Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: Danneaux on April 03, 2012, 10:59:00 PM
-
Hi All,
I have a chance to get a new GoPro Hero2 Outdoor Edition camera for about half price. I am thinking of doing so, as it is a good price and I could probably sell it and recover my money if it doesn't pan out. What I'm hoping for is some opinions from my esteemed Forum members, and from owners/users before I take the plunge.
Looking at the camera is occasioned by my desire to get better, more interesting tour videos. See: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3925.0 Someone has done something similar with one of these cameras here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohB_ugmGDu4&feature=related ...and with one of these... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1rlZWkF22Y&feature=related In truth, a loaded touring bike does not have as many camera mounting options as a bare bike (the load gets in the way), and I am a bit reluctant to mount one of my Leica-lensed video-still cameras at the end of a stick. For that matter, I have not yet figured how to secure the stick to a loaded Sherpa without causing possible paint or frame damage. It is not as easy as it first appears. That gets me pulled back to the GoPro, which is armored, light, and has a greater variety of mounting options.
The GoPro Hero 2 Outdoor Edition comes with a chest harness, head mount (strap), and helmet mount, with a few extra sticky pads to make something of your own. It is good there are so many included options, 'cos GoPro must surely make as much from selling mounts as it does cameras (the Dremel Moto-Tool business model...they could give-away the tool for what they make up in bit sales). There doesn't seem to be anything in the kit to attach the thing directly to a bicycle. That would require the handlebar/seatpost mount or the roll-cage mount at USD$23-33 extra. If I could get a tripod mount, I could fasten it to my swivel-ball head Rowi camera clamp and mini-tripod and be pretty well set. It will attach to the spacer at the front of my Thorn Low-Loader Mark V pannier racks.
The GoPro hero2 looks like a good supplement to my digital camera's HD video capability, with the bonus of being housed in a rugged, polycarbonate case. Ah, but therein lies the rub -- the very design has some problems:
1) The case is soft polycarbonate, and GoPro offer no carry case for the um, case. Yes, the camera is protected, but it is easy to acquire what amounts to a scratched lens if the case gets rubbed on something (the camera lens has to "see" through the case viewport). A new viewport is available separately at a reasonable cost, but still...it's going to stay "new" and clear only a comparatively short time, especially in windblown desert playa.
2) Unless I spend another USD$80, the thing has no way to see what I am taking or have taken: There is no LCD monitor unless I buy it separately and attach it. Without one, I have to wait till I get home to my computer to see what I got. Aiming depends on the forgiveness of the wide-angle lens and trying to aim the camera about 10 degrees down from horizontal to get a bit more road than sky.
3) Battery life looks pretty good (USB rechargeable!), and it can use up to a 32GB SD card...changing the batteries or card requires the case to be opened. Not a big deal if it is dry, but not so great if it is blowing dust or raining hard. Sounds like an in-tent operation if the weather is foul.
4) Some basic mounts -- like a tripod mount -- are available, but hard to come by. Here's a video of the chest mount in use on a bicycle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKvt2q5OzQE Kinda nausea-inducing when the rider stands to climb hills, not so bad otherwise. I'm of two minds wrt the elbows/arm framing the shot. It does identify and set a context, but it is also intrusive.
5) User reports criticize spotty sound. Apparently, there is an open-back or cage-like case available (extra cost!) that gives better sound quality at the cost of less camera protection. There is a reason why most outdoors videos have a music track and little native sound. The camera does accept an external mic, but that has to be powered and shielded from wind noise as well. If one uses a separate digital recorder, then you have to sync the sound and picture with a hand-clap or something, and that's going to scare any wildlife. No, I'm reconciled to having to go with the built-in sound and probably overlay a music sound track in editing.
6) The thing weighs about 5 ounces and is aerodynamic as a brick (shaped like one), compared to the competition (i.e. Contour, comparison test here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASESvnr18q0 A/B comparison here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXdI46EQQBo&feature=related), which include several that look like streamlined bike headlights and are built on the lipstick-camera design of a basic tube. Unfortunately, those also require separate purchase of a waterproof case, and they tend to have more cryptic menu selection than the current GPH2.
7) There is no true zoom capability, but apparently the new GPH2HD model has a selectable wide- or super-wide aspect; I think it may be done in the firmware rather than optically, and am still checking out the particulars. The new model does have plain-English menus rather than cryptic stand-ins to remember. Unfortunately, they put the control panel on the front so you can get nifty pictures of yourself setting it up to use...it is pretty likely to happen, 'cos the camera defaults to still mode when turned-off and has to be put into video mode deliberately. It seems to take pretty poor still shots, so no, I can't leave the still-cam home and just take the GoPro. There is also the whole can't-monitor-what-I-shoot-unless-I-buy-an-LCD-back issue.
The GoPro wouldn't appeal to me as a photographer except for being a ruggedized vidcam with a wide variety of available mounts and reasonable battery life/card usage, even at a full 1080 resolution. I also like the time-lapse feature, though that could soon grow old.
I'm seduced by the videos on YouTube and at GoPro that were shot with these things, but wonder how useful it would be for me in documenting my tours (beyond my current video capability in my digicam). In truth, much of what I travel through is kind of bleak countryside to portray on video unless I stop, get off the bike, and make a real effort to pan around, catching myself and the bike for interest and add narration. To leave the thing mounted on, say, the front rack or my helmet...maybe not so useful? It weighs about 5oz/ 141g, and I would think it could make a helmet uncomfortable after awhile, and could be a Bad Thing to land on in the event of a fall.
Has anyone on the Forum tried a GoPro, and especially the new GoPro2 model for touring? If so, what did/do you think of it? General thoughts? A bargain is a bargain only if it...is.
Thanks in advance,
Dan.
-
A very quick reply on the move Dan.
Have you looked at a DriftHD. That is what I have.
Comes with bike mounts, helmet mounts, head mounts, built in screen, remote control.
Can get a litlle drybag for it with a lens window for less than $20.
Similar but different to the gopro.
Gopro seems to go down well with the watersports and Drift with the motorsports ,leaving both of them good for cycling of all types.
Will write more when time allows.
I'm waiting for a universal bicycle camera/tripod mount to be delivered as we speak.
Ebay Hong Kong special £2.95 delivered. Will last 5 minutes but will give me some ideas I'm sure.
-
Hi Richie,
Thanks so much for the reply; most welcome to hear from a DriftHD ( http://driftinnovation.com/drift-hd-action-camera/ ) owner. It is one I have looked at briefly, but will look at much more closely now I now someone who has one and is pleased with it.
I love the built-in LCD monitor, and really can't understand why the GoPro Hero2 doesn't have one...it is something even the meanest, poorest snapshot digicam provides, so it would seem reasonable to also have on for in-field viewing on a vidcam. The first question in anyone's mind is "What?!? Y'mean you hafta wait till you get home to see whatcha got?!?", as in "What if you missed the shot and need to retake it?". A reasonable question.
Unfortunately, I can't get the 50% reduction on the Drift where I can the GoPro HD2. Still, as I mentioned earlier, a bargain isn't a bargain if it doesn't meet one's needs, and I do have some real doubts about the GoPro's design.
Yes! eBay cheapstuff is wonderful for seeing if something will work or can be adapted and -- surprisingly! -- sometimes turns out to be great quality. It is making possible some more comprehensive USB adaptations for my on-board Plug2/SON28 charging system.
Looking forward to hearing more when you have the time, Richie. Thanks again!
Best,
Dan.
-
Dan, I've been considering a GoProHD2 for some time. Unfortunately they are expensive to buy in Australia and the shipping direct from GoPro to Australia is over-the-top.
If you can get it for 1/2 price, and are willing to pass on that saving, I'd be happy to take it off your hands if it doesn't work out for you. So you get to try it, if you don't like it, I'll buy it.
Shoot me a message if this sounds okay to you.
Myles.
-
PM sent. Thanks, Myles.
For the benefit of others, I can detail the price would be half-off to me, thanks to stacked sales, gift certificates and membership dividends at REI ( http://www.rei.com ). Their usual price is USD$300. Until 15 April, it is on sale for 20% off (along with pretty much everything else in the store and online site), saving $60. I have $60 in REI co-op member dividends and another $30 I received when I signed up for an REI Visa card. Together, those cut the $300 price to $150, or half-off. Hopefully, news of the sale will help others (it is only available to REI co-op members, but a membership is inexpensive, worthwhile, and earns a 10% annual dividend, so it is a bit like a sale on regular price items, but cannot be accrued on sale-price items).
The sale ends 15 April, so I am trying to research the camera to determine if it meets my needs before that date. Any thoughts an info from users is most welcome, as are alternatives.
The GoPro cameras are outstandingly rugged and have a wealth of mounts available. They excel at what they do -- capturing outdoor activities in extreme conditions. Unfortunately, when viewed solely as video cameras, they are lacking a number of features compared to the average vidcam, lacking even a rudimentary LCD monitor (one can be purchased separately). I don't plan to immerse one, and I'm wondering if a ruggedized, all-weather vidcam might be a better, more versatile choice for my needs and for equivalent cost.
REI's other ruggedized outdoor vidcam offerings are here: http://www.rei.com/search?search=camera&scv_page_size=109&seq=1&hist=query%2Ccamera and include the Contour line of cameras that are aimed via a built-in laser sight (no LCD monitor on these, either).
Thoughts?
Best,
Dan.
-
I have a GoPro Hero 2. It's the Surf model (the Outdoor one was out of stock and they offered me a free chest mount with it). I also bought the bike mount which is quite useful - attaches to the handlebars securely, and also can be attached to the fork crown on my Nomad when I am using a handlebar bag (the handlebar position does not adequately clear the bar bag).
I really don't have a great problem with the lack of a viewfinder - my footage has always turned out excellent. Have not taken too much footage so far though, and I may eventually get the LCD back, and possibly the extra battery back. The chest mount gives really good views - it shows your handlebar and arms for a reference point in the view and it is less subject to bumps, although the ultra wide-angle view of the Go Pro overcomes a lot of the vibrations of rough road riding.
My main problem so far is the outstandingly slow upload rates locally here with Telstra >:(. By the time I get even halfway through attempting to upload to youtube it times out..... and a 5-10 minute video blew out my monthly allownce - even though it failed to upload >:( >:(
No easy answer to this problem at the moment.
-
The problem with REI (and a whole host of other US on-line stores) is they don't recognise much of the world outside USA and Canadia. Those that do ship to the non-Americas, charge a huge premium for shipping, that pretty much destroys the savings of buying in USA. I blame it all on poor geography teaching in schools.
I have a short list of US on-line bike stores that do give good service to overseas.
-
Hi Pete,
Thank you; I very much appreciate your views and thoughts on the camera as a user -- very helpful to me.
Yes, the ultrawide-angle lens cures a lot of potential ails, and not only captures the action well, and minimizes aiming problems, it also reduces apparent vibration. I remember making an in-car tour of the small town where I was living at the time (video cameras weighed 8 pounds, were bulky, and I managed to trap one between the passenger seat and the headrest). It didn't work at all well unless the lens was set to the widest angle. Just too much vibration was captured otherwise.
You also make a very good point about uploads. The files have got to be huge, and unless one has a fast connection, they'll take forever to transfer. That's a good point to consider, and I would imagine cutting resolution a notch (say from 1080 to 720) might help a bit). Probably wouldn't make a great deal of difference on web presentations unless the viewing window was really big. Yes, I do see some discernible difference when I adjust the playback quality on YouTube, but not as much between the highest and next-highest setting as between those and what fall below (leaves suddenly replace a green haze on trees when the resolution increases).
I surely feel your pain and frustration with shipping rates overseas, Pete. I mailed an international package the other day, and the price was outrageous. As bad as that was, it couldn't compare to the outrageous rates charged by online retailers based here. I think overseas shipping has become a profit center for them. I recently spotted a sale on running shoes for a European friend and told him about them. He's attracted, but the retailer's shipping more than equals the cost savings from the sale, even with the exchange rate in his favor. Our solution? He'll buy them and ship them to my home. I'll then slap on an address sticker and take them to the post office and mail them out to him. He'll transfer the cost of reshipment to my bank account or to PayPal. The cost of domestic shipping and reshipment will be about half what the retailer would charge to ship direct. What's worse is, many US retailers don't even do overseas shipping; their shipping options include the US and Canada and nothing else. It is terribly unfair, and amounts to geographic price-gouging. If I had more time and it didn't take so long, I'd do the receive-and-reship thing for others, but I've got too many irons in the fire to manage it.
I blame it all on poor geography teaching in schools...
Oh, Pete...as a former educator, I share your concern. America's education system is long-broken and getting worse. The result is reflected in many areas and the results are visible domestically and overseas.
Thanks again for your insights on the camera, Pete; helpful as always!
Best,
Dan.
-
I recently spotted a sale on running shoes for a European friend and told him about them. He's attracted, but the retailer's shipping more than equals the cost savings from the sale, even with the exchange rate in his favor. Our solution? He'll buy them and ship them to my home....
....If I had more time and it didn't take so long, I'd do the receive-and-reship thing for others, but I've got too many irons in the fire to manage it.
Actually, that reminds me. There are a number of website services already operating that do just this thing for overseas buyers
http://www.usreship.com/
http://www.shipito.com/
There are apparently some concerns about local scams (https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/radDocs/consumer/ReshippingScam.html) with such sites, mainly related to 'employment' offers, but I'd be prepared to give it a try at least once.
-
Hi All!
Since we last spoke about the GoPro Hero 2, I have had second thoughts about passing it up. The attempted substitute -- a Samsung HMX-W300 -- did.not.work. in a bicycle application and the software is extremely buggy with lots of mosaic breakup and random green-screening in the final videos (see: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3802.msg19052#msg19052 for a full explanation of its shortcomings).
REI to the rescue with a second-chance offering even better than he first: A 20% reduction on the GoPro Hero2 Outdoor Edition bundled with the LCD monitor and a second set of replacement back-doors for the standard case to accommodate it. USD$299 with the included LCD BacPac vs USD$375 normally for this REI-exclusive bundle.
I figured they'd go quick, so I sat up till after midnight to place my order early in the first day of the sale (yes, the US East Coast is ahead of me by three hours, but if I had waited till morning for the Westies, there would be none left; sad past experience makes one wiser). Demand was so great it crashed REI's dividend authentication server so they have confirmed my order and will not charge my card until my USD$60 dividend is applied. I used the members-only 20% Off coupon to reduce the price of the accessory chest harness by USD$8, and also picked up a tripod-mount adapter and a 3-legged campstool priced at 25% off.
For those looking to get in on the same deal, the REI Anniversary Sale runs from May 18-20, and the sales e-flyer is here:
http://catalogs.rei.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.5.1.7&cm_mmc=Email_com_gm-_-AnniversarySale-_-051612-_-img_2daysale#
The camera bundle link is here:
http://www.rei.com/product/838118/gopro-hd-hero2-outdoor-edition-wide-angle-helmet-cam-with-lcd-bacpac
The campstool link is here (I chose green to match my tent; downgraded from past models but still not bad for USD$15):
http://www.rei.com/product/765283/rei-trail-stool
I am truly sorry REI charges such high rates for foreign shipping, erasing most if not all the savings, as Pete correctly pointed out.
This week's flood of email sale offerings brought news that Cambria Bicycle Outfitters is offering GoPro Hero (not Hero2) camera at 20% off, but postage to Australia is still very high at USD$65. See:
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=&brandfilter=gopro&page=1&cat=helmets&utm_source=blue_hornet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=051412_camfree
...and...
http://www.cambriabike.com/policies.asp#rates
Cambria also offer the Contour Roam and Plus HD models:
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=&brandfilter=contour+hd&page=1&cat=lights&utm_source=blue_hornet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=051412_camfree
Besides GoPro and Contour, Drift also make some nice go-anywhere vidcams, with built-in monitors: http://driftinnovation.com/products/
I am hoping this bundle of the GoPro Hero2 will solve a number of my mounting problems. It comes with several sticky mounts (seemingly useless for my bicycle application but possibly still useful), a head-strap mount, a helmet-strap mount, and a sort of double-jointed mount that is the same as the "look-back" helmet front mount but without the part that attaches to the helmet (sticky mounts?). I haven't quite figured it out yet, but hope it can be modified to show me in the frame as I ride along, thus solving the problem of the missing high-angle vidcam mount I've been pining for.
See:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3925.0
...and...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVbHdXL5-Sk&feature=autoplay&list=PLAC59854AE64B93FB&playnext=2 ).
The tripod mount will fit my Rowi camera clamp (See: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3896.msg19096#msg19096 ), and will allow me to mount the camera facing backwards on my Surly Nice Rack or on my seatpost or Brooks saddle rails. The chest mount is the leading candidate for forward views, and should the the most convenient and vibration-damped for general use in filming while riding.
See:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=_wUb4gnL8Vw
The LCD monitor is really critical for me to see if I really captured the desired angle and footage, instead of waiting till I get home when it would be too late. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyP-NtXmz9Q
Whew.
Getting there; an evaluation post after everything arrives next Friday.
As for Pete's slow upload issue...My main problem so far is the outstandingly slow upload rates locally here with Telstra Angry. By the time I get even halfway through attempting to upload to youtube it times out..... and a 5-10 minute video blew out my monthly allowance - even though it failed to upload...No easy answer to this problem at the moment.
...Sometimes the problem of a slow upload is complicated by slow receiving if the YouTube servers are taxed. I have sometimes had good luck helping clients in similar situations by uploading via ftp to a parking or cloud site with fast servers, then transloading from that data parking site to YouTube.
Best,
Dan.
-
So Dan does this mean we are all going to be treated to some excellent touring movies. ;)
in the very near future.
-
does this mean we are all going to be treated to some excellent touring movies
Oh, I sure hope so, jags!
I figured by getting the vidcam now, I could work-out some of the bugs on my day rides and have everything ready to go for the Big Tour in June.
The only downside to all this (besides the expense -- ouch!) is the need to carry more stuff. It'll be alright...I'll have a camp-stool I can unfold and sit on when I'm too tired to pedal the lot uphill any longer. ;) What I really need is a winch. Those electric hub motors are starting to look pretty good right about now...
All the best,
Dan. (I'll show 'em when I take 'em...hopefully soon!)
-
Hi Dan
Only just seen the post. I have the Go Pro HD2, have not used it for touring but have used it when Mountain Biking in all sorts of weather mounted on my helmet, fixing came with the camera. Found it to be a first class camera and really pleased I got it.
kind regards
John
-
Found it to be a first class camera and really pleased I got it.
Thanks, John! hearing you're pleased with it as an owner really helps remove the "fear factor" from a substantial purchase like this. Pete is happy with his, as well. Fortunately, if everything goes pear-shaped, REI's generous return policy will save the day, but I save that only for "emergencies" when even careful pre-buy research fails to reveal a fatal flaw that only real-world testing can bring to light. I love stores with policies like this, and am very careful to not take unfair advantage of them.
So, good to hear another positive report; thanks! Looking forward to playing with it as soon as it comes, but I suppose the thing will have to be charged first before it'll work. Well, no matter. I somehow manage to wait for Santa Claus each year, and this can't be any harder!
All the best,
Dan.
-
Actually if I recall correctly, I think it came with the battery already fully charged.
-
I think it came with the battery already fully charged
Oh! That would be fantastic, Pete; I was hoping to try it right away. Know what is agony for me? Having to wait 24 hours for some batteries to take a full charge before the first use. I handle the thing, resist temptation, read the ink off the manual, go back and hold the thing some more...and wait. And wait. And wait. Longest 24 hours in history.
It would be great if this arrives charged!
Hopefully...
Best,
Dan. ("like being given candy and told not to eat it")
-
Dan did your new baby arrive yet if so a nice test video of the sherpa would be great ;)
-
did your new baby arrive yet if so a nice test video of the sherpa would be great
I agree, jags! Unfortunately, it is not scheduled to arrive until next Friday at the earliest. Just a few moments ago, I received a notice the chest harness and tripod mount had shipped, but so far no word on the camera itself or the camp stool (separate orders). REI sent notice of the sale, but said they could not process the USD$60 dividend at that time...and no word since. I think they just got slammed by demand from the sale (I've seen it before). Before ordering, I did a store check and none carried the camera; it was a warehouse item only, so I am hoping they won't exhaust supplies before mine ships.
Just have to hold tight for now. As soon as it comes, some Sherpa test footage will go on YouTube/Vimeo and a link to it will go here and also direct to you. By the way, I think I have solved the high-angle mount problem, so hopefully, it will look as if someone else is filming me even though I'll be riding alone.
Be sure to take piccies on your tour, jags; we want to "come along with you" as well!
Best,
Dan.
-
great stuff Dan really look forward to scening the videos.
my son is giving me a loan of his camera as mine is broke .
had a text this morning from Louis he's heading to cork ,i think the way he sounded the hills were getting to him ;D bikepacker should be here in ireland by now he's camping near Dublin tonight and tomorrow making his way to my town come Tuesday we are off.
-
Longest 24 hours in history.
It would be great if this arrives charged!
I hope I've not raised your hopes incorrectly. I now remember that my Powermonkey Extreme battery came fully charged. Not sure now about the Go Pro Hero ???
Took mine along on the ride today, hoping to get some good video. Haven't used it for several weeks.... well, nearly two months. Fitted it up on a nice bit of forest road, switched on. It was videoing fine for about 3-4 minutes then "beep, beeep, beep" - it switched off. No battery left :(
Note to self: always charge the damn thing before use :-[.
-
What was your elevated filming angle solution in the end Dan.
I'm very interested in having a different angle for my Drift. I've got a gorillapod Hybrid that sit's on the bars but as yet I've not really found an angle I'm happy with.
-
What was your elevated filming angle solution in the end Dan.
Well, Richie, it was and then it wasn't and now I'm falling back to regroup and think I have found a way.
I'll post back in the original thread to make it easier for future searches. I've got some GoPro Hero 2 issues I need to bring up in this thread, and trying to keep apples apples and oranges oranges for those those who come later and want to follow the threads cleanly. For the high-angle vidcam mount saga, go here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3925.0
I should have a proper reply up there by day's end, but I'm swamped with other stuff at the moment.
All the best,
Dan.
-
I've got a gorillapod Hybrid that sit's on the bars but as yet I've not really found an angle I'm happy with.
Richie, I've now got the post up in the other thread.
With regard to any kind of handlebar mount that shoots back at you, keep in mind you may have to adjust brightness levels (EV, gain, gamma, or however it is labeled in your video camera) to compensate for the bright sky above your head. Otherwise, faces tend to come out underexposed. Just a tip learned the hard way. A second tip: Set the EV back to where it should be when moving the camera to look straight-ahead or all your video will come out looking like the flash-bang as a nuclear warhead explodes.
Best,
Dan.
-
Hi All,
I am having some issues with my new GoPro Hero2 camera, and I'm wondering if those of you who own one have found any solutions that might apply or have suggestions for same:
1) When used in the waterproof housing, there is little if any recording of outside sound (as expected; the sealed, boxlike housing prevents sounds from reaching the mic). This isn't so bad, and I figured I could just lay a music track over whatever low ambient sounds got recorded. Eh, no. Unfortunately, what gets recorded periodically are some really loud pops and creaks, all apparently being telegraphed through the case from the mount and attachment bolt. These things are really loud, and when I go into my sound editor, there is no way I can overlay them with a music track; I have to go through and edit out all the clicks and pops before I can lay down a clean track.
I have found if I insert the accidental-release-preventer (a little, white rubber piece that prevents the Fastex-like mount form coming undone under high g-loads), much of this telegraphed creaking disappears, so long as the case/housing is not itself in contact with anything. Unfortunately, the little rubber plug won't work with the j-hook I use to invert the camera and mount it to the chest harness (the camera allows recording to be inverted as well, so playback is rightside-up, even if the camera is not).
2) Closely related to the issues above, I find when the camera is rigidly mounted (say, using the tripod adapter and my Rowi camera clamp on a rack crossmember), a lot of sound is transmitted to the camera's mic by conduction. It sounds about the same as when I use my mechanic's stethoscopes to listen for dead fuel injectors...every freehub click, chain roller, ball-bearing, and brake release gets recorded at maximum volume. I am thinking of renaming Sherpa to "Harley", as the sound is almost like the distinctive, uneven potato-potato-potato sound of a Harley just coming off idle as it pulls away from a traffic light. I...didn't know Sherpa had it in him!
3) Both these sorts of sounds are muted to a degree by using the skeleton-back on the main housing, allowing much more ambient sound to reach the mic. The problem remains to some extent, and is compounded by a good deal of wind noise and of course the camera's vital parts (i.e. the unshielded HDMI and USB ports) are exposed to dust and rain with the skeleton back, so that's a no-go for foul weather and dirty conditions (windblown desert playa, for example).
I think the ultimate solution might be to drill and tap a hole in the case, gasket it, and insert the screw-plug for an external mic. This would get around the problem of case nose. While the case would no longer be submersible, I believe it could be made essentially water- and dust-tight and would result in audio input only from the external mic. Alternatively, I may make a little null plug of plastic to insert in the mic jack, interrupting it and resulting in a truly dead audio track. That would work, and also save me hours of hand-editing the audio, allowing me to lay down a narration track in the studio later.
4) I've found battery life under ideal conditions is about two hours, starting from fully charged. Turning off the mode-record confirmation beeps extends that, as does going to just a single LED indicator from four possible. The LCD back eats batteries like mad, but can be turned off immediately after checking aim, and then it becomes an non-issue except for playback.
5) I've got a number of real and virtual laptop computers on my network running a variety of operating systems. What I have is lots storage and lots of memory (fast RAM and lots of it). I have CPU processing speed. What I don't have is a lot of graphics memory or acceleration (speed). That means I really only get good, clear, artifact-free playback of 720p GoPro video on my Linux machines. Under Windows, I get stepped, stuttering playback to a greater or lesser degree. Unfortunately, this means 1080p -- the only mode that allows the choice of three fields of view (narrow, medium, and wide) -- is unplayable and unviewable for me unless I spring for a new and speedier computer (Yay and ouch at the same time...I had other plans for the money, and had hoped to get a takealong laptop for use while touring instead of another machine for video playback and editing at home; I don't have space for a desktop tower and monitor, which would be a cheaper and more versatile route to go).
I've tried (down-)converting from MPEG-4 to MPEG, AVI, and DIVx, and then the videos all play fine, but with a noticeable loss of quality that is really unacceptable after seeing what is possible before conversion. I've been playing with YouTube and looking at the down-conversion that takes place there. I have no issues playing-back You-Tube videos at even the highest resolution with the same machines that are stumbling with the GoPro native format here at home.
By the way, all videos play back smoothly on the camera's LCD back, and when I (try to) view them on the computer, they have already been ripped to the resident (and fastest) hard drive of each machine, rather than trying to play them off the camera via USB.
Part of my problem may be coodec-related. I upgraded my Windows VLC media player and got slightly better results, and an update to my K-Lite codec pack for Windows Media Player helped as well (in XP Pro, Vista, and 7 Ultimate), but not enough to get me where I need to be. totem movie player in Linux did the best, to my surprise, even better than SMPlayer, Banchee, and Kaffeine (on a KDE distro). VLC/VideoLAN did not do as well on any of my Linux distros.
Any suggestions for getting smoother playback at higher resolutions?
By the way, the higher resolutions also eat the GoPro camera batteries faster (probably due to greater processor conversion loads and the massive data files that result when written to SDHC). At 1080p, it doesn't take long to rack up gigabytes of video files, which limits storage (even on an 32GB SDHC card and on hard drives at home. The raw files are way too large to burn to DVD).
I've got a few more emerging issues related to using the camera on a bicycle, but I'll wait a bit to post them till I can get all the parameters nailed down and repeatable.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.
Best,
Dan.