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guy 27
3rd June 2010, 08:14 PM
I got a gopro Hero Hd naked camera a couple of days ago.

Has anybody got one and can give me advice on it?

I got the curved tape mount that comes with it but will invest in other mounts when i figure out what is best for car use. (guessing it is the suction cup ones)

Shay
5th June 2010, 03:30 AM
yeah mate, suction cup ftw

ive used one a few times, couple of my mates have them.
theres no real advice i can give other than using good batteries and a biggish memory card, as the rest is prettyy much just point and shoot.

one thing tho, i had one incar on the windscreen for one cruise, the sound was really good, til high revs when my car overpowered the mic and all you got was this shit loud distorted noise...

suction mount is mint, ive used it on dirty windows and fanged it around corners and stuff and it didnt move at all.
only other mount myy mates have used is the bloke with the bike, how has one stuck on one of his helmets

oh, and the sun turns to a black dot if it gets in veiw of the lens.

EDIT: and although its hd, lack of focusing means its not always the best quality.

nadg63
5th June 2010, 10:07 AM
We used to run a GoPro Hero 5, (non HD), in the rally car, was a good little unit. Quite a few cars on the rally scene are using them, in outr last rally a GT3 RS had about 6 of them attached in various places!

Mounts wise, you would have been better off buying the 'Motorsport' version as comes with a few inc the suction mount, but too late for that. Still on mounts, when you are using one with a 'screw' type locking, make sure you do it up pretty tight as they have a habit of coming loose and giving very odd footage!

You will not need worry about batteries as being the 'HD' it has a phone style litho battery and USB charger.

Sound wise, the main issue is caused by setting it to 'High' needs to be set at 'Low' or causes crackling/distortion noise.

Mounting, have seen them on roofs, bonnets, boots, under front/rear spoilers, in-car, just about anywhere really! (we ran ours in-car hanging from the cage near the rear view mirror). The clear plastic case makes it a durable little bugger as not seen a broken one yet.

Footage wise, for what it costs it is of good quality, we have recently tried a different set-up and was no-where near as good. One thing tho, if you are going to record at it's max HD setting I hope you have a very modern/powerful PC to cope with the uploading and editing!

Have fun with it!

PS:- If you go to this YouTube link, these guys have posted some clips taken with a GoPro HD suction mounted on their car in a recent rally we competed in:-

http://www.youtube.com/user/JonesBrosRacing

guy 27
5th June 2010, 10:43 AM
cheers mate

I got it as a present, as my brother bought a 3 and only uses 2 for his skydiving, so i really didn't get much say in which model i got.

I have found a few places online to buy the suction cup mounts so will get a couple to hook up.

seems you can not adjust the sound quality on this one, it comes with an open style and completely sealed rear cover for the case. They suggest the open for <100mph and the closed for >100mph.

I need to get a bigger SD card though. I only have a 1gig at the moment so will only give me 11minutes at highest quality.

editing wise, my computer will cope with it. Its built to editing HD videos.

nadg63
5th June 2010, 11:17 AM
cheers mate

I got it as a present, as my brother bought a 3 and only uses 2 for his skydiving, so i really didn't get much say in which model i got.

I have found a few places online to buy the suction cup mounts so will get a couple to hook up.

seems you can not adjust the sound quality on this one, it comes with an open style and completely sealed rear cover for the case. They suggest the open for <100mph and the closed for >100mph.

I need to get a bigger SD card though. I only have a 1gig at the moment so will only give me 11minutes at highest quality.

editing wise, my computer will cope with it. Its built to editing HD videos.

Looks like you're spot on with the sound adj, or lack of! (know they have changed some things on the HD but haven't used one!)

Couple of reviews etc on YouTube, this one is informative:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWppamXWs8&feature=related

guy 27
8th June 2010, 04:42 PM
Had a quick play with the camera today. these pics are straight off the camera

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0019.jpg

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0017.jpg

and some in low light (about 15 minutes before it was dark outside.)

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0034.jpg

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0030.jpg

Taking it out tonight for a quick drive to see how the video mode is in the car.

Shay
8th June 2010, 05:20 PM
Wow the HD is a really decent jump from the ones ive used.

nadg63
8th June 2010, 06:59 PM
Wow the HD is a really decent jump from the ones ive used.

Yes, it's way superior! Different league altogether.

Shay
8th June 2010, 07:02 PM
Any idea how much a HD one with the motorsport mounts will set you back?

nadg63
8th June 2010, 07:53 PM
Any idea how much a HD one with the motorsport mounts will set you back?

Bought in Aus around $439.

guy 27
8th June 2010, 09:00 PM
Just got back from taking it for spin to see night quality.

not really impressed to be honest. I took their advice on using the spot setting for in car camera and using 30fps instead of 60 but the footage is still way too dark.
although the road i was on was very dark. might try another night driving it though the city. only had 1 gig card with me so i ran out of room to record video before i could try.

will edit the video and see if i can improve it at all. Sound quality is very impressive though.

couple of pics.

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0007.jpg

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0014.jpg

nadg63
8th June 2010, 09:07 PM
Just got back from taking it for spin to see night quality.

not really impressed to be honest. I took their advice on using the spot setting for in car camera and using 30fps instead of 60 but the footage is still way too dark.
although the road i was on was very dark. might try another night driving it though the city. only had 1 gig card with me so i ran out of room to record video before i could try.

will edit the video and see if i can improve it at all. Sound quality is very impressive though.

couple of pics.

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0007.jpg

http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww85/skyguy27/GOPR0014.jpg

Not really aimed at the night market, now you know/seen why!

guy 27
9th June 2010, 09:38 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXEG3AJ5Esw

shame its so dark because it was a nice run.

Nurb608
9th June 2010, 09:43 AM
The sound on these suck when they are externally mounted. Footage is ok, but not 100% happy with it, however, I wouldn't be mounting an expensive camera on the outside of my car :p

guy 27
9th June 2010, 09:48 AM
mine was mounted inside on the dash with the non waterproof back case. will give it a shot during the day next time mounted externally.

also on the side of the car will never give good engine noise due to its location. Should try on the front bar, rear bar or internal if you want better sound from what i have been reading about them

Nurb608
9th June 2010, 09:56 AM
mine was mounted inside on the dash with the non waterproof back case. will give it a shot during the day next time mounted externally.

also on the side of the car will never give good engine noise due to its location. Should try on the front bar, rear bar or internal if you want better sound from what i have been reading about them

I've got some video of it mounted on the front at home aswell. The issue is with the wind going through it, it maxes out the mic.

poita
11th June 2010, 09:31 PM
saw these on engadget, whats your thoughts?

http://www.driftinnovation.com/hd170-action-camera.php

guy 27
11th June 2010, 09:42 PM
looks like a good unit pete.
very similar specs to the gopro. I like the idea of the screen and remote.

I know gopro are working on a screen add on for their cameras.

be interesting to see the pricing on it and what mounts will be avalible. I think thats where the gopro has the market though at the moment due to their wide range of mounts available that have been tested and meet the guidelines for almost every sport and use out there.

poita
11th June 2010, 09:47 PM
i think i remember seeing a price of about $349, will confirm for you

poita
11th June 2010, 09:51 PM
found an Aussie dealer for them, $299

http://www.launchhelmetcams.com.au/self-contained/drift-X170

*edit* thats for the XL170 which is not the HD model

Nurb608
12th June 2010, 11:16 AM
There's them here at $369 http://iautosport.com.au/NP.php

poita
12th June 2010, 04:23 PM
samanth stevens = yum

guy 27
15th June 2010, 08:51 PM
daytime run.

i am quiet pleased with the results.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6lNyuksLfQ

hazrd
15th June 2010, 09:17 PM
i know that road
u were on the way to byron :p

that turned out really well

SIMid
22nd June 2010, 07:34 AM
There's them here at $369 http://iautosport.com.au/NP.php

Been looking for something like this for a while. Great daytime quality vid and pics. :)

Linky not working though.

Nurb608
22nd June 2010, 07:45 AM
Been looking for something like this for a while. Great daytime quality vid and pics. :)

Linky not working though.

Yeah, i think they are having problems with thier site at the moment, can't even access the front page :(

guy 27
9th January 2011, 10:33 AM
gopro have a few new add ons for the camera.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/01/gopro-sports-cameras-go-3d/#more-433537

Rhino
9th January 2011, 11:54 AM
Apart from the 3D (wank), nothing is new there Guy. Gizmodo are just useless.
If you want to know what GoPro have, go to the GoPro website, not bloggers.

How is the sound bad when mounted externally?
I think in the instructions it says up to 100kph (or something), use the open back cover to get better sound.
Above that, wind noise will be an issue. So just make sure you're using the right cover for the job.

I love these things. I put 3 on the bike when I go to the track.
A HD up front, and a standard in the dash pointing back, and one on the rear cowl (either pointing forward or back)
They're mint.

The HD also had a firmware version upgrade not too long ago. So good fixes in there.
It now has upside down mode and 'instant record' (so it starts recording as soon as you turn it on)... among others. Worth the upgrade.

glider
9th January 2011, 12:02 PM
Apart from the 3D (wank), nothing is new there Guy. Gizmodo are just useless.
If you want to know what GoPro have, go to the GoPro website, not bloggers.

How is the sound bad when mounted externally?
I think in the instructions it says up to 100kph (or something), use the open back cover to get better sound.
Above that, wind noise will be an issue. So just make sure you're using the right cover for the job.

I love these things. I put 3 on the bike when I go to the track.
A HD up front, and a standard in the dash pointing back, and one on the rear cowl (either pointing forward or back)
They're mint.

The HD also had a firmware version upgrade not too long ago. So good fixes in there.
It now has upside down mode and 'instant record' (so it starts recording as soon as you turn it on)... among others. Worth the upgrade.

we were running 2 gopro when the OA crew did tassie

sound was an issue with the closed cover, it seemed to have an air leak

guy 27
9th January 2011, 12:06 PM
If you want to know what GoPro have, go to the GoPro website, not bloggers.


I would have but theres no info on the gopro website about the add on battery and lcd screen attachments. Plus its easier for people to just click one link to see it all rather than 3.


How is the sound bad when mounted externally?

If your referring to a few posts up.
What i was getting at was the engine and exhaust sounds. no matter what type of mic you mount on the side of the car the noise isn't going to be as good as having the mic behind the car. But yes having the right cover on for different speeds makes a huge difference.


The HD also had a firmware version upgrade not too long ago. So good fixes in there.


Still gotta load that onto mine. upside down mode is really all i want out of it but im sure the instant record will be good as well.

Shay
9th January 2011, 12:27 PM
even with the fully closed cover i had issues with the sound...
With the camera mounted in-car on the front window, my engine/exhaust would overpower the mic once i got past 4.5K

EDIT: with one of the first GoPro Heros....

Rhino
9th January 2011, 12:36 PM
Re: wind noise
My SD had mechanical noise. It was the smallest bit of movement in the shutter button, but when you put it on a V-Twin motorbike, it wailed and was very overpowering. Might be something similar? Or definitely wind?
Ended up sending it back and they either re-furbed or replaced it. Either way, it doesn't do it now, and the HD certainly doesn't.

The instant record can save a LOT of frustration.
Like having your best session on the track and finding out later that you took a still shot in the pits :|
If it is 'instant on', it uses the default profile (for me is video), and starts recording straight away = less angry me.

I think they also did some work to remove the bright (black) spot from the sun. Or was that the HD in general?
I also like in HD that the video isn't as wide - gives a better idea of depth.

BTW: It's under 100 MPH that they suggest using the open back cover.

guy 27
9th January 2011, 01:05 PM
I think they also did some work to remove the bright (black) spot from the sun. Or was that the HD in general?
I also like in HD that the video isn't as wide - gives a better idea of depth.

They removed the sun black spot on the HD models. mine certainly doesn't have it.
R4 is still very wide angle (about 170deg) while r5 is around 120.

Shay
9th January 2011, 02:36 PM
Re: wind noise
My SD had mechanical noise. It was the smallest bit of movement in the shutter button, but when you put it on a V-Twin motorbike, it wailed and was very overpowering. Might be something similar? Or definitely wind?

Wasnt wind noise, as i was filming from inside a car with the windows closed.
Not mechanical, as the sound is fine every other time i use it...

in videos my car sounds like a vtec :lol:
cos you hear it getting louder, then it over powers the mic and just makes the wailing noise.