GoPro HD review

Sat, Jun 19 2010 10:32pm BST 1
Luke C
Luke C
61 Posts
After a few weeks with the GoPro HD I thought it'd be good to share my experience with the camera. The first caveat to this review is my general lack of knowledge of other cameras in this market so it's not going to be a like for like review (or necessarily a thorough one:) but a loose collection of thoughts from a gadget lover nonetheless.

The first thing to note is that it's a rather sexy looking camera. Both out of the box and when it is set up and ready to go. Does good looks matter when buying a camera? of course they shouldn't but let's face it they actually do a bit. Whether it's vanity or the fact that attention to detail in looks also implies attention to detail in other areas is a pertinent question that is best left unanswered.

Due to the fact that there is no view finder this camera is restricted in certain activities - you wouldn't want to film a wedding with it for example as you'd have no zoom, or even be 100% sure you had everyone in shot. However this camera isn't trying to be a boring digital camera it's trying to be something different, and is designed with a specific purpose in mind and that in my opinion is actually why it is so good.

I read far too many blogs and forum posts before buying this camera about mount setups and different which cameras would fit which mounts, which, for someone like me who has the handyman skills (and possibly looks) of a Neanderthal man I thought would be best to avoid. The GoPro has so many mounts and accessories that it's easy to mount a camera on your helmet or anywhere on your glider with kit straight out of the box.

When using the camera there is a 'learning curve'. Albeit a small and simple learning curve I think most of us are used to new technology being 100% intuitive straight out of the box with no need for instructions. Admit-ably the instructions are only 2 sides of paper but it's worth a mention if you are either a) a bit stupid or b) a paraglider pilot.

Once the camera is taking film a big red light flashes to let you know you are recording which I seem to have missed on two flights already but being as I only got to the end of page one on the instructions I thought this nugget of information might be worth passing on. There is also the option to set the camera to take photos every two seconds which is pretty neat too.

Downloading film couldn't be easier and even with HD footage it's quicker than importing from mini hd. Charging too is quick and easy with the 'out of the box' charger being via usb cable.

In my opinion ease of use specifically for taking aerial shots is the primary reason you'd be buying this camera and not far behind that is the issue of quality. The footage is clear, smooth, bright and crisp and although I'm sure other cameras also give the same quality it still looks great and really gives the the people you are trying to impress (in my case at least) with your footage that extra sense of realism.

There is no getting away from the fact that it is a pretty pricey camera but in my opinion they have cornered the market for extreme sports cameras and as such will continue to innovate with novel ways of attaching it to you and your glider so every camera angle is conceivable straight out of the box. So basically if you buy one of these it won't get as outdates as easily as other cameras may.

All in all I'd give the GoPro a 5 star, that is IF you don't mind shelling out a bit of money and reading two sides of paper.

n.b. I'm sure there are hundreds of aspects I haven't mentioned about the camera so if you have one yourself feel free to share any gens of information you feel might be useful to anyone who might be considering buying one.
Wed, Aug 25 2010 07:04pm BST 2
Norris
Norris
13 Posts
I have a HD Gopro and I had a lot of problems when I first got it. I tried 7 different memory cards and was still having problems with the last one, a Transcend class 20 card. It finally turned out to be the card slot that was at fault and I returned the camera to America for service and had it back in a fortnight, now working perfectly as far as I can see. Excellent service! It is a brilliant little piece of kit and I am looking forward to taking it HG with me, it has certainly added a different dimension to PG!

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