Sixth Gear
01-25-2009, 02:43 AM
I recently ordered one of these little gadgets and was really really impressed with everything about the kit and video quality that the unit provides. I figured I'd spend some time and write a short review about the kit.
For $160 you get the following:
http://photos.ctdracing.co.cc/Reviews/Go-Pro-Hero/image/768/DSC_4623.jpg
Pictured left to right, top to bottom:
- 1 Clear 'bomb proof' case (water resistant to 100')
- Wide angle hero unit itself
- Extra sticky pad
- Suction mount
- Elbow mount
- 3x Flat mounts
- 2x Curved surface mounts
- Standard Height clip
- Tall Height clip
- Extra clamp screw
The kit pretty much has a mounting for any angle that you want to get.
Looking at the camera itself, you really don't think that it could take video at all. The quality the camera records at is incredible. The lens is a 170* wide angle lens, and really doesn't have too much distortion around the edges, which quite frankly is very impressive considering the size of the lens and the cost of all of the equipment. To give a size comparison, the size of the lens itself is about the same diameter as a dime.
The GoPro Hero not only records video, but can also take pictures on a timed interval so you can easily make some ani-gifs. Other neat options include the ability to flip the video on the fly, so you can mount the camera in an up-side-down position and not have to do any post processing to rotate the video. Other options include the ability to change the microphone pickup level to either 'LO' or 'HI' depending on the situation you will be using the camera in. 'LO' is recommended for automotive or high-noise uses. 'HI' is for quieter things like mountain biking. If the 'HI' setting does not pick up all the audio you want to pick up, you have the option of removing the water-tight seal along the rear hatch of the 'bomb proof' hatch -- just keep in mind your unit is no longer watertight!
To see what the unit was capable of, I did a quick test run on my way to and from work. The mounting setup was this:
http://photos.ctdracing.co.cc/Reviews/Go-Pro-Hero/image/768/DSC_4620.jpg
It consisted of the suction mount and elbow mount giving me the ability to really get the angle I wanted.
This is the resulting video (make sure you click the 'HQ' to watch it in full quality):
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lTQxJ2sBWtU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lTQxJ2sBWtU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I still have to figure out the audio settings as it really didn't pick up much audio on the 'LO' setting with the seal on the back.
Well worth the $160!!!
I got mine off of the WERA forums for $160 shipped. Link:
http://www.shop.superbikestore.net/product.sc?categoryId=194&productId=1009
Make sure you use the code 'herowide' to get the discount!
For $160 you get the following:
http://photos.ctdracing.co.cc/Reviews/Go-Pro-Hero/image/768/DSC_4623.jpg
Pictured left to right, top to bottom:
- 1 Clear 'bomb proof' case (water resistant to 100')
- Wide angle hero unit itself
- Extra sticky pad
- Suction mount
- Elbow mount
- 3x Flat mounts
- 2x Curved surface mounts
- Standard Height clip
- Tall Height clip
- Extra clamp screw
The kit pretty much has a mounting for any angle that you want to get.
Looking at the camera itself, you really don't think that it could take video at all. The quality the camera records at is incredible. The lens is a 170* wide angle lens, and really doesn't have too much distortion around the edges, which quite frankly is very impressive considering the size of the lens and the cost of all of the equipment. To give a size comparison, the size of the lens itself is about the same diameter as a dime.
The GoPro Hero not only records video, but can also take pictures on a timed interval so you can easily make some ani-gifs. Other neat options include the ability to flip the video on the fly, so you can mount the camera in an up-side-down position and not have to do any post processing to rotate the video. Other options include the ability to change the microphone pickup level to either 'LO' or 'HI' depending on the situation you will be using the camera in. 'LO' is recommended for automotive or high-noise uses. 'HI' is for quieter things like mountain biking. If the 'HI' setting does not pick up all the audio you want to pick up, you have the option of removing the water-tight seal along the rear hatch of the 'bomb proof' hatch -- just keep in mind your unit is no longer watertight!
To see what the unit was capable of, I did a quick test run on my way to and from work. The mounting setup was this:
http://photos.ctdracing.co.cc/Reviews/Go-Pro-Hero/image/768/DSC_4620.jpg
It consisted of the suction mount and elbow mount giving me the ability to really get the angle I wanted.
This is the resulting video (make sure you click the 'HQ' to watch it in full quality):
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lTQxJ2sBWtU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lTQxJ2sBWtU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I still have to figure out the audio settings as it really didn't pick up much audio on the 'LO' setting with the seal on the back.
Well worth the $160!!!
I got mine off of the WERA forums for $160 shipped. Link:
http://www.shop.superbikestore.net/product.sc?categoryId=194&productId=1009
Make sure you use the code 'herowide' to get the discount!