GoPro Hero camera?

[akira700]

Anyone here have opinions on the GoPro Hero camcorder?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...eo_Camera.html


Was thinking of going smaller than my present Mini-DV model
but didnt want to spend too much money.

Whats the best out there for mounting on a bike
for under $300?

[Pittenger5]

They're everywhere right now.
I like mine, it works well. Rumor has it (there was a post a few weeks ago) that a newer version with a rechargable battery is coming out soon. Id probably hold off for that personally.

[Kitt]

NEW Version? Doh! Noel got a sweet commission on selling me his with no battery life.

[Kurlon]

After my testing this weekend, if you use Lithium AAAs in the current model, they will happily cover the 1 hour max record time on a 2GB SDcard.

[Kitt]

lithiums are 1-use, right kurlon?

[Pittenger5]

I got some rechargables and the time I tested em they went 40 minutes

[Wanderer]

I'd echo the others. The battery life is the killer - with lithiums it does work fine, but those are 1 use, and fairly $$. It'll *eat* rechargeables.

As they're coming out with a new version with its own battery system, I'd hold off on that

[CEO]

I got some rechargables and the time I tested em they went 40 minutes

Yup.... I have energizer NiMH AAA's and they work just fine...

buy a couple pairs and a charger and rotate them, you're all set.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Yup.... I have energizer NiMH AAA's and they work just fine...

buy a couple pairs and a charger and rotate them, you're all set.

That right There is a Smart Little Man

[Kitt]

Yup.... I have energizer NiMH AAA's and they work just fine...

buy a couple pairs and a charger and rotate them, you're all set.

My NiMH energizers last about 20 minutes... they are new, but no way to confirm they have been getting a full charge, I thought the charger LED would turn off when fully charged, but haven't seen that happen yet.

[CEO]

That right There is a Smart Little Man

My NiMH energizers last about 20 minutes... they are new, but no way to confirm they have been getting a full charge, I thought the charger LED would turn off when fully charged, but haven't seen that happen yet.

Do you have the energizer charger? I do, the one I have has a light to let you know when they're done.

20 minutes sounds like you're not getting a full charge.

[Trouble]

I'm pretty happy with the GoPro. It's super basic and cheap, but that means I'm not paranoid about putting it to the test. I've ridden with it in the rain and even did a test mid winter on the outside of my truck while plowing.

I went with Eneloop rechargables. They are one of the few that don't lose thier charge just sitting around so I don't need to deal with dead batteries. One pair will last more than half of a track day.

[akira700]

Cool looks like its on my A List, then!

My work just ordered this so I may have to borrow it to see how it works too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

Its bigger form factor but looks to have nicer optics.
Still smaller than my Canon Mini-DV though, which I keep hitting my
helmet on when I move side to side.

[CEO]

Kitt this is the one i got... it came with two AA and two AAA batteries and then i got a 4 pack of AAA.

[Toyguy]

Poke around on Amazon for the VHoldR camera. I just bought the older model (they just moved to an HD version) for $99. The sound is kinda bad, but I usually end up replacing it in videos anyway.

[xbootlickx]

ive got the new vholdr contourhd .. works great for $279 and the battery lasts 2hrs and is rechargeable here is a sample vid but the quality is much better b4 uploading http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcfX718BW9Q

[akira700]

Poke around on Amazon for the VHoldR camera. I just bought the older model (they just moved to an HD version) for $99. The sound is kinda bad, but I usually end up replacing it in videos anyway.

I just pulled the trigger on this one. Free shipping on amazon but not $99.
$120.
http://www.amazon.com/VholdR-1102-We...312968&sr=1-22

[Jewchef1]

Still a good deal, hard to find it cheaper, or you have to wait way to long to get it.

[Punjistick]

If you don't mind drilling a small hole in the case you can use a USB cable to power it. I've found that the NiMH batteries provide ample juice if you get the ones that take longer to charge as opposed to the 15min quick charge ones. You have to look at what kind of mAh the batteries are and get the ones the have the highest. Then get a couple pairs so you can have ones charging when not in use and it doesn't matter how long it takes to charge them.

Also the plastic housing is pretty durable. See my crash footage in Pit Area for proof.

[deeto]

Its at the limit of your budget but you should seriously consider the ContourHD.

http://vholdr.com/contourhd/videos

It shoots 720p video, uses a microSD card, and has a rechargable lithium-ion battery. I just used it for the first time last weekend at Crow Hill and the video quality is AMAZING.

[kbroderick]

I'm the one who posted the link to the preview of the new version, allegedly coming in October. New items of interest: HD video and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, possibly better feedback as to whether the damn thing is running or not, too. I'm expecting to get suckered into buying one; YMMV, of course.

I've been pretty happy with my GoPro, though. Batteries seem to last about half a track day if only running one group; if you trade the camera off with someone riding another group, expect less than that. I'm using Energizer 800maH NIMHs from Sears; I've got a set of eneloops on order, as well. Swapping between batteries about halfway through the day provided plenty of margin when I wasn't loaning out the camera.

And yeah, they're durable. I lowsided on mine (it was hanging off the right side of the bike, near the passenger grab handle at the rear), scuffed it up a bit, and it still works. I did loose that session's video, though.

[Punjistick]

Mine kept on filming after my crash. I have about 20mins of the camera staring at the grass after the corner workers moved my bike.

[a13x]

I like the GoPro way better than my $700 POV.1 camera... here's some footage of us putting it thru the paces at Topeka.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8rW4rbyoGk[/youtube]