GoPro HD Hero2 Motorsport edition

[Horney]

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

[Ridg]

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 

[Diamond Hell]

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?

[Horney]

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?

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

[Horney]

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

[Ridg]

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).

[Horney]

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

[Ridg]

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 

[Khare]

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

[archie837]

You eedjeet.

Coulda probably got you one at cost or a bit cheaper than you paid.