HD GoPro Helmet Cam

Just picked up a HD GoPro Helmet Cam.

Last summer I borrowed a friends POV 1.0 setup and it worked great, although having to deal with the DVR unit and the remote cable got to be a huge pain in the ass the longer the trip went. On the plus side the POV unit has a viewable screen and can take a lot of video on a single 8gig card, although the video quality is just ok. Battery life is exellent and I recorded the whole trip on camera.

The GoPro HD has super video quality and a wider angle lens (I like that aspect since I can get the bars and the horizon in the pic at the same time). Battery life is ok but not great (I have two batts and will charge them up at camp each night from a USB charger off the bike). It takes massive amounts of memmory to record in HD mode, I'll take several cards but won't be able to record the whole trip, instead I'll try and choose the best places to record...ie. Stream crossings, sweet single track, ect ect. I like the compactness of the GoPro and lack of cables ect to mess with. Overall I think it will work great!

Here's a short Test video that I took yesterday on my 530 around town.



Hope this helps

Hodakaguy

Definitely "wide angle".
I'd like to see a pic of it on your helmet.

Disappointed there's no wheelie.

Ahh the temptation of the Costco polish (death) dog.

And the best use of emoticons goes to...

i got the gopro hd also but only used it 1 time
i need to know what convertor you used cause my footage was not as good after conversion for shittube or other upload sites.

its a great cam fo sho

I'm using Corel Videostudio Pro X3 for all my editing ect. I'm saving the files for the computer in a 1080P mpg format. Sometimes in the 720P format so they will load faster.

Hodakaguy

Seems to be the best unit out there, do you know what the definition is like on a 50 inch plasma or LCD tv (at full width).

Why ya get rid of ya BRP for the KTM , I looked at buying a KTM 530 but the 300 hour rebuilds (9000 km) was off putting. What's the performance comparison between the two like ?

Cheers

I bought the Delkin Mini mount which is almost the same as the one that comes with the GoPro...difference is the camera attachment piece....otherwise its made by the same company.

Then all you do is attach a digital camera that does video...I'm looking to buy the 'Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12mp' which shoots HD video :-). A lot more practical then the GoPro as it can serve as a REAL camera when not recording rides. I heard this setup works great, although I have no tried it yet...really no lost money in trying it for me as I am on the edge of needing a new digital camera anyways.

What I do not like about the GoPro is the inability to know what your going to film while setting up the unit. Hard to use buttons, and a cryptic small display on what options you have selected. I feel GoPro could do much better for the price they ask, although the HD model is down to like $250 at newenough.com, I still feel a unit liek the GoPro with limited features should be around the $120 mark...seeing as I can get a digital camera that does HD video that has many many features and a large LCD display for $230...or the newer model that does 14.1mp for $340.

I'm just tossing this out there, seems like a lot of people are jumping on the GoPro unit for no good reason...there are other options.

thnkz for the tip hodakaguy

gonna try that corel videostudio

modette wrote:

I'm just tossing this out there, seems like a lot of people are jumping on the GoPro unit for no good reason...there are other options.

Yeah but what is a digital camera going to be like when viewed on a decent size TV ? Grainy as I suspect when the pixels get stretched to bug.ery. Hows your camera idea going to handle "big air" on your pig, whoops etc. The Go pro has the best sound out, you can hear the throaty single of the pig with the go pro (even at 80 mph), I suspect all you will hear with your digital camera is an 80 mph wind people spending the doe cause they good - supply and demand - if they weren't worth the coin there would be very little sales, priced right for them going on sales. I'd like one for 50 bucks but that ain't going to happen

Watch out for Chinese knock off's with the go pro (plenty on alibaba.com) - cheers for the link for the cheap go pro

Kiwi650 wrote:Yeah but what is a digital camera going to be like when viewed on a decent size TV ? Grainy as I suspect when the pixels get stretched to bug.ery.

Is the GoPro grainy? I would suspect it is myself. I mean if the HD the Panasonic shoots is grainy on a 50" TV then so would be the GoPro...LOL Sorry your logic is flawed there.

GoPro takes pictures at 5mp, the Panasonic at 12 to 14.1 depending on which one you get. I assume the GoPro must have some sort of image stabilization, I know the Panasonic does. The Panasonic is waterPROOF to a depth of 10 feet, and shockproof from a fall of 5 feet (not bad for having a display, and a lot more electronics inside the unit).

Read the stats here:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS1-Digital-Stabilized-Green/dp/B001QFZMBA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274799953&sr=8-2

Hows your camera idea going to handle "big air" on your pig, whoops etc. The Go pro has the best sound out, you can hear the throaty single of the pig with the go pro (even at 80 mph), I suspect all you will hear with your digital camera is an 80 mph wind

huh!!! The GoPro unit has the worst sound there has ever been on a camera...LOL That is the number one complaint of any review site on the unit. The housing on the GoPro f's with the sound quality. If you are looking for great audio get a real video camera, and shoot the video while not on the bike...or run a mic down to the engine. I would never expect the GoPro or a digital camera to pickup great sound...LOL As for "big air", I DS this is not an MX bike, and I'm not sure what your definition of "big air" is....LOL With it stay mounted tot he helmet, why yes, its the same mount as the GoPro (Delkin makes it for the GoPro package).

people spending the doe cause they good - supply and demand - if they weren't worth the coin there would be very little sales, priced right for them going on sales.

People follow a lot of others for no good reason in life. The GoPro has done a great job of advertising those units. The first I came across the setup I plan to run was on the Sportbike.net forum...people are running the Panasonic and the mini mount and get great video...like I said the GoPro is way over priced for what it is. I'm not worried about money...LOL You obviously do not know me that well then, but I am not going to follow others off a cliff just because it is popular either.

All I did was point out there are other option...and all you did was show me you know nothing of the unit I mentioned. Besides most of us already own digital cameras that shoot video...so the mini mount is $30, I already own an okay digital camera to see if I even like the dang thing on my helmet (which to be honest I do not, it looks goofy and you got to remember it is there and duck for branches). So if your on a budget or just want to try some simple video my method is the cheapest way. Plus the view from atop the helmet in my opinion sucks. If I was still riding street bikes I just get a good HD Video Camera and an external lens and mount it up on the fairing with the unit recording from the tankbag. Too bad there is no room for a tankbag on a DS or dirtbike...and the bouncing around might be too much to risk a $1,500 video camera unit.

I never said I would not also buy a GoPro, but don't think the GoPro is the bomb if you have not explored other options. Plenty of people using the method I mentioned and it WORKS and you get a better package then the GoPro...this site and ADVRider seem to have odd folks that do not think outside the box but instead follow others like sheep...sorry but that is what I have noticed.

lmfao its not all down to the MP, what resolution the camera shoots in is a big factor. I have a 4MP Olympus that shoots video, the go is 5 MP (something like that) video on 4MP Olympus is acceptable when viewed on you tube's standard little window but hit the expand button for full screen and its a joke. Is the difference with being able to do it with a go pro down to 1 or 2 MP lolllllolll.

I asked you direct questions - you attack my personal knowledge, its funny in life that its always the mirror (you point the finger but three point back at you) you are the one that seems to know very little.

You can wow on as much as you like but the proof is in the pudding - the majority of clear video on you tube is shot with a go pro. You are taking things out of context from what the original discussion is about - road bike lollolllol

Get off your high condescending horse thinking those that by a go pro have a sheep mentality - its personal choice - and I wonder if you would be so rude and bold to the topic starters face offline ?

Kiwi650 wrote:lmfao its not all down to the MP, what resolution the camera shoots in is a big factor. I have a 4MP Olympus that shoots video, the go is 5 MP (something like that) video on 4MP Olympus is acceptable when viewed on you tube's standard little window but hit the expand button for full screen and its a joke. Is the difference with being able to do it with a go pro down to 1 or 2 MP lolllllolll.

I asked you direct questions - you attack my personal knowledge, its funny in life that its always the mirror (you point the finger but three point back at you) you are the one that seems to know very little.

You can wow on as much as you like but the proof is in the pudding - the majority of clear video on you tube is shot with a go pro. You are taking things out of context from what the original discussion is about - road bike lollolllol

Get off your high condescending horse thinking those that by a go pro have a sheep mentality - its personal choice - and I wonder if you would be so rude and bold to the topic starters face offline ?

This is real simple, I just pointed out another method for people and you picked to bad mouth something you have NO IDEA about. This is obvious from your posting on how grainy the video or how crappy audio is...LOL

Seems good to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAv_PLC6YEA

Pretty dang clear if you ask me, and you can zoom...lol Sound is good to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY1TKo865ZI

Video shot in a BMW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNd7yzKM3Co

Here you go motorcycle related:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giK4m_Wq6rs

No I never said mp equals good video footage. I mentioned that GoPro HD takes photos at 5mp, and the Panasonic at 12mp or higher (depending on model). Lots of people set the GoPro on the timed shutter, well in this day in age the GoPro should be able to do at least 8mp for the money...heck my Camera from 2004 does 12mp...LOL Again this has nothing to do with video quality just pointing out how for $300 MSRP on a GoPro HD it lacks features that are basic in the camera world on much cheaper cameras.

I pointed the finger because you FLAT OUT lied, no other reason. You did pretty much say video sucks, and audio sucks.....when you obviously have not looked.

Actually the majority of CLEAR video is shot with good video cameras. If you mean action video like snowboarding, Skiing, Dirtbike riding...then I would say the GoPro and Vholder are shown the most. Again there is no good reason other then every sporting store from rock climbing to a motorcycle dealer carry one of those products. Plus being called a "Helmet Cam" helps in selling to those sports. However there are dedicated digital cameras that equal to, and in my opinion pass the GoPro and vholder in quality and features. Again just because something is popular does not make it the BEST option.

True the GoPro is slightly lighter, but not by much. The GoPro mount is slightly lighter do to them using a piece of plastic to secure the camera to the mount where as the Delkin mount bought separate uses a nice heavy duty metal clamp that will never break...so there is a little extra weight to that piece.

I'm not sure why you took offense to someone pointing out OTHER options....oh well

I have nothing against Hondakaguy, nor was my posting in anyway badmouthed him (So do not try and turn this around, as I responded to YOU). My first post again was just to inform that there is another OPTION. Some of us think outside the box (norm). Again I just like to let people know there are other option equal to or better then the GoPro. If I never mentioned the Panasonic DMC-TS1 you would otherwise never know such a product was made. Please research the products more before you make up lies and then people will not point fingers at you and call you out. I been researching them for years...yep, I'm in no hurry in life.

Yeah my old camera does only 640x480 and I paid $550 for it in 2004 and it only holds a 2GB xd card but I already own it, so you can not admit that buying the Delkin mount for $29.99 which included shipping is the cheapest way to film. Most people already own a camera that does video. In time more people will own Digital Cameras that do HD videos, plus with Digital cameras getting smaller and smaller every year...soon there be no reason to own a GoPro in all reality. (I already think that time has come)

Anyways, you will either research or respond ill informed. Again all I did here was point out another option that most do not KNOW about.

You asked about wind noise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvJ6FJ56xF4

There is a 'WindCut' selectable option to eliminate wind noise...LOL So that there is worth its weight in Gold.

I think a certain type of jacket and a certain type of internal cladding would be most fitting for you -

Get a life, and why you at it go visit OPSM - the video on your links is shocking when at full screen on a 15 inch monitor, heaven helps us what it would be like on a 50 inch . Stop being a cheapskate and buy the purpose built Go Pro HD.

Kiwi650 wrote:I think a certain type of jacket and a certain type of internal cladding would be most fitting for you -

Get a life, and why you at it go visit OPSM - the video on your links is shocking when at full screen on a 15 inch monitor, heaven helps us what it would be like on a 50 inch . Stop being a cheapskate and buy the purpose built Go Pro HD.

Your just too funny

By the way who has a 15" monitor anymore? Those videos are butt ass clear on my 50" plasma *shrug*

Just to prove your an idiot (which I can not believe I am going to this length...but you OBVIOUSLY are looking to argue, butt hurt because I do not like the GoPro, or 16 years old, or all the above).

Again stop telling lies:

I said 50 inch not a flat screen someone usually has in their kitchen.

Its a 15.4 inch thinkpad I'm running, have a look on Lenovo site and you will find you can still buy them today , fancy that a company selling laptops where there is no market for them

You going to these lengths cause your ego will not allow otherwise

There's no contest , "The sheep" not as dumb as you think ! I guess we beg to differ on this one, I like your taste in bikes