The camera itself is really nice, but it is a pain in the butt to use. I have found that when I use the head mount, sometimes the camera moves as I am skiing. I have also had the camera turn off half way down a run. I prefer the Go Pro, not cords attached!

This cam is badass, period. Super lightweight and durable, the 1.5 captures all the action. With a 720x480 resolution it beats every other standard definition pov cam. I love how i can hop on the gondy and tag the keeper shots from that run, and delete the rest.

When it comes to flying off big cliffs, the 1.5 also rips. I'm able to attach it to basically any angle i want, giving the audience an idea of what its like to fly at over 100mph past rock walls.

Take my word, buy this camera. All the major production companies are using VIO1.5, its simply the best.

Positive side-
You can view and adjust the position of your camera so you are getting the angle you want (most helmet cams don't feature this).
The POV will let you make adjustments for exposure and delete footage as you go so you don't fill a card with crap you won't use.

Negative side-
Not HD (this should be enough reason to not buy it)
It's expensive (almost twice what more compact HD units cost), the battery life sucks, and it's heavier than the competition.
You've got cords running from the unit to your pack or pocket and you have to unzip and access to stop and start, which is a bit of a hassle.

This camera is superior than others in having the lcd screen and small profile camera head, but don't be fooled into purchasing anything from V.I.O. or it may cost you.

Price: costs a LOT more than the competitors

Accessories: you will need them and WOW will you have to pay top dollar to get them. $90 just for a mounting kit.

Repairs: They don't do them. Something breaks, buy a new one.

Firmware updates: You have to BUY them too!

Professionalism: Ended up getting the wrong extension cord from their website because it was incorrectly labeled as compatible for my camera. Also took almost a week to get my email to customer service answered.

Design flaws: POV1.0 Camera head opened under normal use. Head can be easily unscrewed when removing the a/v cable because it is not fixed closed. (it is threaded to open for no apparent reason and attached to where the a/v cable attaches. If camera head twists open, the fixed wiring will pull away from components and render the camera head useless. ($200 replacement part). No warning in the instruction manual and they do not repair or have refurbished parts. Customer service first said the product was used improperly. When I disputed this and it was clear that it opened while used as directed, the supervisor intervened and stated that the user tampered with the product and voided the warranty. This design flaw was fixed for the POV1.5 when they created the tethered head, but they claim this change was done to "make the camera easier to use" not because of a design flaw.

Design Flaw #2: Camera will not stay secure in the mount on its own. I had to add tape around the body of the camera to secure it tighter in the mount so that it would stay fixed upright. Camera head would not stay upright on my helmet and video would be ruined because camera was shooting at a crooked angle.

There are plenty of helmet cameras out on the market for half the price. For the price of VIO cameras, there should be much better customer service. This is not the case.

I already reviewed the cam a couple months after I got, and gave it top notches. However after two years and the explosion of options in the POV market, I'm a bit disappointed. Yes the VIO is rock solid and take multiple beatings, however because of the price and video quality I think there are better options. I do love the low profile of the lens compared to the GoPros "look at me slay this rail" size. Unless the price drops a couple hundred, and it has HD video I dont think I would recommended the VIO.

Got the system a few weeks back, and it works well with the chest harness. POV manager doesn't work on my 64 bit windows, however. Called VIO headquarters and got this response: "I haven't tried it on 64 bit windows." So on support VIO gets an "F".

So if you are on 64 bit os (like anyone who has purchased a pc in the past 2 years) you will have to buy your own video editing software in addition to the $600+ you pay for the unit and harness. Buyer beware.

I used it this weekend and it was great. It was great quality of video even though it is not HD. I would totally recommend this.

Took it to Las Lenas Argentina skiing in August. Performed great but change or charge batteries daily. Remote start/stop/tag difficult to work with gloves on. The camera body is large and doesn't fit easily into my ski jacket's interior media pocket (I didn't like putting it in my back pack with the camera lens attached to my goggle strap; taking the pack off for the lift chair without yanking your own chain is tricky). Everyone who saw the movies on my laptop at the end of the day swore that they were going to buy one for their next trip.

This is an ok little camera but where's the HD? I mean, cmon! In addition to that the software is not compatible with my computer. I was recommended a download on line and that one sucks as well. I do like all the options for attachment that come with it. The remote leaves a lot to be desired, they can't even supply enough velcro to fit over a ski jacket. The processor is huge and is attached to the lens by an incredibly stiff cable. Don't buy those packages from B&H Camera that include the cheap Mountainsmith fanny pack, it barely holds the processor. Seek other options. I have the attachment that goes with goggles. It took a bit of tweaking but it's working ok. I would probably wait for a while to see if VIO is going to turn out an HD camera if you want to spend this much money.

Purchased last year. Given the option, I would not purchase this again. Have used for alpine skiing and mountain biking footage. Was relatively happy with it until I compared it to a friend's Helmet Hero HD footage. VIO imaging clarity was far inferior. From scouring the Vio website, I had hoped that it would be possible to do a firmware or camera upgrade to HD. I have now been told by Vio with the release of the VIO HD model that upgrading mine will not be possible. That will not be happening for me. Positive things about the VIO include a small tethered camera with outstanding mounting options. I also like having a screen to scout what I am imaging. Negatives besides the nonHD quality are the hand held unit is much too large. The dimensions of the handpiece are simply too long. The corded attachment into the end of the handpiece is semi-rigid. This makes the length of the already 8" handpiece another two inches. This is ten inches plus or minus that has to be contended with, on the body or in a pack. In no way convenient. A second issue is the buttons on the handpiece are a little small for gloved fingers, especially ski gloved fingers. Third, the remote control worn either on the wrist or an easily accessed shoulder harness does not always seem to communicate with the handheld unit just inside the jacket or in a backpack. This leads me to missing footage, and also recording footage when I think I am actually stopping footage. Drives me crazy. Fourth, I have not been left feeling warm and fuzzy with the Vio customer service. I struggle with a purchased 1.4 firmware upgrade intended for my non-HD unit and they have been less than helpful. I won't be going VIo again. For the price of their new unit I could buy both a Contour HD and Helmet Hero GoPro HD. Many less parts and better form factor.

its a sweet camera overall but the blue and white spots that occur in sunshine are starting to annoy me and vio does not have anything to correct this and now in november or december they have a pov hd being released but you cannot upgrade the others by buying the head and firmware update but would need to upgrade completely and shell out another 700 bones- i think they are trying to squeeze every penny out of consumers. also annoyed because before buying my pov 1.5 at full price i asked them if they had a pov hd in progress for release sometime in the future and they responded with absolutely not which was a full out lie- dont think i will ever buy a vio cam again