preferred-google-button
log in
register

GoPro Camera – do I need one?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • February 1, 2015 at 5:21 pm #23146
    Shades

    I’m just about to head off on a holiday to New Zealand which includes the Alps to Ocean cycle trail. I own an ‘oldish’ Camcorder and used to be quite enthusiastic taking videos of windsurfing, and even whilst skiing (carefully), but with smart phones and cameras taking pretty good video it seems to be gathering dust. I invested in a small ruggedised, waterproof camera recently which has been good for outdoor activities and takes good video, although it ideally needs 2 hands to be used properly so it’s ‘limited’ for action stuff. For cycling I always thought I’d get a headcam I could use for ‘insurance’ against getting knocked off but I sometimes feel you need to be realistic about how much kit you strap on for a ride and, to be honest, I rarely see anyone using one (I don’t live in London mind you). For normal road riding the GoPro ‘telly tubby’ look is slightly ridiculous but I have to admit the video quality is excellent and they’re useful for other activities. My question is, would a spur of the moment GoPro purchase see the resurrection of my video enthusiasm and give me some great holiday footage? Is it one of those things you wonder how you ever managed without? There must be some reason they stick with that design. I do other sports that I could use it for and I’d just ‘park’ the cycling safety cam idea for the time being. In GoPro terms, does anyone have advice on ‘most useful’ mounting accessories?

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 21 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • March 31, 2015 at 9:25 pm #830217
    0
    robertoegg

    I’m in the market for an
    I’m in the market for an upgrade from a DRIFT HD which doesn’t really cut it for number plate detection in low light.

    How do the GoPros work in the low light/night conditions – any experience?

    (unfortunately, even on my nice “country” commute between GFord and Farnham, I get incidents regularly such as tw@ts in low-slung boy racers pulling across the carriage to drive at me for a laugh, the odd bus actually driving me onto the pavement when passing, Eddie Stobart trucks mounting the kerb whilst reading a map (just this evening, camera was full though!))

    March 25, 2015 at 12:56 pm #830215
    0
    untakenname

    I have a garmin virb elite
    I have a garmin virb elite (gps and wifi model) on the front (waterproof and has decent battery) and a mobius on the back, simply for insurance but also use them both off the bike as well.

    I coated the mobius in plastidip to make it waterproof (left the heatsink exposed) and put a rubber usb bung in the mini usb slot.
    The mobius now has 2 hour battery life compared to the earlier ones which had about an hour and a bit, you can upgrade the earlier battery to the later one (has 800mah instead of 500) for £4 delivered from banggood.com.

    March 25, 2015 at 9:04 am #830213
    0
    Al__S

    SportPursuit currently have
    SportPursuit currently have the Garmin Virb, RRP £250, for £88.

    (if you’re not a member, use this link to sign up and I’ll get credit to spend. Bit cheeky? Dunno. But worth a punt)

    March 24, 2015 at 11:09 pm #830211
    0
    Haggisbasher

    I have had a Go-pro for a
    I have had a Go-pro for a number of years. The quality is great, but the mounts are dodgy. Mine broke off on a bike event last year. It bounced all the way across the road, and still worked.

    I swapped the mount for this
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Mount-Adapter-Holder-for-GoPro-Camera-Hero-1-2-3-3-4-/400865547833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d5572d639

    Since then rock solid. I found having it on the helmet, literally a pain in the neck and your video was constantly jumping about as you looked left and right.

    Some pointers, get back up batteries, Wasabi batteries are great and 1/3 of the price. Invest in a battery charger, It took a while to figure out that the USB port, just does not cut it.

    March 24, 2015 at 7:26 pm #830209
    0
    Shades

    Thought I’d add to this topic
    Thought I’d add to this topic I started. Having had some luck getting a new job prior to heading to NZ, I threw caution to the wind and bought a GoPro 4 Silver. First impressions; great build standard and the video is really sharp. After mastering the menu etc I tried linking it to my IPhone (via Bluetooth/WiFi). Worked OK but when you turned it off and tried to ‘reconnect’, I just couldn’t get it to work, so for the sake of batteries and sanity I just forgot about the app. Fearing going nuts on attachment options, I just bought a vented helmet mount and (bike attachment not available in the shop – Jessops, who do money off any extras you buy with the camera) a roll-bar fitting. I also bought an extra battery (good tip). Mounting on a helmet; yes you look a bit odd! The extra weight on your helmet is a bit annoying, especially if you mount it towards the front of the helmet. You also have to remember if the camera is off or on when you want to film. You can at least look about to vary the shot a bit. What’s slightly worrying is that it’s locked on solid, so if you came off onto the helmet it might affect the way the helmet protects you (as in the Schumacher debate). Tried it on the handlebars with the roll-bar mount, which turned out to be quite useful as it’s slightly bigger than the bike specific mount and is consequently more versatile. You don’t have to shell out on GoPro badged mounts as there are plenty of good, cheaper versions on-line. I thought mounting on the handlebars would introduce a lot of shake, but not really the case and the camera is easy to operate. Anyway, the videos. Anyone can take a reasonable photo these days; equally so with videos, but I think it’s how you edit them into an entertaining movie that makes the difference. I’ve got loads of clips of us riding along through various terrain; the challenge now is to add in photos, music, captions etc to make a movie. GoPros? They’re quality bits of kit that are totally at home in an outdoor environment, but don’t be ‘sold’ by the advertising clips as it’s down to your imagination with filming and editing skills that will make the difference. Oh yes, Alps 2 Ocean ride in NZ (supported – i.e. someone shifts your luggage); 266 Km of great fun and you don’t have to be mega fit. All manner of terrain, so choice of bike is difficult. Probably another post in itself!

    March 19, 2015 at 4:47 pm #830207
    0
    aje

    I’ve been impressed with my
    I’ve been impressed with my Mobius ActionCam, around £50, combined with the JooVuu waterproof case. I use it for insurance purposes on my helmet as the form factor is much smaller than a GoPro. You will have to cobble together a cable-tie fixing method to have it sit flush.

    March 19, 2015 at 11:19 am #830205
    0
    tommydam

    I think the contour roam 3
    I think the contour roam 3 action camera is the very good for riders. easy to put on helmet and nice resolution (1080).

    February 5, 2015 at 10:37 am #830203
    0
    rosscado

    Yes, it’s worthwhile and for
    Yes, it’s worthwhile and for an action holiday far superior to a handheld camcorder.

    I recommend getting the entry-level GoPro Hero initially; It will minimize your initial investment and you can upgrade later if you find you’re using it a lot.
    http://shop.gopro.com/cameras/hero/CHDHA-301.html

    Pair it with the K-Edge Go Big out-front mount for cycling. (Not cheap but secure and not a tellytubby.)
    http://www.wiggle.com/k-edge-go-big-gopro-handlebar-mount-pro-version/

    February 4, 2015 at 5:53 pm #830201
    0
    bashthebox

    As someone who shoots and
    As someone who shoots and edits for a living, I bought a GoPro and have used it on the bike twice. It’s really, really boring. Honestly, the footage has so little merit on its own. I’d consider using one on an Alpine descent, but that would mean carrying it all the way up and believe me, 18km into a climb you’re considering whether taking all your clothes off will make life easier.
    The only person interested in the footage will be you – which is absolutely fine, if that’s what you want it for. But if you’re thinking you can make a wonderful film from a handlebar mounted camera… nah.

    Do you need a GoPro? Absolutely not.

    February 4, 2015 at 3:18 pm #830199
    0
    DrJDog

    I bought the cheapest GoPro
    I bought the cheapest GoPro Hero for skiing, and for £85 the quality is very very good. I recorded a ride with it attached to the handlebars in January’s dim twilight, and the quality wasn’t so good. I’m pretty pleased with it. I won’t be helmet camming my commuting, but for my trip to Barcelona next month, and for the Étape, yes.

    February 4, 2015 at 7:49 am #830197
    0
    wellcoordinated

    SJ4000 excellent for the
    SJ4000 excellent for the money.

    February 3, 2015 at 9:58 pm #830195
    0
    Bazza155

    I have the SJ4000 and for the
    I have the SJ4000 and for the money (I paid about £45) it’s great, loads of different mounts but you’ll probably end up getting a decent handlebar mount.
    Colour rendition is slighty blue.
    Can also be used as a car dash cam.

    A review

    February 3, 2015 at 2:56 pm #830193
    0
    PaulBox

    Also consider a Garmin Virb,
    Also consider a Garmin Virb, bought one recently for an upcoming diving trip. I’d say that the footage is almost as good as a Go Pro, it might be as good when I get round to playing with all the settings. With the Virb you also get the GPS / Speed data etc. so you can see a map of where you are in the corner of the footage if you wish. It’s also not as boxy as the Go Pro for helmet mounting, though you’ll still look a bit of a knob đŸ˜‰

    February 3, 2015 at 1:51 pm #830191
    0
    notfastenough

    Is the viewfinder important
    Is the viewfinder important to you? I have a Contour Roam HD, more for the commuter ‘insurance’ reasoning, but the spec is as good as a gopro for less money, and doesn’t look stupid on a helmet mount. Only about 3.5 hrs battery time though.

    February 3, 2015 at 10:07 am #830189
    0
    Shep73

    Check out the Nilox Ducati
    Check out the Nilox Ducati addition, cheaper than a Go Pro but as good ( in fact I think it has better refresh rates). Also comes with a remote which is handy. I have one and have been impressed with it. That said I don’t really use it now as I’m leaning towards more sportive riding than mountain biking.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 21 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.