GoPro Wide Helmet Cam Review

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This review is quite limited in scope. I had one singular objective in testing this product: to evaluate its utility as a helmet camera while packrafting on a longer expedition, where kit weight, battery life, and ease of use in bad weather matter the most. My intended output for the footage from this camera included projection on a large auditorium screen as supporting material during public speaking engagements, and, well, YouTube!

Thus, the review focuses more on practical use of the camera in a backcountry context rather than the technical merits surrounding its image quality or specifications.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Scope
Wide vs. Normal
My GoPro Packrafting Kit
Workflow
In the Field
Field Notes:
At the Computer
Video
Summary

# WORDS: 1140
# PHOTOS: 4

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

Author

Posts
Aug 25, 2009 at 1:38 pm #1238792

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

GoPro Wide Helmet Cam Review

Aug 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm #1522945

Steven Evans
BPL Member

@steve_evans
Locale: Canada

Neat product…

Edit: Never mind…:)

Aug 25, 2009 at 6:08 pm #1522962

Matt Lutz
Member

@citystuckhiker
Locale: Midwest

Nice shots – I really miss rapids.

Aug 25, 2009 at 6:44 pm #1522968

Jay Wilkerson
BPL Member

@creachen
Locale: East Bay

The GoPro Cam really would be able show some great action footage! Packrafting seems very cool from that perspective

Nice Chill-Out tunes too!

Aug 26, 2009 at 12:12 pm #1523076

Dean F.
BPL Member

@acrosome
Locale: Back in the Front Range

I have an earlier version of the Digital Hero, and I have used it exactly once, on a kayaking trip to SE Alaska in 2007. I thought it was a disaster, and abandoned it.

To get a decent picture you needed to have the light JUST RIGHT- God forbid you challenge the thing with other than bright daylight with a near-stationary subject. Having any decent shots at all from that trip was wholly a matter of luck. (I used it mainly for still photos.)

What are the specs on this iteration?

Aug 26, 2009 at 1:04 pm #1523085

Kendall Clement
BPL Member

@socalpacker
Locale: Cebu, Philippines

I really enjoyed that review and video. The camera seems to be very user friendly, with the exception of having to remove your helmet to begin shooting. And, the video and wide view were great.

Think I'll try to get in the BPL Packrafting course next year. Looks like a lot of fun!

Sep 12, 2009 at 3:57 pm #1527213

Roman Dial
Member

@romandial
Locale: packrafting NZ

I'm with Dean. I tried one of these in Mexico and found it worthless. Not being able to see what you're doing or knowing if it's on.

How is the sound on the new model?

Sep 25, 2009 at 9:15 am #1530527

Sean Thompson
Member

@questtrek
Locale: Michigan

Great stuff .. awesome video !
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By Ryan Jordan