ATTN: GoPro Users. Some Questions.

Which model do you use? / Which model would you like to use?

What accessories do you need for immediate kayak fishing videos? What accessories would you like to get for kayak videos?

I'm looking to pick one up prior to Albion....probably a HD Surf Hero. Any other comments, suggestions greatly appreciated.

I'm probably the least qualified to comment on this subject but I went with the 1080 hd, helmet hero package.  Came with the head strap and a couple different mounts, including one stick on that you probably attach to the yak.  I also upgraded to the flat lens for its underwater and kelp thrashing capabilities.  Was thinking of getting the LCD backpack but reviews report that its a battry killer.

Make sure you read the manual, the user interface is not inuitive at all.

First off, its a very very simple device.  On, Off, Record/Pic and Mode is about all the options you have.  I went for the 960 model, as I dont plan on creating DVD's or anything, just sharing on the web.  On the web you can have 1080 HD, but it takes a lot of bandwidth to play, and most people just never up the quality when they watch a quick video.  Mine came with a head strap and a stick on mount.  If you want to use a tri-pod you can buy a adapter mount for 8 bucks.  For kayaking I think the head strap works great!  Be sure to buy a 16GB card at least, so you have hours of recordings.  If you want to be able to charge it on the go, find a Mini-USB charger for a cell phone or other device, like Garmin GPS's, and your good to go.

First off, its a very very simple device.  On, Off, Record/Pic and Mode is about all the options you have.  I went for the 960 model, as I dont plan on creating DVD's or anything, just sharing on the web.  On the web you can have 1080 HD, but it takes a lot of bandwidth to play, and most people just never up the quality when they watch a quick video.  Mine came with a head strap and a stick on mount.  If you want to use a tri-pod you can buy a adapter mount for 8 bucks.  For kayaking I think the head strap works great!  Be sure to buy a 16GB card at least, so you have hours of recordings.  If you want to be able to charge it on the go, find a Mini-USB charger for a cell phone or other device, like Garmin GPS's, and your good to go.

+1 on that.

I however, got the 1080p model cause I like plugging it into my TV here at home and watching the videos in HD.  When taking it out on the yak, make sure you have something attached to it for floatation, cause it doesnt float.  I love my GoPro, I'd definately reccomend one to my friends.

I got the 960 HD for my birthday and love it!

+1 on the memory card of at least 16gb.

+1 on flat screen for underwater use.

+1 that they don't float....that's why I wear mine under my dive hood....

Gonna get a second housing and leave the regular lens on it for running/fishing/partying videos...and cuz I've already scratched the heck out of my flat one!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

the goPro movement is in full effect right now!

The HD surf hero will come with the head strap mount and the surfboard mounts. If you don't want the surfboard mount I will buy it from you
Other than that the 1080 has good resolution for home quality! I like mine.

I'm going to get the battery backpac for extended recording.

I have the Surf Hero. It didn't have a head strap in the box. I purchased a variety of mounts from Amazon with free freight and no tax. ( tripod, suction cup, bike clamp, helmet strap and a mix bag of stuff.) Also bought a 32gb class 10 memory card.

Al

Fuzz told me the 960 has 170 degree wide view angle
                  the 1080 has 127 degree  wide view angle

I suggest getting the extended battery plus a 32 gig card. The extended battery will fill 16 gigs at 1080p and still have juice left over. The extended battery gets you about 4:15 of 1080p recording, so you don't have to turn it on and off for the most part. It does require some extra editing effort during post production, but at least you don't miss anything. If you get the flat lens for the standard housing, then you need to record 1080p at all times or else you'll get vignetting.

-Josh

Like some folks already mentioned.. the battery pack because this thing goes through them rather quickly.  I have the 1080p with headstrap, then I went and picked up a suction cup attachment for it at Sunrise Mountain Sports.  Either leash it or have some sort of float attached to it, the flat lens is a nice addition as well.  My 2cents.

Pern

Fuzz told me the 960 has 170 degree wide view angle
                  the 1080 has 127 degree  wide view angle

I'm not sure if I fully understand the term "vignetting" but here is what I can tell you. Keep in mind I have the HD Hero. When filming in 1080 with the flat lens you get that circular border around edge of the screen because it has a 127 degree view angle and it captures the lens-securing ring on the housing creating that circular border that looks like your looking through a port hole.  When filming with the flat lens in 980, there is no border because the viewing angle is 170 degrees and it's not wide enough to capture the ring that secures the lens to the housing. You can film with the convex lens in any resolution and you don't get the "port hole" view. I'm pretty sure that's how Fuzz explained it to me when I asked about the boarder around my videos when using the flat lens. Maybe that's vignetting? Jeff-out

Fuzz told me the 960 has 170 degree wide view angle
                  the 1080 has 127 degree  wide view angle

I'm not sure if I fully understand the term "vignetting" but here is what I can tell you. Keep in mind I have the HD Hero. When filming in 1080 with the flat lens you get that circular border around edge of the screen because it has a 127 degree view angle and it captures the lens-securing ring on the housing creating that circular border that looks like your looking through a port hole.  When filming with the flat lens in 980, there is no border because the viewing angle is 170 degrees and it's not wide enough to capture the ring that secures the lens to the housing. You can film with the convex lens in any resolution and you don't get the "port hole" view. I'm pretty sure that's how Fuzz explained it to me when I asked about the boarder around my videos when using the flat lens. Maybe that's vignetting? Jeff-out

You're on the right track, but you have a few things backwards.

When filming in 1080p, the viewing angle is smaller, and you do not get vignetting. All my videos are shot in 1080p and come out without the 'port hole' effect. (examples, and )

In 720p, the viewing angle is larger, (that is, wider - 170 degrees is a larger field of view than 127), so you will get vignetting in that mode since the wider view angle captures the black ring around the lens.

As you correctly point out, this issue only applies to the flat lens in the standard housing. The stock wide-angle lens does not have this issue, or if you get an aftermarket housing, then it may also not be an issue depending on how it's built.

-Josh

Thanks for all the info, fellas.

Best Buy here in Rosa had four Helmet Heros on Thursday....I went back on Saturday and they were all gone, so I ended up having to go down to Marin City yesterday to pick it up. The 32 gig card was on sale for $70 and they had a deal where if you buy two camera accessories you save 10% and if you buy 3 you save 20%. So I ended up picking up the 1080 Helmet Hero, chest mount, battery bacpac, and a 10 class 32gig memory card.

Quick question, though - I'm kinda wondering what the point of the battery bacpac is, since you can't connect it while the camera is in the housing.

Also, how are you guys leashing/attaching floats to yours?

Thanks! Filming the express escalator to the ocean in Albion is going to be sweet.