GoPro's new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors | Page 7 | GTAMotorcycle.com

GoPro's new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors

imnothng said:
I updated mine and nothing but problems. I downgraded it back to the previous version and all is good. They are very aware of the issues, but don't seem to give a flying F.
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Well I'm going to give this one a go, the cam seems more responsive with the wifi remote now. I just don't want it locking up in the middle of recordings
 
Mr.Azim said:
some initial complaints

1) Both battery cover and microSD slot covers are not connected to the camera... once it comes off (and the sd cover is tiny) you better put it in a safe place so you don't lose it).

2) The "wide" view isn't as fish-eye reducing as it claims to be, but with some tuning/photo cropping it can be reduced and you can get some really great pictures/videos. Not a big surprise, really.

positives

1) the 48 fps is good... not outstanding, but it's good and noticeably an improvement/cool to have if you want different video types. Looks great on my HD tv and kinda funky

2) the menu system is quick and easy to use, just uses some images to tell you what it is you're selecting

3) camera is sleek and the audio is clean, video capture is great on a Class 10 card... no major lags or stutters in 30 fps and 60 fps is pretty clean.

4) for a camera with no flash, this takes great 11mp pictures (silver version), with no blur in a free hand picture in regular bulb light conditions.

5) the auto white balance is quick, very hard to notice it making changes while the camera is recording.

6) countdown timer to let you know how much recording time/pictures are available based on the current settings.


I haven't had a chance to try out the wifi part yet. I'm taking out to a shinny game this Saturday and will see how it goes/post some fast moving samples. I haven't tried out pro tune mode yet either.

So far, a noticeable improvement on the Go Pro 1 (hardware) and 2 (design) with some added bonus features. Looking forward to seeing it on-track.

edit: looks like bestbuy removed the $329.99 boxing day bundle from the website. ask for it in person if you're getting the silver.
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Whenever I take the cover off I put it in the case and close it.
The WiFi remote is quite good. Haven't tested how it affects battery life though. Anyone know a good place to grab mounts for cheap? OR a groupbuy perhaps?
 
bboySushi said:
Anyone know a good place to grab mounts for cheap? OR a groupbuy perhaps?
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I ordered a baggie from here:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400388656575?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

$25 shipped; same price as the crappy 2 mount 2 arm bundle best buy has... but it comes with 3 curved and 3 flat mounts instead. I don't need any more "arms" for the camera. Just shipped out yesterday, should get it in a week. The made in china duplicates are slightly cheaper, but as this is going on my race bike I'm not taking any chances with that :p

When it gets warmer I'm going to do a distance test to see how far the wifi can stream video to my tablet in an open area. I just updated the camera and d/l the app last night.

bboySushi said:
Whenever I take the cover off I put it in the case and close it.
The WiFi remote is quite good. Haven't tested how it affects battery life though.
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Not a bad idea, but I would rather leave the camera face-in and not expose the lense. I toss the covers in a ziplock baggie. When I was unboxing I didn't pay attention and the plastic cover fell a few inches from the camera lol. Almost shat myself.
 
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I have a $250 bb giftcard and i was going to just get the gopro hero 2 as the components are compatable with my original gopro, I like the gopro 3 but then i would have to get all hew accesories. Plus the black is the best of the bunch and thats out of my budget. Will i be that much more happy with the gopro hero 2 then the original I have or should i save for the gopro 3 black?
 
Only the clear cover, LCD screen and what memory you have won't work with the GP3 (uses MicroSD). All the other mounts and clickers work the same (the base hasn't changed, just the case the camera goes into). You can re-use all the sticky mounts, or whatever else you have.

If there wasn't that Silver bundle I would have taken the Black and sold the wifi remote ($79.99) to off set the cost.

I'm pretty happy with the Silver version, I'm not going after theatre/professional quality videos (or have the hardware to run those insane resolutions lol... $30,000 Sony 4K tv? I don't think so). Having 1080P in 48FPS would be awesome, but it's TONS better than the GP1 I had. They took the $329.99 extra battery/chest mount Silver bundle off the website, but ask for it in-store, just look for a white box where the Go Pros are sold.


PS: I don't even see the GP2 on the BB website anymore.... ?

Cool video: fix car dents with your go pro suction mount!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpm7ewSU-to&feature=g-u-u
 
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Mr.Azim said:
Only the clear cover, LCD screen and what memory you have won't work with the GP3 (uses MicroSD). All the other mounts and clickers work the same (the base hasn't changed, just the case the camera goes into). You can re-use all the sticky mounts, or whatever else you have.

If there wasn't that Silver bundle I would have taken the Black and sold the wifi remote ($79.99) to off set the cost.

I'm pretty happy with the Silver version, I'm not going after theatre/professional quality videos (or have the hardware to run those insane resolutions lol... $30,000 Sony 4K tv? I don't think so). Having 1080P in 48FPS would be awesome, but it's TONS better than the GP1 I had. They took the $329.99 extra battery/chest mount Silver bundle off the website, but ask for it in-store, just look for a white box where the Go Pros are sold.


PS: I don't even see the GP2 on the BB website anymore.... ?

Cool video: fix car dents with your go pro suction mount!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpm7ewSU-to&feature=g-u-u
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Ok so thats good to know, although I still need to buy a micro sd and they are not cheap. i did see that silver package deal on boxing day and know exactly what white boxes you speak of, so maybe i should check that out.

Ya the gp2 is taken down, i dont think they are even going to sell it anymore. It was up like 2 weeks ago and then they took it down.
 
ajaxguy said:
Ok so thats good to know, although I still need to buy a micro sd and they are not cheap.
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They kinda are.... $20 for a 16gb card w/ adapter (Best Buy), $50 for a 32GB.... I just bought 2 16GBs for $40. Each 16GB gives 2 hours and 15-25 minutes of 1080p 30fps recording time.
 
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I played around a little more with the Wifi/Live streaming on my android tablet..... even with the camera in one hand and my tablet in the other, there's a 2 second delay from any projected/image and movement. HOWEVER< the stream is constant, no staggers, loading or other delays apart from that 2 second "travel time".
 
thats pretty decent, 2 second lag. Better then D-Links Wifi Security cameras. Lag, staggers, ect. May have to check if my BB has any silver kits left... Whit box you say?
 
?spoc said:
thats pretty decent, 2 second lag. Better then D-Links Wifi Security cameras. Lag, staggers, ect. May have to check if my BB has any silver kits left... Whit box you say?
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What?? I have a D-link DCS-920 and it has ZERO lag. What model do you have?
 
I was hoping to test the live-stream during one of my races/trackdays.... but 2 seconds is too long of a delay (and could be worse depending on the distance). That two seconds was inches apart from the camera.

A potentially awesome idea turned into "meh" with that delay. 2 seconds is too long if watching a motorcycle race.

The biggest use I can find for the Wifi is to turn it on while it's on the bike and if there's an "incident" (hopefully not, knock on wood) and the camera goes airborne, I can use the wifi to locate it, assuming it isn't face first in grass. 50/50 chance it won't be lol

I'll post videos soon, but after some shinny hockey I would rate the following in best video quality:

1. 720p @ 60fps
2. 1080p @ 30fps
3. 960p @ 48fps and 720 @ 30fps

The FPS makes a big difference but 720 has no major fisheye when in Wide angle view while 1080 has a massive fisheye on the higher settings. "Narrow" closes the field of view for less fish eye, but I prefer wider.

Even if I had the Black version for 60 FPS, I would use 720p on WIDE instead of 1080p on narrow. Massive field of view with minimum fisheye because of the reduced lateral resolution (I think?).

I was thinking about to exchange the silver bundle for a Black, but turns out I got the $329.99 silver bundle for $295.99 (inadvertent additional discount), so the extra $150 + HST isn't worth another 30FPS in 1080 (1440 and higher is 30fps and lower)


In conclusion, keeping in mind my annoyance with fish eye and no intention to video edit: Higher FPS @ Wide > Higher Resolution @ Narrow
 
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Does the Hero 3 record AND stream at the same time? The 2 only does one or the other.
 
imnothng said:
Does the Hero 3 record AND stream at the same time? The 2 only does one or the other.
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Yup. Stream and record on all version. But I believe the Black is the only one that can take timed pictures while recording video simultaneously.
 
I'm considering the GP3 and want to use it as a dash cam when not in use on the bike. Will the GP3 record while being charged? Battery power isn't enough for my needs.
 
MattVino said:
I'm considering the GP3 and want to use it as a dash cam when not in use on the bike. Will the GP3 record while being charged? Battery power isn't enough for my needs.
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I've used my Hero 2 as a dash cam. I had to get a skeleton case to have access to the ports so I could plug in a USB cord.
 
All the accessories are $20-50...really adds up quickly. Skeleton case is like $60 actually I think.

I got the last suction cup at Bramalea a few weeks ago, it is so weird that these things get sold out.
Would anyone be interested in a vented helmet strap? I'm buying one to use for ice climbing this weekend (if I can find one) but I have no use for it after that.
 
Also selling the chest strap I have... no use for me (for sale section)

The battery power/consumption is VERY good. I would approximate about 3 hrs recording time. I recorded for an hour and it only took 1/3 of the battery bar.
 
I would be wary of the battery meter though, it is not linear. After 20 minutes shooting 1080/60 it went down to one/no bar, but then it stayed there for another 40 minutes. Would not trust it. Just run the battery full and then to empty to really find out how long it can record and plan accordingly.
 
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