GoPro *Is it worth it?*

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GoPro Hero 3+Black user here. I usually run mine on a chest mount. Love it and the video quality is awesome. Editing everything into something usable is the key. No matter what software you use it requires time...

 
I just invested in a cheap knock off. The video quality is excellent, you can attach an external mic, you can also record while charging, it has image stabilization, it seems like an inexpensive alternative to GP, it will take 64 gb cards, and like most of the knock offs you connect to your smartphone through a wifi interface. Picked it up on Amazon, it's a Gitup Git2. Make sure to research and exercise due diligence.

 
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I just invested in a cheap knock off. The video quality is excellent, you can attach an external mic, you can also record while charging, it has image stabilization, it seems like an inexpensive alternative to GP, it will take 64 gb cards, and like most of the knock offs you connect to your smartphone through a wifi interface. Picked it up on Amazon, it's a Gitup Git2. Make sure to research and exercise due diligence.
I was just going to look into those Bob. I've read some good things about them.

 
I'm a huge fan of the GoPro and also spent the money for the editing side of it, because yes, without it, you really can't make anything meaningful with it. But in investing in both, you can have a great time playing with all the footage. So yes to all the above; it is expensive, it is time consuming, and it requires some knowledge on the editing side. I enjoy teaching myself how to use the editing software; I have Sony Vegas Pro 13 and it is awesome.
Here's a little taste of the Alps trip that Sacramento Mike mentioned; Click on the 720HD setting, it will clean it way up from YouTube's ****** 360P setting. I have a bunch of other GO PRO videos on my channel in you want to see others. So for me, the answer to your OP question is, YES, it is worth it.


While I don't love mine much, Gary, it was great to see what you did with yours. Nice music choice, too. What a great trip. Everybody notice the weather we got?
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I made up my mind between the Sena Prism and other manufacturers. I didn't think that I was going to need the microphone setup to record audio since I really wanted the scenic views on the motorcycle not my wife and I talking about things that may or may not be family appropriate ;) . While doing other activities I'd be using the internal mic anyways. The 2015 GoPro Hero + LCD was exactly what I was looking for and at $230 from amazon I couldn't find a better price point. I get 1080p at 60 frames per second, permanent waterproof housing, the ability to record while its plugged into the bike, the ability to view what I am shooting, change the settings on my phone using the wi-fi connection, and up to 64G memory capacity for those "long" trips :)

 
Just a bit of my experience before you spend money.

It's fun to watch what you rode again!

I love mine.

Others might not get the same buzz. They might think it's cool for 30 seconds or so. Fair warning.
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And never ever post lame video on this forum. There are strict standards... JSNS...

 
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I follow

dual sport guy on Youtube; he just posted a review of what equipment he uses and how he sets it up - he's a fan of the Sony AS100.
I am current test driving a GoPro that was loaned to me. I did a dual sport ride a couple of weeks ago and collected about 2 1/2 hours of raw footage during a 180 mile ride. After a couple of evening spent editing, I ended up with about 9 minutes of "interesting" video from the ride. The editing part of the process is where the time is spent.

 
Oh I'll mostly be keeping them to myself unless something completely crazy happens on camera. You guys crack me up.

 
I bought a generic one for my trip out west. Its a firefly and works well. It doesnt have a screen though. A buddy said he wouldnt waste the money on the screen for the bike. Plus the firefly bluetooths the pics to an app on your phone. I assume the gopro does too? It was less than $100 for everything.

https://www.gearbest.com/action-cameras/pp_239152.html

 
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I bought a generic one for my trip out west. Its a firefly and works well. It doesnt have a screen though. A buddy said he wouldnt waste the money on the screen for the bike. Plus the firefly bluetooths the pics to an app on your phone. I assume the gopro does too? It was less than $100 for everything.
https://www.gearbest.com/action-cameras/pp_239152.html
Yes, GoPro has a remote phone app also.

Just curious s.g.r., how are you mounting the firefly to yourself or your bike?

 
I use a Drift Ghost HD. Works well, but battery life is only ~2.5 hours, so I carry spare batteries.

...I am current test driving a GoPro that was loaned to me. I did a dual sport ride a couple of weeks ago and collected about 2 1/2 hours of raw footage during a 180 mile ride. After a couple of evening spent editing, I ended up with about 9 minutes of "interesting" video from the ride. The editing part of the process is where the time is spent.
^ This. Even 9 minutes is about 7.5 too many... trimming a couple hours down to a minute or two is very challenging.
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A screen is an absolute must. I have the LCD back for mine but it's big and cumbersome on that old model and sucks battery. That said, I followed my son around all day on his first ski trip after a couple of days with the instructor. I got home and popped the card into the laptop and was absolutely gutted to find I was aimed just a smidge too high. I had his head in the shot and nothing below. I was so excited to send a video to his mom and the best video I had was five seconds after I'd wiped out on my snowboard and looked up at him as he went laughing past his dad.

Having the screen to make sure all is good and aligned before you take off can certainly save some heartache. If it's a screen on the camera or on your phone, it could be worthwhile.

Thankfully there was one more day of skiing and I brought the LCD back and had someone help me align it on top of my snowboarding helmet prior to us taking off. Got some good stuff.

 
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I bought a generic one for my trip out west. Its a firefly and works well. It doesnt have a screen though. A buddy said he wouldnt waste the money on the screen for the bike. Plus the firefly bluetooths the pics to an app on your phone. I assume the gopro does too? It was less than $100 for everything.
https://www.gearbest.com/action-cameras/pp_239152.html
Yes, GoPro has a remote phone app also.

Just curious s.g.r., how are you mounting the firefly to yourself or your bike?
That I havent attempted yet. It came with a lot of mounts and accessories. It looks to be the same size as a gopro. If nothing else I need to check the measurements. A gopro mount may work with it.

 
A screen is an absolute must. I have the LCD back for mine but it's big and cumbersome on that old model and sucks battery. That said, I followed my son around all day on his first ski trip after a couple of days with the instructor. I got home and popped the card into the laptop and was absolutely gutted to find I was aimed just a smidge too high. I had his head in the shot and nothing below. I was so excited to send a video to his mom and the best video I had was five seconds after I'd wiped out on my snowboard and looked up at him as he went laughing past his dad.
Having the screen to make sure all is good and aligned before you take off can certainly save some heartache. If it's a screen on the camera or on your phone, it could be worthwhile.

Thankfully there was one more day of skiing and I brought the LCD back and had someone help me align it on top of my snowboarding helmet prior to us taking off. Got some good stuff.
If im not mistaken the firefly will bt video to the phone app so you can check. If it does it im sure the gopro will. Apparently I need to get it out and play with it some more. I received it as a groomsman gift so I cant complain for free.

 
This sort of on topic. It seems that the editing software is as important as the camera, if not more important. So what seems like the best PC software (preferably inexpensive)?

 
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Go Pro's are pretty sweet. I think mine is a Hero 2 and I still dig it. If you live an "active" lifestyle its pretty cool. Surfing, dirtbiking, tracks, trails, sportbike, racing, traveling, whatever. I don't mind not having the screen for adjustment, I just know where to point it on each helmet, or you can dab a quick white-out line for reference and then you always know. Not sure where the "non-intuitive" opinions come from unless you're constantly switching settings...regardless there are two buttons. Pretty easy. Video editing done on a mac's standard video editor is pretty easy, even adding music etc. That said....I've never had the need to edit 2hrs of video.

 

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