I purchased a "Butler Creek "Blizzard" flip open clear view" rifle scope cover. It has an optically clear viewing lens if you forget to flip the cover open. If you do forget - the footage is optically clear but gives a fisheye view. Once you flip the cover open it gives the desired widescreen picture. Use with one finger. Its spring loaded and I have it turned so that when it is open the lens opens toward the mounting part of the camera. The lens stops just short of touching it but with wind resistance it actually rests against it - saving any pressure on the spring. It's perfect for this camera no matter what its mounted on.
The one that fits perfectly is: Size 02 Blizzard 1.3 - 1.39. for $8.00. Got it at Gander Mountain Sports but you could probably pick one up a Bass Pro, any hunting store - maybe even Wal-Mart, and definately online. I really makes a difference keeping the lens clean and protected when the camera is mounted but not recording.
any url/photos?
Saaaaa,
look for posting from Mitch's Corner and you'll see what the "Butler Creek" rifle scope cover mounted the my vholdr looks like.. As Ryder has said, it works great and it's only about 8 bucks.. You can find them any place that sell's out door sports stuff..
Wish I had one of those before I found out how easy mine scratched.
Im working with my machinist about making lens protectors, he says he has to track down Bullet Glass? Its supposed to be made for shatter resistance & scratch resistance, same stuff they use for hockey glass I think ?
I decided to see what it would be like with a bigger "butler creek see thru lens" the only problem was that the rubber sleeve was too large for the camera. So I sacrificed my butler creek #02 lens by cutting off the lens and making the exterior of the rubber sleeve flush. I then cut about 4mm from the end of the sleeve on the end where the cover used to snap on so that it would slide flush with the end of the VholdR lens. Next, I slid the #02 rubber sleeve on the camera and bought a #04 "butler Creek see thru flip open scope cover. Put some dish soap on the outside of the 02 sleeve and slid the 04 over it to where everything is flush with the VholdR camera lens. It's snug like a glove. The picture difference: With the #02 lens cover closed - it is a clear fisheye picture / with it open it is clear with a very small portion of the corners curved. -And with the #04 - with the lens cover closed the picture is like you would get with the lens cover open on the #02 -- and with it open the picture is like you have no cover on at all. With this set-up it won't bother me at all if I forget to open the cover. I streached the picture out on my 24" monitor and it looked great. I called - Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, Bass Pro - and none of them had the size 04. Gander Mountain has plenty and online is a easy order also.
You can just use an old film canister lid - cut out the little lip inside and it fits perfectly - also looks pro too....
I went to the rifle store and asked them about some lens covers and they did not have the #02 size butler creek. Fortunate for me they had some other plastic lenses that is used when the rifle scopes are delivered as a protection for the lens. I got 2 of these for 2 bucks :-) Fits perfectly and does not give any black corners on the video.
A agree with Tobywadeson. I used a 35 mm film canister lid cut out the lip on the inside with a stanley knife (I think you guys in the stats call them a box cutter) and now I have a lense cap which is sturdy and actually protects the lense of my ContourHD when it's not in use. Great idea Toby.
Cheers - Kym
Sydney - AUSTRALIA