Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

The new Go Pro 3 is out.
It is still not water proof.
It is still not hydro dynamic.
The stills continue to have the Fish eye lens effect.
For only 400 bones.
I just don't understand.

I think we're several editions away from seeing anything along those lines come out. The big new addition is the low-light performance (especially for paddling), the remote, and that it shoots in 1440 (ridiculous-I-have-no-need-for-this HD).

I'm sticking with my original Hero HD until that thing looses the fisheye and the individual camera is no longer a separate unit from the waterproof housing.

What's the concern with the housing being separate from the camera?

My thoughts are that the housing allows:

A) easy customization of the camera (battery backpack, LCD, WiFi, etc) with add-on's. This probably wouldn't be possible with a removable rear door.

B) The case allows you to put desiccant strips inside to minimize fogging.

C) You can swap the waterproof case for a diving appropriate case if desired.

D) The case takes the brunt of the wear and tear. Scratch up the lens port... Swap it out. Don't want a backdoor with an orange floaty on it? Swap it out for a plain door.

After using/researching a GoPro I think they made some real nice design choices that allow the camera to be small, robust and useful in many activities.

The fish eye doesn't bother me on video and for stills it's possible to correct a lot or most of the distortion in post (I use Lightroom) though that does wind up requiring you to crop off the edges after applying the correction.

But really, the camera is designed to provide a POV from the wearer and/or to mount on/near the wearer in order o shoot back at the user. It's not designed to be a tele lens... I'd imagine it would be harder to get the subject in the frame of the lens was too tele.

I guess they could make the lens rectilinear if they wanted to get rid of the distortion. I wonder what compromises that would require (size, weight, etc).

Edit - It also looks like the new cameras are waterproof to 60m now. I'm not sure what hydro dynamic concerns you have but that 60m rating may alleviate those concerns.

The Hero 3 looks great. Not enough of an upgrade for me to switch, but VERY impressive.
I will speak to lens distortion... This is a POV action camera. It's an 8mm (roughly) lens. They are supposed to look like this.
It was, isn't, and will never be intended to replace your regular camera. It's a one trick pony and it is very good for it's purpose. The killer app: 1080p @60fps

Looks like Contour has a new ROAM2 out.. Waterproof to 1m with no case.
The rub, 60fps limited to 720p..... BOOOOOOOOOO.
Sony has a sport/action camera that looks nice as well.. I will guess (without seeing) that the sony will be the best in image quality by a substantial margin.

They will all have distorted lenses though.

Actually, if you read the fine print, it looks like the upper end Hero3s (Silver and Black edition... when did POV cams become German sports cars?) offer traditional field-of-view options. At that point, the Black really is only lacking an adjustable zoom to be a general-use 1080p camcorder (with other accessories).

Have you seen the JVC Adixxion? It's smaller and lighter. It's waterproof, dust proof, and shockproof without a housing. It has wifi, and a screen. Has the same lens as the Go Pro. It comes standard with everything that you have to buy extra on the Go Pro. It's less than $300. It also gets rid of the fish eye video and stills. Most of the reviews pick it hands down over the Go Pro. I don't have either but am getting interested in the JVC.

All great features
However I have seen two enclosures open while on helmets.
Dumping the cam into the river.
The JVC looks feature rich but again not sleek or hydro dynamic


Nobody mentions the OS atc9k
All the features of a go pro with none of the distractions.
Gps and g force sensors are bonus
Oh yea, and less than 150.
I found a couple of mine on sale for 120
I have used them for over a year with no complaints.
Give them a look.

737driver wrote:Have you seen the JVC Adixxion? It's smaller and lighter. It's waterproof, dust proof, and shockproof without a housing. It has wifi, and a screen. Has the same lens as the Go Pro. It comes standard with everything that you have to buy extra on the Go Pro. It's less than $300. It also gets rid of the fish eye video and stills. Most of the reviews pick it hands down over the Go Pro. I don't have either but am getting interested in the JVC.

Looks good but MAN!!!!! it's huge!

I love my Hero!!! Awesome Awesome camera!!!!

I haven't checked the dimensions but the reviews state that is lighter and smaller than the Go Pro

nproctor wrote:I love my Hero!!! Awesome Awesome camera!!!!

It's about what you want.
Do you want a waterproof camera or a waterproof case?
Do you want a G force indicator that will tell you how hard you hit off Twin Devils Falls?
Do you want a GPS tracker that shows in google maps where and when the video was shot?
Do you want a lazer pointer to activate when you push record to show you where the cam is aimed?
Do you want audio signals that tell what status the cam is in?
Do you want a cam that isn't wider that it is thick?
With waterproof remote.
Removable batteries so you can carry more than one.
Do you want to pay half the price of a Hero?
All I am saying is there are options.

This video speaks volumes for what a GoPro case is capable of.

http://youtu.be/ZsSavfNfWRg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'd much rather have a case protecting my camera. That way when the case is damaged, theres a chance my camera won't be. Better to replace a case/lens for $30/$8, then a whole camera for $200 plus.

I don't skydive much, but I paddle every chance I get. The possibility of the housing failing on my GoPro outweighs the benefits of being able to replace it. If I take a good hit and the housing on my GoPro is broken, then there's a good chance that the GoPro will 1). be under water (therefore being wet and become ruined), and 2). likewise be smashed to pieces anyway. Different uses for the same camera- I'm only interested in the paddling use of GoPros. The low-light feature is the best advance they've made as far as paddling goes...

Now a replaceable lens cap on a GoPro with permanent waterproof housing- THAT's what I'd be interested in. It'd be cheaper to replace than housing itself, and would allow for you to replace anytime it scratched.

Doug, you did notice that the GoPro falls out of the case in the beginning of that video right? I don't know if the guy latched it wrong or if the small piece of plastic on the latch just failed.

GoPro don't need no stinking cases