Go with the gopro Don . I have not used the handy cam but i can reassure you the gp will meet all your needs. The wide angle can be changed to a normal view just by going in to the settings and changing to a different quality. Not to mention gp have all kinds of different mounting/waterproof applications. Just take a look at some of the things i have done with mine ....
http://youtu.be/IA94FYkoYbc
http://youtu.be/dpjGyRuxiSo
Austen Schmalz