GoPro Hero 3?

[TheLondonCyclist]

Anyone put a deposit down or going to buy the Hero 3 when it comes out? my main reason for it is the 120fps at 720p. I also like the 60fps on the 1080p which should be amazing with the new lens e.t.c it's not superb in low light might I add.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I'm considering it too, for several advantages over the GoPro Hero HD that I currently have:

• Takes 64GB SDHC cards, compared to 32 for the older camera;
• Is about 25% lighter;
• Has more video modes (although I don't know if I'd use them all, but you never know);
• Has improved low-light performance compared to previous versions (at least, the comparison page on the website says so);
• 2nd battery can be attached to the camera, although the disadvantage there is extra weight;
• Other nice features listed on the website (mmm... yummy geeky goodness! ).

I'd be interested to hear tales from any of you who already have one, and no doubt the OP would too.

Oh... and I'm sorry, London Cyclist, that my post didn't answer your question .

 

[ColinJ]

I'm super-impressed by the marketing video for the Hero3, but I can't afford one!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I just used my new Hero 3 video camera (helmet-mounted) on the way to work this "morning", and the difference in light sensitivity compared to the Hero 1 (which I bought roughly 3 years ago) is just astounding! Last week, I used the Hero 1 for the exact same commute, which typically starts at stupid-o'clock (approx. 4:45am) and ends at 5:50am, i.e. the whole ride is at night, before it even starts getting light. There's a range of light conditions, from well-lit Maroondah Highway to sections of minor road with no street lighting, so it was perfect for doing a low-light comparison between the 2 camera models. I'll be posting a detailed Hero 1 vs Hero 3 comparison shortly: I'll work on it this long weekend.

 

[ColinJ]

They just featured the Hero 3 in an action cam group review on our 'Gadget Show' and it came top again.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I've got the hero 3 black edition, its pretty reasonable and does its job

 

[ColinJ]

I've got the hero 3 black edition, its pretty reasonable and does its job

That almost sounds like a criticism!

I think it looks a bit clunky, but the videos taken with it that I've watched have been spectacular.

 

[Norry1]

I'm super-impressed by the marketing video for the Hero3, but I can't afford one!

Great Vid

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I'm not critical off the Camera quality, but I think there is a balance to be achieved.
The reality is that the exceptionally high quality resolutions are questionable. First of all they make battery life dire and many popular videos hosting websites do not fully support the resolutions well.
IMHO its a reasonable product, but certainly over hyped, your not going to get footage as stable as the demo footage with the standard go pro mounts imho

 

[Norry1]

So where is the best place to buy, and does it need extras for helmet/bar fixing?

Might get me one of these.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I'm not critical off the Camera quality, but I think there is a balance to be achieved.
The reality is that the exceptionally high quality resolutions are questionable. First of all they make battery life dire and many popular videos hosting websites do not fully support the resolutions well.
IMHO its a reasonable product, but certainly over hyped, your not going to get footage as stable as the demo footage with the standard go pro mounts imho

I completely agree. I wish they'd put more effort into extending the battery life, because it's one aspect of the Hero 3 with which I'm definitely underwhelmed.

 

[ColinJ]

Battery life - yeah, that sounds like fair comment. Is the battery removable? If you have to use an external battery pack or stop and recharge a fixed internal battery then that would be a bit crap, but if you could just swap in another battery then that needn't be a total showstopper, though it would limit how long you could shoot for, of course.

I wouldn't be interested in resolutions higher than Full standard HD. I've been watching the videos in 720p on my laptop and tablet and they look really good. If I had a HDTV, I'd want to record and watch in full HD.

As for stable images ... I'd assumed that the cameras were as they appear to be in the video above - handheld, helmet-mounted or stuck on the end of a canoe, ski, motorbike, whatever. If they were actually in special anti-vibration mounts then that is a bit misleading!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

No, the mounts aren't 'anti-vibration'. They're not really any different from mounts you'll find for other products such as GPS computers. As for stability: check out my commuting video (if you haven't already seen it), taken using the original GoPro Hero 1:


Regarding battery life, there is a way to extend it, but at a cost: there is an accessory called the Battery BacPac, which clips onto the rear of the camera, but of course it then weighs more.

 

[ColinJ]

No, the mounts aren't 'anti-vibration'. They're not really any different from mounts you'll find for other products such as GPS computers. As for stability: check out my commuting video (if you haven't already seen it), taken using the original GoPro Hero 1:


Regarding battery life, there is a way to extend it, but at a cost: there is an accessory called the Battery BacPac, which clips onto the rear of the camera, but of course it then weighs more.

I think that's pretty good!

The camera seems to react pretty quickly to changing light conditions.

So, does the Hero 3 have any serious competition in a similar price range, or is something as good available for less?

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Some (but not all) competing vendors are:

1. Contour;
2. Oregon Scientific; and
3. ION.

As far as I can tell, only the Contour cameras come close to the GoPro in video quality. The Contours are definitely lighter and more compact, though. Before buying the Hero 3, I did some reading on the various alternatives, and ended up coming back to the GoPro, despite its main drawbacks, which are the weight and battery life.

By the way, I'm nowhere near an expert on helmet cameras: the only 2 I've ever owned are the Hero 1 and Hero 3. So if you want a more informed viewpoint, then the long-standing helmet-cammers on these fora can no doubt answer your questions better than I can .