GoPro HD Helmet Hero Camera, 1/24/10
I had been anxiously awaiting getting the new GoPro HD Helmet Hero camera that came out in December. It should be a big step up from the previous model the HD Helmet Hero Wide. I was surprised to find that I could get one free as a benefit of a program I had been participation in to evaluate drug company representative presentations. I expected a long wait but it arrived within 2 weeks. It is a tiny camera with only 2 buttons, one to turn it on & adjust the mode and the other is the shutter release. There is no zoom and it uses SD cards up to 32gig. You put it in a clear lexan waterproof housing and it comes with a multitudes of mounts. Interestingly the clear housing has an extra back with an opening to use when not exposed to water. The extra back is open so sound is picked up better. The company recommends experimenting with Rain-X to keep the lens clear. It was a cold day and I filled a bucket with water in the backyard. I experimented with various applications of Rain-X and how to clear the lens. My friend Dan has me already carrying a piece of chamois to wipe the lens on occasion. The camera is best used as a continuous video or set to take a picture every-so-many seconds, usually every 2 seconds. I experimented and with one battery charge and a 16gig card in place. Each charge was capable of 3.5 hours of continuously taking a picture every 2 seconds (drained the battery and used less than 1/4 of the memory). One charge filled 4gb of video which lasted 189 minutes. This can take 1080i video but I chose 720p as it gave me longer time and is all DVD's are capable of. The camera is 5 megapixel. The camera is waterproof to 180feet depth and I can't wait to video some SCUBA dives also. I think putting it on the Goodman Handle of my cave light would likely be the way to go. Intersetingly I received this link Lower Yough Headcam Video, 9/6 on Paul Araujo's head cam (not HD) on our Lower Youghieny run in September just as I had receivet the camera. Suddenly the past 6 mos I see lots of helmet cams in use on rivers. Hand paddler Amanda Gladys offers that helmet cams get better video & pix when used by hand paddlers because traditional paddlers have the paddle in the way in a lot of the pictures. It occurred to me to mount it on her helmet because she is frequently behind me and I would get more video/pix of ME! Maybe I should hand paddle more? Can't wait till my hand is better so I can try my helmet cam!! /hugh