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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Horney on 17 May 2012, 11:17
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Having messed about with cheap ebay cameras (Picture quality a bit flakey, sound and battery life awful) and a Flip Mino HD (difficult to mount in a stable manner due to it's shape and balance but picture not bad) I have bitten the bullit and ordered a GoPro for filming trackdays and general car hoonage. Paid £235 including delivery which is a good price but still a huge sum of money, I wouldn't have bought it had I not had a utility bill rebate.
Hopefully I'll get plenty of use out of it and I'll post up my first results in this thread. On a trackday in the 5 on the 25th so that'll be my first proper go with it. I'll try mounting it in some cool places with the suction mount but I'll certainly be tethering it as I don't want to break it!!!!!
Nick
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You wont be disappointed!
I've only got a HD Hero, but even the footage on that is top notch, the only problem with the GoPro is that once you've got one you want an other to add production value with different angles :laugh:
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Agreed with Ridg.
The reviews of the Hero2 weren't terribly flattering, so I'm not going to worry about Nick's 2ness.
The GoPro motorsport package is excellent. Haven't used half the supplied mounts yet.
Next up is the great editing adventure to make the most of the footage. You didn't want any of your spare time, did you? :grin:
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Agreed with Ridg.
The reviews of the Hero2 weren't terribly flattering, so I'm not going to worry about Nick's 2ness.
The GoPro motorsport package is excellent. Haven't used half the supplied mounts yet.
Next up is the great editing adventure to make the most of the footage. You didn't want any of your spare time, did you? :grin:
Yeah editing is a long process! Imovie is pretty easy to use although a bit basic. Should be fine fo rtrackday vids but when I eventually upgrade to a DSLR with HD video I'll have to look at Final Cut etc for a more versatile editing suite.
Nick
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The reviews of the Hero2 weren't terribly flattering, so I'm not going to worry about Nick's 2ness.
The main reason I went for the 2 and spent more money was the option of an external mic. Not sorted one yet but later in the year I plan to run one out to just above the exhaust on the Golf with the camera mounted inside on the cage.
Nick
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Yeah editing is a long process!
As a PC user I use after effects and premiere, AFAIK Final cut is comparable although I understand the last version was nuffed as a lot of the actual industry professionals were using it (BBC) and apple wanted to stop this.
The last video I knocked up http://youtu.be/ZpD1ByttvXE?hd=1
The reviews of the Hero2 weren't terribly flattering, so I'm not going to worry about Nick's 2ness.
The main reason I went for the 2 and spent more money was the option of an external mic. Not sorted one yet but later in the year I plan to run one out to just above the exhaust on the Golf with the camera mounted inside on the cage.
Nick
If I was buying a new one today, then I'd go for the 2, the 2 isn't that big a jump over the 1 but if you've not got one already then the 2 is worth going for on IQ, low light handling alone.
Also check out http://www.eyeofmine.com/
I've got their ND / PL filter and the difference is amazing (on well lit days).
I'd also recommend the LCD bakpac, if you're going to be using the GP handheld or for framing static positions too, stops you ending up filming a rollcage instead of the action.
I've got one of these too http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000UH46YY/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00
great for changing the battery when you're away from a power source (guessing you'll be using the 12v lighter) but given the time lapse function on the GP you can actually use it as a power source and leave the unit snapping away (or filming).
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Battery life isn't a huge concern as I'll be charging it up and pulling off footage during trackday lunch breaks. I'm also thinking of running power up to the cage mount so in the Golf it'll be on power all the time it's in use.
I'll check out those links tonight, cheers chap.
Nick
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Battery life isn't a huge concern as I'll be charging it up and pulling off footage during trackday lunch breaks. I'm also thinking of running power up to the cage mount so in the Golf it'll be on power all the time it's in use.
I'll check out those links tonight, cheers chap.
Nick
That's a great idea! I mainly use mine for skiing / mountain biking so portable power is handy :nerd:
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You can use an external mic with the original hero, it's just a smaller jack. They're great fun to be honest, plenty of places you can put them and the mounts are really good.
If you want to use the suction cup mount on the outside then for peace of mind tie some cord from the mount to someone solid on the inside of the car, just incase the suction cup fails. You can always use some duct tape too. Mount is rated up to 200mph though so as long as it's well put on it'll be fine. Wind noise is a problem even with the full waterproof case. This exhaust sound video I took has very little as it's in an area that is reasonably well hidden from the wind, I used the non waterproof back for this. However if you're using an external mic then what most people do with good sound is run the mic to the boot and tape it down there, absolutely no wind noise problems there.
http://youtu.be/o63GVEre4q0 (http://youtu.be/o63GVEre4q0)
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You eedjeet.
Coulda probably got you one at cost or a bit cheaper than you paid.
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Didn't think you could get these. Oh well, next time. :cool:
Nick
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I can get everyfing :nerd:
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It's arrived, expect some experimental footage over the weekend. Might try out the time laps feature as well.
Nick
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Low light test: http://youtu.be/zWJnSFV-BBU :grin:
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Looks like I've got a faulty one. Proper annoyed.
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Looks like I've got a faulty one. Proper annoyed.
what's happened then, the cat looked pretty good.
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Manages a whole day shooting with it today (Vid just uploading!) and then the camera seemed to crash and now the shutter (start/stop) button only works when it feels like it. Seems to be no way to factory reset it or anything. Really gutted as I've had a proper laugh with it today and suspect the replacement turnaround won't be quick enough to have it back for the trackday on Friday which is why I bought the damn thing.
Nick
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gunv-Q8NQB4
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Manages a whole day shooting with it today (Vid just uploading!) and then the camera seemed to crash and now the shutter (start/stop) button only works when it feels like it. Seems to be no way to factory reset it or anything. Really gutted as I've had a proper laugh with it today and suspect the replacement turnaround won't be quick enough to have it back for the trackday on Friday which is why I bought the damn thing.
Nick
well that sucks :cry:
I take it you've tried the unit out of the housing?
Reason i say that is the shutter button on my waterproof housing sticks (due to scuba diving with it) so needs a really positive push.
Other than that you could try re-loading the latest firmware to reset it, if you need the replacement in a hurry then you could return your current one for a refund and order a new one, you're going to be paying return postage anyway and assuming you've bought it from the net then under distance selling regulations you can send it back for a refund.
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Watched your vid a couple times now and it's really good and good choice of music to go with it :cool:
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Manages a whole day shooting with it today (Vid just uploading!) and then the camera seemed to crash and now the shutter (start/stop) button only works when it feels like it. Seems to be no way to factory reset it or anything. Really gutted as I've had a proper laugh with it today and suspect the replacement turnaround won't be quick enough to have it back for the trackday on Friday which is why I bought the damn thing.
Nick
well that sucks :cry:
I take it you've tried the unit out of the housing?
Reason i say that is the shutter button on my waterproof housing sticks (due to scuba diving with it) so needs a really positive push.
Other than that you could try re-loading the latest firmware to reset it, if you need the replacement in a hurry then you could return your current one for a refund and order a new one, you're going to be paying return postage anyway and assuming you've bought it from the net then under distance selling regulations you can send it back for a refund.
You read my mind. Bought it from amazon so it's being returned tomorrow for a refund (Includes free pick up by courier). New one already ordered and should be delivered tomorrow.
Nick
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I hope you've ordered the new one from archie...
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nope, Lol. Amazon because I needed it asap for some stuff for the trackday.
Nick
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:grin: :grin: :grin:
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I hope you've ordered the new one from archie...
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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We uses these on our F3's, even at 180mph crisp video and good sounds :)
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New one arrived and Roll Bar mount tested!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGkPc6D5Ofs
Nick
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picture quality is great.
but
great shot of the interior and screen top :cool:
very little CLEAR forward vision :huh:
maybe go outside of the box and mount it rear facing :huh:
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Indeed this was the purpose of the test (GoPro has no view finder). This was on top of the roll bar, tomorrow will try it slung underneath ans see what that's like. Will also try on top again but with a the extender in to take it up higher.
Nick
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gunv-Q8NQB4
Nice lil video.
Such an Awesome tune too! :laugh:
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Indeed this was the purpose of the test (GoPro has no view finder). This was on top of the roll bar, tomorrow will try it slung underneath ans see what that's like. Will also try on top again but with a the extender in to take it up higher.
Nick
I was gonna say the same as Chuff: nicely exposed car interior shot, but not so good for forward view. Obviously the constantly changing light is difficult to deal with, but loads of cameras would struggle to deal with it.
I would watch out for wobble with an extender on top of your roll bar, the extra length might make the footage too wobbly.
Rear facing could be interesting, how about mounted on top of the boot lid?
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how about mounted on top of the boot lid?
Likely to deliver a lot of rollbar and seats footage, unless it's rear-facing. :grin:
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I would watch out for wobble with an extender on top of your roll bar, the extra length might make the footage too wobbly.
Rear facing could be interesting, how about mounted on top of the boot lid?
Finger tighten the bolts and then half turn with a Philips head should eliminate any wobble
I've used a 3 inch carbon extender tube with mine and was perfectly stable
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how about mounted on top of the boot lid?
Likely to deliver a lot of rollbar and seats footage, unless it's rear-facing. :grin:
That was what I meant, but forgot to put. :wink:
Rear facing should give some interesting footage.
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I need to srt out a leash for it before I start running it at high speed on the sucker mount. I know it's rated to 200mph but the cost of the camera is just too much to risk it.
I think on Friday I will mix it up with some roll bar forward, roll bar backward and windscreen mounted shots. Should give some nice variety for the video.
My mate is also coming down with his MEV exorset race car for some shakedown testing and as that is an exposed space frame kit car I will be getting a few funky shots with it mounted to that as well.
Nick