Which GoPro?

There's been a lot of these threads, but with the new generation and all the different packages, i'm lost again.

We need/want a GoPro-type camera. For fun, documenting the cool roads and such of our trip, going over each state border, and then after that, maybe documenting builds, and DEFINITELY for racing videos.

What's the current darling?

Wants:
1) Mount to attach to a rollbar/harness bar. Bonus points for length adjustment to get down far enough off the top top of our rollbar.
2) Good sound quality, or an easy way to improve it with an outboard mic if necessary
3) Easy on the wallet. (But will pay for something that's so incredibly awesome i might pee myself.)

Needs:
1) Strong suction mount
2) HD/widescreen capabilities
3) Easy to operate
4) Waterproof

Lay it on me!

Following with interest. I want one for rallycross and kayak fishing.

Brett_Murphy wrote: Following with interest. I want one for rallycross and kayak fishing.

How the Hell do set the hook on a kayak???

They all have wifi built in now, but the breakdown is basically the same as before with the black edition st the top, then silver (hero2), then white (hero).

The black edition roughly double the capabilities from the old hero2.

Alternatives are the contour hd, and maybe something else that's popped up in the last ten minutes.

The black edition is having a lot of problems so just steer clear for now!!

With that out of the way..Get the Hero2 Silver edition (or lower. you can always add the wifi backpack to an older one.) You can use the GoPro app (free) which will display video from the Hero on your smartphone screen. It also gives you full control of the camera and makes it even easier to use. I don't remember if GoPro sells it themselves, but I know there is a good underwater enclosure sold for it (but they are $$ as in, almost as much as buying another GoPro). My brother uses his for taking video while Scuba diving. I forgot when you're leaving for said trip, but every 2-3 months a deal pops up on them. Sometime in the last couple weeks the silver was going for $235. You can also get a polarized lens cover that will reduce glare.

I did some more research, and didn't realize that the Hero3 Black was going to run $500+ all said and done. Can't swing that right now.

Looks like i can get set up with a Contour +2 with what i need for about $425.

Drift HD Ghost for around $425 as well. ($410 if i can use the handlebar mount in an offered package to work on a rollbar.)

Hero2 HD Motorsports for about $350.

Sony HDR-AS15 for about $325.

These are kindof the key players at the moment due to budget. The Contour is a stretch. I have a feeling that the Sony would outperform the Hero2 simply because we're comparing new gen with GoPro's last gen camera.

Thoughts? Do i need to go back and consider the Hero3 Silver or White? Consider the Contour ROAM2?

Have you looked at this http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=117&cp_id=11704&cs_id=1170401&p_id=10159&seq=1&format=2

I just got a Hero3. Sound quality is good, IMO. All of the mounts are sold separately unless you buy a 'package'. I haven't used the suction cup mount yet (I got a generic copy that got good reviews on Amazon) but the helmet mount works great. Got the roll bar mount, and it's okay but could have just stayed with my I/O Port one (which is for sale, if anyone wants one). It will take very wide angle shots but it looks too 'fish bowl' for my tastes so I backed it off a setting and it still gets just about everything inside the car and out. I'm really impressed with it; a lot from such a tiny package.

I bought the "white" and I haven't had an issue yet. Great camera for the money.

"White" is the main camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Mn1W01C60

If you're looking for a bargain, you might still be able to find a hero2 hd on clearance and then pick up a wifi backpack kit (if that's what you want to do with it) for less than a new hero3 silver. I had one hero2 when the 3 came out and picked up another on clearance shortly after.

After some fiddling and software updating I got the wifi packs working which is pretty cool. Haven't tried using the app yet.

The hero2 dive housing isn't much money, and should be on sale right now at gopro.com. Is good to 130 ft and has a flat lens which fixes some focus issues with the fisheye housings underwater. I'll be taking my two gopros to Thailand in a week to use on our dives.

I bought a Hero2 beginning of last year for my first season of rallycross. Added the wireless remote as an open box special at Best Buy. Came with all the mounts I needed, between suction cup & sticky for the helmet and any car places I wanted permanent.

Still love it, charged last night for tomorrow's first race! (Perhaps you can still find Hero2's on closeouts?)

Sorry, i should have clarified: The prices i listed above are what each camera would run me with an extra battery pack, a big SD card, and a mount that will work on my roll bar. In most cases just the camera is significantly cheaper.

Looking at the Hero3 White, it seems to be a little down on features compared to the Silver and Black. I really WANT the Black, but won't spend that kind of money right now. The Silver i can deal with.

Anyone have experience with the Monoprice unit?

In reply to Strizzo:

Can you make both camera's work on one remote? I'd like to try to find a 2nd Hero2 cheap if possible, & have them facing forward/back.)

Gimp wrote: I bought the "white" and I haven't had an issue yet. Great camera for the money. "White" is the main camera. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Mn1W01C60

as an aside, that pro solo looks awesome.

I have the Hero3 Black- I haven't experienced any of the problems that are out there. I love the wifi app for it. My only complaint is that it is sort of a battery hog. Comes with sticky mounts and whatnot, you'll spend an extra 20 bucks getting the suction cup. Shoots up for 4k! (Though only at 15fps... so not that special)

Jerry wrote: In reply to Strizzo: Can you make both camera's work on one remote? I'd like to try to find a 2nd Hero2 cheap if possible, & have them facing forward/back.)

yes, i have both of mine connected to the same remote. you can control up to 50 cameras from one remote.

you have two buttons on the remote, same as the camera, that control it via the pack. you can power on the backpacks, and they will tell your cameras to turn on when you turn the remote on. hold down the power button on the remote, and the cameras and remote turn off, leaving only the backpacks running in standby off their own battery. its pretty cool to have all of the cameras sitting there chirping away at your command.

i'm looking forward to the upcoming trip to get some dive video with them, and when we get back i'll be trying them out with the remote on our seadoos.

Ok so after more research and help from mndsm, seems i'm going to go with the GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition. I ALMOST pulled the trigger on the Sony Action Cam, as i feel like the picture quality is a rather substantial amount better than the GoPro, but apparently it won't record audio doing 60fps in 720 or 1080p. (WTF?)

Here's what i've got loaded in my Amazon cart at the moment. Please give any input, and reassure me that i'm not going to be unhappy with the fact that the Silver Edition will only do 1080p in up to 30fps.

GoPro HD Hero3 Silver:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AF7BS1I/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2GJA5U61FKKCM

Wasabi Battery Pack and charger:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAIPT76/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A26DOG57FL5OY2

GoPro Suction Mount:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009PK9SA4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Sandisk Ultra 32gb micro SD card (class 10):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QZH7BU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

GoPro Rollbar Mount:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MS6OM2/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Arkon Strap-style Rollbar Mount:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B9N6P5G/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A11V2MDXFAC9IW

I have both Rollbar mounts on there because i'm concerned that the GoPro rollbar mount will NOT work on my rollbar unless i have the top down on the Miata.

Total cost for everything listed above is ~$390 shipped. Open to suggestions of other things i might want/need, or cheaper options for anything i've got there, or better options for things that i have listed.

When you get it record this stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/hUj65M4T1cg?feature=player_embedded

I have the GoPro rollbar mount and used it at Laguna Seca, seemed to work OK but obviously that was with the roof down.

I'd be interested to hear how the batteries work out, I had trouble recording a few sessions because of a low battery on my Hero3 Black.

yeah the batteries seem to only last a couple hours. even recording a timelapse, they only lasted about 4 1/2 hours.

also, i found this today while perusing amazon for stuff:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9N6P5G/ref=pe_309540_26725410_item

timelapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4zZiBJ2cmo

I've not heard good things about the Wasabi stuff. I plan to get a 2nd real GoPro battery for ~$21 and rock on. One battery gets me a whole day at rallycross, the 2nd will just be a spare.

I am not up on these cameras, but now that I own a sailboat, I was thinking of doing some videos. Which one can survive saltwater?

I believe the GoPros can - they do come with a waterproof casing and are markteted at surfers, for example.

BoxheadTim wrote: I have the GoPro rollbar mount and used it at Laguna Seca, seemed to work OK but obviously that was with the roof down. I'd be interested to hear how the batteries work out, I had trouble recording a few sessions because of a low battery on my Hero3 Black.

I was reading about hacks to run the Hero3 and so on as a dashcam- and one of the things mentioned was punching a hole in the waterproof case or the frame and using a USB cig lighter charger like from a cell phone to keep it charged. Because yeah, at full whack, the battery life on mine is GARBAGE.

In reply to mndsm:

Gopro just released their skeleton housing for the hero3.