Buying a gopro

john m

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I'm thinking of buying a gopro this weekend ,
what are the benefits of buying the most expensive one compared to the cheaper one
 

Georgio

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The GoPro is way too expensive for what it is. I bought an action camera that is very similar to the GoPro that was a lot cheaper and probably 90% as good. Have been watching the HD footage on a big screen and it looks great.

Google SJ4000 or see below...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ramozz-SJ40...ie=UTF8&qid=1397731870&sr=8-1&keywords=sj4000

review here...
http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2014/2/3/the-sj4000-action-camera-review.html

I'm not a fan of the fisheye lens but for this price it's good value and very usable. The only downside is the battery life of about 70 minutes but I'm not sure that a GoPro is much better. I have three batteries for mine because they are so cheap.
 

dylanwinter

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The Gopro is a triumph of marketing over substance

it is a one trick pony and expensive at that

no sound, no display - buying the camera is the beginning of the costs

however, I love them because they make all sailing films look the same - nothing straight, no sound, loud rock music

Dylan
 

Halcyon Yachts

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I'm thinking of buying a gopro this weekend ,
what are the benefits of buying the most expensive one compared to the cheaper one

I think the cheaper ones don't have a viewfinder/screen. You really need one of these to frame the shots...

Here is a video we took using a GoPro:


In my opinion there are much better cameras for the money... And depending on what you intend to do a camera with a better mic can be useful.

I'd get this one (and a tripod):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-H...id=1397733558&sr=1-3&keywords=panasonic+xacti

Pete
 

dylanwinter

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I think the cheaper ones don't have a viewfinder/screen. You really need one of these to frame the shots...

Here is a video we took using a GoPro:


In my opinion there are much better cameras for the money... And depending on what you intend to do a camera with a better mic can be useful.

I'd get this one (and a tripod):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-H...id=1397733558&sr=1-3&keywords=panasonic+xacti

Pete

I agree, altthough salty john of this forum is selling his because he does not like the flip out screen

I think he is selling is for £175

D

PS - they also take good stills
 

Bav34

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Here are the differences.

http://gopro.com/cameras


I like my Hero 3+ Black, but as part of a package.

The app and remote control are absolutely brilliant.

With the exception of turning on the WiFi they do everything that you would do on the camera itself with barely any time lag.

This means that the camera can actually be turned off but at the push of a button you're filming or taking a photo whilst a long way from the camera.

Useful?

Not every day, but as an example, I have it set up at the moment on our balcony waiting for an insane bullfinch who made a habit of leaping around through the railings collecting spiders. Not seen him for two days but if he comes I'm ready :)

The remote is similarly useful if you want to take action shots but don't want to be videoing until YOU are in position.

Yachting Monthly seem to like it.





I do have to warn you that I also own a much derided MacBook Pro and drive an Audi ... neither very popular on here :cool:

Re battery life ... mines good for 2 hours
 
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lustyd

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The GoPro is expensive because they did all the R&D to make the camera and the mount systems. The one you link to appears to have ripped off every aspect of the GoPro designs and so their expenses were considerably lower. They are also piggy backing on the marketing of GoPro, so don't have that expense either.
As for the OPs question, Go for the silver if you can afford it because the sensor is better than the white. The black isn't better enough in my opinion to justify the extra cost but does include the remote usually (although you can use your mobile as a remote).
Dylan is right about quality of images but as usual is ignoring the accessories which allow it to be used on a helmet, snowboard, surfboard, yacht, car, bike etc. whereas any camera with great sound and good lenses will either be too large for this usage, or the cases and mounts will be unavailable, expensive etc. The GoPro is ideal for what it's designed for, and that is sharing your activity with friends over the internet - not for making feature films :)

The GoPro is way too expensive for what it is. I bought an action camera that is very similar to the GoPro that was a lot cheaper and probably 90% as good. Have been watching the HD footage on a big screen and it looks great.

Google SJ4000 or see below...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ramozz-SJ40...ie=UTF8&qid=1397731870&sr=8-1&keywords=sj4000

review here...
http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2014/2/3/the-sj4000-action-camera-review.html

I'm not a fan of the fisheye lens but for this price it's good value and very usable. The only downside is the battery life of about 70 minutes but I'm not sure that a GoPro is much better. I have three batteries for mine because they are so cheap.
 

dylanwinter

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The GoPro is expensive because they did all the R&D to make the camera and the mount systems. The one you link to appears to have ripped off every aspect of the GoPro designs and so their expenses were considerably lower. They are also piggy backing on the marketing of GoPro, so don't have that expense either.
As for the OPs question, Go for the silver if you can afford it because the sensor is better than the white. The black isn't better enough in my opinion to justify the extra cost but does include the remote usually (although you can use your mobile as a remote).
Dylan is right about quality of images but as usual is ignoring the accessories which allow it to be used on a helmet, snowboard, surfboard, yacht, car, bike etc. whereas any camera with great sound and good lenses will either be too large for this usage, or the cases and mounts will be unavailable, expensive etc. The GoPro is ideal for what it's designed for, and that is sharing your activity with friends over the internet - not for making feature films :)

Lustyd is correct

buy one because Gopro need help to cover their advertising budgets

start you collection of go pro parphenalia today

I have used my little camera on a car, a boat, a horse, a bike, a punt, I have not skiied or snowboarded for some years

so buy one - see the world as fish see it

D
 
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Salty John

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I agree, altthough salty john of this forum is selling his because he does not like the flip out screen

I think he is selling is for £175

D

PS - they also take good stills

If you get a camera with no viewfinder and want to use it outside UK, where there is a phenomenon known as sunshine, you'll need one of these Salty John extended bill caps - £69.99

View attachment 41604

The camera is sold, by the way
 

DickB

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Agreed on GoPro. I got one for my son, for snow boarding, and was then envious so I got myself one as well. Very very impressive.

Cheers

Dick
 

Uricanejack

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:)I often see people in the ski lodge with a camera stuck on their head. I thought the phenomena was probably due to them having being kidnapped by aliens, probed, tagged, and released with a camera on their head. And there is a little. Green David Atenburgh making a wildlife documentary
Certainly doesn't look like something. One would. Do vollenteraly
 
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Simso

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Owned a gopro 3 black for just under a year and every time I go to use it I need to charge it first which usually locks it up for some obscure reason so the moment is lost ( so doesn't get the use it should).
Bought the add on battery pack to try and extend its availability when I can use it, have had some excellent footage when it does work but as Dylan says - without audio because I want to keep it dry in its little plastic case.
Huge file sizes because it must be 12MP - mustn't it?
Overheats in its little plastic sound proof box!
Locks up frequently - and frustrates the hell out of me in general!

1 month less than a year since I was duped into thinking this was the toy to have - should I return it?
 
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I do wonder, do people (and other people) actually look at all the stuff that is taken - or does it get filed into some dusty recess of the computer never to see the light of day?

Jonathan
 

robertj

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Dylan
I'm soon to be going down this route and I admit looking to the gopro black. What in your view for the same sort of money would you buy?

The Gopro is a triumph of marketing over substance

it is a one trick pony and expensive at that

no sound, no display - buying the camera is the beginning of the costs

however, I love them because they make all sailing films look the same - nothing straight, no sound, loud rock music

Dylan
 

dylanwinter

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this one

Dylan
I'm soon to be going down this route and I admit looking to the gopro black. What in your view for the same sort of money would you buy?

there is a panasonic waterproof camera that I love

it fits in your pocket comfortably, spare batteries cost £8 each, it takes good stills but it does not have an eye peice - which I never use anyway because once it is attached to your eye on a moving boat means that you get wobbly shots

I made a page up about the cameras I use and a few hints on filming

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/cameras-and-steady-shots/

this is the latest version

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PANASONIC-WATERPROOF-DEFINITION-CAMCORDER-DIGITAL/dp/B00546890S


I never leave home without mine - even when walking the dog

D
 
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there is a panasonic waterproof camera that I love

it fits in your pocket comfortably, spare batteries cost £8 each, it takes good stills but it does not have an eye peice - which I never use anyway because once it is attached to your eye on a moving boat means that you get wobbly shots


I never leave home without mine - even when walking the dog

D

You need a cat, as they walk the decks unaided, and do not (in)cur (sorry for the pun) wobbly shots

Jonathan
 
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