GoPro Mod

[Grant Lamontagne]

Last year I couldn't decide whether to get a GoPro or a Contour action camera, so in the spirit of MTO, I did what any of us would do- I got both.

The thing is, each has their strengths and I wanted each of them for their good points.  Since then I have been doing my best to minimize the shortcomings while maximizing the strengths.  Since I enjoy watersports (kayaking, body boarding and snorkeling, not the other "watersports" you see on the 'net! ) I appreciate lanyard holes, tie downs and other securing methods on my equipment.  In fact, I have two rules when kayaking:

Rule #1- Always have a knife.
Rule #2- If it's not secured it's not yours.

The Contour camera has a lanyard hole cut into the housing as well as the waterproof dive case, so no worries there, and as an added bonus, the Contour floats when in it's dive case.  The GoPro has no lanyard rings on it or it's waterproof case, and better yet, it sinks like a stone.  My guess is this is part of GoPro's plan, so when you are out wake boarding or windsurfing and your camera falls in the drink you have to get a new one.   

The good news is that there's a kit that replaces the black plastic lens ring on the waterproof case with a machined and anodized aluminum one with a built in lanyard ring, and the better news is that the kits I ordered (I have two GoPros) are here.  So here, step by step is the amazing story about me loosening and re-tightening twelve tiny screws, all by myself!



I lied- I am actually only going to show me removing and replacing six screws as I only started photographing after I'd done the first one.    You can see the factory lens ring on the right and the replacement on the left. 



I used the small Phillips on the Swiss Tech Micro Technician to loosen the screws initially, but the ergonomics of it made it almost impossible to unscrew the screws all the way, so the Vic eyeglass screwdriver filled in once the screws were loosened enough. 



Unfortunately the eyeglass screwdriver couldn't handle the torque needed to loosen the screws or I would have used it and not bothered with the Micro Technician.



Eventually I succeeded in getting the lens ring and lens off- those teeny screws are actually quite long (relatively speaking!) and finely threaded so it feels like you are twisting for hours to get them out!   



Of course getting them out is only half the problem- once the replacement ring is in place the screws need to be driven back in!



This was basically done the same way I had taken them out- most of the driving done with the Vic, then the Swiss Tech takes over for the heavy part.  Note that I am criss-crossing the screws so that the lens gets screwed down flat, similar to changing a car tire.  I did that when I took them out too.  I don't know if it was necessary, but I figured it couldn't hurt and it makes sense to seat the ring as flat as possible to maintain water tightness.



And there you have it- both cameras now have a securing point.  Up until now I'd always tied down the tripod and hoped the camera didn't come apart from the tripod- imagine how upset you'd be when you lost a $200 camera but saved the $6 tripod!   



Now I won't have to worry about it as I now have a place to tie the wrist strap floats I have for it!



And yes, I have tested it- the float will keep the GoPro with WiFi backback, waterproof case and tripod at the surface. 

Def

[Chako]

Thanks for the heads up. I have a Go Pro and love it. My last addition was to buy the back LCD, as I was tired of never knowing if I aimed the camera in the right direction before going for a ride.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have been thinking of getting the LCD backpack, but I just use the WiFi backpack with my tablet to see where it's pointing. 

Since I have two WiFi backpacks (one for each cam) and my Contour has built in Bluetooth I can control all three cameras remotely from my Nexus 7.  I wish it was a bit easier to switch from one to the other but it's not that big a deal.  More of a first world problem sort of thing....

Def

[PTRSAK]

I have a really old GoPro 3MP (it takes AAA batteries!) and a new Hero3 Silver.

I made up a couple of lanyards with a noose at one end to tighten around the mount.
This at least helps if the mount plate unsticks or the headstrap comes off my noggin.
Guess it's not going to be much use if the mount screw comes out. Still, better than nothing.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have put a small Notepad file on all of my camera cards so if I do manage to lose them, there's a possibility they may find their way home.

I used to tie the tripod down, and the GoPro shouldn't come off the tripod, but you never really know.  As I said, I feel much better securing the camera itself, although there are also multiple levels of failure here- the tripod is standing on the deck of my boat and held fast by the bungee lines on the deck.  I've never had one slip out of that alone, and yet I also have a cable leading to the solid deck lines as well, so if it does come loose, it won't leave the boat.  If the bungee line fails and for some reason the tether fails, the float takes over on the GoPros or the dive case on the Contour which floats by itself.

If for some reason the bungee line fails, the tether line fails and the floats fail, well then I guess I need a new camera.

Def

[jzmtl]

If you put one of these on the case, it would be easier to spot.

http://www.amazon.com/Sports-Accessories-Powder-Leash-Pink/dp/B005CKZ1ZM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_3

[Grant Lamontagne]

The ones I have are orange. 

Def

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[stealth007s]

I just got a GoPro Hero3 on Tuesday but I have yet to use it. Are you talking about the camera tethers? If so, the GoPro site states that the tethers are suppose to attach to the camera housing’s backdoor. I have no experience with the tethers yet because I can't find them locally and I have no real need for them yet. I do like the aftermarket lens ring and the fact that they come in different colors.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I can't speak to the Hero3 because I don't have one and haven't spent much time playing with them, but the Hero2 doors are completely smooth with no place to attach anything, unless you use the skeleton back door which is not waterproof.

If you are going to take your GoPro on your kayak, I suggest you consider some securing and floats as well since there's a good chance it'll hit the water when you are reeling in a fish.  I don't think the Hero3's float any better than the Hero2's, so if it goes in the drink without a line and/or float, it's gone.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Oh yeah, and before you get into any fun stuff with the camera, put a small text file on the card that's in it with your name, phone number etc, just in case you do lose it and someone else comes across it.  They might just enjoy their free camera, but they may also be nice enough to return it, or at least send the card/photos back.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

In fact, there's a site dedicated to returning lost GoPros:

http://thelostgopro.com/



Def

[stealth007s]

Thanks for the info and the link. I'll be sure to put my info in the .txt file along with the link to the web site dedicated to honest people. Here's an image I just snapped attaching a tether or lanyard to the back door. It doesn't, in any way, compromise the water tight seal.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I never thought about using the hinge.  I just checked and sure enough there's a gap there too.

Def

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[stealth007s]

There's not much of a space the but it's just enough to slide up to a 2.4mm piece of cord through. I used a lanyard from an old USB drive to demonstrate.

[Grant Lamontagne]

That is actually the type of connector I use for all of mine.

Def

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