I have been lusting for a GoPro camera since well over a year. I know there areothers out nowadays, but the GoPro is the original for me - it was the first one around, is used by all the cool kids up in Alaska on their packraft and bikepacking trips, but yet I always held out - the sound of the original GoPro was not up to scratch, and 300$ is a lot of money.
Well, that all changed just with the introduction of the GoPro HD HERO2 this week. Called the "Professional" HD camera it is double as awesome as the original GoPro HD Camerasand one of the things which makes is really cool in my opinion is its in-build setting for time lapse. Yeps, that's right - time lapse, that malevolently difficult way of photographing stuff and making it look awesome afterwards. It also adds a microphone jack, so I can attach my Rode Videomic Pro.Exquisite, if I may say so. If you haven't yet, now would be a good time to click play on that video up there to see what the HERO2 is capable of. I will wait here, so go ahead, click play.
The new HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition comes with a waterproof housing to 60 meters, so I can take it diving, a whole assortment of straps to attach it to my helmet - nice for [ice] climbing, cycling and packrafting (also eliminates the fear of accidentally dropping an absurdly expensive photo camera into the water!) and a variety of other mounts as well as a pivot arm. Damn, all that's missing is a dolly! It shoots 1080p at 30 FPS, has a f/2.8 Fixed Focus with a variety of Fields of View Options: From super-wide 170º Wide FOV over 127º Medium FOV to the narrow 90º FOV, there's something for every situation. In addition it got an easy User Interface and red LEDs on all sides which let you know the camera is running. And instead of me repeating the Specs & Features, you could just head over to the GoPro site and read them yourself. If you rather hear it from me - its a fine piece of gadgetry HD video camera widgetery which opens up very creative possibilities for us backpacking, bikepacking, packrafting, skiing and climbing folks.
At the same time as the HERO2 was announced, GoPro also told us about the Wi-Fi BacPac + Wi-Fi Remote which will come out in February 2012. What's cool about the former is that it will enable long range video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote or, much cooler, a smartphone GoPro App. That is pretty forward thinking stuff right there - use your phone to control the camera, and see what the camera sees. You even could live stream if you're inclined to do so. Its almost Star Trek kind-of-awesomeness.
So, in case you haven't guessed yet: I made a purchase decision for a GoPro HD HERO2, Outdoor Edition. I can't wait till the camera arrives, allowing me to filming mundane things like walking with the pram in the park and cycling through the city to more adventurous stuff like singletrack mountain biking, packrafting and climbing. I'm also really looking forward to shoot time lapses with it, and use it as a Behind-The-Scenes camera for ULAZ.
Go get yours at the Official GoPro® Store - the HERO2 comes in three outfits (you want the Outdoor one!) for 300$ while the original HD HERO retails now for 200$ to 240$. Give it yourself to christmas if you need a reason, or tell your significant other that I made you buy it.
Disclaimer: There's terrible affiliate links hidden in this post. If you buy something via one of them, I get filthy rich [Enter evil laughter].
I have been lusting for a GoPro camera since well over a year. I know there areothers out nowadays, but the GoPro is the original for me - it was the first one around, is used by all the cool kids up in Alaska on their packraft and bikepacking trips, but yet I always held out - the sound of the original GoPro was not up to scratch, and 300$ is a lot of money.
Well, that all changed just with the introduction of the GoPro HD HERO2 this week. Called the "Professional" HD camera it is double as awesome as the original GoPro HD Camerasand one of the things which makes is really cool in my opinion is its in-build setting for time lapse. Yeps, that's right - time lapse, that malevolently difficult way of photographing stuff and making it look awesome afterwards. It also adds a microphone jack, so I can attach my Rode Videomic Pro.Exquisite, if I may say so. If you haven't yet, now would be a good time to click play on that video up there to see what the HERO2 is capable of. I will wait here, so go ahead, click play.
The new HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition comes with a waterproof housing to 60 meters, so I can take it diving, a whole assortment of straps to attach it to my helmet - nice for [ice] climbing, cycling and packrafting (also eliminates the fear of accidentally dropping an absurdly expensive photo camera into the water!) and a variety of other mounts as well as a pivot arm. Damn, all that's missing is a dolly! It shoots 1080p at 30 FPS, has a f/2.8 Fixed Focus with a variety of Fields of View Options: From super-wide 170º Wide FOV over 127º Medium FOV to the narrow 90º FOV, there's something for every situation. In addition it got an easy User Interface and red LEDs on all sides which let you know the camera is running. And instead of me repeating the Specs & Features, you could just head over to the GoPro site and read them yourself. If you rather hear it from me - its a fine piece of gadgetry HD video camera widgetery which opens up very creative possibilities for us backpacking, bikepacking, packrafting, skiing and climbing folks.
At the same time as the HERO2 was announced, GoPro also told us about the Wi-Fi BacPac + Wi-Fi Remote which will come out in February 2012. What's cool about the former is that it will enable long range video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote or, much cooler, a smartphone GoPro App. That is pretty forward thinking stuff right there - use your phone to control the camera, and see what the camera sees. You even could live stream if you're inclined to do so. Its almost Star Trek kind-of-awesomeness.
So, in case you haven't guessed yet: I made a purchase decision for a GoPro HD HERO2, Outdoor Edition. I can't wait till the camera arrives, allowing me to filming mundane things like walking with the pram in the park and cycling through the city to more adventurous stuff like singletrack mountain biking, packrafting and climbing. I'm also really looking forward to shoot time lapses with it, and use it as a Behind-The-Scenes camera for ULAZ.
Go get yours at the Official GoPro® Store - the HERO2 comes in three outfits (you want the Outdoor one!) for 300$ while the original HD HERO retails now for 200$ to 240$. Give it yourself to christmas if you need a reason, or tell your significant other that I made you buy it.
Disclaimer: There's terrible affiliate links hidden in this post. If you buy something via one of them, I get filthy rich [Enter evil laughter].
This new one is really tempting. I've this far been able to resist one, since most videos I've seen made with a GoPro have been crap (e.g 10 minutes of only POV perspective on a normal mtb ride). Correctly used, though, the potential is enormous.
I was not aware of such a device. It seems very reasonably priced for something so sexy, although I presume one doesn't get a free bikini in the pack ;) Burst mode and external mic facility are nice, have to admit its a tempting way to get full HD and a harness compatible cam. Look fwd to your vids
It really is how to use it, indeed. The new model, with time lapse, burst mode and 1080 HD in itself, if used correctly, can be a superb camera to document trips and adventures.
I always like the Packrafting videos and wing suit ones. Get it and we can see how good the results are. Wild Packrafting trips a must. I am sure bikini clad girls will boost your views and followers ;)
Well, many thanks for the review and the video. Yes, I like the camera but fear that I wouldn't be able to afford (or survive) the lifestyle that goes with it ....:)
I've been contemplating one since that vid came out (not overly impressed by the originals), although I'm actually still leaning toward the Drift HD120 as it's a smaller package more suited to helmet use, already has a small inbuilt screen so you can tell where it's actually pointed, and comes with a wireless remote. They've just brought out a newer version too, not quite up to the same spec as the new GoPro but not so far off, might be worth a look?
I look forward to seeing whatever you produce with the camera, I'm going to have to up my game and learn some editing skills - I'm needing to make some in-flight aerobatic videos as well as the fun mountain biking and climbing ones...
Hmm, I never have heard of the Drift HD120. After a look at it, I imagine the battery life could be shorter because of the inbuilt screen; and the GoPro isn't that bad on a Helmet, I imagine (will report after extensive usage =). I will stick with the HD HERO2, though!
For editing iMovie is about the most user-friendly Editor for beginners and advanced users alike.
I've used the previous version of GoPro on various sports (canoeing, snorkeling, skiing, climbing (ice/rock/mountain), mountain biking, etc.), and although the promo video does look good, and feature-wise there're some nice new stuff (time lapse, 120fps, etc.), GoPro suffers from poor quality attachments/accessories (watch out for all those loose screws and nuts when swapping the camera from mount to another, and be careful with the hard plastic - it struggles to hold on its own in winter), and has some software issues as well (random but very annoying when happening - lost/corrupted files etc.), picky on memory cards.
They do promise a lot with the V2, and having also used VIO POV and briefly also ContourHD, it is still, in many ways, the best of the pack, even more so now with new features, so not all that bad. Essential accessories though bring the price up quite a lot, so prepare to spend some 500-600 eur in total - 1-2 spare batteries are needed, highly recommend the Chesty harness (pricey, but well worth it, hasn't even broken yet) and tripod mount (cheap). LCD is sort of nice, but not sure if worth the extra weight and bulk, once you've learned to aim the camera right. Oh, don't expect to get the demo quality video out of the box - the quality is good, but takes a lot of postprocessing (with software I don't have, only using iMovie that does not really help) to get to the level you can see in the demos. They do promise the V2 is twice as sharp, so it might actually be really good out of the box, we'll see.
Recommended, but with a disclaimer :) Had I paid something for it I wouldn't be so happy (especially because of flimsy accessories), but if V2 proves itself, could imagine getting one with my own cash at some point - shooting videos is a lot of fun!
I have been using it now a bit (Timelapse, shooting movie on bike) and found the quality pretty good out of the box (the biking stuff was shot on a grey day and looked good). Tripod mount is good, and the bike mount too. Haven't used the other ones yet. One extra BacPac I bought, but so far I found the battery lasted good (2,5 hours shooting timelapse at 3°C in the wind, with two bars left afterwards). However, still need to use it more, and once the wifi BacPac comes out I also might grap that chest harness! Bottomline: The HERO2 is a nifty little camera, and I am amazed by the quality and possibilities of it. Thanks for your input =)
As I am on the quest of looking for a toy like this, what a coincidence google led me back to the guru ;-)Nice report, make me wanna buy it, especially after your metaphore "Star Trek kind-of-awesomeness" ... Strike :-O
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Exquisite, if I may say so. If you haven't yet, now would be a good time to click play on that video up there to see what the HERO2 is capable of. I will wait here, so go ahead, click play.
I love that promo add. I've watched it about 84 times now.
ReplyDeleteaghhh no Hendrik! I've been hovering over the "Add to cart button" all week and now you post this!!!!!!
ReplyDelete"Sold", to the gentleman with no will power.... :)
know that feeling...
ReplyDeleteThis new one is really tempting. I've this far been able to resist one, since most videos I've seen made with a GoPro have been crap (e.g 10 minutes of only POV perspective on a normal mtb ride). Correctly used, though, the potential is enormous.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of such a device. It seems very reasonably priced for something so sexy, although I presume one doesn't get a free bikini in the pack ;) Burst mode and external mic facility are nice, have to admit its a tempting way to get full HD and a harness compatible cam. Look fwd to your vids
ReplyDeleteMuahahahahahahaha!
ReplyDelete[Pets his white kitty while sitting in a massive armchair =]
It really is how to use it, indeed. The new model, with time lapse, burst mode and 1080 HD in itself, if used correctly, can be a superb camera to document trips and adventures.
ReplyDeleteAlso knowing a bit about editing helps.
Then I am glad I brought it to your attention! The missing bikini can be overlooked this time (I would have preferred a wingsuit either way ;)
ReplyDeleteI always like the Packrafting videos and wing suit ones. Get it and we can see how good the results are. Wild Packrafting trips a must. I am sure bikini clad girls will boost your views and followers ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're correct. I do want one
ReplyDeleteWell, many thanks for the review and the video. Yes, I like the camera but fear that I wouldn't be able to afford (or survive) the lifestyle that goes with it ....:)
ReplyDeleteI've been contemplating one since that vid came out (not overly impressed by the originals), although I'm actually still leaning toward the Drift HD120 as it's a smaller package more suited to helmet use, already has a small inbuilt screen so you can tell where it's actually pointed, and comes with a wireless remote. They've just brought out a newer version too, not quite up to the same spec as the new GoPro but not so far off, might be worth a look?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing whatever you produce with the camera, I'm going to have to up my game and learn some editing skills - I'm needing to make some in-flight aerobatic videos as well as the fun mountain biking and climbing ones...
I just bought a go pro a few months ago...I wish I had read this before...I think I go the older model :(
ReplyDeleteWell, it was less a review than my happy introduction to the new HD HERO2 =) A review will come after I actually have the camera!
ReplyDeleteHow to get one:
ReplyDelete1. Click link to GoPro Store
2. Click HD HERO2 product
3. Choose HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition
4. Add to Cart
5. Proceed to Check Out
Then just wait in happy anticipation till the postman comes ;)
Now there's an idea - where do I find cooperative bikini clad girls, though?
ReplyDeleteHmm, I never have heard of the Drift HD120. After a look at it, I imagine the battery life could be shorter because of the inbuilt screen; and the GoPro isn't that bad on a Helmet, I imagine (will report after extensive usage =). I will stick with the HD HERO2, though!
ReplyDeleteFor editing iMovie is about the most user-friendly Editor for beginners and advanced users alike.
Most likely, yes - the HD HERO2 just came out last week. Though if you're getting good results with yours, then no need to upgrade, I reckon?!
ReplyDeleteI want one too! But can't afford it... The situation is somewhat familiar to me so I think I'll just cope with it and wait.
ReplyDeleteI had a lend of my mates to do Striding Edge and the results were amazing the new Hd Hero well you said it all.......I also want 1
ReplyDeleteI've used the previous version of GoPro on various sports (canoeing, snorkeling, skiing, climbing (ice/rock/mountain), mountain biking, etc.), and although the promo video does look good, and feature-wise there're some nice new stuff (time lapse, 120fps, etc.), GoPro suffers from poor quality attachments/accessories (watch out for all those loose screws and nuts when swapping the camera from mount to another, and be careful with the hard plastic - it struggles to hold on its own in winter), and has some software issues as well (random but very annoying when happening - lost/corrupted files etc.), picky on memory cards.
ReplyDeleteThey do promise a lot with the V2, and having also used VIO POV and briefly also ContourHD, it is still, in many ways, the best of the pack, even more so now with new features, so not all that bad. Essential accessories though bring the price up quite a lot, so prepare to spend some 500-600 eur in total - 1-2 spare batteries are needed, highly recommend the Chesty harness (pricey, but well worth it, hasn't even broken yet) and tripod mount (cheap). LCD is sort of nice, but not sure if worth the extra weight and bulk, once you've learned to aim the camera right. Oh, don't expect to get the demo quality video out of the box - the quality is good, but takes a lot of postprocessing (with software I don't have, only using iMovie that does not really help) to get to the level you can see in the demos. They do promise the V2 is twice as sharp, so it might actually be really good out of the box, we'll see.
Recommended, but with a disclaimer :) Had I paid something for it I wouldn't be so happy (especially because of flimsy accessories), but if V2 proves itself, could imagine getting one with my own cash at some point - shooting videos is a lot of fun!
I have been using it now a bit (Timelapse, shooting movie on bike) and found the quality pretty good out of the box (the biking stuff was shot on a grey day and looked good). Tripod mount is good, and the bike mount too. Haven't used the other ones yet. One extra BacPac I bought, but so far I found the battery lasted good (2,5 hours shooting timelapse at 3°C in the wind, with two bars left afterwards). However, still need to use it more, and once the wifi BacPac comes out I also might grap that chest harness! Bottomline: The HERO2 is a nifty little camera, and I am amazed by the quality and possibilities of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input =)
As I am on the quest of looking for a toy like this, what a coincidence google led me back to the guru ;-)Nice report, make me wanna buy it, especially after your metaphore "Star Trek kind-of-awesomeness" ... Strike :-O
ReplyDelete=) I did a Timelapse video with it already: http://vimeo.com/32251546 Very nice toy.
ReplyDelete