Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => The Shutter Shop => Topic started by: Grant Lamontagne on April 04, 2018, 12:58:21 PM
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We all know that GoPro has been a huge victim of their own success, and are experiencing some troubles as a result. They recently introduced the Fusion to combat this, and it's a $700 360 degree camera, which is great and all, but it isn't what people want. More and more people are turning to cheaper alternatives for their outdoor activities, or just using their phones as the cameras on phones are getting better and better every year. After all, who wants to watch as a $700 camera sinks to the bottom of a lake? And, we all want to instantly upload our pics and videos to Facebook, Instagram and so on, so who wants the hassle of having to dump a card to a laptop and then upload it?
Now there's a new Hero, and unlike previous ones it doesn't have a number or a color- previous Heros had a generation number and a silver or black designation (there was also a white one for a while) to denote which trim level the camera was. The new Hero is just called Hero, similar to the original, which probably means GoPro is trying to convince people that they are going back to their roots.
https://shop.gopro.com/International/cameras/hero/CHDHB-501.html
I haven't tried it, but it seems like the first GoPro in several generations (the last GoPros I bought were Hero2 models) that I may be interested in. It addresses many of the problems I had with the Hero2, and some of the problems found in later iterations of the Hero line, namely the price.
The new Hero is listed at $199, which is still significantly more than the cheaper cameras coming from Asia, but I have to say that I think this is a potential contender, even with a higher price tag, I am sure DKS will be along shortly to extol the virtues of the Xiomi and other cammeras, but for now I will keep talking about the Hero. :D
Some of the problems I had with the old Heros are:
1- You never know if a shot is framed properly
2- You had to buy extra components to expand the function of the camera, even though those features were already incorporated into other cameras
3- The two button program/selection method was a real pain in the arse
4- The cases meant you had to choose between waterproofing/protection and sound
The new one has a two inch LCD touch screen which should make framing and mode selection much easier. You could accomplish this by using the app, provided you had teh WiFi backpack, which meant you also needed a different case to accommodate the backpack. And, when using the WiFi backpack you couldn't use the extra battery as they both clipped into the same port on the camera. Comparatively, I had a Contour action camera from the same era that had both built in GPS and Bluetooth, and a couple of lasers that helped you confirm where the camera was pointing, and what would be in the shot. The Heros just weren't on the same level.
But, back to the new Hero, which is waterproof to ten meters (33 feet) without an external case, which is great, and, since it has WiFi built into it you can transfer things to your phone and upload them to whatever Look At Me platforms you like.
All in all, I am not saying I am sold on the new GoPro, but I will admit to being a lot more curious about the new ones than I have been in a long time.
Def
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Couple of related threads:
GoPro Vs Contour
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,38867.0.html
Xiaomi Yi and H9 sport camera
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,67156.0.html
Def