Still experimenting with mine. 5 observations jump out real quick....
1) with the waterproof cover on the camera, audio is poor at best.
2) the batteries are short lived (bout an hour) in my experience. That means
that you either need to run the camera without a cover (no mounting provision
for attaching it to a tripod) so you can plug in a charger cord, or get one of the
"open" type mounts that has holes to allow this. (I have a frame mount on order
even as I type this). ALL of the mounting options for the Go Pro camera REQUIRE
the camera to be in a cover/frame of some sort.
3) DO NOT get anything less than a class 10 64GB SD card! These little cameras
fill up the cards quick! Do the homework to decide which model (White, Silver, or
Black Edition) you really want, because they all have different megapixel
sized sensors in them. White = least, Black = most (12MP). I got the Black
Edition because I wanted the best resolution for video, but there is a cost for
that. Typically White Edition = $199, Silver edition = $299, and Black Edition =
$399, and add accessories onto that. Another "hidden" cost is filling up the
memory cards very quickly. I added a package of extra batteries
and a charger to my initial order because of the relatively short battery life.
You can also purchase a "battery backpack" for extra life.
4) The LCD screen that you use to navigate with is TINY! I have the "GoPro APP"
for my iPhone which helps, but working with the LCD screen is only
good for young people with young eyes.
5) Speaking of the APP........you can use it to "frame" your field of view (get it
pointed correctly) via the screen on the iPhone, but the picture goes away
when you're recording. They make an LCD screen "backpack" that lets you
do the same thing without the iPhone for about $80, but I haven't bought
one of those yet.
All in all, it seems to have been designed for young, active people and has
certain limitations built in to let it fit where they wanted it to fit. If you can
live within those parameters, I find it to be a very nice camera to own. Still
learning how to use it though. Quality seems to be very good with all of the
various parts and pieces fitting together very well and snugly.
All of the above would NOT have caused me to change my mind about
getting mine. I can live within the limitations of the camera, and can expand
some of those limitations with accessories. And let me tell you, there are A LOT
of accessories!
Rich, let me know if you would like to talk about the camera and I'll PM
you my phone number if you don't already have it.
Andy :wavey:
One additional point.......There are a bunch of "quad copters" out there, and
"most" of them have some sort of provision for mounting one of these GoPros.
Should you decide to take up radio controlled flying of a 4 rotor drone, you
will be able to hook your camera up to it.
I'm sure there is more, but that's all I've come up with so far..................
PS....just measured the LCD screen. 1/2" X 9/16". Darn small for all of the info
on it!