam, he can create a digital-video diary of thrills, chills, and the occasional spill or two as skiers and snowboarders zoom down the mountainside.
"You get a lot more action than you do on most family vacation videos, that's for sure," Milner said as he waited to board a chairlift at Wachusett Mountain, camera attached to his helmet like a hood ornament on a luxury sedan. Other skiers and riders, he added, are more apt to ask about the footage he is getting than about snow conditions or which trails to try.
The helmet cam - which can be affixed to helmets, ski poles, and jackets - has become the must-have gear at ski resorts this winter. Sales tripled from 2010 to 2011, to 1.3 million units, according to Chris Chute, a research manager with the Framingham office of International Data Corp., a global market research firm. The devices, known as hands-free or wearable video cameras, generally retail for $200 to $400, depending on the model and accessories.
Much of that growth, says Chute, is attributable to GoPro, the industry leader, moving into national distribution. Manufactured by a California company called Woodman Labs, GoPro's latest model, the HD HERO2, debuted in 2011. GoPro also boasts its own YouTube channel (more than 63 million views) and Facebook page (1.36 million "likes") and has capitalized on the ease with which action videos get passed around online.
"There's been a lot more viral marketing,canada goose jacket discount" said Chute as the cameras' popularity has rapidly spread from extreme-sports types to recreational skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities, and to other video-friendly action sports like mountain biking, surfing, and skydiving.
Although GoPro owns the market's most recognizable brand, it is not alone in catering to these outdoors video enthusiasts. Contour makes a similarly priced (about $300) model that has caught on with people like Jon Oliff, 23, an avid snowboarder who is spending this winter working and riding in Killington, Vt.
Oliff bought his camera two months ago. It features a built-in GPS and iPhone connection that allows him to change camera settings on the fly. Oliff has shot more than 50 hours of action footage, uploaded to his computer and edited into 5-minute clips. Many are posted on his Facebook page, while others get shared with a smaller circle of friends.
The videos he has posted online blow away anything his family used to shoot on VHS tapes and share. With the lightweight, high-definition helmet cam, he can create a digital-video diary of thrills, chills, and the occasional spill or two as skiers and snowboarders zoom down the mountainside.
"You get a lot more action than you do on most family vacation videos, that's for sure," Milner said as he waited to board a chairlift at Wachusett Mountain, camera attached to his helmet like a hood ornament on a luxury sedan. Other skiers and riders, he added, are more apt to ask about the footage he is getting than about snow conditions or which trails to try.
The helmet cam - which can be affixed to helmets, ski poles, and jackets - has become the must-have gear at ski resorts this winter. Sales tripled from 2010 to 2011, to 1.3 million units, according to Chris Chute, a research manager with the Framingham office of International Data Corp., a global market research firm. The devices, known as hands-free or wearable video cameras, generally retail for $200 to $400, depending on the model and accessories.
Much of that growth, says Chute, is attributable to GoPro, the industry leader, moving into national distribution. Manufactured by a California company called Woodman Labs, GoPro's latest model, the HD HERO2, debuted in 2011. GoPro also boasts its own YouTube channel (more than 63 million views) and Facebook page (1.36 million "likes") and has capitalized on the ease with which action videos get passed around online.
"There's been a lot more viral marketing,canada goose jacket discount" said Chute as the cameras' popularity has rapidly spread from extreme-sports types to recreational skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities, and to other video-friendly action sports like mountain biking, surfing, and skydiving.
Although GoPro owns the market's most recognizable brand, it is not alone in catering to these outdoors video enthusiasts. Contour makes a similarly priced (about $300) model that has caught on with people like Jon Oliff, 23, an avid snowboarder who is spending this winter working and riding in Killington, Vt.
Oliff bought his camera two months ago. It features a built-in GPS and iPhone connection that allows him to change camera settings on the fly. Oliff has shot more than 50 hours of action footage, uploaded to his computer and edited into 5-minute clips. Many are posted on his Facebook page, while others get shared with a smaller circle of friends.
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