GoPro Time Management - Battery/SD

I picked up a hero 4 in late December. I was happy to see that my battery back pack plugs into the unit and functions. What really sucks is that the housing is different from the 3 and as far as I know they don't make a waterproof battery backdoor.
I usually dive with the power on and then reach up and hit the button to record when I see some action. For longer days I bring a battery and change it otw. Never had to do that with the battery back pack.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1034059&gclid=CIXb7dLPnMQCFUaVfgodJh8Aog&Q=&is=REG&A=details

I picked up a hero 4 in late December. I was happy to see that my battery back pack plugs into the unit and functions. What really sucks is that the housing is different from the 3 and as far as I know they don't make a waterproof battery backdoor.
I usually dive with the power on and then reach up and hit the button to record when I see some action. For longer days I bring a battery and change it otw. Never had to do that with the battery back pack.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1034059&gclid=CIXb7dLPnMQCFUaVfgodJh8Aog&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Thanks for the link but I don't want to shell out 60 bucks for a housing I already have. i just ordered the backdoor kit for 10 bucks that says it fits the 4. Hopefully it works.

Here's another option to throw into the mix. A $29 version of the Battery BacPac ($39 including the roomier back door).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TP1MOKY

Adds an extra 1,260 mAH (original batteries are about 1,100-ish I think).

It's only got one review, written by one of those guys who review gadgets and post on YouTube. He may or may not be affiliated with the company...

If anyone's interested, I went ahead and emailed Limefuel about their Hero 4 battery. Here's the email string (start at the bottom):

Team Limefuel,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my email.

Regarding the thin wire that will "slide between the battery door and back of the camera"... I'm much less concerned about damaging the wire of a ~$50 battery than damaging the battery door of a $400 camera. Adding a sheath will only make the wire fatter (i.e. more stress on the battery door that already has a very tight tolerance, more potential for damaging the camera).

Something to consider... There are many folks out there who would be happy as hell to have a "backpack" style battery twice as big as the current options (OEM and Wasabi). This would nearly triple the size of the GoPro, but let's be realistic; it would still be a tiny camera. And it would have enough recording time for SOOO many new applications. All night time lapses, road trip time lapses, filming a full day of kayak fishing without missing any of the action (my personal favorite), and SOO many others.

For what it's worth, I personally think there would be ENORMOUS support for a 5,000+ mAH battery that connects to the 30-pin and gets housed inside a redesigned (roomier) waterproof back door. This would be an absolute game changer in the action sports world.

Thanks for your time. I'll be keeping an eye on progress, but I'm opting out of the "thin wire" design until it's been proven effective and safe for the camera itself.

Cheers,

Alex

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 10, 2015, at 7:16 AM, Limefuel Support <[email protected]> wrote:

Type your response ABOVE THIS LINE to reply
alexander.s.bowerman
Subject: [Limefuel- USB External Battery Pack, Mobile Battery Pack] Contact Form from March 09 at 8:08PM
MAR 10, 2015  |  08:16AM MDT
Aram replied:
Alex,

We understand your concern with the current setup of our L38G4. We are still working on how the battery will attach to the GoPro Hero4.
Our current setup is a thin wire that will slide between the battery door and back of the camera. Currently, we are testing sheathings to cover the wires in order to keep them from wearing prematurely.
We are also looking into using the 30 pin port on the back of the GoPro. If we go this route, our battery pack will lose some capacity and record times will be decreased.

There are photos posted on our Kickstarter of our prototypes.
This will not void any warranty from GoPro.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

- Team Limefuel
MAR 10, 2015  |  08:08PM MDT
Original message
Shopify wrote:

Contact Form Submission:

Name: Alex Bowerman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 5107043889
Body: Hello,

I'm curious about your new Epic battery for the GoPro Hero 4. It looks like there's a thin, flat wire that has to stick out of the GoPro's battery hatch to connect the internal and external batteries. Looking at my GoPro, it seems like the hatch lid already has a really snug fit.

Do you have any closeup pics of how this works? Any word from GoPro about whether this jives with their warrantee? (Or any assurance from you that it won't damage my camera?)

This looks like exactly what I need, but I'm skeptical about pulling the trigger before there have been any reviews or long-term testing of the product.

I look forward to hearin your reply.

Thanks,

Alex

This message was sent to [email protected] in reference to Case #: 35122.
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When i watch someones fishing video i love to see the initial strike and then the anglers reaction.  I'll even rewind to watch it again sometimes.  I have seen some videos where they put captions like "watch this rod, with an arrow pointed to it."  I also like to see the fight and the landing of the fish but the first part is the best imo.  So i would say figure out a way to run it all the time. 

I am looking at purchasing a newer Go Pro and appreciate all the info you folks have been posting. Most of my GoPro use is while diving with occasionally picture (s) when fishing.  After reading some of the comments I may stay with my older model a little longer pending more research.    I currently use a Hero 2 with the battery back pac and water proof extended housing. I usually get about 3-4 hrs constant on, but for 6-8 hrs trips use on/off with one button mode to start recording. A little extra work, and missed a couple of nice shots but still able to record that one last dive/shot  .  For me I find it easier to edit video after using one button mode.  Look forward to more thoughts and comments regarding the GoPro 4 for diving. Thanks.